Ottawa Travel Guide

Tourist Guide
Photo provided by National Capital Commission
Canada’s gorgeous capital offers an array of galleries, museums, nature parks and historic sites, making it the perfect cultural and romantic escape.

Canada’s stylish capital, Ottawa, is a city rich in arts, heritage and sciences. The city blends ultra-modern and Victorian Gothic architecture, balances technology with nature and offers cuisines from across the globe.  

Begin your stay with a trip to the historic Parliament Buildings on Parliament Hill. Visit the Library of Parliament and the iconic Peace Tower. These Gothic Revival buildings are adorned with gold-leaf ceilings and ornate images of Canada’s past. Explore Centre Block and listen to political debates in the House of Commons and the Senate. Continue your appreciation of Gothic Revival-style architecture at the Notre Dame Basilica, a Canadian National Historic Site. Admire the terraced galleries, stained-glass windows and altars rich in adornments.

The nation’s capital has plenty of galleries and museums to explore. Follow the history of modern warfare at the Canadian War Museum. Learn about the country’s place in the history of flight at the Canada Aviation and Space Museum and marvel at how humans have developed at the Canadian Museum of Civilization. See old art masters and learn about new ones while discovering Canada’s rich cultural heritage at the National Gallery of Canada.  

Ottawa is a city for all seasons with winter snow activities and summer hikes. Discover heritage estates, natural beauty and the rich biodiversity of the popular Gatineau Park. In the summer, boat on the Rideau Canal, an internationally recognised World Heritage Site. Skate on the canal in the winter when it transforms into the world’s largest naturally frozen skating rink. 

Ottawa is an easy city to navigate, with most of the attractions located within walking distance of each other. Check the opening hours of museums before you go since they can vary depending on the season and day of the week. Peak season is during the summer months from June through August and the low season is from November through April.

Where to stay in Ottawa

Notre-Dame Cathedral Basilica which includes religious aspects, a church or cathedral and heritage architecture

Downtown Ottawa

4/5(47 area reviews)

Known for its fascinating museums and popular shops, there's plenty to explore in Downtown Ottawa. Check out top attractions like Rideau Centre and Byward Market Square, and jump on the metro at Rideau Station or uOttawa Station to see more of the city.

Downtown Ottawa
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Kanata

Kanata is known for its abundant dining options, and you can plan a trip to Canadian Tire Centre and Kanata Centrum Shopping Centre while you're in town.

Kanata
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Nepean

Nepean is known for its ample dining options, and you can make a stop by Nepean Sportsplex and Bayshore Shopping Centre while in the area.

Nepean
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Orleans

Orleans is noteworthy for its shopping, and you can make a stop at top attractions like Princess Louise Falls and Petrie Island Park.

Orleans
Ottawa which includes snow

Centretown

4/5(15 area reviews)

Known for its abundant dining options and interesting museums, there's plenty to explore in Centretown. Top attractions like Elgin Street and Museum of Nature are major draws, and you can catch the metro at Parliament Station or Lyon Station to see more of the city.

Centretown
Byward Market which includes street scenes, signage and markets

ByWard Market

A noteworthy feature of ByWard Market is its popular shops. While you're in town, be sure to stop and check out Byward Market Square and Rideau Centre.

ByWard Market
The Business Inn
The Business Inn
2.5 out of 5
180 MacLaren Street, Ottawa, ON
The price is ₹9,221 per night from 23 May to 24 May
₹9,221
per night
23 May - 24 May
Enjoy free breakfast, free Wi-Fi and a 24-hour fitness centre. Our guests praise the breakfast and the WiFi in their reviews.
9.2/10 Wonderful! (6,459 reviews)
"Excellent service, great breakfast facilities."

Reviewed on 10 May 2024

The Business Inn
Fairmont Chateau Laurier
Fairmont Chateau Laurier
4.5 out of 5
1 Rideau St, Ottawa, ON
The price is ₹12,406 per night from 24 May to 25 May
₹12,406
per night
24 May - 25 May
Our guests praise the breakfast and the helpful staff in their reviews.
8.4/10 Very Good! (1,647 reviews)
"Excellent"

Reviewed on 9 May 2024

Fairmont Chateau Laurier
Novotel Ottawa City Centre
Novotel Ottawa City Centre
4 out of 5
33 Nicholas St, Ottawa, ON
The price is ₹11,359 per night from 2 Jun to 3 Jun
₹11,359
per night
2 Jun - 3 Jun
Enjoy free Wi-Fi, breakfast (surcharge) and room service. Our guests praise the restaurant and the helpful staff in their reviews.
8.4/10 Very Good! (1,534 reviews)
"I reserved at Novotel but when we got at the hotel there was no electricity but they offered the option to go to Westin hotel.I really liked my stay at Westin. So my evaluation was for Westin."

Reviewed on 6 May 2024

Novotel Ottawa City Centre
Lowest nightly price found within the past 24 hours based on a 1 night stay for 2 adults. Prices and availability subject to change. Additional terms may apply.
Les Suites Hotel Ottawa
Les Suites Hotel Ottawa
3.5 out of 5
130 Besserer St, Ottawa, ON
Enjoy free Wi-Fi, a full-service spa and breakfast (surcharge). Our guests praise the helpful staff and the clean rooms in their reviews.
8.4/10 Very Good! (3,749 reviews)
"The hotel is very central, 2-3 minutes walk to CF Rideau Centre. It is at walking distance from the Parliament Hill. Tons of food and shopping options. The front desk staff were friendly. Good room service. The large pool was a plus. We'll definitely prefer to stay here again when visiting ..."

Reviewed on 7 May 2024

Les Suites Hotel Ottawa
Sonder The O'connor
Sonder The O'connor
3.5 out of 5
377 Rue O'Connor Street, Ottawa, ON
Enjoy a fitness centre, parking (surcharge) and laundry facilities. Our guests praise the helpful staff and the clean rooms in their reviews.
8.8/10 Excellent! (360 reviews)
"A beautiful apartment, very comfortable. Loved our stay here"

Reviewed on 8 May 2024

Sonder The O'connor
Sonder Arlo
Sonder Arlo
88 Albert Street, Ottawa, ON
Enjoy a fitness centre, laundry facilities and concierge services.
9.2/10 Wonderful! (90 reviews)
"We were in room 200, which is at the back of the building. The ventilation was terrible - we had smells (food, cigarettes) coming in through the vents, and couldn't open the window when we cooked so all our clothes ended up stinking. The location and facilities were good though - good gym and laundry ..."

Reviewed on 30 Apr 2024

Sonder Arlo
Lowest nightly price found within the past 24 hours based on a 1 night stay for 2 adults. Prices and availability subject to change. Additional terms may apply.

Popular places to visit

Reviews of Ottawa

4.5
Top destination
5 - Excellent
29
" "5 - Excellent 51.785714285714285%
4 - Good
24
" "4 - Good 42.857142857142854%
3 - Okay
3
" "3 - Okay 5.357142857142857%
2 - Disappointing
0
" "2 - Disappointing 0%
1 - Terrible
0
" "1 - Terrible 0%

5/5 - Excellent

Verified traveller
5 Nov 2019

A fantastically serene city. As a Scot, reminds me very much of Central Edinburgh, with its architecture and natural beauty. Well worth a visit.

4/5 - Good

Verified traveller
30 Sep 2019

A great city especially to cycle and walk around

5/5 - Excellent

Verified traveller
23 Sep 2019

Ottawa very picturesque city and very walkable. Rideau canal is a must. Canadian war museum also excellent- parking on site- underground- but quite difficult to find car park- esp at present as roadworks on street.

4/5 - Good

Verified traveller
22 Sep 2019

The Ridout area is excellent Centre Ville is soulless Ridout canal and locks were the high spot

4/5 - Good

Verified traveller
19 Sep 2019

canal cruise worth a trip

5/5 - Excellent

Verified traveller
18 Sep 2019

One of the best cities to walk around, the local transport is very good

Cities near Ottawa