Best Time to Visit Quebec

Summer and early autumn: the easy months

June, August and September score best, and it makes sense. Days are mild, and evenings in Old Québec (Vieux-Québec, the walled old town) are pleasant for a walk along the Dufferin Terrace boardwalk. July is just as warm, with the most sun. It also has the most rainy days, so it rates "Fair" rather than "Good". Rain often comes as a short shower, not a washout.

July is also the busiest month. School holidays and the Festival d'été de Québec, a big music festival with shows across the city, fill hotels. If you hate crowds, aim for June or September instead. Travelling with kids? July and August are your window, and the Plains of Abraham are great for picnics.

In early September, the crowds thin and the air turns crisp. The leaves start to change late in the month and into early October. Day trips to the Charlevoix region or Île d'Orléans, where you can buy apples and cider from farm stands, are at their best then. Be aware that by October it gets much greyer and the days get short.

Winter: cold, white and festive

From December to March, it's properly cold. Highs stay below freezing, and January and February are the coldest, both with lows of -17°C. The sky is often grey, but the snow makes the old town look like a Christmas card.

The Winter Carnival (Carnaval de Québec) usually runs from late January into February. You'll see ice sculptures, night parades and Bonhomme, the giant snowman mascot. Locals also ride the ice slides at Terrasse Dufferin. If you like skiing, Mont-Sainte-Anne and Le Massif de Charlevoix are within easy reach of the city. Christmas markets and cosy cafés make December a good pick if you don't mind short days.

Spring and late autumn: the quiet in-betweens

March still feels like winter, and April is muddy, wet and slushy as the snow melts. It's the low season, so rooms are cheaper and the streets are empty. It's a fair trade if you don't mind grey skies.

May is a turning point. Highs reach 16°C, the trees leaf out and terraces start to open. It's still rated "Fair", with rain on many days, so bring a waterproof jacket for walks along the Petit Champlain streets. November is the gloomiest month, with the least sun after December. Unless you're after bargains, skip it.