Ottawa Travel Guide

Tourist Guide

Major\'s Hill Park featuring snow and a church or cathedral
Ottawa
Ottawa
Ottawa showing snow, a bridge and ice skating
Rideau Canal showing a bridge, a city and a river or creek

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
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 Canadian 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
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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
Fairmont Chateau Laurier
Fairmont Chateau Laurier
4.5 out of 5
1 Rideau St, Ottawa, ON
The price is ₹13,288 per night from 7 Aug to 8 Aug
₹13,288
₹15,767 total
7 Aug - 8 Aug
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this eco-certified hotel in Ottawa. Enjoy 3 restaurants, breakfast (surcharge) and room service. Our guests praise the helpful staff and the clean rooms ...
8.6/10 Excellent! (2,517 reviews)
Canada Day in Ottawa
"Twice we asked the concierge for assistance. We asked when the Canada Day celebration started the following day and we were told the check back the next night. Obviously too late to do us any good. Second time he was dusting the counter in front of him and were ignored until I spoke up. Check in ..."

Reviewed on 6 Jul 2025

Fairmont Chateau Laurier
The Business Inn
The Business Inn
2.5 out of 5
180 MacLaren Street, Ottawa, ON
The price is ₹8,271 per night from 8 Jul to 9 Jul
₹8,271
₹9,813 total
8 Jul - 9 Jul
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this business-friendly hotel in Ottawa. Enjoy free breakfast, free Wi-Fi and a 24-hour fitness centre. Our guests praise the breakfast and the helpful ...
9.2/10 Wonderful! (7,559 reviews)
"Location is great, close to everything. Room is clean, lots of beddings, staff is friendly. Breakfast was a feast, we all had a good time."

Reviewed on 4 Jul 2025

The Business Inn
Les Suites Hotel Ottawa
Les Suites Hotel Ottawa
4 out of 5
130 Besserer St, Ottawa, ON
The price is ₹12,149 per night from 9 Jul to 10 Jul
₹12,149
₹14,415 total
9 Jul - 10 Jul
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this 4-star eco-certified aparthotel in Ottawa. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, room service and a health club. Our guests praise the helpful staff and the clean rooms ...
8.4/10 Very Good! (4,654 reviews)
"I love the apartment style rooms."

Reviewed on 3 Jul 2025

Les Suites Hotel Ottawa
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
4 out of 5
130 Besserer St, Ottawa, ON
Stay at this 4-star eco-certified aparthotel in Ottawa. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, room service and a health club. Our guests praise the helpful staff and the clean rooms ...
8.4/10 Very Good! (4,654 reviews)
"I love the apartment style rooms."

Reviewed on 3 Jul 2025

Les Suites Hotel Ottawa
Residence & Conference Centre - Ottawa West
Residence & Conference Centre - Ottawa West
2 out of 5
1385 Woodroffe Ave., Ottawa, ON
Stay at this aparthotel in Ottawa. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, parking (surcharge) and a 24-hour front desk. Our guests praise the helpful staff in their reviews. Popular ...
7/10 Good! (1,626 reviews)
"It was affordable and quite and clean"

Reviewed on 29 Jun 2025

Residence & Conference Centre - Ottawa West
Cartier Place Suite Hotel
Cartier Place Suite Hotel
3 out of 5
180 Cooper Street, Ottawa, ON
Stay at this eco-certified aparthotel in Ottawa. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, room service and a fitness centre. Our guests praise the pool and the helpful staff in their ...
8.2/10 Very Good! (3,742 reviews)
"Great location. Close to restaurants and shopping. Some of the front desk staff didn't give all the relevant information like wifi password during check in"

Reviewed on 5 Jul 2025

Cartier Place Suite Hotel
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 52%
4 - Good
24
4 - Good 43%
3 - Okay
3
3 - Okay 5%
2 - Disappointing
0
2 - Disappointing 0%
1 - Terrible
0
1 - Terrible 0%

5/5 - Excellent

Verified traveller

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

A great city especially to cycle and walk around

5/5 - Excellent

Verified traveller

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

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

4/5 - Good

Verified traveller

canal cruise worth a trip

5/5 - Excellent

Verified traveller

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

Cities near Ottawa