Montreal vs Quebec City: Which Should You Choose in 2025?

If you’re trying to make a choice between Quebec City vs Montreal, then you’re in the right place. Being a francophile (someone who’s obsessed with French culture and language) and from Ontario, I’ve been lucky to visit both plenty of times.

Quebec City and Montreal are both beautiful cities, but they are quite different. They have very different attractions, atmosphere, and even cultural and language.

I recommend visiting both cities, if possible (see my 5 day itinerary here) but if not, then I can help you make a decision. The one you choose will depend on your priorities and what you’re looking for in a city.

If you are:

• Planning a romantic getaway – Choose Quebec City, you can’t meat its charming atmosphere
• Wanting a foodie experience – Montreal is the foodie capital of Canada
• A history buff – Quebec City is an older city with a more extensive history
• From Europe – Montreal is better if you’re from Europe, because Quebec City is a lot more similar to European old towns and may not be as impressive to you
• From US or Canada: Quebec City, because its unlike any other place in North America
• Wanting to practice French – Quebec City (Montreal is almost fully English speaking)
• Planning a friends weekend: Montreal is better for nightlife

So, the above are some things to keep in mind and may help you make your decision. But there are other things to keep in mind too.

Whether you’re planning to move or visit one of these two French-Canadian cities, I’m going to tell you what the pros and cons, and limitations are of each one.

I’ll also share my own personal opinion as an expert on the one that I would choose based on the situation.

By the end of this article, you should have a better idea from an honest local opinion on whether Montreal or Quebec is best for you.

So, let’s jump in – Quebec City vs Montreal!

Key Differences Between Quebec City and Montreal

Weather – which is colder?

Another way that Quebec City and Montreal differ is weather. Quebec City is much cooler than Montreal, in both winter and in the summer.

The coldest months in both Quebec City and Montreal are January. Here are the average highs and lows in both cities in January:

• Montreal in Janaury: High of: -4° C (24.8°F) Low of: -12°C (10.4°F)
• Quebec City in January: High of -7°C (19°F) Low of: -15°C ( 5°F)

Quebec City is further north, so it is colder and it also receives more snow than Montreal.

Here are the average temperatures for Quebec City and Montreal during the month of July (the hottest month of the year in Canada):

• Montreal in July: High of 26°C (78.8°F) Low of 18°C. (64.4°F)
• Quebec City in July: High of 25°C (77°F) Low of 15°C (55°F)

Best things to Do in Montreal and Quebec City

Both Quebec City and Montreal have great attractions, and things to do.

The best things to do in Quebec City include:

• Attending festivals year round
• Walking through the medieval Old Town, and climbing the fortified walls (which are a UNSECO World Heritage Sight)
• Riding the 120 year old funicular
• Visiting the Aquarium (Montreal doesn’t have an aquarium like this)
• Eat mouthwatering gourmet Quebecois food, including poutine
• Visiting the ice hotel, winter carnival or Christmas markets in the winter
• Whale watching in the summer
• Visiting Montmorency Falls (which are taller than Niagara Falls)

In Montreal, the best things to do are:

• Visiting the Old Town Square, walking down cobbled streets and seeing the gorgeous church, Notre Dame de Basilica
• Visiting the Jean-Talon Market, a farmer’s market in Little Italy
• Climb Mount Royal and get a view of the city
• Checking out the Montreal Biosphere, the largest of its kind in the world
• Heading to Montreal Olympic park, and seeing the other near things they have around there – a planetarium, a biosphere, an insectarium, and many parks
• Take a walk through Canada’s largest cemetary
• Go skiing at Mont Tremblant (90 minutes from Montreal)

The verdict: Both Quebec City and Montreal have amazing attractions. If you prefer ‘older’ more historic landmarks and natural beauty, then you’ll like Quebec City better. If you’re more of a science buff, then there are some really interesting attractions in Montreal to see

Food in Montreal vs Quebec City

Montreal is known as the #1 foodie capital of Canada. (Toronto would be #2.) There are so many food options, from traditional Quebecois cuisine, and also many ethnic foods and vegan options.

Quebec City has great food options too, but it mostly tends to be gourmet traditional French Canadian cuisine.

There are some ethnic foods in Quebec City, such as Italian, ramen, sushi, Chinese, and probably an Indian restaurant or two. But to be honest, there isn’t a lot of ‘diverse’ food options in Quebec City.

The verdict: If you consider yourself a foodie and love to indulge in a variety of different types of food, then you will be much more impressed with the food scene in Montreal.

Language and Diversity in Montreal vs Quebec City

According to statistics, 20% of people in Montreal speak English as first language, but in Quebec City, its only 1.5%.

If you don’t speak French (or are not interested in learning) then Montreal will be a better option for you, because there are many environments that are functionally English.

The word has it, that Montreal seems to be slowly becoming anglophone. This is because while most native English speakers there speak French, the native French speakers there tend to speak English better than the other way around.

Therefore, the only people who are really communicating in French in Montreal are native French speakers, and too many of them are switching to English when they hear that its not your first language.

Most people in Quebec City (especially those who work with tourists) speak English well, but on the whole, Quebec City is much better if one of your goals is to practice French.

It will be easier to find people in Quebec City to speak French with you (if its not your first language) than in Montreal.

The verdict: If you’re only choosing between Montreal and Quebec City for a short visit, then it doesn’t matter. But if you’re looking to move to one of these places, and don’t speak French or aren’t keen on learning – then Montreal is the better option. But, if you want to practice your French and be more immersed in a French environment, then head to Quebec City.

Cultural Diversity in Montreal vs Quebec City

In Quebec City, only 6.5% speak a language other than French as their first language. 9.4% of people in Quebec identify as being a visible racial minority, which is actually a lower amount than most Canadian cities.

Montreal is a much more culturally diverse city. The amount of people being apart of a racially minority group is 38.8%, which is a lot more than Quebec City.

So, if a more diverse city is important to you – then you will prefer Montreal.

Which is safer – Quebec City or Montreal?

The crime rate in the province of Quebec has gone up, and its largely due to a sharp increase in violent crime in Montreal.

Montreal’s crime rate has risen significantly since 2017, especially after the pandemic. In 2022, Montreal came in #3 in terms of most homicides in Canadian cities (only after Toronto and Vancouver.)

So, there’s no contest here – Quebec City is the safer city.

Having said that, you aren’t likely to encounter crime in either city. Most areas in the touristy centres are not where most of the crime occurs.

The Verdict: Both cities are relatively safe, but between the two, Quebec City has a much lower crime rate.

Which is more Family-Friendly?

Both Montreal and Quebec City are very family friendly. They have car-free streets, walkable downtowns, family friendly restaurants, interactive museums, and many other activities that you can do with kids.

There are lots of things you can do in Quebec City with kids, but the only challenge is city is a bit hilly, there are many stairs. Getting around with a stroller is doable, but if you want to walk into the older part of town, you will either need to carry your stroller down a staircase, or fold it up and take the funicular. This is the only hiccup with going to Quebec City with toddlers.

I would discourage you from bringing toddlers or young kids to Quebec City, because its still very family friendly. But its something to keep in mind, especially if you’re going there as a single parent and won’t have an extra set of hands.

The verdict: Both Quebec City and Montreal are family friendly, and have lots of things you can do with kids. If you’re travelling with a toddler, then Montreal may be a slightly easier place to visit. As someone who has gone to Quebec city with both a school age child and a toddler, I think that Quebec City is a bit easier to navigate stroller-free.

Schooling in Quebec City and Montreal

If you’re thinking of studying in Quebec City and Montreal, (or if you’re a parent thinking of moving to the area) then you’ll want to know about the school system and universities.

Quebec City’s University is Université Laval, and its the oldest French-language university in North America.

Montreal has more post-secondary options than Quebec City. There’s McGill University, Concordia University, and Polytechnique Montreal, University of Montreal, as well as a couple others.

You must be proficient in French to attend Laval in Quebec City, because the majority of courses are in French. However, English is the main language of instruction at Concordia University, and McGill in Montreal also has a lot of English instruction.

The verdict: If you only speak English, then Montreal is the better schooling option for you. If you know French, then you have your choice between both.

My Opinion

Personally, I prefer Quebec City between the two.

Montreal is a great city – there is a lot to do, and I recommend visiting or even living there. But if you’re only going to be in Canada for a short time and will only have the chance to see one of them in your life, then I believe Quebec City is the more unique, and exciting option.

However, your perspective could be completely different from mine. If you’re from Europe, then Quebec City won’t be as impressive to you as it is to me.

You might like Montreal better if:

• You’re looking for a party weekend with friends
• You like the idea of a larger, more cosmopolitan and global city
• You’re foodie and love to try diverse cuisines
• You value cultural diversity in a city

You might like Quebec City better if:

• You love waterfalls (there are 2 waterfalls within a 30 minute drive of the city centre)
• You are fascinated by medieval buildings and streets
• You prefer smaller, quieter towns and cities (places that would be described as charming or quaint, as opposed to cosmopolitan)
• You would like to be surrounded by a more Quebecois culture, as opposed to a multicultural, global vibe

Where to Stay in Quebec City and Montreal

Here are some great places to stay that are right downtown and close to attractions, in both cities:

Quebec City vs Montreal FAQ

Here are the most commonly asked questions about Quebec City and Montreal

Is it cheaper to live in Montreal or Québec City?

It’s a bit cheaper to live in Quebec City, because its a much smaller city and there are no other major cities nearby. So, if you’re looking to buy a house or rent property, Quebec City is cheaper but there are some things to keep in mind about moving there too.

Is Montreal or Québec City better?

Neither Montreal or Quebec City are “better”, it simply depends on your preferences. If you love a cosmopolitan, exciting city with a foodie scene, then you might prefer Montreal. If you like a more historic, small town in Europe feel, then you might like Quebec City better.

Final Thoughts

By now, you have a much clearer idea on what Quebec City and Montreal each have to offer. Both of them are beautiful, safe and exciting Canadian cities to visit. You can find a lot to do in both of them.

Quebec City is quaint, charming, and picturesque. Montreal is rich with culture, food, historic, and cosmopolitan. They have completely different atmospheres and priorities.