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How Many Days in Ottawa is Ideal? (Local’s Guide 2024)

ByNina Clapperton Updated on

When it comes to planning a trip to Canada’s capital, you might be wondering how many days in Ottawa you’ll need to make the most of your time.

The answer depends on what you want to see and do while you’re in town.

If you’re just looking to hit the highlights, then 3 days should suffice. But if you want to really get a feel for the city and venture outside of Parliament Hill, we recommend staying for 7 days.

Keep reading to find out why!

fireworks during nighttime over parliament in Ottawa

3 Days in Ottawa

If you’re short on time, don’t worry – there’s still plenty that you can see and do in Ottawa even if you only have a few days.

Of course, you’ll want to start with a tour of Parliament Hill.

You can also explore some of the other top sights downtown, like the Rideau Canal, the National Gallery of Canada, and the Canadian Museum of Nature.

And no trip to Ottawa would be complete without seeing at least one of the city’s many beautiful parks!

Here are a few other ideas for things to do with 3 days in Ottawa:

• Take a guided tour of Rideau Hall, the official residence of Canada’s Governor General
• Visit one of Ottawa’s many museums, like the Canadian War Museum or the Bytown Museum
• stroll through the scenic streets of Old Towne Gatineau • Spend an afternoon wandering around Bank Street in the Glebe neighbourhood
• Head out on a day trip to Montreal or Quebec City – both are less than 3 hours away!

3 Days in Ottawa Itinerary

–Day 1: Arrive in Ottawa and check into your hotel. Spend the afternoon exploring Parliament Hill and taking in the sights of downtown. In the evening, head to ByWard Market for dinner and some shopping.
–Day 2: Start your day with a tour of the Rideau Canal. Then, walk off your breakfast with a stroll through Gatineau Park. In the afternoon, visit the Canadian Museum of Nature and wrap up your day with dinner at one of Ottawa’s many excellent restaurants.
–Day 3: On your final day, take a personalized walking tour of Ottawa’s historic ByWard Market neighbourhood. Be sure to leave time for some souvenir shopping before heading to the airport for your flight home!

green trees near body of water under blue sky during daytime over Ottawa River

7 Days in Ottawa

With a week in Ottawa, you’ll have plenty of time to check off all the must-sees while also getting a taste of what life is like outside of downtown.

Start by ticking all the big sights downtown off your list, like Parliament Hill, Major’s Hill Park, and Notre Dame Cathedral Basilica.

Then head west towards Dows Lake for some exploring (and maybe even some skating in winter!).

To the east lies Vanier – home to lively markets, great restaurants, and ample green space.

And just across one of Ottawa’s many bridges is Gatineau – Quebec’s vibrant French-speaking city.

Finally, no trip to Ottawa would be complete without taking at least one day trip outside the city.

Consider visiting Constance Bay or Meech Lake for some breathtaking scenery; both are about 30 minutes away by car.

Ottawa Things to Do

7 Days in Ottawa Itinerary

–Day 1: Arrive in Ottawa and check into your hotel. Spend the afternoon exploring Parliament Hill and taking in the sights of downtown. In the evening, head to ByWard Market for dinner and some shopping.

–Day 2: Start your day with a tour of Rideau Canal. Then, walk off your breakfast with a stroll through Gatineau Park. In the afternoon, visit the Canadian Museum of Nature before heading back into downtown for dinner at one of Ottawa’s many great restaurants.

–Day 3: Take a drive out to Merrickville for a day of shopping at local boutiques and art galleries. Be sure to grab lunch at one of the town’s charming cafes! In the evening, head back into Ottawa for dinner and drinks at Zapata’s Cantina on Elgin Street.

–Day 4: Today is all about museums! Visit the National Gallery of Canada in the morning, followed by lunch at nearby Union Local 613 restaurant. In the afternoon, explore Canadian War Museum before finishing up your day with dinner back in ByWard Market.

–Day 5: Drive out to Pakenham today for a nice hike through Mill Square Park. Make sure to stop at The Pakenham General Store for lunch afterwards! In the evening, relax back at your hotel or go out for dinner in Little Italy.

–Day 6: Get out early today for a hike up Mount Pakenham! Once you’re back down, drive into Carp Village for lunch at Mill Street Pub before heading back into Ottawa city center. Tonight, check out Whispers Pub located just off Bank street .

–Day 7: On your final day, take things easy with a leisurely stroll through Major’s Hill Park. Make sure to stop by Zak’s Diner for an indulgent brunch before heading home!

people walking on snow covered field during daytime skating on the Rideau canal in sepia

Conclusion: How Many Days Do You Need in Ottawa?

So how many days in Ottawa do YOU need?

That all depends on what you want to see and do while you’re here. If your time is limited, 3 days will give you a good overview of the city centre.

But if you really want to experience all that this lively capital has to offer, we recommend staying for 7 days so that you can explore beyond Parliament Hill and into all corners of this beautiful city!

Read More About Ottawa

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Ottawa Travel Planning Guide

🚑 Should I buy Ottawa travel insurance?

100% YES! — There’s a misconception that Canada has “free healthcare” for everyone. Nope! Only Canadians. So you’ll need to get travel insurance to visit Ottawa. I recommend this one.

💧Can you drink the tap water in Ottawa?

Yes – ish — While you can technically drink the tap water in Ottawa, as a local I don’t recommend it. Old hotels especially can have some nasty things in their pipes. Instead, get a filtered water bottle. (Read more)

🚙💨 Do I need to rent a car in Ottawa?

Yes — Renting a car in Ottawa is one of the best ways to get around! You’ll be able to see more of the city and beyond, like the epic hiking trails. I recommend Discover Cars for the cheapest rates possible.

📲 Do I need to know French in Ottawa?

Nope! — The primary language of Ottawa is English. While French is also spoken and on some signs, you can easily get by without knowing any French. (Read more)

🏩 What’s the best way to book my Ottawa accommodations?

For Ottawa hotels, Booking is the best site. If you’re considering an Ottawa Airbnb, don’t forget to also check VRBO, which is often cheaper than Airbnb. My #1 hotel recommendation in Ottawa is the Fairmont Chateau Laurier.

✈️ What’s the best site to buy Ottawa flights?

For finding cheap Ottawa flights, I recommend Skyscanner. You can even set a price alert to find out when flights are on sale.

🎫 Do I need a Visa for Ottawa?

Likely Not — U.S. and most European Passport holders don’t need a Visa to visit Canada.

📍 Where is Ottawa? And what’s nearby?

Ottawa is the capital city of Canada, located in Ontario. It’s right on the border of Quebec. It’s about 2 hours from Mont Tremblant, 3 hours from Montreal, or 5 hours from Toronto. You can take a road trip to get to other places or fly.

Nina Clapperton is the founder of Ottawa Things to Do. Nina has lived in 18 countries before deciding to settle in Ottawa, nearby Toronto where she grew up. She has spent years proving that Ottawa isn't the town "fun forgot" and helping locals and tourists alike find fun things to do. She helps over 60,000 people a month discover the amazing activities in Ottawa, Canada.