Ottawa

Canada's green and cultural capital

Ottawa stands as Canada’s capital, located along the banks of the Ottawa River where Ontario meets Quebec. The city balances government activity with cultural life through museums and galleries that reflect its bilingual heritage. Public spaces like parks and riverfront trails provide room for walking or cycling while local cafes serve coffee alongside traditional dishes. Historic neighborhoods feature stone buildings and cobblestone streets, showing a mix of old and new in everyday life. Seasonal changes bring snowy winters and green summers to the city’s streets and waterfronts.

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City in Canada

$$$

$	Cheap
$$	Medium
$$$	Expensive, upscale
$$$+	Very expensive, luxury

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Safety: 8.9

General Safety:	9
Health & medical:	9
Accessibility:	8
Tap water:	9

Read details

5/5

English is widely spoken throughout Ottawa, making it easy for English-speaking tourists to communicate and navigate the city.

Highlights Attractions Getting there Hotels Tips Travel costs Safety Articles

Last update: 12 Oct 2026

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Ottawa Summary

These place ratings give you a quick overview of how well a destination matches different types of trips.

‘Best for’ scores:
The specific interest scores show where this place really shines – whether it's ideal for hiking, food & drink experiences, museums or other activities. These highlights help you understand what makes the destination special at a glance.

‘Your personal’ scores:
This reflects how well a place matches your personal preferences. You can adjust the importances of travel topics or other personal requirements categories in your account settings.

‘Suited for’ badges:
These give you a quick overview of how well a destination suits specific types of travellers, to help you find the places that match your lifestyle, preferences or travel situation.

Read how our scores work

Excellent for national museums and historic landmarks. Tour parliament buildings, visit major museums, cycle along scenic canals and enjoy lively festivals.

Place score

7.6

Best at:

Spotless

Guided tours

Large cities

Walkable

Local cuisine

Personal score

Suited for

👶 8

Families

🧓 8

Seniors

🌈 9

LGBTQ+

🛡️ 8

Travel Beginners

Canada – Quick facts

Guide Etiquette Holidays Other

Power Grid:	120 V, 60 Hz Plug: Type A , Type B Type A: Type B: Read about power adapters
Currency:	Canadian Dollar (CAD) £1 ≈ CA$1.87
Cashless info:	Rating 5/5 Cashless payments are widely accepted, especially in urban areas. Most businesses accept credit and debit cards, and mobile payment options like Apple Pay are popular. Save with a travel credit card
eSIM providers:	Best value: Saily Flexibility: Airalo Read our in-depth comparison

Tipping:	Tipping is customary in Canada, with a typical tip of 10-20% in restaurants. Tipping is also expected in taxis and for hotel staff, usually 1-2 CAD for bellhops and housekeepers.
Public drinking:	Public drinking laws vary by province, but it's often allowed in designated areas such as festivals or certain parks.
Public smoking:	Smoking is prohibited indoors in public spaces and in most outdoor spaces in urban areas. Some provinces have stricter laws than others.

Canada Day (July)	The country celebrates with fireworks and festivals. Expect crowded tourist spots and high demand for accommodations.
Thanksgiving (October)	A major family holiday with many businesses closed, especially in rural areas.
Christmas (December)	Festive markets and winter activities are popular, but expect higher accommodation prices and busy cities.

Emergency contact:	Emergency Number: 911 (Police, Fire, Ambulance)
Taxi apps:	Uber, Lyft, Bolt
Other:	Canada is vast, so be prepared for long distances between cities and varying weather conditions depending on the region.

Best times to travel

The best times to travel section shows how the months compare for a visit, so you can find the time of year that fits what you want to do.

Background colours of the months:
The colour shows the typical temperature: yellow (hot), green (mild) and blue (cold). How strong the colour is shows the travel season: full colour means high season, soft colour means shoulder season and soft-striped means off season.

Weather symbols:
Each month has one symbol showing what the weather is typically like, such as hot and sunny, freezing or a rainy or snowy season. Use them to quickly spot months that match the weather you want, or to avoid the ones that don't.

Crowdedness:
The people icon shows how busy the place usually is. The more people, the more crowded it gets.

Additional notes:
The grey info boxes point out special things worth knowing, like recurring weather issues or seasonal events.

for Ottawa, Canada

🌨️

Jan

🌨️

Feb

🌨️

Mar

🌥️

Apr

🌤️

May

🌤️

Jun

☀️

Jul

☀️

Aug

🌤️

Sep

🌤️

Oct

❄️

Nov

🌨️

Dec

High season:	May - Aug.
Shoulder season:	Jan. - Feb., Sep. - Oct.
Crowdedness:	7 (Many tourists)

Tap on a month for more info Hover over a month for more info

Climate details

Rideau Canal Skateway opens when ice is thick enough, usually January to late February

Winterlude winter festival runs early to late February

Canadian Tulip Festival runs mid May, with blooms at peak

Don't miss

🏛️ Tour Parliament Hill and experience the Changing of the Guard
⛸️ Skate or boat along the scenic Rideau Canal
🛍️ Explore the vibrant ByWard Market with food and crafts
🏛️ Visit the Canadian Museum of History showcasing rich heritage
🖼️ Admire art collections at the National Gallery of Canada
🌲 Relax and picnic in picturesque Gatineau Park nearby

You've been here?

Why travel to Ottawa?

Visiting Ottawa offers a unique opportunity to explore Canada's heritage through its historic sites, diverse museums and lively festivals. The city's picturesque landscapes, including the iconic Rideau Canal, provide a perfect backdrop for both relaxation and adventure. However, be prepared for cold winters and ensure you have appropriate clothing.

🏯Places worth seeing

1 Parliament Hill
The Parliament Hill complex in Ottawa features historic buildings, expansive lawns and iconic statues. Visitors can explore the grounds, watch changing of the guard ceremonies or enjoy panoramic views from the hilltop overlooking the city.
2 National Gallery of Canada
The National Gallery of Canada houses an extensive collection of Canadian art, including works by the Group of Seven and Indigenous artists. Its modern architecture features a glass façade and a central atrium.
3 Canadian War Museum
A Canadian institution in Ottawa's capital city, this museum honors military history through artifacts and exhibits. It offers a solemn yet engaging experience for visitors seeking to understand Canada's armed forces legacy within its historic grounds.
4 Canadian Museum of History
5 Canadian Museum of Nature
6 Rideau Hall
7 Royal Canadian Mint
8 Notre-Dame Cathedral Basilica

🎡Places for activities

1 Rideau Canal
This historic waterway winds through Ottawa's heart, offering serene boat tours and winter skating on its frozen surface. The canal connects Rideau Lake to the Ottawa River, surrounded by charming bridges and lush greenery that change with every season.
2 Gatineau Park
3 Ottawa Art Gallery
4 Canadian Tire Centre
5 National Arts Centre
6 Camp Fortune
7 Saunders Farm
8 Little Ray's Nature Centre

🏞️Natural landmarks

1 Rideau Falls
2 Constance Bay
3 Hog's Back Falls
4 Dominion Arboretum
5 NCC Greenbelt
6 Mud Lake
7 Petrie Island
8 Pinhey Sand Dunes
9 Fletcher Wildlife Garden

🛍️Shopping

1 ByWard Market
Vibrant shopping and dining hub in Ottawa’s historic core, featuring farmers’ stalls, boutique shops and lively street performers. The market offers fresh produce, local crafts and a mix of international cuisine.
2 Rideau Centre
3 The Glebe
4 St. Laurent Shopping Centre
5 Tanger Outlets
6 Bank Street Bridge
7 The West Village
8 Bayshore Shopping Centre
9 Place d'Orléans

🎈Events

Winterlude
Canadian Tulip Festival
Canada Day Celebrations
Ottawa Bluesfest
Ottawa International Animation Festival
Ottawa Dragon Boat Festival
Ottawa Fringe Festival
Capital Pride
Ottawa Wine and Food Festival
Christmas Lights Across Canada

Explore on map

Open map view

Knowledge before you go

Expect four distinct seasons; winters are very cold and snowy.
Plan time around Parliament Hill and the Rideau Canal, key landmarks offering history, architecture and scenic riverside walks year-round.
Stay downtown or near ByWard Market for easy walking access to restaurants, nightlife, major museums and riverside paths.
Visit in winter to skate the frozen Rideau Canal or in spring for tulip displays, when festivals enliven streets without peak-summer crowds.

How to travel to Ottawa

Ottawa is accessible via the Ottawa Macdonald-Cartier International Airport, offering flights from various destinations. Train services by VIA Rail connect Ottawa to major Canadian cities and intercity bus services are also available. For those driving, the city is well-connected by highways.

Access summary

From Ottawa Airport (YOW): City bus or taxi downtown, about 20–35 minutes.
From Toronto: Frequent flights or Via Rail trains, usually around 1–5 hours.
From Montreal: Trains or intercity buses to Ottawa, typically about 2–3 hours.

Check your route from anywhere

Where to stay in Ottawa

Ottawa offers a range of accommodations, from luxury hotels to budget-friendly options. The downtown area provides easy access to major attractions, while neighborhoods like ByWard Market and the Glebe offer boutique hotels and charming bed-and-breakfasts.

Hotel recommendations

*by rating and popularity. Commissions have no influence on the rankings.

Brookstreet Hotel - Ottawa West - Kanata

8.9

Les Suites Hotel Ottawa

8.6

The Metcalfe Hotel

9.3

Fairmont Château Laurier

8.9

ARC The Hotel Downtown Boutique Ottawa

8.2

The Business Inn

9.1

Days Inn by Wyndham Ottawa

7.1

Lord Elgin Hotel

9.0

Holiday Inn Express & Suites Downtown Ottawa East by IHG

8.6

Auberge de la Gare

8.5

Explore more accommodations

How to get around Ottawa

Getting around Ottawa is convenient with its efficient public transportation system, OC Transpo, which includes buses and the O-Train light rail. The city is also bike-friendly, offering numerous cycling paths. Downtown areas are easily walkable, but during winter, icy conditions can make walking challenging.

Budget snapshot

Costs compared to home

We calculate the average costs when travelling to destinations and compare those with the living costs at your home. With this you can get an estimate of how expensive or cheap the destination is for you.

To customise this, you can set up which location and price level are used for the calculations in your account settings.

-12 %

Daily expenses in Ottawa are around 12% lower than the average across United States. That means you'll spend less on meals and getting around.

Exchange rate trend

The exchange rate price factor shows how expensive or cheap a currency currently is compared to its historical average. It's a quick way to see if a country is currently more or less affordable due to exchange rate changes.

-10 %

Your exchange rate (GBP to CAD) is 10% better than in recent years. That means travelling now is cheaper compared to the past.

Travel costs

To help you plan your trip, we provide estimated daily costs per person (when travelling as a pair) for different travel styles. These numbers give you an idea of what you might spend each day at this destination, including accommodation, food, transport and activities.

Additionally, we also provide average hotel costs for different travel styles to give you an estimate for the accommodation only.

Please note that these are only estimates. The real costs depend on booking times, season and other factors.

Daily cost summary

Travel style categories explained:

Backpacker:
Staying in hostels or budget hotels, cooking your own meals or eating cheap and choosing low-cost activities.

Mid-range:
Staying in mid-range hotels, eating at a mix of restaurants and casual spots and enjoying a variety of activities.

Luxury:
Staying in luxury hotels, dining out at high-end restaurants and enjoying premium experiences without worrying about the price.

	Backpacker	Mid-range	Luxury
💵 Total costs per day, including accommodation	£71	£138	£341
🏨 Accommodation per night, per person	£34	£68	£135
🍝 Food per day	£29	£62	£180
🚕 Transportation per day	£9	£8	£26

Food & Drink

🍽️ Restaurant Dinner, per person	£24
🍛 Lunch Set, per person	£12.50
🍟 Fast food combo	£8
🍝 Preparing your own food, per day	£10.50
☕ Cappuccino	£3.20
🍺 Beer in a restaurant, 0.5 l	£4.40

Transportation

🚌 Public transport ticket	£2.20
🚕 Taxi Ride, 10 km / 6 mi	£15
⛽ Petrol, 1 l	£0.75

Other

🎞️ Cinema ticket	£8
👩‍⚕️ Doctor's consult	£50
🤧 Cold medication	£9.50
💇 Basic haircut	£12.50

Safety information overview

General safety

Ottawa is generally considered a safe city for tourists, with low crime rates. As with any urban area, it's advisable to stay aware of your surroundings and secure personal belongings.

Health & Medical

The city has high-quality healthcare facilities readily available. No special vaccinations are required for travel to Ottawa.

Accessibility

Ottawa is committed to accessibility, with many public spaces and transportation options accommodating those with mobility challenges. However, winter conditions can pose difficulties.

Tap water

Tap water in Ottawa is safe to drink and meets high-quality standards. Public drinking fountains are available in many areas.