Ottawa Holidays
Ottawa holidays are perfect if you are seeking a heavy dose of Canadian culture in some of the world’s top museums. You can wander the stately streets of Parliament Hill, shop at bustling ByWard Market, and cruise along the Rideau Canal, a UNESCO World Heritage site.
Canada’s majestic capital Ottawa really does have it all. The city boasts a blend of Canadian and French history as well as multi-cultural districts like Chinatown and Little Italy. Start your trip in Parliament Hill, which is perched above the river and lined with impressive buildings complete with spires and clock towers. During the summer, you can watch the changing of the guard and nightly light-show on the hill. If it’s a warm day, why not cycle or walk alongside the Rideau Canal? If you’re choosing to visit in the winter then you might want to get your skates on - literally - as this stretch transforms into the world’s longest ice skating rink. If you love history will find plenty to interest you here, as Ottawa is home to seven of Canada’s nine national museums. There are dozens of famous landmarks to explore too, including the National Gallery, Canadian Mint, the Museum of History, and Sussex Drive, one of the city's major ceremonial and institutional streets and home to the Candian Prime Minister.
Holidays in Ottawa, Canada: a cultural delight
No trip to Ottawa would be complete without visiting ByWard Market, the heart of the city’s restaurant and bar scene. Shop at the farmer’s market, try some Canadian dishes like poutine and BeaverTails, peruse local crafts, and soak up the carnival atmosphere.
Stay at one of Ottawa’s best hotels, many of which are located in ancient buildings. The Fairmont Château Laurier is set in a turreted, French-Gothic building by the canal, while the Lord Elgin Hotel near Parliament Hill dates back to the 1940s. More modern hotels in the central area include the Westin Ottawa and Delta Ottawa City Centre.
Want to discover more of Canada? Then head out of the capital to visit Ontario’s spectacular national parks like Bruce Peninsula and Georgian Bay, where you can cruise the Thirty Thousand Islands. Spot black bears and moose in Algonquin Provincial Park and visit the Muskoka region for trekking, dog sledding and kayaking. Our Eastern Journey tour takes in all of Canada’s major east coast cities, including Toronto, Ottawa and Montreal, as well as the mighty Niagara Falls. To experience both Canada’s urban hubs and its striking wilderness, our Canadian Contrasts tour includes both the west coast cities, as well as Banff National Park with its snow-capped peaks, lakes and glaciers.
Destination Highlights
Great sample itineraries
Browse our selection of Ottawa tours. From east coast city gems and crashing Niagara Falls to west coast favourites like Vancouver, Calgary and stunning Banff National Park, you can tailor these to your heart’s content with our specialist experts.

Eastern Journey Tour
Discover Canada's unique blend of old-world charm and vibrant, urban cities on this eastern adventure. From historic forts and picturesque canals to cosmopolitan cities boasting exciting food and fashion - you can see it all on this incredible tour. 2020...
Escorted tours

Ottawa, Montreal and Quebec City Multi Centre
Introduce yourself to Eastern Canada’s lesser known gems, from the laid-back capital, Ottawa to romantic France with a North American twist, in Montréal and Québec City . First, take in Ottawa’s capital culture, from many of the country’s top museums,...
Multi centre holidays

Canadian Contrasts Tour
Uncover Canada's most breathtaking treasures and journey through snow-capped mountains, rolling ranch-land and amazing cities. From the cosmopolitan culture and history of the eastern coast, to the awe-inspiring mountains and glaciers of the west, experience unique excursions and create unforgettable...
Escorted tours

Heritage Trail
Explore the amazing provinces of Ontario and Québec and enjoy a kaleidoscope of incredible experiences on this unforgettable self drive itinerary. Start in Canada's entertainment capital of Toronto before journeying along the picturesque shores of Lake Ontario to the fantastic...
Self drive holidays
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Ottawa
June to August is the best time to visit Ottawa, when temperatures range from 18°C to 22°C. The shoulder months of September and May dip down to between 14°C to 16°C. Visit Ottawa in winter for a magical, snowy adventure - the temperatures plunge to minus 10°C in January and February. Do pack a raincoat just in case - Ottawa experiences year round rainfall of 60 to 90mm a month.