Travel guide · Canada
Ottawa travel guide
Parliament, national museums and a UNESCO canal that becomes a skating rink in winter
Updated By the AMZBooking editorial team
Photo: No machine-readable author provided. Arctic.gnome assumed (based on copyright claims)., CC BY 2.5
Quick answer
Canada's capital sits on the south bank of the Ottawa River, facing Gatineau, Quebec, across the water. Its compact core holds Parliament Hill, the ByWard Market and the start of the Rideau Canal, a UNESCO World Heritage Site whose downtown stretch freezes into the Rideau Canal Skateway in a cold winter. Several national museums — from the National Gallery to the Canadian Museum of History across the river — make it one of North America's richest museum cities for its size, and the city is officially bilingual, with French widely heard. Plan 3 days for a first visit; the best months are May–June and September–October.
Key facts
- Country
- Canada
- Best time to visit
- May–June and September–October
- Ideal stay
- 3 days
- Main airports
- YOW
- Mid-range daily budget
- $170–$280 per person (estimate)
- Known for
- Parliament Hill, Rideau Canal Skateway, National museums and ByWard Market
Why visit Ottawa
- National museums cluster within walking distance or a short bus ride: the National Gallery, the Canadian War Museum, the Museum of Nature and the Museum of History across the river.
- The Rideau Canal runs through downtown from the eight Ottawa Locks below Parliament Hill, with cycling paths in summer and a skateway in good winters.
- Winterlude in February and the Canadian Tulip Festival in May are two of the country's best-known seasonal festivals.
- The ByWard Market has been a market district since the 1820s, with food stalls, BeaverTails and bars in its old warehouses.
- Gatineau Park's lakes, lookouts and trails begin about 15 minutes from Parliament.
Top things to do
The six sights most first-time visitors build a trip around. See all 18 things to do.
Landmark · Downtown and Parliament Hill
Parliament Hill
The Gothic Revival parliament buildings stand on a bluff above the Ottawa River.
- Time needed
- 1.5–2 hours with a tour
- Cost
- Free
- Iconic
- History
- Architecture
- Free
Waterfront · Downtown and Parliament Hill
Rideau Canal and the Ottawa Locks
Opened in 1832 and listed by UNESCO, the 202 km canal still runs from Ottawa to Kingston.
- Time needed
- 1–2 hours
- Cost
- Free
- Iconic
- History
- Free
- Outdoors
- Photo spot
Experience · Rideau Canal
Rideau Canal Skateway
In a cold enough winter the canal freezes into a skating rink of about 7.8 km from downtown to Dow's Lake, with skate rentals, heated huts and food stands selling BeaverTails along the way.
- Time needed
- 1–3 hours
- Cost
- Free
- Iconic
- Free
- Active
- Kids
- Couples
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Gallery · ByWard Market and Lowertown
National Gallery of Canada
Moshe Safdie's glass-and-granite gallery, with a tower echoing the Library of Parliament, holds Canada's national collection: Group of Seven landscapes, Emily Carr, extensive Indigenous art and European masters.
- Time needed
- 2–3 hours
- Cost
- Mid-priced
- Art
- Iconic
- Rainy day
- Architecture
Museum · Old Hull, Gatineau
Canadian Museum of History
Douglas Cardinal's curving, wave-like building on the Gatineau riverbank holds one of Canada's most-visited museums.
- Time needed
- 3 hours
- Cost
- Mid-priced
- History
- Kids
- Rainy day
- Architecture
- Iconic
Landmark · Downtown and Parliament Hill
National War Memorial and Confederation Square
The granite arch and bronze figures of The Response stand in Confederation Square, with the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier at their base.
- Time needed
- 20–30 minutes
- Cost
- Free
- History
- Free
- Iconic
Where to stay
ByWard Market and Lowertown is the easiest base for a first visit. Compare all 8 areas.
$$$ · Best for first-timers, nightlife, food lovers and couples
ByWard Market and Lowertown
Market stalls, restaurants and the city's busiest bar streets beside Parliament
$$$ · Best for first-timers, families and solo travellers
Downtown and Parliament Hill
Government buildings, hotels and the Sparks Street pedestrian mall
$$ · Best for food lovers, nightlife, solo travellers and budget
Centretown
Elgin and Bank Street restaurants, Victorian houses and the Village
$$$ · Best for families, shopping, quiet stays and couples
The Glebe
Boutiques, cafés and Lansdowne Park between Bank Street and the canal
What to eat
- BeaverTails — A hand-stretched whole-wheat pastry, fried and topped with cinnamon sugar or other sweet toppings, shaped like a beaver's tail.
- Shawarma — Ottawa's large Lebanese community has made shawarma the city's signature late-night meal: chicken or beef carved from a spit, wrapped with garlic sauce and pickled turnips, or served as a platter with rice, potatoes and salad.
- Poutine — Fries topped with fresh cheese curds and hot gravy, from neighbouring Quebec.
- Maple taffy — Hot maple syrup poured on clean snow and rolled onto a wooden stick as it sets into chewy toffee — a winter and early-spring treat.
- Butter tart — A small Ontario pastry shell filled with a gooey mix of butter, sugar and eggs, sometimes with raisins or pecans; whether to include raisins is a running debate.
- Tourtière — A spiced French-Canadian meat pie of pork, beef or game, traditionally eaten at Christmas and New Year but served year-round in Quebec-style restaurants.
When to go
The best times to visit Ottawa are late May to June and September to early October, when the weather is mild, tulips or autumn leaves are out and summer crowds are lighter. July and August are warm and lively but busiest. February is the time for Winterlude and canal skating, provided you dress for temperatures well below freezing.
| Season | Months | What to expect |
|---|---|---|
| Spring | March–May | Snowmelt and slush in March and April give way to the Tulip Festival in May, one of the prettiest times in the city. |
| Summer | June–August | Warm, humid days, patios, Canada Day and music festivals, with the Changing of the Guard on Parliament Hill; the busiest season. |
| Autumn | September–November | Bright fall colour in Gatineau Park from late September, comfortable sightseeing weather and lower prices; grey and cold by November. |
| Winter | December–February | Long, snowy and very cold, but with canal skating, Winterlude and cross-country skiing minutes from downtown. |
Getting there and around
Ottawa Macdonald–Cartier International Airport (YOW) is about 15 km south of downtown, roughly 20–25 minutes by taxi or rideshare. OC Transpo links the airport with the O-Train network. VIA Rail trains from Ottawa station reach Montreal in about two hours.
Central Ottawa is compact and walkable, and the main sights from Parliament Hill to the ByWard Market and the National Gallery are within 15 minutes of each other on foot. OC Transpo's O-Train light rail and buses cover the wider city, and Gatineau has its own STO buses.
Plan your days
Two days covers Parliament Hill, the ByWard Market, the canal and two national museums. A third day allows more museums or a visit to Gatineau Park; in winter, add time for skating and Winterlude.
Practical information
- Currency
- CAD
- Language
- English and French
- Plugs
- Type A and B sockets, 120 V, 60 Hz
- Tap water
- Tap water is safe to drink.
- Emergency number
- 911
- Tipping
- Tip 15–20% on the pre-tax amount at restaurants and bars, about $1–$2 per drink, and 10–15% for taxis.
Ottawa is generally calm for visitors. Take normal precautions in the ByWard Market late at night, where some street disorder and rowdiness occur around bar closing time. In winter, the main risks are extreme cold, wind chill and icy pavements, so dress properly and wear boots with good grip.
Flights to Ottawa
Questions travellers ask
+How many days do you need in Ottawa?
Two days covers Parliament Hill, the ByWard Market, the canal and two national museums. A third day allows more museums or a visit to Gatineau Park; in winter, add time for skating and Winterlude. How to split your days.
+When is the best time to visit Ottawa?
The best times to visit Ottawa are late May to June and September to early October, when the weather is mild, tulips or autumn leaves are out and summer crowds are lighter. July and August are warm and lively but busiest. February is the time for Winterlude and canal skating, provided you dress for temperatures well below freezing.
+What is Ottawa known for?
Parliament Hill, Rideau Canal Skateway, National museums, ByWard Market, Winterlude, Canadian Tulip Festival and BeaverTails. National museums cluster within walking distance or a short bus ride: the National Gallery, the Canadian War Museum, the Museum of Nature and the Museum of History across the river.
+Is Ottawa expensive?
Ottawa is moderately priced for international visitors: a mid-range trip costs roughly $170–$280 per person per day before flights (AMZBooking estimate). Costs and money-saving tips.
+Do you need a car in Ottawa?
No for the city itself: walking and the O-Train cover the core. A car is useful for Gatineau Park, the Diefenbunker and day trips into the Ottawa Valley and Quebec.