Places / North & Central America / Canada
Ottawa
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At a glance
- Country
- Canada
- Region
- Ontario
- Population
- 1 million
- Best time to go
- May to October
- Main airport
- Ottawa Macdonald–Cartier International (YOW)
- Coordinates
- 45.42°N, 75.70°W
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Overview
Canada's capital sits on the Ottawa River, which marks the border between English-speaking Ontario and French-speaking Quebec. Gothic Revival parliament buildings crown the bluff above the water, and a cluster of excellent national museums lies within walking distance.
Ottawa is green, tidy and easy to enjoy at a gentle pace. The Rideau Canal threads through the centre, busy with boats and cyclists in summer and transformed into a vast skating rink in winter.
Things to see
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Photo: Wladyslaw, CC BY-SA 3.0 Parliament Hill
The green-roofed Gothic Revival home of Canada's parliament, with summer changing of the guard on the lawn.
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Photo: – Wladyslaw [Disk.], CC BY-SA 3.0 National Gallery of Canada
A glass-and-granite gallery with superb Canadian and Indigenous art, guarded outside by Louise Bourgeois's giant spider.
Tickets and tours -
Photo: Hayden Soloviev, CC BY 4.0 Canadian Museum of History
Across the river in Gatineau, its Grand Hall of totem poles is one of the most striking museum spaces in Canada.
Tickets and tours -
Photo: Hayden Soloviev, CC BY 4.0 ByWard Market
One of Canada's oldest markets, packed with food stalls, produce, cafés and pubs.
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Photo: Bobak Ha'Eri, CC BY-SA 2.5 Rideau Canal
A UNESCO-listed 19th-century canal with locks right beside Parliament, lovely for a stroll or bike ride.
Things to do
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Photo: Ahunt, CC0 Skate the canal
In a good winter the canal becomes a skateway nearly 8 km long. Warm up with a BeaverTails pastry.
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Photo: Lezumbalaberenjena at English Wikipedia, Public domain Hike in Gatineau Park
Forested hills, lakes and lookouts start just across the river, glorious when the maples turn in autumn.
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Photo: Andrew Scheer, CC0 Canadian Tulip Festival
Every May, a million tulips bloom in Commissioners Park and around Dow's Lake.
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Photo: Andrew Plumb from Ottawa, Ontario, Canada, CC BY-SA 2.0 Winterlude
The February winter festival brings ice sculptures, snow slides and outdoor events to both sides of the river.
Where to stay
ByWard Market
Central and lively, with the best choice of restaurants and bars. Can be noisy at night.
Hotels in ByWard MarketCentretown
Close to Parliament and the canal, with a mix of chain hotels and apartments.
Hotels in CentretownThe Glebe
Leafy and residential beside the canal, with independent shops and a neighbourhood feel.
Hotels in The Glebe
Getting around
The centre is compact and walkable, and the O-Train light rail and OC Transpo buses cover the rest. Bike paths along the canal and river are excellent.
From the airport, an O-Train connection and buses reach downtown in about 30 to 40 minutes; VIA Rail trains link Ottawa with Montreal and Toronto.
When to go
Late spring to early autumn is warm and green, with festivals through summer and fiery colours in late September and October. Winters are very cold and snowy, but February's Winterlude and canal skating make it worth wrapping up.
Plan your trip to Ottawa
Guide last checked October 2026. Opening times and prices change, so check before you go.