Upper Town (Haute-Ville) Tours and Tickets

There are plenty of ways to experience the Upper Town. Looking at ratings and reviews previously given by customers, these are the best tours available right now:

• Old Quebec Classique Walking Tour With Funicular

• Private Tour: Quebec City Walking Tour

• Private Walking Tour of Old Quebec With Funicular

• Quebec City Shore Excursion: Grand Walking Tour of Quebec City

• Quebec City: Double Decker Express Tour

While it’s free to visit the Upper Town, many travelers opt to explore with a guide to learn more about the historic district. Guided sightseeing tours of Quebec City start at US$27, and walking tours of Old Quebec, including a funicular ride to the Upper Town, start at US$41.

The easiest way to get between the Lower Town (Basse-Ville) and Upper Town (Haute-Ville) in Quebec City is to take the funicular (CA$6 per person one-way), which links rue Petit-Champlain to Dufferin Terrace. Alternatively, it’s possible to walk or cycle up the hill, or take a bus or taxi.

The Upper Town is part of the Old Quebec UNESCO World Heritage Site and home to several notable landmarks. Start by strolling the Dufferin Terrace, which affords magnificent views over the Lower Town and St. Lawrence River, then visit the Château Frontenac, Notre-Dame de Québec Cathedral-Basilica, and the 19th-century Citadelle.

Head up to the Upper Town in the early morning to walk the cliff-top fortifications and enjoy sightseeing before the crowds and tour groups arrive. For the most impressive views, come in the golden hour before dusk and stick around to watch the sunset over the St. Lawrence River.

Yes. The Upper Town is accessible for wheelchair users and travelers with reduced mobility, but some advance planning is required to avoid the many stairways and cobbled lanes of Old Quebec. Fully accessible sights include the funicular between the Upper and Lower Towns, the Citadelle, and the Dufferin Terrace.