Ottawa
Ottawa is a CITY in Ontario, Canada.
Ottawa, Canada's capital, blends historic charm with vibrant urban energy. Stroll along the Rideau Canal, a UNESCO World Heritage site that transforms into the world's largest skating rink in winter. Explore Parliament Hill's Gothic architecture, the stunning Notre-Dame Cathedral Basilica, and the world-class National Gallery of Canada. Byward Market buzzes with local artisans, cafes, and the famous BeaverTails pastry. Gatineau Park offers hiking, biking, and breathtaking fall foliage just minutes away. Ottawa's bilingual culture, lively festivals like Winterlude and Canada Day, and diverse culinary scene make it a year-round destination. From the serene Rideau River to the dynamic Sparks Street, Ottawa invites you to discover its unique blend of nature, history, and innovation.
Best time to visit Ottawa
May to October offers the best weather for outdoor activities, with warm summers (20-30°C) and vibrant fall colors. Winter (December-February) is magical for skating on the Rideau Canal and Winterlude festival, but temperatures can drop to -20°C. Spring and autumn have fewer crowds and mild weather.
October
NowTypical for October
- Weather
- Cool 5-15°C, colorful leaves
Travel notes
- Crowds
- Medium
- Prices
- Medium
Peak autumn colors, Gatineau Park hikes
Know before you go
Getting there
Ottawa Macdonald-Cartier International Airport
International
13 km away
Montréal-Pierre Elliott Trudeau International Airport
International
200 km away
Québec City Jean Lesage International Airport
International
450 km away
Getting around
Stay connected
WiFi speed
50 Mbps
Mobile data
Excellent
WiFi
Widely available in cafes, hotels, and public libraries
Local SIM
Local SIM available at airport from $5; providers include Rogers, Bell, Telus
Stay safe
Overall
8/10Generally safe; avoid isolated areas late at night.
Night safety
7/10Generally safe; avoid isolated areas late at night.
Transport
9/10Scam risk
6/10Entry and health
Health information
Culture
Local customs
Costs and practicals
Cost level
Meals
Hotels
Local transport
Cost notes
Timezone
Local time 06:07
More facts
Population
1,017,449
Type
City
Neighborhoods in Ottawa
Academy Heights
Agincourt North
Agincourt South-Malvern West
Alderwood
Alta Vista
Annex
Banbury-Don Mills
Bathurst Manor
Bay Street Corridor
Bayview Village
Bayview Woods-Steeles
Bedford Park-Nortown
Beechborough-Greenbrook
Bendale
Binbrook
Birchcliffe-Cliffside
Black Creek
Blake-Jones
Briar Hill-Belgravia
Bridle Path-Sunnybrook-York Mills
Broadview North
Brookhaven-Amesbury
Cabbagetown-South St.James Town
Caledonia-Fairbank
Casa Loma
Centennial Scarborough
Centretown
Church-Yonge Corridor
Clairlea-Birchmount
Clanton Park
Cliffcrest
College Heights
College Park
Corso Italia-Davenport
County Park
Current River
Danforth
Danforth East York
Dawson Heights
Don Valley Village
Dorset Park
Dovercourt-Wallace Emerson-Junction
Downsview-Roding-CFB
Dufferin Grove
East End
East End-Danforth
Edenbridge-Humber Valley
Eglinton East
Elms-Old Rexdale
Englemount-Lawrence
Eringate-Centennial-West Deane
Etobicoke West Mall
Flemingdon Park
Forest Hill North
Forest Hill South
Glenfield-Jane Heights
Greenwood-Coxwell
Guildwood
Henry Farm
Highland Creek
High Park North
High Park-Swansea
Hillcrest Village
Humber Heights-Westmount
Humbermede
Humber Summit
Humewood-Cedarvale
Intercity
Ionview
Islington-City Centre West
Junction Area
Keelesdale-Eglinton West
Kennedy Park
Kensington-Chinatown
Keswick
Kingsview Village-The Westway
Kingsway South
Lambton Baby Point
L'Amoreaux
Lansing-Westgate
Lawrence Park North
Lawrence Park South
Leaside-Bennington
Lebreton Flats
Little Portugal
Long Branch
Malvern
Maple Leaf
Markland Wood
Milliken
Mimico
Morningside
Moss Park
Mount Dennis
Mount Olive-Silverstone-Jamestown
Mount Pleasant East
Mount Pleasant West
Napanee Downtown
Newtonbrook East
Newtonbrook West
New Toronto
Niagara
North Riverdale
North St.James Town
Northwood
Oakridge
Oakwood Village
O'Connor-Parkview
Old East York
Palmerston-Little Italy
Parkdale
Parkwoods-Donalda
Patrick Fogarty Catholic Secondary School
Pelmo Park-Humberlea
Playter Estates-Danforth
Pleasant View
Princess-Rosethorn
Regent Park
Rexdale-Kipling
Rockcliffe-Smythe
Roncesvalles
Rosedale-Moore Park
Rouge
Runnymede-Bloor West Village
Rustic
Scarborough Village
Shuniah
Skatepark
South Parkdale
South Riverdale
St. Andrew-Windfields
Steeles
Stonegate-Queensway
Tam O'Shanter-Sullivan
Taylor-Massey
The Beaches
The Glebe
Thistletown-Beaumond Heights
Thorncliffe Park
Trinity-Bellwoods
University
Vickers Park
Victoria Village
Waterfront Communities-The Island
West End
Westfort
West Hill
West Humber-Clairville
Westminster-Branson
Weston
Weston-Pellam Park
Wexford/Maryvale
Willowdale East
Willowdale West
Willowridge-Martingrove-Richview
Woburn
Woodbine Corridor
Woodbine-Lumsden
Wychwood
Yonge-Eglinton
Yonge-St.Clair
Yorkdale-Glen Park
York University Heights
Frequently Asked Questions
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