10 Best Views and Viewpoints of Quebec City

Observatoire de la Capitale is the premier viewpoint in the city set on the 31st floor of the highest skyscraper in town offering breathtaking panoramic views. When you visit this viewpoint, you can see virtually the entire city along with long stretches of the St. Lawrence River and the Appalachian Foothills.

This viewpoint also features a special experience called Horizons, which features a discovery tour focusing on 4 unique perspectives of Quebec City covering politics, history, society, and culture. You'll find it right in the middle of city centre.

Dufferin Terrace is a picturesque walkway along the St. Lawrence River that offers scenic views complemented by numerous attractions and entertainers. The wooden pavement dates back to 1838 when it was inaugurated, and it has been open to people looking to relax with a nice stroll ever since.

If you find yourself visiting during the summer months, you'll find street entertainers and musicians along the path. In the winter, you'll find opportunities to enjoy a giant tobogganing run. It's located along the river in eastern Old Quebec.

Citadelle de Québec is a historic fort that's packed full of fascinating history while also offering breathtaking views of the city and the mighty St. Lawrence River. It dates back to the mid-19th century, and it's a protected National Historic Site of Canada that's located within a larger World Heritage Site.

The viewpoint here is quite astonishing, as the elevation of the fort is particularly impressive. Looking to the west, you'll be able to peer over the city, while looking to the east lets you take in the impressive river. It's located on the east side of Old Quebec.

Pierre-Dugua-De-Mons Terrace is a prominent lookout point that lets you take in postcard-worthy views full of iconic landmarks and miles of landscapes. This destination is known to have particularly scenic views all year long, so you'll want to stop by no matter when you visit Quebec City.

This lookout point consists of a grassy lawn that lets you enjoy a picnic while taking in the views. When you look out, you'll be able to see landmarks like Dufferin Terrace, the St. Lawrence River, and Château Frontenac. It's located in southeast Old Quebec.

Promenade des Gouverneurs, or the Governor's Promenade, is a long boardwalk that's notably wide and stretches between Dufferin Terrace and the Plains of Abraham. On this massive boardwalk, you can take in scenic views with plenty of space to share with other visitors without feeling crowded.

Being located between the terrace and the park, the promenade offers lots of picturesque scenery. The walls of the Citadelle are visible on one side, while the other lets you gaze out into the mighty St. Lawrence River. You can get to this viewpoint just south of Old Quebec.

Terrasse du Chevalier-de-Lévis is a stunning lookout point on the east side of the river that lets you gaze out onto the port and the distant historic cityscape. This viewpoint is known for never getting too many crowds, so it's a notably quiet experience compared with many others.

The unique location of the viewpoint offers a fascinating perspective into city centre and Old Quebec, both of which are visible from across the river. You may want to check it out at night, especially as the lights of the skyline reflect off the water. It's located in southern Lévis on the coast.

Escalier Casse-Cou, or the breakneck steps, consists of the oldest steps in the city where you'll find pristine viewpoints and historical value. They were originally built nearly 4 centuries ago in 1635, and there are 59 steps in total here. The steps are a bit different from their original iteration, however, as they've been split into 3 parallel staircases.

When you visit these steps, you'll find yourself flanked by historic buildings on both sides. Whether you want to get a shot from the bottom of the steps or the top, the historical importance of the area shines through either way. They're located in Old Quebec connecting Côte de la Montagne to Rue du Petit-Champlain.

The Quebec City Ferry Terminal is the gateway to some of the best views in town where you can cross the river taking in scenic views throughout the entire journey. Travelling from Petit-Champlain to Quai Paquet in Lévis, or the other way around, lets you relax on the water as the elegance of the city stands tall in the distance.

The architectural diversity of the city tends to stand out quite a bit when you're taking advantage of this view. You may want to take the ferry at night to see the lights from the city dance on the waves of the surrounding water. The terminal is on the east coast of Old Quebec.

Funiculaire du Vieux-Québec is a popular transport that will take you up and down a cliff face at a striking 45-degree angle with plenty of views along the way. You'll reach heights of 280.5 feet when you travel this cliff face offering scenic views of the surrounding area.

The transport pods move fairly slowly, so you'll have plenty of time to take in the sights or take photos of Old Quebec from unique vantage points along the side of the cliff. You can get to this unique electric cableway on the east side of Old Quebec.

Ciel! Bistro-bar is a popular restaurant in town that's located high in a skyscraper with windows that wrap around the entire building offering stunning 360-degree views. When taking in the view here, you'll be able to gaze over Old Quebec as well as the St. Lawrence River.

Mountains are visible in the distance, with the view from this restaurant stretching clear for miles. Plus, the food is delicious with a deluxe culinary experience prepared from an open kitchen. Try it for yourself in the southern part of city centre by the Plains of Abraham.