Sight guide · Ottawa · Canada
Visiting Parliament Hill
The Gothic Revival parliament buildings stand on a bluff above the Ottawa River.
Updated By the AMZBooking editorial team
Photo: Wladyslaw, CC BY-SA 3.0
Quick answer
Parliament Hill is a landmark in Downtown and Parliament Hill, Ottawa. Allow 1.5–2 hours with a tour; it is free. Free tour tickets are limited; reserve online or collect them early in the day in summer.
Key facts
- Type
- Landmark
- Area
- Downtown and Parliament Hill
- Time needed
- 1.5–2 hours with a tour
- Cost
- Free
- Book ahead
- Recommended
- Good for
- history, architecture and free
- Best months
- February and September–October
About Parliament Hill
The Gothic Revival parliament buildings stand on a bluff above the Ottawa River. The Centre Block and its Peace Tower are closed for a renovation expected to last well into the 2030s, so the House of Commons sits in the restored West Block and the Senate in the former railway station nearby, both open for free guided tours. The lawn hosts the Changing of the Guard in summer.
Tip: Choose the West Block tour to see the temporary House of Commons chamber built inside the building's glass-roofed former courtyard.
Plan your visit
- Time needed: 1.5–2 hours with a tour.
- Cost: Free — no ticket needed for the main area.
- Book ahead: Free tour tickets are limited; reserve online or collect them early in the day in summer.
- Where: Downtown and Parliament Hill, government buildings, hotels and the Sparks Street pedestrian mall.
Best time to visit Parliament Hill
To avoid the biggest crowds, aim for the quietest of the good months:
- February: -4°C (25°F) highs, about 10 rainy days, moderate crowds.
- September: 20°C (68°F) highs, about 12 rainy days, moderate crowds.
- October: 13°C (55°F) highs, about 12 rainy days, moderate crowds.
When to visit Ottawa has the full month-by-month picture.
Fit it into your trip
Our 3-day Ottawa itinerary visits Parliament Hill on day 1, together with Rideau Canal and the Ottawa Locks, National War Memorial and Confederation Square and ByWard Market.
- No. 1 of the 18 sights in our Ottawa things-to-do list.
- Day 1 of the 1-day plan.
- Day 1 of the 2-day plan.
- Listed in free things to do in Ottawa.
- One of the picks in historic sites in Ottawa.
- A family favourite in Ottawa with kids.
Near Parliament Hill
Also in Downtown and Parliament Hill, so you can walk between them:
- Rideau Canal and the Ottawa Locks — 1–2 hours, free
- National War Memorial and Confederation Square — 20–30 minutes, free
If you like Parliament Hill
- Canadian Museum of History — Old Hull, Gatineau, 3 hours
- Canadian War Museum — LeBreton Flats, 2–3 hours
- Notre-Dame Cathedral Basilica — ByWard Market and Lowertown, 30 minutes
- Rideau Hall — New Edinburgh, 1–1.5 hours
Staying near Parliament Hill
Stay in Downtown and Parliament Hill ($$$) to walk here: government buildings, hotels and the Sparks Street pedestrian mall. All areas to stay in Ottawa.
Questions travellers ask
+How long do you need at Parliament Hill?
Plan 1.5–2 hours with a tour. With Rideau Canal and the Ottawa Locks nearby, it fits a half-day in Downtown and Parliament Hill.
+Is Parliament Hill free?
Yes, it is free to visit.
+When is the best time to visit Parliament Hill?
February and September–October, the quietest of the good months. Choose the West Block tour to see the temporary House of Commons chamber built inside the building's glass-roofed former courtyard.
+Do I need to book Parliament Hill in advance?
Free tour tickets are limited; reserve online or collect them early in the day in summer.
+Is Parliament Hill good for kids?
Yes, it is one of our family picks in Ottawa. Ottawa is excellent for families: hands-on national museums, a Children's Museum inside the Museum of History, canal skating and Winterlude snow slides, and big parks.