For your next stay in the magnificent province of Quebec, you don't know where to stay in Quebec and which neighborhoods to avoid? Indeed, nowadays, violence plagues a majority of the big cities of Europe, South America and North America. So, it is legitimate to ask questions.

But is this the case for Quebec City? In 2024, are there neighborhoods to avoid in Quebec City? Which district should you choose to visit this splendid city?

This article will tell you whether or not Quebec is a dangerous city and whether its neighborhoods are all safe and crime-free. To better locate them, I am also attaching a Google Maps of the neighborhoods of Quebec City.

And at the end of the article, I will tell you which are the 2 favorite neighborhoods of tourists and will advise you to choose the best neighborhood to stay according to your type of stay.

The information that I used to write this article comes from serious sources: Economic media, forums, statistics and world rankings. I made a synthesis of the data which allows to have an overall idea on the level of insecurity of the city of Quebec and its main districts.

Is Quebec a dangerous city?

NO: Quebec is one of the least dangerous cities in Canada. It was even ranked in 2019 by CEOWORLD Magazine as the 3rd safest city in the world (see the ranking World's safest cities ranking).

But that's not all! Indeed, Quebec is a city where life is good for families as well as for students or tourists who have the chance to visit it. You will be able to see this by consulting the list of the many distinctions that Quebec has received in recent years on the official website of the municipality.

But is this still the case in 2024, is Quebec still a safe city?

Is Quebec safe in 2024?

YES in 2024 Quebec is still a very safe city. This is confirmed by numerous media such as Numbeo ranking. Indeed, with a very very low crime index, Quebec is classified as the least dangerous city in North America.

In 2024, it is even less criminal than Montreal, Vancouver ou Ottawa.

If you want to form your own opinion, do not hesitate to read the reports and statistics published online by the government: quebec.ca/government

Map of Quebec City neighborhoods

Québec City is divided into 6 boroughs:

1. Sainte-Foy–Sillery-Cap-Rouge
2. La Cite-Limoilou
3. The rivers
4. Beauport
5. Charlesbourg
6. Haute-Saint-Charles

It has 35 districts, the complete list of which you will find on Wikipedia. 

In order to locate the neighborhoods to avoid in Quebec and the best areas to stay, here is the map of the main neighborhoods of Quebec: Google map

Dangerous neighborhoods in Quebec?

Even if there are (as in all big cities) certain areas that are less safe than others, there are no dangerous neighborhoods in Quebec.

Indeed, unlike cities like Vancouver, Montreal or Ottawa, in Quebec City, there are no neighborhoods known to be drug districts. And, even if traffic and drug trafficking is present in the city (see article published by lesoleil.com), it does not pose a danger to locals or tourists.

Neighborhoods to avoid in Quebec?

There are no neighborhoods to avoid in Quebec for their insecurity. Indeed, whatever the place of the city, you will be safe there.

However, we can list neighborhoods to avoid for tourists because of their location. Without being dangerous neighborhoods, they are more distant from tourist attractions, less culturally interesting or too festive (which can be disturbing for some).

The very lively Saint Roch district with its beautiful rue Saint Joseph is a very beautiful district. But, in some places, it can seem too busy and noisy at night for some traveling with family. Some locals have also complained since the installation of the Lauberivière refuge (see articles from journaldequebec.com of 7th February 2022 or May 3th 2021).

It should be noted, however, that the City of Quebec has set up permanent surveillance 24 hours a day in the Carré Lépine sector (see the article in the newspaper lesoleil.com: Roaming in Saint-Roch: permanent surveillance at Lépine square). See location of this neighborhood

Best neighborhoods to stay in Quebec

Quebec City is a historic city, rich in architectural and cultural heritage and home to many very beautiful and friendly neighborhoods! As a result, it is more difficult to designate which are the best neighborhoods in Quebec than in Sound or to Atlanta.

As it is impossible for me to present them all to you, here is simply the list of the most popular areas, those that real estate agencies put forward:

• Old Quebec
• Sainte-foy
• Cap Rouge
• Sillery
• Val-Belair 
• The Nouvo Saint-Roch
• Montcalm

Where to stay to visit Quebec City?

To visit Quebec City, it is recommended to choose your accommodation close to the main tourist attractions. Thus, you can do everything on foot (cultural visits, shopping, restaurants).

Here are the 3 favorite neighborhoods of travelers who come to visit Quebec City:

Where to stay in Quebec: Old Quebec district

The most touristy district of Quebec is undoubtedly Old Quebec. See location of this neighborhood

It is the historic district which is a veritable open-air museum (a UNESCO World Heritage Site). In addition, this charming district is home to the main tourist sites of Quebec and is very close to the other attractions of the city:

• of the Chateau Frontenac,
• of the Citadel of Quebec
• from the Royal Square,
• of the Notre-Dame de Québec basilica,
• from Saint-Jean Street,
• museums,
• port,
• of the St. Lawrence River,
• of the Petit-Champlain district.

Where to stay in Quebec: Saint-Jean-Baptiste district

The Saint-Jean-Baptiste district is also a nice area for tourists. This district adjoins Old Quebec and has the advantage of being much quieter. See location of this neighborhood

From this area, . The stairs offer beautiful views of the city. These main centers of interest in the Saint-Jean-Baptiste district are:

• The Grand Theater of Quebec
• The Citadelle of Quebec near the neighborhood
• The Quebec Parliament Building and its magnificent gardens
• The Faubourg staircase
• The restaurants and bars of rue Saint-Jean which come alive at nightfall

Where to stay in Quebec: Quartier Petit Champlain

Very close to the banks of the Saint-Laurent River, this very small district in Lower Town is central and therefore close to all the emblematic sites of Quebec. See location of this neighborhood

By staying in the Petit Champlain district, you will enjoy incredible views of the St. Lawrence, Quebec-Lévis and the Château Frontenac. You can also quickly take the boat to go to Québec-Lévis. You will enjoy a simply magnificent district with beautiful little shops and many bars and restaurants.

The main tourist attractions of quartier Petit Champlain are:

• The Place Royale, where shows and outdoor festivities often take place. You will be very close to the Notre-Dame de Québec cathedral.
• The Church of Our Lady of Victories
• The Museum of Civilization
• The Quebec Funicular that goes up to the Château Frontenac
• The Breakneck staircase
• The UNESCO Park
• The shores of the St. Lawrence and the Dufferin terrace

Recommended hotel in Quebec City

For those who want to stay in a beautiful historic building with an ideal location for visiting Quebec City on foot, I recommend: the Auberge du Trésor.

Indeed, this hotel is located in the heart of Old Quebec, opposite the Château Frontenac. Its little bonus is its restaurant which offers creative and refined French bistro-style cuisine.

How to visit Quebec?

Want a fun and interesting visit to Old Quebec? So, I recommend a visit that will guide you to the emblematic sites of Quebec with the explanations of a passionate guide who loves his city: