Why visit
Ottawa is Parliament Hill, Rideau Canal (skating in winter, biking in summer), the National Gallery with its giant spider, and compact enough to cover in two days before heading to Toronto or Montreal.
How to use this result
Use it as a capital-city prompt
Ottawa is useful when you want a city-level starting point in Canada. Check whether the capital is the best arrival city, a practical transfer point, or mainly a geography and planning reference.
Check practical trip fit
Before planning around Ottawa, compare airport access, local transport, time zone, neighborhood choices, weather, safety guidance, and whether another city in Canada better matches the trip style.
Ottawa at a glance
City population
1.0 million
Metro: 1.5 million
Elevation
70 m
230 ft
Time zone
UTC-5 (UTC-4 DST)
America/Toronto
Airport
YOW
Ottawa Macdonald–Cartier International
Founded
1826 (Bytown)
Getting around
O-Train (LRT) + OC Transpo buses; ice skating the Rideau Canal in winter
Signature dish
BeaverTails, poutine, maple syrup taffy on snow, shawarma (local obsession)
Neighborhoods for travelers
ByWard MarketCentretownThe GlebeWestboroRockcliffe Park
Canada at a glance
Country center
60.0°, -95.0°
Coast
Has coastline
Country area
9,984,670 km²
3,855,101 mi²
Country population
39.9 million
4/km²
Subregion
North America
Currency
Canadian dollar ($)
CAD
Dial
+1204
Languages
English, French
Demonym
Canadian
Internet
.ca
UN
Member state
ISO code
CA / CAN
Where in the world
60.0° - -95.0°
Canada
Open in Google Maps
Click the map to open in Google Maps. Outline via svg-maps/world - CC BY 4.0
Did you know
- Ottawa has the world's largest outdoor skating rink: the Rideau Canal freezes for 7.8 km each winter.
- Parliament Hill's Centre Block is undergoing a complete 10-year rehabilitation, hidden behind one of Canada's largest scaffolds.
- Ottawa and Gatineau (Quebec) sit across the river and speak different official languages: one of the world's rare bilingual capital regions.
- Canada has more lakes than the rest of the world combined: over 2 million.
- It is the second-largest country by area (9.98 million km²), but its population density is one of the lowest on earth.
Bordering Canada
Traveler notes
- Rideau Canal becomes the world's largest naturally frozen skating rink in winter
- Changing of the Guard on Parliament Hill summer
- Museum of Civilization across the river in Gatineau
Plan checks
- Choose a neighborhood first: many capitals have tourist centers that are not the best places to stay.
- Public transport passes usually beat taxis and rideshares for multi-day visits.
- Reserve top restaurants 2–4 weeks out and plan two standout meals per city.
- Check opening days. Major sites close on Mondays or Tuesdays in many countries.
Explore more
Facts last reviewed June 2026 against GeoNames and national statistics sources. See the editorial policy for how destination data is maintained.
Frequently asked about Ottawa
What currency is used in Ottawa?
Ottawa uses the Canadian dollar ($), ISO code CAD.
What languages are spoken in Canada?
The primary languages are English and French.
What is the international calling code for Canada?
The calling code is +1204.
What airport serves Ottawa?
Ottawa Macdonald–Cartier International (IATA: YOW).
Other North America destinations
Montreal
Montreal is French-speaking Canada. Old Montreal's stone streets, Plateau Mont-Royal cafés, Mile End's bagels, and festivals every summer weekend.
Quebec City
Quebec City has North America's only walled Old Town. Château Frontenac, Petit Champlain, the Plains of Abraham, and winter Carnaval.
Toronto
Toronto is CN Tower, Kensington Market, Toronto Islands, St. Lawrence Market, and some of the most diverse ethnic food in North America across neighborhoods.
Tulum
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Oaxaca
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Guadalajara
Guadalajara is tequila country. Tequila town day-trip, mariachi's birthplace, Hospicio Cabañas murals, and the Tlaquepaque artisan district.