Ottawa has Gothic Parliament buildings, major museums and a Rideau Canal that becomes a 7-km skating rink in winter. Tulips bloom in spring, and the city is easy to combine with Montreal.
Month by month
Best: March, April, May, June, July, August, September, October, November
Jan
Feb
Mar
Apr
May
Jun
Jul
Aug
Sep
Oct
Nov
Dec
Avoid Poor OK Good Excellent Peak
How long to stay
2–3 days is the sweet spot.
Flight time
About 1.5h from the US East Coast, 7h from Europe, 14.5h from South Asia.
Good to know
- Rideau Skateway opens when ice is 30 cm thick, usually January to February.
- The Canadian Tulip Festival is in May.
- Most museums are free on certain evenings; check schedules.
Plan a trip to Ottawa
Pick your dates and Offdays builds a day-by-day itinerary from Ottawa's best places.
Destination