Where to Find the Best Views in Quebec City

Quiet viewpoints, hidden corners, and a ride with the city skyline at your feet

Quebec City is one of the most beautiful places in North America—and while most visitors snap their photos from Château Frontenac or Dufferin Terrace, some of the best views are just a little further off the tourist trail.

Here are three often-missed spots (plus one unforgettable boat ride) that will give you stunning perspectives of the city—and a deeper appreciation of its history and beauty.

Pierre-Dugua-De-Mons Terrace – A View Above the Château

If you think the best view is at the Château Frontenac, think again. Just behind the Citadel sits this peaceful terrace, perched on a bluff above the city. It offers breathtaking views over the Château’s rooftops, the St. Lawrence River, and the Laurentian Mountains in the distance.

It’s one of the quietest corners of Old Quebec—perfect for a morning stroll or a moment of calm.

How to get there: Follow the path behind Governors’ Garden or walk up through the Citadel grounds.

Montmorency Park – A Hidden Hilltop Retreat

Once the site of Canada’s first Parliament, Montmorency Park is now a quiet green space with some of the best panoramic views of Lower Town and the river. Few tourists stop here, but the locals know: the view is wide, the breeze is fresh, and the atmosphere is unbeatable.

Look for historic markers and statues while you take in the scene from the benches near the edge.

How to get there: Off Côte de la Montagne, near Rue Port-Dauphin and the cannonball tree.

Rue des Remparts – A Scenic Stroll on the Edge

Lined with stone homes and wildflowers, Rue des Remparts hugs the cliffside and traces the old city walls. It’s a stunning and peaceful walk with postcard-worthy views of the Lower Town’s rooftops, the St. Lawrence, and Île d’Orléans.

The best part? It’s almost always quiet, even in peak season.

How to get there: Start near Kent Gate and follow the road east along the ramparts.

Bonus: The Québec-Lévis Ferry

Want the ultimate view of Quebec City’s skyline? Hop on the ferry to Lévis. It runs every 20–30 minutes and offers a spectacular water-level view of the city’s cliffs, the Château Frontenac, and the Old Port—especially at sunset or twilight.

It’s quick, cheap, and the return ride gives you a whole new perspective.

How to get there: Departs from the Old Port terminal (2-minute walk from Petit Champlain).

Looking to explore more hidden gems and stories?

Join a walking tour with Urban Horizons Tours—where locals share the secrets behind the scenery. Come for the views, stay for the stories.

The Chateau Frontenac and the Dufferin Terrace