What to Wear in Quebec City in Summer: Chic and Functional

We just got back from a summer trip to Quebec City, and I couldn’t wait to share everything from what I wore in Quebec City in summer, to where we stayed, what we ate, and all the charming spots we explored.

The city feels like a slice of Europe without the transatlantic flight. With cobblestone streets, café-lined corners, and stunning old-world architecture, it’s full of French-inspired charm. And if you’re in the NYC area, it’s only about a 90-minute flight. Truly an easy escape.

Most travel guides focus on Quebec City in the winter, but this post offers a stylish summer perspective on what to pack, what to wear, and what to do when it’s warm and sunny.

From our stay at the iconic Château Frontenac to getting gelato along the boardwalk, a visit to Montmorency Falls, and even a ghost tour at night, it was the perfect mix of style, adventure, and relaxed city wandering.

What to Wear in Quebec City in Summer

Quebec City in the summer is warm, charming, and full of old-world character. But it’s also hilly, with plenty of cobblestone streets. That means your outfits need to strike a balance between chic and functional, especially if you plan to walk a lot (and you will).

Think Breezy and Effortless

Daytime temperatures often reach the high 80s, with plenty of sun. Lightweight fabrics like linen, cotton, and lightweight blends are ideal for staying cool while still looking polished. Most days don’t require layering. We found that most restaurants and cafés had open windows and doors but no air-conditioning. So breathable outfits were key, even for dinner.

Prioritize Comfortable (But Cute) Footwear

Footwear really matters here. You’ll be navigating uneven cobblestones, steep hills, and lots of stairs. Especially if you’re walking between Upper and Lower Quebec. I packed both comfortable sneakers and chic woven flats, and ended up rotating between the two depending on the day’s plan.

If you’re looking for some great shoe recommendations, check out this post on chic and comfortable shoes – they’re all pieces I’ve personally worn and loved.

Style Tip: Quebec City Leans Classic

Locals and visitors alike favor a refined, European-inspired look. You’ll feel right at home in:

Breezy midi or mini dresses
Tailored shorts and lightweight tops
A chic crossbody or woven day bag
Minimal jewelry to transition from day to night

These staples will take you seamlessly from lunch at a cafe to sunset gelato on the boardwalk.

Daytime Outfits I Wore In Quebec City in Summer

If you’re wondering what to wear in Quebec City in summer during the day, I focused on easy dresses and lightweight pieces that kept me comfortable in the heat. Especially for walking and sightseeing.

What I Wore for Exploring the Old City

Most days, I wore breezy, lightweight dresses in longer midi lengths (like this one). I love how easy dresses are for travel. They take up less space in your suitcase and instantly feel pulled-together. Even for casual café lunches or popping into little shops. Plus you never know when you will get a windy day. The longer length helps!

For footwear, I alternated between:

Woven flats – ideal for the smoother sidewalks in Upper Quebec (these are my favorite pair).
Sneakers – better for the uneven cobblestones and steeper walks in Lower Quebec (these are a great neutral pair).
Flat Sandals – perfect for warmer days or a more relaxed feel when strolling or stopping for gelato (these were my go-to).

The mix let me stay comfortable and still feel feminine and put-together.

What to Wear in Quebec City in Summer: Travel Ready Accessories

To keep things easy and polished, I packed:

My go-to raffia bag
Simple pearl stud earrings, gold hoops, silver hoop earrings, and a pendant necklace (see full packing list towards the end of the post for links and codes).
Tortoise sunglasses

These were perfect for daytime but transitioned effortlessly into dinner looks, too.

Go-to Dinner Looks For Quebec

Evenings in Quebec City have a relaxed yet elegant feel. I usually wore the same dresses from the day with a quick accessory swap like delicate jewelry, and a slightly dressier bag.

I love how woven flats elevate a casual dress just enough. They were my go-to for dinner and easily worked at both casual bistros and more upscale spots. (You’ll see the specifics in the next section on where we ate.)

What I Wore to Montmorency Falls

For our day trip to Montmorency Falls, I swapped my dresses for tailored shorts and a breathable top. Sneakers were a must to handle the steps. While a cable car is available to go to the top, our tour guide suggested the view from the steps is better as the top only gives you the perspective of seeing the falls downward. Expect to get sprayed with water and get a great quad workout! I’ll share more about the experience itself further down in this post.

Where We Stayed: Château Frontenac

We stayed at the iconic Fairmont Le Château Frontenac, and it was just as magical in person as it looks in photos. The hotel sits high above the city, with stunning views of the St. Lawrence River and that picture-perfect charm.

The location is perfect for exploring. You’re steps away from charming shops, cafés, and restaurants, plus the boardwalk (called Dufferin Terrace) and area is right outside. From there, it’s an easy walk down to Lower Quebec, either by stairs or the funicular, which is a fun (and fast) option, especially after a long day of walking. We only rode it once because we had to try it, but be warned, on a hot day, it’s hot inside that car! But the ride up is quick.

Inside, the hotel blends historic character with modern updates. Our bathroom was honestly one of the nicest I’ve seen in a hotel. It was spacious, beautifully decorated, and with plenty of counter space.

We also booked massages at the spa one afternoon, and it was the perfect way to unwind for an hour between outings. If you’re looking to mix a little relaxation into your trip, it’s definitely worth it.

There’s also an indoor pool area, which we visited between exploring and dinner. It’s a relaxing space with lots of seating, fresh towels, and a self-serve area with lemon water and coffee.

While we did not eat breakfast at the hotel (we like to get right out and explore), there is a Starbucks located at the lower level with access from both inside and outside the hotel. We grabbed some coffee and croissant sandwiches (ham and cheese- so good) before heading home to the airport.

Things to Do in Quebec City in Summer

Montmorency Falls

We took a 3 hour tour that started with a drive through both the Upper and Lower parts of Quebec City. It was a nice way to see a few additional landmarks, and the guide shared some interesting history along the way. After that, we headed out to Montmorency Falls, which is about 15 minutes outside the city.

The falls themselves are taller than Niagara (though not as wide), and set against a rocky cliff with views that stretch out toward the river. There is a cable car to the top, but our guide recommended taking the stairs for the best view. I’m so glad we did! The walk gives you a much more dynamic perspective of the falls and surrounding scenery. Just be prepared to get misted (or soaked!) along the way.

Once you reach the top, there’s a suspension bridge that lets you walk directly over the falls, which is definitely a highlight. You can take the cable car back down if you’d rather not do the steps again. Either way, it’s a must-see if you’re visiting Quebec in the summer.

Style note: This is one of the few outings where you will want to make sure to wear sneakers.

Ghost Tour

This ghost tour is a full 90-minute walking tour that starts in Lower Quebec City, and it ended up being one of the highlights of our trip. My 13-year old twins loved it! It’s a great summer activity since it’s done in the evening, when it’s a bit cooler outside. I wore my sneakers with my Pippa dress– definitely the right call for this one.

Our guide was fantastic, and you could tell he genuinely loved what he does. While I wouldn’t call the tour spooky, but there were definitely some grisly details mixed into the stories. What stood out most, though, were the pieces of history you wouldn’t hear anywhere else.

We learned about the sinking of the Empress of Ireland, which happened two years after the Titanic, during a mysterious fog, and actually cost more lives. I had no idea the St. Lawrence River is one of the most difficult waterways in the world to navigate.

Other stops on the tour included the original smallpox cemetery and an overflow cemetery that now has housing built on top of it. There were definitely some stories there. We also saw what used to be the city’s red light district, now just a quiet back alley. Funny enough, we actually ended up there the next night when we left a restaurant through the back door. Had we not done the ghost tour, we’d have had no idea what kind of history we were walking through.

One last highlight: seeing the original waterlines of the St. Lawrence and how far the river has receded over the past few centuries. Little details like that made this tour so unique, and well worth doing if you enjoy walking tours with a twist.

Musée de la Civilisation

One afternoon we visited the Musée de la Civilisation to see the Titanic exhibit, which was in town during our trip. If you’re at all interested in Titanic history, I highly recommend it. The exhibit included personal stories, recovered artifacts, and a thoughtful walkthrough of the ship’s timeline and passengers. It’s a self-guided experience with headsets available in both French and English, so you can go at your own pace.

It was a nice break from the heat and a meaningful way to spend a couple of hours.

Gelato on the Boardwalk

Just steps from the hotel (around the corner from Starbucks), there are two gelato spots right along the boardwalk, and of course, we had to try both. Our favorite by far, was Au 1884, a little sandwich and gelato shop with some indoor seating. The gelato was so good, and available in tons of fun options. I especially loved the maple, which felt like the perfect local treat. We ended up grabbing gelato almost every day. It was that good.

Where To Eat In Quebec City (And What I Wore)

I have to say, we all loved the food in Quebec City. One of the best parts about visiting in the summer is the chance to dine outdoors and soak up the French-inspired atmosphere with charming terraces, and great people-watching.

Most evenings, I wore an easy midi or mini dress with my woven flats. Quebec is definitely a walking city, and while I did bring heeled sandals, I only wore them once- for dinner at Sam Bistro (located in the hotel). The rest of the time, I stuck with flat shoes and didn’t feel underdressed at all.

Here are a few of our favorite spots:

Dinner Outfit at Ciel! Bistro

Ciel! Bistro-Bar – This was my birthday dinner, and it felt so special. The restaurant sits atop a hotel and slowly rotates to give you panoramic views of the city and river. It was a walk to get there, but fairly level. I wore this ivory shift dress and woven flats for the occasion.

The soup of the day was amazing- a creamy carrot leek. I love fresh soups. We also started out with Fois gras and a charcuterie board which my kids loved. For my main course I ordered the scallops and they were perfect! And for dessert I got a chocolate mousse brownie. The food and atmosphere were both memorable.

Chic Dinner Look for Sagamité

Sagamité – A great Canadian experience with a cozy, rustic vibe. My son ordered a spaghetti Bolognese made with elk, bison, and venison. It was so delicious and the sauce was a little sweet. My daughter surprised us all and ordered the deer filet, while my husband got the deer ravioli. I was less adventurous and went with the filet mignon, which was also incredible. If you want to try something uniquely regional, this is a great pick.

I wore my navy shift dress from Sezane which sold out super quick this past spring. This dress is very similar and just as chic. I finished the look with my versatile flats.

Eyelet Dress for Dinner at Bistro St Malo

Bistro St-Malo – This place felt like stepping into a classic French bistro, tucked on a quiet corner in Lower Quebec. We ordered the mussels to start, followed by a carrot soup (this one was different from the soup at Ciel Bistro but just as good) . For the main courses, my daughter and I both ordered the Osso bucco with fettuchine which was so tender. My son got the traditional poutine, and my husband went for the beef cheek which was like a very very tender beef stew. We sat indoors, and the vibe was intimate and cozy.

I wore my long sleeve eyelet dress– this was our coolest night there. The sleeves kept me covered and the eyelet kept me from being too warm, it was actually perfect!

For lunch, we also really liked Conchon Dingue. I had such a great salad with goat cheese crostini, and a Sangria. We opted to sit outside and enjoyed the scene.

What To Pack (And What to Wear) in Quebec City in Summer

Here’s what to wear in Quebec City in summer- a stylish and practical packing list based on what I actually wore and loved:

Chic and Comfortable Shoes

Comfortable sneakers: Ideal for walking and day trips like Montmorency Falls (I wore my Gucci sneakers but I also love this popular pair).
Chic flats or sandals: Perfect for dressing up casual outfits while still being walkable ( These flats and these sandals were really all I needed in addition to my sneakers).
Optional: Low heels or elegant sandals for a special dinner (I love these neutral sandals with the asymmetric lines and arch support (take 15% off with TARA15SPRING25- except during sales).

Chic Dresses & Outfits

Three or four lightweight dresses in linen, cotton, or breathable blends (I brought this dress in two prints).
A few casual tops and shorts or light pants for variety (I packed these shorts).
One slightly dressier outfit for special dinners (optional).

Timeless Accessories

A crossbody bag or small day bag for hands-free exploring- I used this bag everyday, bit also love to take this bag with me when I travel.
Simple jewelry to elevate your look without going over-the-top. I packed my pearl stud earrings, these hoop earrings (TARAT-20 for 20% off), a pendant necklace (TARATMV for 20% off), and this fun bracelet for some color.
Sunglasses and hair accessories. Chic and practical for long days out.

Extras to Pack

A light cardigan or jacket for cooler evenings (though not always necessary).
Sunscreen (travel size).
Reusable water bottle to stay comfortable on hot days (I like to just buy a bottle of water and refill it).

With these essentials, you’ll be ready to explore Quebec City in style, whether you’re wandering cobblestone streets, visiting waterfalls, or enjoying a sunset gelato by the river.

Final Thoughts On Traveling to Quebec City

We absolutely loved our time in Quebec City. The mix of old-world charm, walkable streets, and good food makes it the kind of place you want to linger in.

I hope this post gives you helpful ideas on what to wear in Quebec City in summer, what to pack, and what to do while you’re there.

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Thanks for reading!

What to Wear in Quebec City in Summer: A Chic Travel Guide