As someone who lives in Germany, I thought it would be impossible to find somewhere that does Christmas coziness better. However, after visiting beautiful Québec City, I think I’ve found somewhere that gives Germany a run for its money!

Located in the French Canadian province of the same name, Québec City is one of the cutest and most picturesque places I have ever been. Founded in 1608, it is one of North America’s oldest cities, and retains much of its old world charm. The historic district of Old Québec, filled with cobblestone streets and wonderfully preserved colonial-era buildings, is a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and attracts millions of tourists to the city every year. Old Québec, which is split into the upper town and lower town, is pretty at the best of times, but during the holiday season it is absolutely magical. The Québécois really go all out during this period with the decorations and festivities, making the city a perfect place for a Christmas getaway. 

What to do in Québec City

Be enchanted by the Petit Champlain District

The whole of Old Québec is bursting with Christmas cheer during this period, but the highlight for me is the Petit Champlain quarter. Located in the lower town, this historic district becomes a true winter wonderland. Its charm is amplified by snow-covered cobblestone streets, twinkling fairy lights, Christmas trees, and cutely decorated shop windows. The heart of this district is Place Royale, which is where Samuel de Champlain founded the city. This square is also where the oldest stone church in North America can be found – the Notre Dame Des Victoires. With its faithfully restored buildings surrounding it, Place-Royal looks like it’s been pulled straight out of a Christmas film.

Cozy up at the German Christmas market

Christmas wouldn’t be Christmas without visiting a festive market, and the ones in Québec City don’t disappoint. The city’s German Christmas Market is spread across several venues around the Old Town, such as Sainte-Anne street, place d’Armes, place D’Youville, and Jardins de l’Hôtel-de-Ville outside the beautiful Notre-Dame cathedral. This means you are never too far away from the festivities. You’ll find villages of little wooden huts selling food, drink, and crafts, illuminations, live music, as well as communal warming stations (very welcoming at night!). All the vendors were super friendly and chatty when I was there, and seemed fully invested in the celebrations. So, grab yourself a hot mug of glühwein or hot chocolate, and soak up the wonderful atmosphere.

Do some Christmas shopping

From delicious treats like maple syrup, chocolates, and cider, to hand made crafts and ornaments, you will be spoiled for choice for Christmas gifts in Québec City. There are plenty of little shops to dive into, but a particularly nice street to do some shopping is Rue du Petit Champlain in the Petit Champlain district. This charming, narrow street was once voted the most beautiful pedestrian street in the country, and for good reason! There you will find dozens of small, independent boutiques. You may even catch a glimpse of Santa Claus down there too! There is also La Boutique de Noël de Québec outside the Notre-Dame de Québec Basilica in the upper town, which sells all manner of Christmas goodies. If you are a fan of the German Nutcrackers, keep an eye out for the Québec-themed ones in ice hockey attire! 

Try some local seasonal treats

During the holiday season, you can sample some unique local snacks. One of the most popular is maple taffy. Vendors at Sugar Shacks (Cabane à Sucre) pour indulgent, warmed maple syrup onto snow, let it cool slightly, then twirl it up on a stick, thus creating a maple syrup lolly – genius! Other snacks you will see are ‘beaver tails’ (sweet, cinnamony pastries), as well as caribou (a warm, sweet alcoholic beverage made from red wine, rye whiskey, and maple syrup). Perfect for those cold evenings!

Stroll along Dufferin Terrace

Perched above Rue du Petit Champlain in the shadow of Québec’s iconic Château Frontenac hotel is Dufferin Terrace. This long promenade is a great place to take a brisk, picturesque winter stroll. From there, you get great views out over the often frozen St Lawrence River and surrounding mountains. There is also a century old toboggan run to slide down at the far end of the terrace if you fancy it, though you may already be sliding around due to the ice. You can get to the terrace by walking up the winding streets from the lower town, or by taking the historic funicular railway up for a couple of dollars. 

Try your hand at some winter sports

Canadians love their winter sports, and there are plenty of areas to join them in QC during the Christmas period. Numerous ice rinks pop up around the city, such as at Place D’Youville by the old city walls. Here you will see locals and tourists alike whizzing around with varying degrees of skill. If you’d like somewhere a bit quieter, head to the historic Plains of Abraham, by La Citadelle de Québec. The rolling hills of this large park get blanketed in a thick layer of bright white snow in winter, making it a perfect place to go skiing or sledding. The winding paths can also be used as an ice skating route. 

Where to eat in Québec City

While the Christmas markets should keep you satisfied, you may want to escape the cold and have a nice sit down meal. Luckily, there are plenty of excellent, cozy restaurants to choose from in QC. A few places I can recommend in the main tourist areas are:

• Aux Anciens Canadiens – If you want to try some traditional Québec dishes, then you can’t go wrong with Aux Anciens Canadiens. Located inside the oldest house in the city, AAC serves up classics like Tourtière (a Québecois meat pie) and Tarte au sucre.

• Le Lapin Sauté – Found on charming Rue du Petit Champlain, Le Lapin Sauté is a rustic restaurant specializing in rabbit dishes. Housed in an old cottage-style building, it is perfect for a cozy, late night winter dinner. 
• Archibald Microbrasserie – For some good local beer and surprisingly tasty food, head to Archibald Microbrasserie. There are a few branches of this microbrewery, but the one in the Quartier Petit Champlain is conveniently located near the top attractions. 

Things to know before visiting Québec City

Is English spoken?

Yes. While French is the official language of the province, I didn’t really have any issues as most people spoke English, though not quite as commonly as in Montréal. Still, it’s good to brush up on some basic French phrases beforehand. The locals will certainly appreciate it!

What to pack for a winter trip to Québec City

Canada is known for its cold winter weather, but having experienced it firsthand, I was glad I prepared before my trip. The temperatures during December can drop to below -30 degrees Celsius, a temperature I hadn’t experienced before until I arrived there. Snow can be several feet deep during this time, while slippery ice covers paths and roads. There is also heavy snowfall, and large amounts of ice can slide off of roofs (watch out for the ‘chute de glace’ signs!). However, if you pack properly, you will be able to enjoy yourself in these potentially hazardous conditions in a snug and cozy fashion. Below I have listed some important things you should bring with you.

• Snow boots – These will likely be essential, unless you don’t mind soggy, frost-bitten feet. Bring boots which are waterproof and with good grip, as although streets are gritted, there are plenty of precarious spots around such as going up and down stairs.
• Thick winter coat – Bring a coat with good heat retention, a hood, and a nice thick collar. There are plenty to choose from, with many Canadians rocking the legendary Canada Goose brand. For something significantly cheaper, check out Uniqlo’s HEATTECH line.
• Thick hat – Protect your delicate ears from the frost with a nice thick hat. Bobble optional, but recommended for added cuteness. 
• Scarf – If your coat has a nice thick collar that covers your neck, you may not need one, but it’s never a bad idea to bring a scarf to a cold destination. 
• Thermal underlays – Depending on just how cold it gets, a thermal long sleeve t-shirt or some leg warmers could be a good idea, especially if you are wanting to wear jeans/smart trousers rather than thick winter bottoms. 
• Gloves – Super important. At times, my hands began to feel quite sweaty from wearing them, but within seconds of taking them off they were freezing cold and red. Also, gloves will be vital if you want to throw snowballs at someone.
• Lip balm – I had to use some quite frequently as the cold, dry weather made my lips crack and bleed.

Getting to Québec City

Arriving by plane: You will most likely be arriving at Québec City Jean Lesage International Airport (YQB), which is located around 15km west of the city centre. The cheapest option to get you into the city centre or Old Québec is by using public bus. Buses no.76 and 80 both depart from the main street outside the terminal. Tickets can be bought from machines inside the terminal and cost $3.25 CAD one-way (children under 5 travel for free). You can buy a ticket on board from the driver, but it costs $0.50 more and you have to pay with exact change.

There will be plenty of taxis waiting if you fancy something more convenient. Expect to pay between $41-48 CAD (depending on the time of day) from the airport to downtown Québec. Uber is also available and is usually cheaper than taxis. Alternatively, you could rent a car from one of the many airport car rental services.

Arriving by train: The main train station in QC is Gare du Palais. From here it is just a short walk to Old Québec. There are also taxis and buses to catch from outside the station if you don’t fancy the walk. 

Where to stay in Québec City

For first-time visitors, stay in Old Québec so you are near the main attractions. There are places further out that are unsurprisingly cheaper, but unless you have a reason to be there, I’d suggest staying centrally. We stayed at this fantastic Airbnb, which was located down a quiet side street around five minutes’ walk from the Quartier Petit Champlain. 

As you can see, Québec is truly a magical place especially during the festive period. I hope this post has given you lots of ideas about what to see and do there. If you have any other questions, ask away and I’ll do my best to answer them!

Ciao for now

Izzie, the Curious Sparrow