Ottawa

Travel Guide

Major\'s Hill Park which includes snow and a church or cathedral
Voyageur Provincial Park which includes general coastal views
Ottawa featuring heritage elements and interior views
Ottawa featuring ice skating, a bridge and snow
Rideau Canal showing a bridge, a river or creek and a city

Ottawa Travel Guide Video

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 recognized 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 showing a city, a church or cathedral and religious elements

Downtown Ottawa

4.5/5(617 area reviews)

Central to Ottawa's financial district and government buildings, this area boasts a vibrant restaurant district on Elgin Street and shopping on Bank Street. Explore heritage sites like Château Laurier and Sparks Street's pedestrian mall.

Downtown Ottawa
Default Image

Kanata

Suburb within Ottawa, Kanata boasts the Canadian Tire Centre, home to the Ottawa Senators, and the Kanata Research Park. Enjoy shopping at Kanata Centrum, Tanger Outlet Mall, and Hazeldean Mall, or catch a movie at Landmark Cinemas Kanata 24.

Kanata
Default Image

Nepean

Explore the retail center on Merivale Road, featuring smaller shops and big box stores, or visit the Nepean Museum and Ben Franklin Place for a mix of culture and government services. Enjoy amenities like the Ottawa Public Library and Centrepointe Theatre.

Nepean
Ottawa featuring snow

Centretown

4.5/5(135 area reviews)

Known for its ample dining options and fascinating museums, there's plenty to explore in Centretown. You can visit top attractions like Elgin Street and Canadian Museum of Nature, and jump on the metro at Parliament Station or Lyon Station to see more of the city.

Centretown
Byward Market featuring markets, outdoor eating and street scenes

ByWard Market

This downtown Ottawa's lively retail and entertainment district boasts a dense concentration of eateries, bars, and nightclubs, as well as an open-air market for fresh produce and flowers during warmer months. Cobblestone courtyards, historic buildings, and street entertainment add to the charm.

ByWard Market
Default Image

Orleans

Situated 16 km from downtown Ottawa, Orléans boasts a significant francophone population and offers recreational activities at Bob MacQuarrie Recreation Complex and Petrie Island's natural beach. Explore nature trails like Bilberry Creek Trail and enjoy shopping and dining along Innes Road.

Orleans
Fairmont Chateau Laurier
Fairmont Chateau Laurier
4.5 out of 5
1 Rideau St, Ottawa, ON
The price is ¥22,616 per night from Aug 7 to Aug 8
¥22,616
¥26,834 total
Aug 7 - Aug 8
includes taxes & fees
Book a stay at this eco-certified hotel in Ottawa. Enjoy 3 restaurants, breakfast (surcharge), and room service. Our guests praise the helpful staff and the ...
8.6/10 Excellent! (2,542 reviews)
Great location, comfortable stay.
"Overnight stay as my flight was cancelled. Loved the room, renovated bathroom - the comfort I needed."

Reviewed on Jul 9, 2025

Fairmont Chateau Laurier
The Business Inn
The Business Inn
2.5 out of 5
180 MacLaren Street, Ottawa, ON
The price is ¥14,107 per night from Jul 20 to Jul 21
¥14,107
¥16,737 total
Jul 20 - Jul 21
includes taxes & fees
Book a stay at this business-friendly hotel in Ottawa. Enjoy free breakfast, free WiFi, and a 24-hour fitness center. Our guests praise the breakfast and the ...
9.2/10 Wonderful! (7,593 reviews)
"Peter and Willa were fantastic, as well as the older gentleman working in the breakfast area."

Reviewed on Jul 9, 2025

The Business Inn
Lord Elgin Hotel
Lord Elgin Hotel
4 out of 5
100 Elgin St, Ottawa, ON
The price is ¥19,362 per night from Jul 25 to Jul 26
¥19,362
¥22,973 total
Jul 25 - Jul 26
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this 4-star eco-certified hotel in Ottawa. Enjoy free WiFi, breakfast (surcharge), and room service. Our guests praise the helpful staff and the clean ...
9/10 Wonderful! (2,432 reviews)
"It was close to all the attractions"

Reviewed on Jul 8, 2025

Lord Elgin 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.
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 WiFi, room service, and a health club. Our guests praise the helpful staff and the clean rooms ...
8.4/10 Very Good! (4,668 reviews)
"Always very happy with Les suites. Rooms are clean and spacious. The only hotel we stay while in Ottawa."

Reviewed on Jul 9, 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 WiFi, parking (surcharge), and a 24-hour front desk. Our guests praise the helpful staff in our reviews. Popular ...
7/10 Good! (1,634 reviews)
"Excellent customer service"

Reviewed on Jul 4, 2025

Residence & Conference Centre - Ottawa West
Cartier Place Suite Hotel
Cartier Place Suite Hotel
3 out of 5
180 Cooper Street, Ottawa, ON
Book a stay at this eco-certified aparthotel in Ottawa. Enjoy free WiFi, room service, and a fitness center. Our guests praise the pool and the helpful staff ...
8.2/10 Very Good! (3,748 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 Jul 5, 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

Things to do

Reviews of Ottawa

4.5
Top Destination
5 - Excellent
443
5 - Excellent 58%
4 - Good
268
4 - Good 35%
3 - Okay
47
3 - Okay 6%
2 - Disappointing
6
2 - Disappointing 1%
1 - Terrible
2
1 - Terrible 0%

5/5 - Excellent

Verified traveler

The local people were very nice and I enjoyed spending my time there.

3/5 - Okay

Verified traveler

Ottawa is okay. There are some people, it did not make me feel anything one way or the other.

5/5 - Excellent

Verified traveler

It was a beautiful city with friendly people and a lot of good food, shopping and events. I've recommended it to all of my friends from the U.S.

5/5 - Excellent

Verified traveler

Very clean and friendly city, Will go back to see all the other places we didn't have time to see. Everyone made us feel at home. Wonderful :)

5/5 - Excellent

Kaila

Ottawa is like the Washington DC of Canada. If you're a history buff or you love beautiful architecture you'll be surprised at how lovely and underrated this city is.

5/5 - Excellent

Verified traveler

The City is Beautiful, Clean and Hospitable. The people are absolutely lovely and I will return, again and again.

Cities near Ottawa