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Ottawa

Ottawa (Canada)

Practical information on Ottawa

  • Encounters with locals
  • Museums
  • Castle and fortress
  • Place or Historical Monument
4 / 5 - 6 reviews
How to get there
Two hours from Montreal by car
When to go
All year round
Minimum stay
1 to 2 days

Reviews of Ottawa

Mylène Wei Seasoned Traveller
20 written opinions

Canada's bilingual capital, located between Montreal and Toronto, where the Parliament Building ins the most iconic monument to visit.

My suggestion:
In winter, ice skating on the frozen-over Rideau Canal Skateway is an activity that is not to be missed!
My review

I discovered Canada thanks to the city of Ottawa where I spent a semester studying as an exchange student at Carleton University, I have very fond memories of this city, which I found to be very welcoming and fairly quiet for a capital city, with everything organised on a human scale. It also confirmed the kindness and generosity of the Canadian people for me.  

For beer lovers, Ottawa is bursting with craft breweries that you can test - especially in the Byward Market neighbourhood, which is most active at night.

Among the city's various museums, I recommend that you go to the Civilization Museum, which tells the history of Canada and its indigenous people. During the summer months, a show called Mozaika is projected onto the walls of the parliament building, telling the story of the nation, and complements a visit to the Civilization Museum perfectly.

Ottawa Parliament Building
Mylène Wei Seasoned Traveller
20 written opinions

Canada's bilingual capital, located between Montreal and Toronto, where the Parliament Building ins the most iconic monument to visit.

My suggestion:
In winter, ice skating on the frozen-over Rideau Canal Skateway is an activity that is not to be missed!
My review

I discovered Canada thanks to the city of Ottawa where I spent a semester studying as an exchange student at Carleton University, I have very fond memories of this city, which I found to be very welcoming and fairly quiet for a capital city, with everything organised on a human scale. It also confirmed the kindness and generosity of the Canadian people for me.  

For beer lovers, Ottawa is bursting with craft breweries that you can test - especially in the Byward Market neighbourhood, which is most active at night.

Among the city's various museums, I recommend that you go to the Civilization Museum, which tells the history of Canada and its indigenous people. During the summer months, a show called Mozaika is projected onto the walls of the parliament building, telling the story of the nation, and complements a visit to the Civilization Museum perfectly.

Ottawa Parliament Building
Cedric Tinteroff Seasoned Traveller
62 written opinions

Ottawa is the official capital of Canada and wrongly considered to be mainly an administrative and governmental centre: the city actually has some wonderful surprises to offer and is well worth making the trip to see!

My suggestion:
When you're in Ottawa be sure to visit the Parliament Buildings.
My review

After Montreal, Ottawa was the second place I visited on my trip to Canada. I really didn't have much idea what to expect from this city beforehand, but in the space of just a single afternoon, it won me over!

Ottawa is simply replete with interesting places to visit, but it's essential not to limit yourself just to the city's administrative and governmental aspects. Ottawa's many museums offer something for everyone, no matter what their interests may be.

Furthermore, and if you happen to be visiting the city in the month of May, be especially sure not to miss the incredible and world-famous Canadian Tulip Festival: it's a simply unmissable event, and one that's sure to leave you with some fantastic memories!

And finally, something else that I really enjoyed in Ottawa was the visit to the Parliament Buildings, which constitute one of Canada's main historic sites and offer a unique opportunity to delve into the mysteries of the democratic process!

Ottawa's Parliament Buildings
Cedric Tinteroff Seasoned Traveller
62 written opinions

Ottawa is the official capital of Canada and wrongly considered to be mainly an administrative and governmental centre: the city actually has some wonderful surprises to offer and is well worth making the trip to see!

My suggestion:
When you're in Ottawa be sure to visit the Parliament Buildings.
My review

After Montreal, Ottawa was the second place I visited on my trip to Canada. I really didn't have much idea what to expect from this city beforehand, but in the space of just a single afternoon, it won me over!

Ottawa is simply replete with interesting places to visit, but it's essential not to limit yourself just to the city's administrative and governmental aspects. Ottawa's many museums offer something for everyone, no matter what their interests may be.

Furthermore, and if you happen to be visiting the city in the month of May, be especially sure not to miss the incredible and world-famous Canadian Tulip Festival: it's a simply unmissable event, and one that's sure to leave you with some fantastic memories!

And finally, something else that I really enjoyed in Ottawa was the visit to the Parliament Buildings, which constitute one of Canada's main historic sites and offer a unique opportunity to delve into the mysteries of the democratic process!

Ottawa's Parliament Buildings
Aude Michelet Seasoned Traveller
32 written opinions

Ottawa is the seat of Canada's government institutions and the country's national capital.

My suggestion:
Learn to ice skate, or at least roller skate, before departing on a trip to Ottawa!
My review

Ottawa is a place worth visiting in order to gain a better understanding of how Canada's government institutions function.

Ottawa is especially delightful in winter. The city is a calm a peaceful place to see and explore at that time of year. I found myself unable to resist the temptation to tramp across the pristine snow around the Parliament Buildings, and to stop and enjoy the view over the Ottawa River when I walked behind the buildings.

The best thing of all, however, was the Rideau Canal. In winter, the ice comes alive with activity! Exploring the 15 kilometres of the canal (the total distance there and back) on ice skates is a wonderful experience! Before visiting the canal, however, it's essential to check the condition of the ice on the dedicated website.

Once I'd arrived there, I simply hired some ice skates on the canal itself. Then after enjoying some maple taffy, I set off skating! The breaks I took along the way provided welcome opportunities to admire the scenery and the ice sculptures, and to meet some of the people around the wood fires. And all this on the actual canal itself!

Next time I'd like to go in summer and take part in the Canada Day celebrations!

The Rideau Canal
Aude Michelet Seasoned Traveller
32 written opinions

Ottawa is the seat of Canada's government institutions and the country's national capital.

My suggestion:
Learn to ice skate, or at least roller skate, before departing on a trip to Ottawa!
My review

Ottawa is a place worth visiting in order to gain a better understanding of how Canada's government institutions function.

Ottawa is especially delightful in winter. The city is a calm a peaceful place to see and explore at that time of year. I found myself unable to resist the temptation to tramp across the pristine snow around the Parliament Buildings, and to stop and enjoy the view over the Ottawa River when I walked behind the buildings.

The best thing of all, however, was the Rideau Canal. In winter, the ice comes alive with activity! Exploring the 15 kilometres of the canal (the total distance there and back) on ice skates is a wonderful experience! Before visiting the canal, however, it's essential to check the condition of the ice on the dedicated website.

Once I'd arrived there, I simply hired some ice skates on the canal itself. Then after enjoying some maple taffy, I set off skating! The breaks I took along the way provided welcome opportunities to admire the scenery and the ice sculptures, and to meet some of the people around the wood fires. And all this on the actual canal itself!

Next time I'd like to go in summer and take part in the Canada Day celebrations!

The Rideau Canal