There are many great things to do in Quebec City and Montreal, but if you have to choose between the two, you need this guide! My family and I have been to Quebec City around a dozen times and Montreal four times. We love both cities for different reasons, and I feel like I am in an excellent spot to really break down the good, the bad, and the rarely ugly about each city.

 

I’ll start with this caveat! Which city you should visit depends entirely on what you’re looking for and what suits you and your crew. If you’re into history and culture, Quebec City offers this in spades; if you’re more interested in cosmopolitan museums and fine dining restaurants, Montreal is the place to be.

Here’s a closer look at some key differences between these two great Canadian cities.

History and Culture in Quebec City

Quebec City is one of the oldest European settlements in North America, dating back to 1608. The city’s Old Town is a UNESCO World Heritage Site, full of beautiful architecture and historical landmarks. There are also a number of museums and art galleries to explore.

In the old town, you can visit:

• Chateau Frontenac- The most photographed hotel in the world and the beautiful castle-like structure you can see everywhere in the old town.
• The Museum of Civilization- This museum tells the story of the founding of Quebec City.
• Petit Champlain- The oldest part of the city is also the most charming. This pedestrian street is lined with shops and restaurants.
• Place Royale- Another section of the Lower Town that was instrumental in the city’s founding.
• The Citadel is the largest active military fortress in the province of Quebec. They have excellent tours.

In addition to the old town, there are many more modern attractions in Quebec City.

The city has a great aquarium, an enormous waterfall, a museum of contemporary art, a mall with an indoor amusement park, and an outdoor skating rink.

Want to read everything you should do in Quebec City?

Check out this post about the best things to do in Quebec City.

History and Culture in Montreal

Montreal is a younger city, having been founded in 1642. However, it’s also a very culturally diverse city with a strong French influence. Montreal is also a very culturally rich city. It’s home to many different ethnic groups, and you can find food and arts from around the world.

While Montreal may seem cosmopolitan compared to Quebec City, some neighborhoods retain a smaller-town charm.

While you are in Montreal, you can visit:

• Mont-Royal- this small mountain gave Montreal its name. It can be seen from most parts of the city and offers lots of outdoor fun.
• Biodome- This indoor habitat is home to many animals and plants from Canada.
• Botanical Gardens- The gardens feature over 10,000 plant species from all over the world.
• Notre Dame Basilica- This stunning church is one of Montreal’s most popular tourist attractions.

Montreal also has some great museums, including the Montreal Museum of Fine Arts and the Montreal Science Centre.

Want a great guide to Montreal?

Check out my post on 19 things to do in Montreal.

 

Size of Quebec City vs. Montreal

One of the most significant differences between Quebec City and Montreal is their size. Quebec City is much smaller, with a population of just over half a million people.

On the other hand, Montreal is a major metropolis with a population of over 1.6 million people. This means that Montreal is much more crowded and busy than Quebec City.

Montreal is one of the fastest-growing cities in North America, and when we last visited, the skyline was filled with cranes!

Quebec City Old Town vs. Montreal Old Town

One of the main differences between Quebec City and Montreal is their respective old towns.

Quebec City’s Old Town is a UNESCO World Heritage Site, full of beautiful architecture and historic buildings. The streets are lined with quaint cafes and shops, and there’s a lot to see and do. Founded in 1608, Quebec City’s Old Town is divided into upper and lower towns. The Upper town has architecture from the  16-19th centuries, while the Lower Town has some remaining buildings from the early 15th century.

In addition, Quebec City’s Old Town is still surrounded by the city wall in many places. This is the oldest walled city in North America.

 

Montreal’s Old Town, on the other hand, is much newer. Founded in 1642 and built in grey stone it doesn’t have the same feel as Old Town Quebec City. It’s still a nice place to walk around and grab a bite to eat,  but it doesn’t have the same appeal as Quebec City. This area of town is 1/5- 1/6th the size of Old Town Quebec City.

Winner: Quebec City

 

Nightlife

Montreal is well-known for its vibrant nightlife scene. There are plenty of bars and nightclubs to keep you entertained, and the city also has a great food culture. You’ll find everything from casual cafes to fine-dining restaurants in Montreal. Thanks to a large student population, restaurants are open late, and bars line many streets.

Quebec City’s nightlife scene is much more low-key, but there are still plenty of good places to grab a drink or two. Don’t plan on dinner spots being open past 10 pm in Quebec City. You are much more likely to find a coffee house than a bar in Quebec City.

Winner: Depends on your age!!

 

Hotel prices in Quebec City vs. Montreal

 

There is a big difference in hotel prices between the two cities. Montreal has many high-end hotels, while Quebec City’s hotels are more moderate in range. However, you can find what you are looking for in either city—high-end hotels to low-end.

Plus, both offer a huge range of stays with Airbnb and VRBO.

If you want to stay in the Old City, you will find many more options in Quebec City than in Montreal.

Prices for hotels per night in Montreal are around -$200 USD

Prices for hotels per night in Quebec City are about $130 USD

Winner: Quebec 

My recommended hotels in Quebec City are:
Chateau Frontenac- For the fanciest occasion
Auberge Place d’Armes- Great for a mid-range trip
Le Capitole- Best for families

My recommended hotels for Montreal are:
Hotel Fairmont Queen Elizabeth- For the fanciest occasion
Alt Hotel Montreal- Great for a mid-range trip
Auberge du Vieux-Port- Best for families (rooms that can sleep up to 7)

 

Transportation Quebec City vs. Montreal

Both Quebec City and Montreal have public transportation systems, but the extent of the transportation varies.

In Quebec City, you can get around by bus or taxi.

Montreal has a metro system that can take you almost anywhere in the city and right out to the suburbs.

You can also get around Montreal by bike, thanks to the city’s extensive network of bike lanes. I mean, really, there are bike lanes everywhere!

Winner: Montreal

 

Driving in Quebec City vs. Montreal

Quebec City is very easy to navigate. The city is about the size of Denver in terms of square miles and the size of Albuquerque in terms of population. You can find free parking everywhere outside of the old city. Within the old town, you will find short-term street parking and two central garages.

You can drive through the Upper Old Town but very little through the Lower Old Town.

 

If you’re planning on driving a car, be aware that driving in Montreal can be pretty challenging. The city is full of one-way streets and lots of construction, so getting lost is easy. But if you can drive in other large cities like Chicago or Los Angeles you will find Montreal a cinch. It is similar in population to Seattle.

Most parking in Montreal is parallel parking on the street or large (and expensive) garages.

 

Winner: Quebec City

 

 

Weather in Quebec City vs. Montreal

The weather is relatively similar between the two cities. Both have cold, snowy winters and hot, humid summers. However, Montreal’s winters are usually milder than Quebec City’s. The winters are frigid compared to most places in the United States.

For the best winter gear for a December trip to Quebec, check out my post here.

Winner: Tie

 

Where can you get by in English?

You can get by in both Quebec City and Montreal with English. However, you’ll have a much easier time getting around if you know some French.

This is especially true in Quebec City, where many signs and announcements are in French only. In Montreal, you’ll find that most people speak French and English.

At most restaurants and stores in Montreal, you will be greeted in English first, which rarely happens in Quebec City.

If you are in the touristy part of Quebec City, you will get by with English; as you adventure farther out, you will need French more and more.

Winner: Montreal

 

Best museums in Quebec City vs. Montreal

There are some great museums in both Quebec City and Montreal. However, Quebec City’s museums focus on history and culture, while Montreal’s museums cover a more comprehensive range of topics. If you love museums, you will much prefer Montreal.

Winner: Montreal

Who has the best food, Quebec City or Montreal?

 

This is a tricky question to answer, as both Quebec City and Montreal have terrific food.

Quebec City has a more traditional food scene. You’ll find plenty of delicious Quebecois dishes in the city, such as poutine and maple syrup. Most of the best restaurants are French and serve traditional food like escargot, flambe steak au poivre, french onion soup, etc.

Montreal’s food scene is also excellent, but it’s more diverse. You’ll find everything from French to Italian to Chinese food in Montreal. There are far more options for fine dining in Montreal than in Quebec City. Many up-and-coming restaurants use French cuisine as a jumping-off point and fuse it with cuisines from around the world.

Winner: Montreal

 

Which is the Best Destination in Quebec?

There is no correct answer regarding choosing Quebec City vs. Montreal. It all depends on what you’re looking for in a vacation destination. Quebec City is the place for you if you want a smaller city with plenty of history and culture. Montreal is your best bet if you’re looking for a more diverse city with lots to do.

I say if you can do both on the same trip you should. Montreal and Quebec City are about a 3-hour drive apart and can easily be combined in a week-long vacation.

If you don’t have that much time to spend, I would recommend Quebec City over Montreal. Quebec City is so different from any city in the US or Canada that it would be a shame to miss it. The experience is worth it!