Is Ottawa Worth Visiting? A One Day Ottawa Itinerary (2026)
Canada’s capital city of Ottawa is often overlooked as a tourist destination in favour of larger cities such as Vancouver, Montreal and Toronto. I spent time here as part of my Canada itinerary and found one day in Ottawa is well worth it. Even if you’re only stopping briefly between other cities, here’s a one day Ottawa itinerary that shows you what this city is all about.
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Quick overview of the best one day Ottawa itinerary
- Explore Parliament Hill and the Gothic Parliament Buildings
- Discover art and culture at Byward Market and National Gallery of Canada
- Canadian Museum of History or a scenic Rideau Canal bike ride (depending on the weather)
- Dinner in one of Ottawa’s lively neighbourhoods
What makes Ottawa worth visiting
Ottawa is much smaller than Toronto, making it easy to walk around the city within a couple of hours. While it lacks Toronto’s cosmopolitan, glamorous big city feel, its charming architecture and canal set it apart. The Gothic and neo-Gothic Parliament buildings remind me of old world European palaces, while the innovative contemporary architecture of Ottawa’s museums provides a welcome contrast.
If you’d rather not walk, why not book the popular hop-on hop-off guided bus tour of Ottawa.
How to plan your one day Ottawa itinerary
Your one day Ottawa itinerary will begin with exploring Parliament Buildings and the downtown area in the morning. By midday, you’ll make your way to the National Gallery and lively Byward Market.
In the afternoon, you can choose between the Museum of History or a scenic ride along the Rideau Canal. The day concludes with beautiful evening views from Major’s Hill Park. This is an easy walkable itinerary.
Morning: Parliament Hill
Begin your day at Ottawa Tourism on 150 Elgin Street, opposite City Hall in downtown Ottawa. Pick up a street map and get advice from their friendly staff about any special events happening during your visit.
Parliament Buildings
The Parliament buildings, built between 1859 and 1927, are an essential stop. They’re dominated by a statuesque clock tower adorned with gargoyles. After seeing Toronto’s modern buildings, it was wonderful to witness this proud architectural evidence of Canada’s history.
Don’t miss the Centennial Flame on the front lawn, which has been burning since 1967 to commemorate Canada’s confederation. There’s also a compelling monument to the women’s rights movement and a tribute to the devastating fire of 1916.
You can take a free 20-minute Parliament tour – check with Ottawa Tourism for schedules.
Lunch at Byward Market
12pm – Byward Market and Major’s Hill Park
Head to the lively Byward Market area for lunch. This historic market district has plenty of cafes and food stalls to choose from. Must-try local specialties include the city’s poutine – Zak’s Diner serves a particularly good version. For dessert, head to BeaverTails for Ottawa’s famous deep-fried pastry treat.
After lunch, take a short walk to Major’s Hill Park, where you can admire stunning views over the river to Parliament Hill. The park’s elevated position provides perfect photo opportunities of Ottawa’s skyline and some of the city’s most eclectic sculptures. If your timing allows, this is also a beautiful spot to return to for sunset.
Afternoon: Art and Culture
2pm – National Gallery of Canada
The National Gallery is a must-see, even if just from the outside. Don’t miss ‘Maman’ – the enormous spider statue created by artist Louise Bourgeois. Standing over nine meters tall, this bronze arachnid carries a sack of 26 marble eggs, hence its name (French for ‘mother’).
Inside, the contemporary building features paneled glass ceilings and interior gardens. The collection includes works by Van Gogh and Monet, alongside indigenous artists.
Afternoon: History museum or bike ride (depending on the weather)
Option 1: Canadian Museum of History
A 15-minute walk across Alexandra Bridge brings you to the Canadian Museum of History. It houses the world’s largest indoor collection of totem poles and provides incredible insight into Canada’s First Peoples.
During our visit, we saw a moving exhibition about Canada’s most devastating sea disaster, the collision and sinking of the Empress of Ireland. In 1914, its short voyage from Quebec City ended up with 1,012 people losing their lives, but this tragedy was overshadowed in history by the sinking of the Titanic two years earlier.
Option 2: Rideau Canal Bike Ride (3pm – 5pm)
If you’re blessed with sunshine as we were, rent a bike and cycle along the UNESCO World Heritage Rideau Canal.
You can rent a bike from a central location from near Parliament Hill, back across Alexandra Bridge, any time between 9am and 4pm. From there you can cycle along the Rideau Canal pathways to Hog’s Back Park to where it meets the Rideau River.
We rode for 30 minutes to Hog’s Back Park, passing autumn trees and a romantic love lock bridge. The highlight was reaching Prince of Wales Falls, where the crashing water created a mini rainbow with its spray.
Evening: Dinner in Ottawa
After your day of exploring, check out one of these places for dining options in Ottawa.
The historic Byward Market transforms in the evening, with some of Ottawa’s finest dining experiences. For a special dinner in the historic market district, try Restaurant e18hteen‘s upscale contemporary Canadian dining, while The Grand Pizzeria serves Italian favourites on an outdoor patio.
A short walk from downtown, Town on Elgin Street has become a local favourite for its Italian cuisine, or try Giovanni’s in Little Italy. If you prefer to stay close to Parliament Hill, Riviera is located in a former bank building and has a creative menu.
The most affordable places to stay in Ottawa
Even if you’re only there a day, you may be considering an overnight stay so you can enjoy it at a more relaxed pace.
Hostels include the Ottawa Jail Hostel, which as its name suggests is located in a restored jailhouse.
Travellers arriving by plane can head to the affordable Adam’s Airport Inn near the airport, which has a fitness centre.
To book your Ottawa accommodation in advance, check out the availability via this map:
How to travel to Ottawa in style
Having mostly travelled across Canada by bus, we decided to try VIA Rail for our journey from Toronto to Ottawa. We were delighted to find a pristine and modern train with electrical sockets by each seat and solid WiFi connection. The tasty meals and drinks were served by pleasant staff who seemed to actually enjoy their jobs. It’s a sophisticated and affordable way to travel in Canada, even if you’re on a budget.
Day trip to Ottawa from Montreal
If you’re based in Montreal, your best bet may be an organised day trip from Montreal to Ottawa. Canada’s capital city is two hours from Montreal by car or train. For convenience and comfort, a private day tour handles all the logistics and shows you the sights while a guide shares the city’s secrets and stories. Alternatively, rent a car for maximum flexibility or take VIA Rail’s morning departure from Montreal Central Station for a scenic railway journey.
If you start early, you’ll be able to follow this Ottawa one day itinerary with time for a relaxed lunch in Byward Market. The cultural contrast between French-speaking Montreal and bilingual Ottawa adds fascinating perspective to your Quebec-Ontario adventure.
Frequently asked questions about Ottawa
What’s the best time of year to visit Ottawa?
Ottawa is beautiful year-round, but late spring through early fall has the best weather for walking this itinerary. Summer has the longest daylight hours, while autumn brings coloured foliage along the Rideau Canal. Winter transforms the city into a snowy scene, with ice-skaters on the canal, though some outdoor activities may be limited at this time.
How much walking is involved in this Ottawa one day itinerary?
This itinerary involves approximately 4-6 kilometers of walking, depending on your chosen afternoon activity. Most attractions are within downtown, making distances very manageable. The hop-on hop-off bus tour provides an excellent alternative for those who prefer to walk less.
What are the free things to do in Ottawa?
In Ottawa, there are numerous places to visit for free – for example, Parliament Hill provides free guided tours. At Major’s Hill Park you can enjoy the views for free and likewise the the Rideau Canal pathways are free to explore. Byward Market is also free to enter, while the city’s outdoor sculptures and public art installations create a free gallery experience while walking between attractions.
Final thoughts on this one day Ottawa itinerary
One day in Ottawa is enough to understand the city. You see the political heart, the cultural layer, and the quieter, more human side – all within a compact, walkable centre.
Ottawa feels like a capital that still operates at a human scale. You can move from the formality of Parliament Hill to creative neighbourhoods and green space without ever feeling rushed or overwhelmed.
If Ottawa is a short stop between bigger cities, one day is enough to make it feel worthwhile – and that’s precisely where it fits best in a Canada itinerary.
This post was brought to you with thanks to VIA Rail, the National Gallery of Canada, the Canadian Museum of History, Rentabike and Ottawa Tourism for hosting me.
