How many days · Ottawa · Canada
How many days do you need in Ottawa?
A straight answer, then what each trip length really gets you.
Updated By the AMZBooking editorial team
Photo: Jcart1534, Public domain
Quick answer
3 days is the sweet spot for Ottawa, and 2 days is the minimum to see the main sights. 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.
Key facts
- Ideal
- 3 days
- Minimum
- 2 days
- Day trips available
- 7
- Daylight
- 8.7 h (Dec) to 15.6 h (Jun)
What each trip length gets you
| Trip | Pace | What you can see |
|---|---|---|
| 1 day | Rushed | Parliament Hill, Rideau Canal and the Ottawa Locks, Rideau Canal Skateway and National Gallery of Canada |
| 2 days | Good | National Gallery of Canada, Canadian Museum of History and National War Memorial and Confederation Square |
| 3 days | Ideal | ByWard Market, Canadian War Museum and Canadian Museum of Nature |
| 5 days | Relaxed | The highlights plus a day trip to Montreal |
| 7 days | Plenty | A slow trip with day trips such as Montreal and Kingston |
How long the top sights take
The 12 best-known sights in Ottawa add up to roughly 18–28 hours of visiting time — about 3–4 days at seven sightseeing hours a day, before travel between them and meals. The biggest time commitments are Rideau Canal Skateway (1–3 hours), National Gallery of Canada (2–3 hours) and Canadian Museum of History (3 hours).
| Sight | Time needed | Area |
|---|---|---|
| Parliament Hill | 1.5–2 hours with a tour | Downtown and Parliament Hill |
| Rideau Canal and the Ottawa Locks | 1–2 hours | Downtown and Parliament Hill |
| Rideau Canal Skateway | 1–3 hours | Rideau Canal |
| National Gallery of Canada | 2–3 hours | ByWard Market and Lowertown |
| Canadian Museum of History | 3 hours | Old Hull, Gatineau |
| National War Memorial and Confederation Square | 20–30 minutes | Downtown and Parliament Hill |
| ByWard Market | 1–3 hours | ByWard Market and Lowertown |
| Canadian War Museum | 2–3 hours | LeBreton Flats |
| Canadian Museum of Nature | 2–3 hours | Centretown |
| Canada Aviation and Space Museum | 2 hours | Rockcliffe |
| Ingenium – Canada Science and Technology Museum | 2–3 hours | Alta Vista |
| Notre-Dame Cathedral Basilica | 30 minutes | ByWard Market and Lowertown |
By type of trip
| Trip | Days | Why |
|---|---|---|
| First visit | 3 days | The main sights at a comfortable pace |
| Short break / repeat visit | 2 days | Focus on Parliament Hill and Rideau Canal and the Ottawa Locks |
| With children | 4 days | Slower days and time for Canadian Museum of Nature |
| With day trips | 5 days | Add Montreal and Kingston |
Daylight changes the maths
Sightseeing days are much shorter in December (about 8.7 hours of daylight) than in June (about 15.6 hours). In winter, allow an extra day or plan museum-heavy afternoons.
Ready-made itineraries
Combining Ottawa with other destinations
| Destination | Distance | Suggested stay |
|---|---|---|
| Montreal | About 166 km | 4 days |
| Toronto | About 352 km | 4 days |
| Quebec City | About 379 km | 3 days |
Questions travellers ask
+Is 2 days enough in Ottawa?
It covers the main sights at a brisk pace; 3 days is more comfortable. 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.
+Is a week too long in Ottawa?
No — a week leaves time for day trips such as Montreal and Kingston.