I went to Québec City and felt like I jetted off to Europe without leaving North America. Here's how it compares and what it's like to visit.

Joey HaddenDec 2, 2022, 16:45 IST

Insider's reporter visited Europe and Québec City. She found that the two destinations had a lot in common.Joey Hadden/Insider

I went to Québec City, Canada, earlier this year, a historic city with a European feel.
Then I visited four European countries for the first time: Germany, Italy, Austria, and Switzerland.

On a recent train trip through Canada, I spent 24 hours in Québec City, a 400-year-old French-Canadian city.

A park in Québec City.Joey Hadden/Insider

Founded by French explorer Samuel de Champlain, Québec City is full of cobblestone streets, European-inspired architecture, and a primarily French-speaking population, as Insider reported. These elements give the town a European feel, according to the same source.

Streets in Québec City.Joey Hadden/Insider

Founded by French explorer Samuel de Champlain, Québec City is full of cobblestone streets, European-inspired architecture, and a primarily French-speaking population, as Insider reported. These elements give the town a European feel, according to the same source.

I hadn't explored enough of Europe at the time to decide if I really thought Québec City felt like other countries across the Atlantic. But after I visited Italy, Switzerland, Austria, and Germany for the first time this fall, I immediately understood the comparison for myself.

The author in Italy, Switzerland, Austria, and Germany.Joey Hadden/Insider

I hadn't explored enough of Europe at the time to decide if I really thought Québec City felt like other countries across the Atlantic. But after I visited Italy, Switzerland, Austria, and Germany for the first time this fall, I immediately understood the comparison for myself.

Perched on a hill overlooking the St. Lawrence River, Québec City is 400 years old, making it the oldest city in Canada, according to the city's website.

Québec in the 1800s and 2022.The Print Collector/Print Collector/Getty Images; Joey Hadden/Insider

Québec City is on the eastern edge of the Canadian province of Québec. A flight from my home in NYC would take less than two hours — a lot shorter than a trip to Europe. My direct flight from NYC to Berlin was nearly eight hours long.

Arrows point to Québec City and New York City.Google Maps

Québec City is on the eastern edge of the Canadian province of Québec. A flight from my home in NYC would take less than two hours — a lot shorter than a trip to Europe. My direct flight from NYC to Berlin was nearly eight hours long.

I spent most of my time in Québec City in Old Québec, a neighborhood with preserved French and British colonial architecture, according to the city's website. I spotted many of these simple, rectangular buildings with decorative shutters during my visit.

A street in Old Québec.Joey Hadden/Insider

I spent most of my time in Québec City in Old Québec, a neighborhood with preserved French and British colonial architecture, according to the city's website. I spotted many of these simple, rectangular buildings with decorative shutters during my visit.

I wandered down old Québec's photogenic streets and spotted rows of colorful colonial-style buildings. A few months later in Zurich, Switzerland, I saw blocks I thought looked similar to those in Québec City.

Quaint, colorful streets in Québec and Switzerland.Joey Hadden/Insider

I wandered down old Québec's photogenic streets and spotted rows of colorful colonial-style buildings. A few months later in Zurich, Switzerland, I saw blocks I thought looked similar to those in Québec City.

Many of the streets in Old Québec were made of cobblestone, much like roads I saw in all four European countries I visited.

Cobblestone streets in Old Québec.Joey Haadden/Insider

During my walk through Old Québec, I also noticed most signs were written in French. That's because 85% of the population of Québec speaks French, according to the Government of Canada.

French signage in Québec City.Joey Hadden/Insider

During my walk through Old Québec, I also noticed most signs were written in French. That's because 85% of the population of Québec speaks French, according to the Government of Canada.

English wasn't the primary language spoken in any of the European countries I visited, either. Most of the signs I saw abroad were written in German or Italian.

A sign for gondola rides in Venice, Italy.Joey Hadden/Insider

While some streets in Québec City were wide, others were quite narrow. Later in Rome and Venice, Italy, I stumbled upon alleys that reminded me of the narrow streets in Québec.

Narrow alley ways in Québec City and Rome.Joey Hadden/Insider

While some streets in Québec City were wide, others were quite narrow. Later in Rome and Venice, Italy, I stumbled upon alleys that reminded me of the narrow streets in Québec.

After my trip to Europe, I also realized my hotel in Québec City, Fairmont Le Château Frontenac, was similar to those I saw abroad. I thought it was the most stunning building, which makes sense as it's known as the most photographed hotel in the world, according to World Atlas.

The Fairmont Le Château Frontenac in Québec City.Joey Hadden/Insider

After my trip to Europe, I also realized my hotel in Québec City, Fairmont Le Château Frontenac, was similar to those I saw abroad. I thought it was the most stunning building, which makes sense as it's known as the most photographed hotel in the world, according to World Atlas.

The hotel opened in 1893 and was inspired by romantic architecture and French castles, according to the Québec City's website and the Canadian Encyclopedia.

The hotel's exterior.Joey Hadden/Insider

I thought the hotel looked like a fairytale with dramatic landscaping and old-world architecture. I had a similar feeling while strolling through gardens next to historic buildings in Vienna, Austria.

Fairytale landscapes in Québec and AustriaJoey Hadden/Insider

I thought the hotel looked like a fairytale with dramatic landscaping and old-world architecture. I had a similar feeling while strolling through gardens next to historic buildings in Vienna, Austria.

Inside, I thought my hotel room was small, but the view out the window was grand. I perched on the windowsill and marveled at the European architecture surrounding me.

The author in her hotel room.Joey Hadden/Insider

I also saw Québec City Hall, which was inspired by the Second Empire, built with a European style with prominent rooftops, according to the Department of Archaeology and Historic Preservation and the Government of Canada.

Québec City Hall, a national historic site in Canada.Joey Hadden/Insider

I also saw Québec City Hall, which was inspired by the Second Empire, built with a European style with prominent rooftops, according to the Department of Archaeology and Historic Preservation and the Government of Canada.

I saw the same style of architecture, also known as Second Empire Baroque, according to Britannica, on Viennese buildings like Schönbrunn Palace.

Schönbrunn Palace in Vienna.Joey Hadden/Insider

Additionally, old-world cathedrals in Québec City, like Notre-Dame de Québec Basilica-Cathedral, reminded me of those I later saw in Europe. This one has a Neoclassical style, with towers and stained-glass detailing, according to Québec City's website.

Notre Dame cathedral in Québec CityJoey Hadden/Insider

Additionally, old-world cathedrals in Québec City, like Notre-Dame de Québec Basilica-Cathedral, reminded me of those I later saw in Europe. This one has a Neoclassical style, with towers and stained-glass detailing, according to Québec City's website.

I saw a lot of Neoclassical architecture all around Rome, too, like at St. Peter's Basilica in Vatican City.

St. Peter's Basilica in Rome.Joey Hadden/Insider

After visiting both Québec City and Europe, I found that they're not exactly the same, but if you're looking for a European adventure that's closer to home without the jet lag, I think Québec City is a good alternative.

Buildings in Old Québec.Joey Hadden/Insider

After visiting both Québec City and Europe, I found that they're not exactly the same, but if you're looking for a European adventure that's closer to home without the jet lag, I think Québec City is a good alternative.

I spent 3 hours in a capsule hostel in an airport for $55, and getting to nap and shower before traveling was worth every penny

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I went to Québec City and felt like I jetted off to Europe without leaving North America. Here's how it compares and what it's like to visit.

On a recent train trip through Canada, I spent 24 hours in Québec City, a 400-year-old French-Canadian city.

Founded by French explorer Samuel de Champlain, Québec City is full of cobblestone streets, European-inspired architecture, and a primarily French-speaking population, as Insider reported. These elements give the town a European feel, according to the same source.

I hadn't explored enough of Europe at the time to decide if I really thought Québec City felt like other countries across the Atlantic. But after I visited Italy, Switzerland, Austria, and Germany for the first time this fall, I immediately understood the comparison for myself.

Perched on a hill overlooking the St. Lawrence River, Québec City is 400 years old, making it the oldest city in Canada, according to the city's website.

Québec City is on the eastern edge of the Canadian province of Québec. A flight from my home in NYC would take less than two hours — a lot shorter than a trip to Europe. My direct flight from NYC to Berlin was nearly eight hours long.

I spent most of my time in Québec City in Old Québec, a neighborhood with preserved French and British colonial architecture, according to the city's website. I spotted many of these simple, rectangular buildings with decorative shutters during my visit.

I wandered down old Québec's photogenic streets and spotted rows of colorful colonial-style buildings. A few months later in Zurich, Switzerland, I saw blocks I thought looked similar to those in Québec City.

Many of the streets in Old Québec were made of cobblestone, much like roads I saw in all four European countries I visited.

During my walk through Old Québec, I also noticed most signs were written in French. That's because 85% of the population of Québec speaks French, according to the Government of Canada.

English wasn't the primary language spoken in any of the European countries I visited, either. Most of the signs I saw abroad were written in German or Italian.

While some streets in Québec City were wide, others were quite narrow. Later in Rome and Venice, Italy, I stumbled upon alleys that reminded me of the narrow streets in Québec.

After my trip to Europe, I also realized my hotel in Québec City, Fairmont Le Château Frontenac, was similar to those I saw abroad. I thought it was the most stunning building, which makes sense as it's known as the most photographed hotel in the world, according to World Atlas.

The hotel opened in 1893 and was inspired by romantic architecture and French castles, according to the Québec City's website and the Canadian Encyclopedia.

I thought the hotel looked like a fairytale with dramatic landscaping and old-world architecture. I had a similar feeling while strolling through gardens next to historic buildings in Vienna, Austria.

Inside, I thought my hotel room was small, but the view out the window was grand. I perched on the windowsill and marveled at the European architecture surrounding me.

I also saw Québec City Hall, which was inspired by the Second Empire, built with a European style with prominent rooftops, according to the Department of Archaeology and Historic Preservation and the Government of Canada.

I saw the same style of architecture, also known as Second Empire Baroque, according to Britannica, on Viennese buildings like Schönbrunn Palace.

Additionally, old-world cathedrals in Québec City, like Notre-Dame de Québec Basilica-Cathedral, reminded me of those I later saw in Europe. This one has a Neoclassical style, with towers and stained-glass detailing, according to Québec City's website.

I saw a lot of Neoclassical architecture all around Rome, too, like at St. Peter's Basilica in Vatican City.

After visiting both Québec City and Europe, I found that they're not exactly the same, but if you're looking for a European adventure that's closer to home without the jet lag, I think Québec City is a good alternative.