The historic city and capital of Canada
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Ottawa
Ottawa in short
Visit Ottawa and discover Canada's history
Ottawa's history is closely linked to that of Canada, with the construction of the famous Rideau Canal laying the foundations of the city. Today, the Rideau Canal is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and the oldest working canal in North America. At the time, the town was called Bytown, created to accommodate the workers building the canal. Since then, the town has grown considerably. It became the official capital of Canada in 1857 and is home to many legislative buildings on the famous Parliament Hill. You can learn more about the history of Canada and the construction of the Rideau Canal at the ByWard Museum.
Ottawa, a sporting destination
Despite the cold, Ottawans enjoy outdoor activities and winter sports. While in Ottawa, you'll see plenty of locals walking along the Rideau Canal, running and cycling. Visit Parliament Hill for incredible views and a stroll through central Ottawa. Not far from the capital are a number of walking trails. You can go as far as Gatineau Park, 10 minutes from Ottawa, and choose your route from the 183 km of hiking trails. Closer to the centre, Dow's Lake, located within Commissioners Park, is an ideal place for a bike ride among the colourful tulips. For sports fans, rafting down the Ottawa River is a very popular activity, especially with families with children. Many ski resorts are within a few minutes' drive of Ottawa. Snow sports fans can enjoy a day on the slopes, or more if they prefer.
Ottawa's inspiring and interactive museums
Ottawa is famous for its museums. Ingenium is an entity that brings together three particularly interesting museums: The Aviation and Space Museum focuses on the protagonists of the air and the feats accomplished from the creation of the first aircraft to the present day.
The Agriculture and Food Museum highlights all the players in our food chain. It allows young and old alike to discover and understand where our food comes from.
Finally, the Science and Technology Museum is an interactive museum that tells the story of innovation in a completely immersive way. There are innovative and interesting museums all over the capital, including the Museum of Nature, which collects and preserves all the magic of our planet. Finally, the most popular and most appreciated museum by Ottawans is the Museum of Canadian History. From the youngest to the oldest, the whole family can appreciate the energy and innovation that the Canadian government puts into enriching its museums.
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The must-sees
All the must-sees
How to get there?
Ottawa is the capital of Canada. It is easily accessible by air from most of the world's capitals, and internal flights from all the major cities in Canada and Quebec are available.
Ottawa
Flight to Ottawa
Book your flight to Ottawa
From
£380
Where to stay?
Whether you're travelling with the whole family, on a romantic weekend away or looking for a solo room, Ottawa has something for everyone. The capital is full of hotels. Discover our selection of the 10 best hotels in the city.
Ottawa
Top 10 best hotels in Ottawa
Need to book accommodation in Ottawa and don't know where to start?
Check out our top 10 best hotels in Ottawa.
Practical information
The weather in Ottawa
Summer
The hottest months of the year are June, July and August. On the best summer days, temperatures can reach 26°C. June and July are also the months with the most sunshine.
Winter
Winter temperatures are often negative in Ottawa. They can regularly reach -15°C. Winter is also synonymous with rain and wind. So make sure you're well covered...
When to go to Ottawa
There are two ideal times to discover Ottawa.
Christmas time
Christmas is a very special time to discover Canada. The snow-covered city and the Rideau Canal, transformed into a skating rink, create an incomparable atmosphere.
Summer
Of course, the hottest months of the year are also the most pleasant. You can take advantage of all the city's activities, especially those outdoors. You can go hiking in Gatineau Park, discover Dow's Lake, etc.
Administrative procedures for going to Canada
To go to Canada, you need an Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA) or a visa.
AVE
If you have a valid European passport and your stay does not exceed 6 months, you can simply apply for a travel authorisation to enter Canada. The cost of this procedure is 7 Canadian dollars. The application is made online on the Canadian government website. You need to bring your passport and your means of online payment.
Visa
To study, work, etc., you need to apply for a visa at the Canadian embassy in your country. You can find more information about the process on the Canadian government website.
How much does a holiday in Ottawa cost?
For a couple wishing to visit Ottawa for 7 days and 6 nights, we have calculated the following budget:
Restaurants in Ottawa: average budget
The average price of a restaurant for two is $30 per person, not including drinks.
Assuming a couple eats out once a day and decides to eat on the run for the second meal, the average budget for restaurants in Ottawa over 7 days is $420.
Hotels in Ottawa
Hotels in central Ottawa cost an average of $180 for a double room, so the price for 6 nights is $1,080.
Activities in Ottawa
Entrance fees to museums and equipment hire can be expensive. We have calculated a budget of $50 for two people for a day's visit, so the budget for 7 days of activities in Ottawa for two is $350.
Total
A couple wanting to spend a week in Ottawa and take advantage of all the activities the city has to offer would need to budget around $1850, not including plane tickets.
Car hire in Ottawa
Don't waste time on your Ottawa holiday. Book your dream car online and pick it up right off the plane, with shuttle buses from Ottawa International Airport to the rental counter.
Routes Car Rentals
Address: Ottawa International Airport, 2644 Leitrim Rd. Ottawa, K1T3V3 Hours: 8 a.m. to 8 p.m., daily.
Reserve your car on the Routes Car Rentals website.
COVID location
According to the Canadian government website, as of October 1, 2022, it is no longer necessary to use the ArriveCAN application, provide proof of vaccination or undergo a Covid-19 screening test to enter Canada. However, wearing a mask is no longer compulsory but remains recommended on board planes and trains.
lightbulb_outline Editor's tip
Ice skating fans, get your equipment! Ottawa becomes the world's largest natural ice rink during the coldest winter months.
Official website of Ottawa Tourism Office
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