ByWard Market
Food, nightlifeRestaurants, bars and the market.
City guide
Things to do in Ottawa
Canada's capital: free tours of Parliament, national museums, the ByWard Market, beaver tails, the Rideau Canal, which becomes a skateway in winter, and Winterlude in February.
3
Hostels in the city
9.1
Average, from 3,582 reviews
7.8 km
Rideau Canal Skateway
2–3
Days
The capital
Ottawa is Canada's capital, on the Ottawa River, which forms the border between Ontario and Québec. It is smaller and calmer than Toronto or Montréal, bilingual, and full of national institutions.
Parliament Hill is the heart of the city. Centre Block, the main building with the Peace Tower, is closed for a long renovation until the early 2030s, but you can take free guided tours of the House of Commons in West Block and the Senate in its temporary home. Around it are the National Gallery of Canada, with its giant spider sculpture, and across the river in Gatineau, the Canadian Museum of History.
The Rideau Canal, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, runs through the city, and in winter, when conditions allow, it becomes one of the longest skating rinks in the world. The ByWard Market is the place to eat and drink. Canada Day on 1 July and Winterlude in February are the big events. Give Ottawa two or three days.
Where to base yourself
The ByWard Market for food and nightlife, Centretown for Parliament and museums, or the Glebe for a local feel by the canal.
Centretown
Parliament, museumsClose to Parliament Hill.
The Glebe
Local, by the canalShops and cafes along Bank Street.
Orange labels are neighbourhoods, dots are the 3 top-rated hostels. Map data from OpenStreetMap contributors.
Things to do
Things to do in Ottawa
Take a free tour of the House of Commons in West Block or the Senate, and in summer, watch the Changing of the Guard on Parliament Hill. Visit the National Gallery of Canada, the Canadian War Museum and the Canadian Museum of History across the river in Gatineau.
Eat and drink in the ByWard Market, and try a BeaverTail, a fried pastry. Walk or cycle along the Rideau Canal, and watch the boats in the locks next to the Château Laurier.
In winter, skate on the Rideau Canal Skateway when it is open, and go to Winterlude in February. Gatineau Park, just across the river, has hiking and biking trails.
Free things
And what it costs nothing to do
Parliament tours are free but need booking, and the Changing of the Guard in summer is free to watch. Walking the canal and Parliament Hill costs nothing.
Some national museums have free hours, such as Thursday evenings at the National Gallery; check before going.
Skating on the Rideau Canal Skateway is free, and Winterlude events are mostly free.
Food and drink
Eating and drinking
Try a BeaverTail, a flat fried pastry with sugar and cinnamon, and poutine from a chip truck. The ByWard Market has the biggest choice of restaurants, cafes and bars.
Across the river in Gatineau, Québec food and prices are a short walk away.
Menu prices do not include tax or tip: add sales tax at the till and 15 to 20 per cent tip in restaurants and bars.
Nightlife
Going out
The ByWard Market is the centre of the nightlife, with pubs, bars and clubs. Elgin Street and Bank Street have more bars.
Bars close at 2am in Ottawa, but at 3am across the river in Gatineau, in Québec.
Canada Day brings huge celebrations.
Getting around
Getting around
Ottawa International Airport is linked to the city by the O-Train and buses, or about 20 minutes by taxi. The O-Train and OC Transpo buses cover the city.
The centre is walkable, and cycling along the canal and river paths is easy.
VIA Rail runs to Montréal and Toronto, and buses to Montréal take about two hours.
Costs
What Ottawa costs
Ottawa is moderately priced for Canada. Dorm beds start at around €25 to €40 a night, including a famous hostel in a former jail. Restaurant mains cost €13 to €22 before tax and tip.
Sales tax in Ontario is 13 per cent. Menu prices do not include tax or tip: add sales tax at the till and 15 to 20 per cent tip in restaurants and bars.
Safety
Safety and scams
Ottawa is a safe city. Take normal care at night around the ByWard Market.
Winters are very cold and snowy. Skate only when the Skateway is officially open, as ice conditions vary.
Parliament tours involve security checks; bring photo ID. In an emergency, call 911.
Worth leaving town for
Parks, Québec and the river.
Canadian Museum of History
Indigenous and Canadian history.
Montréal
Canada's festival city.
Thousand Islands
Islands in the St Lawrence.
What's on
What is on while you are there
Canada Day, tulips and Winterlude.
February
Winterlude
Ottawa and Gatineau
Ice sculptures, skating and snow slides.
May
Canadian Tulip Festival
Ottawa
Millions of tulips.
1 July
Canada Day
Parliament Hill and the city
Concerts and fireworks.
Hostels
Where to stay
The highest-rated hostels in Ottawa, live from Hostelworld. Prices and availability are live on each property page.
When to go
May to October is the best time, with tulips in May, Canada Day in July and autumn colour in October. Winter is very cold, with Winterlude and skating in February.
Jan
Skating
Feb
Winterlude
Mar
Thaw
Apr
Spring
May
Tulip Festival
Jun
Warm
Jul
Canada Day
Aug
Summer
Sep
Pleasant
Oct
Autumn colour
Nov
Cold
Dec
Festive lights
Bar height is temperature. Colour is how busy it gets:
quiet
busy
peak
Average highs, rounded. Winters are very cold.
What your trip will cost
Per night, for one person, based on Ottawa prices.
Treat these as a guide, before tax and tip.
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- Beds—
- Food and drink—
- Getting around—
- Doing things—
Ottawa questions
The ones we get asked most.
Can I visit Parliament in Ottawa?
Yes. Free guided tours of the House of Commons in West Block and the Senate run most of the year. Book ahead and bring photo ID.
Is Centre Block open?
No. It is closed for renovation until the early 2030s.
When can I skate on the Rideau Canal?
Usually from January to February, when ice conditions allow.
When is Winterlude?
In February.
How many days do you need in Ottawa?
Two or three days.
Is Ottawa bilingual?
Yes. English and French are both widely spoken, especially across the river in Gatineau.
How do I get from Montréal to Ottawa?
By train or bus, in about two hours.
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