Ottawa in 7 days

Canada's stately capital: Parliament Hill, canal skating and world-class museums. Best time to visit: May-October (mild) and February (Winterlude). Average daily budget: $130 to $280 CAD.

Day 1, Land & wander

Base: Parliament Hill & Downtown, The government core with Parliament, museums, hotels and the Rideau Canal.

Morning: Tour Parliament Hill. Free guided tours of the Centre Block and Senate, plus the Changing of the Guard in summer and Northern Lights show.

Afternoon: Explore Parliament Hill & Downtown, The government core with Parliament, museums, hotels and the Rideau Canal.

Evening: Visit the national museums. The Museum of History, National Gallery, War Museum and Museum of Nature are among Canada's best.

Eat: BeaverTail pastries on the canal

Day 2, Iconic sights

Base: ByWard Market, The city's oldest and liveliest neighbourhood, packed with restaurants, bars, cafés and a farmers' market.

Morning: Walk or skate the Rideau Canal. A UNESCO World Heritage waterway; skate in winter (world's largest rink) or stroll and bike in summer.

Afternoon: Explore ByWard Market, The city's oldest and liveliest neighbourhood, packed with restaurants, bars, cafés and a farmers' market.

Evening: Eat through ByWard Market. Grab a BeaverTail pastry, browse the market, and dine in one of the city's most atmospheric districts.

Eat: Poutine and Canadian craft beer

Day 3, Food & markets

Base: The Glebe, A leafy, walkable residential area with indie shops, cafés and Lansdowne Park.

Morning: Day-trip to Gatineau Park. A short drive across the river brings you to lakes, hiking and legendary autumn colours.

Afternoon: Explore The Glebe, A leafy, walkable residential area with indie shops, cafés and Lansdowne Park.

Evening: The Diefenbunker Cold War museum in Carp.. A local favourite most visitors miss, worth the detour.

Eat: ByWard Market bistros and cafés

Day 4, Local neighbourhoods

Base: Gatineau (Quebec side), Just across the river, home to the Canadian Museum of History and gateway to Gatineau Park.

Morning: Tulips throughout the city during May's festival.. A local favourite most visitors miss, worth the detour.

Afternoon: Explore Gatineau (Quebec side), Just across the river, home to the Canadian Museum of History and gateway to Gatineau Park.

Evening: Sunset from Nepean Point behind the National Gallery.. A local favourite most visitors miss, worth the detour.

Eat: Farm-to-table dining in the Glebe

Day 5, Day trip

Base: Parliament Hill & Downtown, The government core with Parliament, museums, hotels and the Rideau Canal.

Morning: The Château Laurier's grand lobby and afternoon tea.. A local favourite most visitors miss, worth the detour.

Afternoon: Explore Parliament Hill & Downtown, The government core with Parliament, museums, hotels and the Rideau Canal.

Evening: Dinner at BeaverTail pastries on the canal, then a quiet drink wherever the locals are in Parliament Hill & Downtown.

Eat: BeaverTail pastries on the canal

Day 6, Hidden gems

Base: ByWard Market, The city's oldest and liveliest neighbourhood, packed with restaurants, bars, cafés and a farmers' market.

Morning: Slow start: coffee in ByWard Market, then an unhurried walk before the heat or the crowds.

Afternoon: Explore ByWard Market, The city's oldest and liveliest neighbourhood, packed with restaurants, bars, cafés and a farmers' market.

Evening: Dinner at Poutine and Canadian craft beer, then a quiet drink wherever the locals are in ByWard Market.

Eat: Poutine and Canadian craft beer

Day 7, Slow finish

Base: The Glebe, A leafy, walkable residential area with indie shops, cafés and Lansdowne Park.

Morning: Slow start: coffee in The Glebe, then an unhurried walk before the heat or the crowds.

Afternoon: Explore The Glebe, A leafy, walkable residential area with indie shops, cafés and Lansdowne Park.

Evening: Dinner at ByWard Market bistros and cafés, then a quiet drink wherever the locals are in The Glebe.

Eat: ByWard Market bistros and cafés

Hidden gems

The Diefenbunker Cold War museum in Carp.
Tulips throughout the city during May's festival.
Sunset from Nepean Point behind the National Gallery.
The Château Laurier's grand lobby and afternoon tea.

Getting around

Downtown Ottawa is very walkable, and OC Transpo buses plus the O-Train light rail cover the wider city cheaply. Rideau Canal paths, riverside trails and bike-share stations make cycling easy in the warmer months. A car is only needed for Gatineau Park and further-afield day trips.

Safety

Ottawa is one of the safest capital cities in North America, with low crime and a calm, orderly feel; normal precautions are enough. Winter is the main challenge: temperatures often drop well below freezing, so dress in serious layers and watch for icy sidewalks. Summers can be hot and humid with thunderstorms, and mosquitoes appear near water and forests.

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