7 Best Day Trips from Quebec

Quebec is a city that combines modernity and history, as contemporary culture coexists with the traditions of the original peoples. If you've already spent several days in the city and know all there is to see and do in Quebec, but still want to stay longer in this cosmopolitan city, you'll be happy to know that there are many wonders to discover in the surrounding area.

High waterfalls, trails surrounded by forests, historic villages, whale-watching cruises... These are just some of the excursions you can do from Quebec to make the most of your stay in this Canadian city.

One of the most recommended places to visit near Quebec is the town of Beaupré, home to the famous Montmorency Falls, which are 83 metres high. To see them, you can join a half-day guided tour with transfer included, which will also take you to other sites of interest in the town, such as the Sainte-Anne Basilica, an architectural icon of the city.

The jewel in the crown of these excursions is undoubtedly the Montmorency Falls, located in the Parc de la Chute-Montmorency. There are trails that take you up to the waterfalls to admire them up close and to the cable car, from where you can take in the panoramic view of the falls and the surrounding nature. Tours usually include free time to enjoy this natural treasure.

The Basilica of Sainte-Anne-de-Beaupré is considered the second oldest pilgrimage centre in North America and a visit to the Museum of Albert Gilles, a famous copper embossing artist who made the doors of the Basilica of Sainte-Anne-de-Beaupré and other pieces of art in churches in Quebec, is also usually included in the guided tour.

Throughout the tour, you will be accompanied by an expert local guide who can enrich the experience with insights into the culture and history of Beaupré and its natural treasures.

Details of interest

• Price: from €61 per person.
• Duration: about 4 and a half hours.
• Means of transport: bus.

Near Quebec is the Saguenay-Saint Lawrence National Marine Park, one of the best places in the world for whale watching due to the large number of aquatic animals that inhabit its waters. Excursions usually take place on a cruise ship, which takes you close to the viewing area. You also have the option of going on a speedboat to get close to the whales and see them up close without disturbing them.

These tours are usually conducted with a specialised guide who can tell you all about each species and the marine ecosystem. For this, you should set aside a whole day, as the experience usually lasts about 11 hours.

Among the whales you can see are the blue whale, which is about 31 metres long and has a blue tail, the fin whale or rorqual whale, which is characterised by its enormous jaw, and the beluga whale, which stands out for its fantastic song.

Bear in mind that the best time to see whales is in summer, between the months of May and October, although the beluga whale and numerous species of birds and other fish can be seen all year round. There is no doubt that this tour is one of the best boat trips in Quebec, as it is an experience enjoyed by people of all ages.

Details of interest

• Price: about €180 for adults and about €160 for children under 13.
• Duration: about 11 hours.
• Means of transport: 3-decker boat and speedboat to get you close to the whales.

If you like sports you can join this trekking and skiing experience in the Jacques-Cartier National Park, a protected area located 45 minutes from downtown Quebec City. There you can discover the wonderful views from its viewpoints, learn about its flora and fauna, and hike its trails with an expert guide who will show you the snowy forests in a small group tour.

The best time to do this excursion is in winter, which runs from December to March in Quebec. The tour companies usually provide you with all the necessary skiing equipment, snowshoes and poles so that you can trek without any inconvenience. In addition, these tours are usually done in small groups of people accompanied by an experienced guide, ensuring a safe experience.

While hiking the trails in Jacques-Cartier Park, you'll have plenty of opportunities to take in the views of the Jacques Cartier Glacial Valley and the Jacques Cartier River. In addition, from the trails you will be able to spot native animals such as deer, queen elk, beavers, deer and many more.

Many of these experiences include lunch and a comforting beverage such as hot chocolate in addition to the transfer to and from the park. Please note that you should be in average physical condition to enjoy this activity, as the trails will be covered in snow. Also, as the park receives a limited number of people per day, don't forget to book your tour in advance.

Details of interest

• Price: about €95 for adults and about €65 for children under 17.
• Duration: approximately 3 to 4 hours.
• Means of transport: minibus.

If you prefer a more adventurous experience to see the Montmorency waterfalls, you can join a cycling tour to the Chute-Montmorency National Park, home to the famous waterfalls of the same name. At 83 metres high, the Montmorency Falls are the highest waterfalls in the region and are located in a beautiful natural setting. The route from Quebec is about 10 km one way and 10 km return.

These tours generally use the bike paths along the St. Lawrence River, which is already a very nice ride. Once in the park you can leave the bikes to one side, as there are pedestrian paths that take you to the base of the waterfall, and a cable car and suspension bridge from where you can see the waterfalls from above. You can also climb the stairs if you prefer. And if you want to add to the thrill of the experience, you can zip-line across the falls.

These tours are usually run in small groups with a professional local guide who can tell you a lot about the National Park, the falls and its flora and fauna. They also usually provide you with all the equipment you need to participate in the activity, such as a helmet and a bottle of water. Most also include entrance to the park and a ticket for the cable car.

Details of interest

• Price: from approximately €118 per person.
• Duration: about 4 hours.
• Means of transport: bicycle and cable car.

If you're a wine and food lover, you'll be happy to know that very close to Quebec, on Île d'Orléans, you can also take a wine tasting tour to sample the finest local wines from the vineyards. The excursions are usually conducted with an expert guide who can enrich the visit with interesting information about the wines, the cellars and the vineyards.

As for the Ile d'Orleans, it has a long tradition in wine production thanks to its microclimate and the composition of its soils, which make it perfect for the production of high quality wines. These include the Sainte-Pétronille vineyard, which grows some 12 different grape varieties and specialises in white wine, and Cassis Monna & Filles, a family vineyard now in its fifth generation.

These tours usually include transfer to the island from Quebec and all transfers from one vineyard to the other. They also usually include wine tastings and a gourmet snack, as the island is known for its diverse culinary specialties.

Details of interest

• Price: about 80 EUR per person.
• Duration: approximately 4 hours.
• Means of transport: air-conditioned vehicle.

One of the best excursions you can do from Quebec is to sail to the Isle Aux-Grues archipelago, a site renowned for being the largest untouched wetland in northeastern North America. These tours are usually accompanied by professional guides who can provide you with a wealth of information about the region and its history, as well as its marine flora and fauna.

The cruises, which depart from Quebec's docks along the St Lawrence River, offer the best panoramic views of the city and the lively coastline from the start. The archipelago is made up of some 21 islands, each with its own particular history, which the guides are sure to tell you about. The l'Isle-aux-Grues is the only one that is populated and is known to be the birthplace of the prominent Canadian painter and sculptor Jean-Paul Riopelle.

These excursions usually take place around midday, especially in spring and summer, except when weather conditions do not permit. It is best to plan ahead for these tours, as they tend to be in high demand, especially in high season. On the other hand, many of these tours do not usually include food and drink.

Interesting details

• Price: from 60 € per person.
• Duration: approximately 2.5 hours.
• Means of transport: boat.

Another interesting excursion you can take from Quebec is to visit the island of Grosse Île, to learn about its history and cultural importance. Grosse Île was of great significance in the 19th century, during the time of Irish immigration to Canada, when it became a quarantine station and hospital for thousands of immigrants.

The guides on these tours usually play historical characters and tell the story in an original and entertaining way, allowing you to follow in the footsteps of the immigrants and gain a deeper understanding of the significance of the place. You'll also usually visit sites of historical importance on Grosse Île, such as the old quarantine station and the immigrant monument.

It's a tour that not only teaches you about history, but also allows you to admire the surrounding countryside, as you'll have to board a cruise ship at the quays of Quebec to get to the island. It usually takes place in summer, from May to the first days of October, due to the weather. Please note that there are no restaurants on the island and these excursions do not usually include lunch, so bring your own food and drinks.

Useful details

• Price: from €71 per person.
• Duration: approximately 6 hours.
• Means of transport: boat.