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Parliament Hill in Ottawa, Ontario, Canada

Visit Ottawa, Canada

Visit Ottawa, Canada

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Canada’s delightful capital city occupies an enviable location high on the Ottawa River on the Ontario/Québec provincial border.

This is a city steeped in tradition which manifests itself in the magnificent Parliament buildings, the Governor-General’s residence and the many parks and gardens.

Things to see and do

Tulips on Parliament Hill, OttawaThe Parliament buildings, in particular the Peace Tower and library, are well worth a visit, especially during mid-summer when the Changing of the Guards ceremonies take place.

Another principal attraction is the Rideau Canal which freezes over in winter to form the world’s largest ice-skating rink.

As capital, the city is home to the National Gallery of Canada, the Canadian War Museum and the Royal Canadian Mint. The Museum of Civilization is particularly impressive, with its insights into First Nations culture.

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Suggested itinerary featuring Ottawa

This sample itinerary will give you an idea of what is possible when you travel in Ottawa, and showcases routes we know work particularly well. Treat this as inspiration, because your trip will be created uniquely by one of our specialists.

Map of Ottawa

Places & hotels on the map

    Places near Ottawa

    Photos of Ottawa

    • Rideau Canal, Ottawa
      Rideau Canal, Ottawa
    • Rideau Canal, Ottawa
      Rideau Canal, Ottawa
    • The Canadian Museum of History, Ottawa
      The Canadian Museum of History, Ottawa
    • The Parliament Buildings, Ottawa
      The Parliament Buildings, Ottawa
    • The National War Memorial, Ottawa
      The National War Memorial, Ottawa
    • Kayaking on the Rideau Canal, Ottawa
      Kayaking on the Rideau Canal, Ottawa
    • Parliament Buildings
      Parliament Buildings
    • Parliament Hill
      Parliament Hill

    Our expert guides to exploring Ottawa

    Written by our specialists from their own experiences of visiting Ottawa, these guides will help you make the most of your time there. We share both our practical recommendations and the best ways to appreciate Ottawa at its best.

    • Canada self-drive vacations: Ontario and Québec
      Algonquin Provincial Park

      Canada self-drive vacations: Ontario and Québec

      Canada self-drive vacations: Ontario and Québec

      By self-driving in Canada’s Ontario and Québec provinces, you can explore peaceful parks filled with wildlife, secluded towns and villages, and multicultural cities at your own pace. Canada specialist Rebecca shares her ideas for self-drive routes that take in the best of each province.

      7 min read

      Read this guide

    Accommodation choices for Ottawa

    We’ve selected a range of accommodation options for when you visit Ottawa. Our choices usually come recommended for their character, facilities and service or location. Our specialists always aim to suggest properties that match your preferences.