Quebec City, Canada

Quebec City lies on the Saint Lawrence River, roughly three hours east of Montreal. The city is the second-oldest existing European settlement in Canada. This historic city is divided in two by steep bluffs into Upper Town—which includes the old quarter—and Lower Town. Perched atop Cap-Diamant, the old quarter is the only walled city in North America and is a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

The Citadel, Chateau Frontenac, Plains of Abraham and the Quebec Parliament are all attractions located in Upper Town, sharing the space with a variety of standout shops and markets. The Naval Museum of Quebec and the Old Port of Québec are found in Lower Town, as well as Place-Royal, the site of the first permanent settlement in New France. Quebec City is also famous for the Quebec Winter Carnival, which showcases world-class ice sculpture and more during its annual snowy celebrations.

Arriving from Montréal you're immediately struck by the differences between the province's two main cities. Whilst Montréal is international, dynamic and forward-thinking, Québec City is more than a shade provincial, often seeming too bound up with its religious and military past - a residue of the days when the city was the bastion of the Catholic Church in Canada. On the other hand, the Church can claim much of the credit for the creation and preservation of the finest buildings, from the quaint Église Notre Dame-des-Victoires to the Basilique Notre Dame de Québec and the vast Seminary . In contrast, the austere defensive structures, dominated by the massive Citadelle , reveal the military pedigree of a city dubbed by Churchill as the "Gibraltar of North America", while the battlefield of the Plains of Abraham is now a national historic park. Of the city's rash of museums, two are essential visits - the modern Musée de la Civilisation , in Vieux-Québec, expertly presenting all aspects of French-Canadian society, and the Musée du Québec , in the Haute-Ville, west of Vieux-Québec, which has the finest art collection in the province.

Outside the city limits, the town of Lévis and the Huron reservation, Wendake , make worthwhile excursions, whilst the churches and farmland of the Côte-de-Beaupré and the Île d'Orléans hark back to the days of the seigneurs and habitants . The gigantic Basilique de Ste-Anne-de-Beaupré , attracting millions of pilgrims annually, is one of the most impressive sights in Québec, and for equally absorbing natural sights there are the spectacular waterfalls at Montmorency and Sept-Chutes , and the wildlife reserve in the Laurentians. See our surrounding area guide on the left for hotel options near Quebec City.

Canada Luxury Hotels takes the hassle out of finding the perfect city escape, romantic getaway or five-star business accomodation. See our regularly updated hand-picked list of top luxury destinations in Canada.