Montreal is a better option if you're looking for a more urban environment, incredible food and cafes, and a more bilingual city.
Quebec City
may be better if you want a charming Old Town experience, all the major attractions in one place, and a festive winter vacation. When we compare the travel expenses of real travelers between Montreal and Quebec City, we can see that Montreal is more expensive. And Quebec City is not only much less expensive, but it's actually a significantly cheaper destination.Therefore, traveling to Quebec City will allow you to spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Quebec City and be able to afford a more luxurious style of travel by staying in nicer hotels, eating at more expensive restaurants, taking tours, and experiencing more activities. The same level of travel in Montreal would naturally cost you a lot more money, so you'd probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Montreal than in Quebec City. Montreal is a very modern and vibrant city, with an active nightlife and countless activities to enjoy.
Complete with a chapel, an ice slide and even an outdoor hot tub, the hotel organizes daytime excursions if you don't feel like braving the cold on an overnight stay. In short, if you're looking for charming streets to stroll through, endless Instagram photos, a city that's easily navigable on foot, solid dining options, and nature getaways right next door, Quebec City is the right choice when you're debating between Montreal or Quebec City. If he didn't sell you my description explaining why Quebec City is the way to go when debating Montreal or Quebec City, then Montreal might be a better option for you. While most people are bilingual in Montreal, knowing how to say a few phrases in French can be helpful.
Another thing to consider when debating between Quebec City and Montreal is the size and how you like to move. This 19th century toboggan run, one of the city's oldest attractions, has taken families to tour Quebec City every winter since 1884. If you are traveling to Montreal for the first time, I recommend spending at least 2 days in Montreal to explore the city. We didn't wait too long in traffic, but there seemed to be unusually long reinforcements over a weekend. We recommend spending a minimum of 3 days in Quebec City to get to know the city, its people and the authentic French-Canadian culture.
French is the official language of the entire province, but most people in the tourist areas of Quebec City speak English. Montreal will most likely have more activities (events and so on), but Quebec City has the atmosphere of a European village, which I love during the holidays. While this brings its excitement, there is something charming about the intimate size of Quebec City. You may not have a 272-foot waterfall on your doorstep, like Quebec City, but there are still plenty of quick getaways from the concrete city.
The best time to visit Montreal is in autumn (September to November), when the weather is mild and there are fewer crowds.
