Cheap Flights to Ottawa from US$ 626.99*

Fly with Condor to Ottawa (YOW)

Ottawa is the national capital of Canada and a major city in eastern Ontario, set along the Ottawa River near the Québec border. The city forms the urban core of a wider cross-provincial region that includes neighbouring communities across the river. Ottawa has a humid continental climate with warm summers and cold, snowy winters. English and French have co-official status for municipal services, reflecting the city’s bilingual character.

☀️ Best time to go: May–June and September–October, generally mild temperatures and comfortable conditions for urban sightseeing

🏛️ Best known for: National capital, Museums, Parks & waterways, Festivals, Winter activities

🗣️ Language: English and French are the principal languages encountered locally.

✈️ Airport: Ottawa Macdonald-Cartier International Airport (YOW)

5 Reasons Why You Should Travel to Ottawa (YOW)

1. A capital skyline of stone and green views

Gothic Revival towers rise above the Ottawa River. Walk the paths near Parliament Hill and the Rideau Canal locks, where bridges, parks and viewpoints keep the city’s landmarks in constant sight on foot.

2. Museums and galleries for big-scope stories

Canadian art and history take center stage here. Spend time at the National Gallery of Canada, then cross the river to Gatineau for the Canadian Museum of History, where exhibitions connect cultures, craft and place.

3. Waterfront routes for cycling, paddling, skating

On summer mornings, the Rideau Canal and river pathways fill with bikes and runners. Rent a kayak or join a guided paddle downtown, and in winter, follow official conditions before skating the Rideau Canal Skateway.

4. Market streets, late-night shawarma, sweet bites

In ByWard Market, produce stalls and patios spill into the lanes. Ottawa’s shawarma scene is a local ritual, from garlic sauce to piled platters. Finish with a warm BeaverTails pastry, crisp-edged and sugared.

5. A city base with forested day trips nearby

Across the Ottawa River, Gatineau Park adds cliffs, lakes and lookouts to a city stay. Drive or join a tour for hikes to places like Pink Lake, and stay on marked trails. In fall, the hills turn bright with color.

Instagrammable Spots in Ottawa (YOW)

Gothic Revival drama on Parliament Hill

Ornate stonework, copper roofs and crisp spires give Parliament Hill a built-in sense of scale that reads beautifully in wide frames or tighter detail shots. The open forecourt lets you play with symmetry as the buildings rise behind you in clean, graphic lines. Changing light adds character fast, from bright midday contrast to softer evening tones that bring out the masonry texture. In winter, fresh snow can simplify the scene into bold shapes and shadows. #HistoricCityVibes #ArchitecturalDetails #NorthAmericaAesthetic

Canal-lock panoramas from Plaza Bridge

A single look from Plaza Bridge pulls together some of Ottawa’s most recognizable layers: the Rideau Canal Locks stepping down toward the river with landmark rooftops close by. Water, stone and iron railings create strong foreground texture, while boats and lock gates add movement in warmer months. As the sun drops, the canal corridor often shifts into warm highlights and long, clean shadows. Head down to canal level afterward for closer angles on the lock machinery and rippling water. #WaterScapes #ChasingLight #PathwayPerspective

The classic skyline frame from Kìwekì Point

High above the Ottawa River, Kìwekì Point gives you a clear, elevated look toward Parliament Hill with the locks, Château Laurier and Alexandra Bridge often aligning in one sweeping view. The scene is all about layers: water in the foreground, historic architecture in the middle distance and a broad sky that changes the mood minute to minute. It’s especially striking when low clouds or fresh snow sharpen the contrast between dark roofs and pale stone. The viewpoint stays visually open, so your skyline shot won’t feel cramped. #ChasingViews #SkylineViews

Steel arches and river light on Alexandra Bridge

Alexandra Bridge adds a strong industrial rhythm to riverfront photos, with repeating steel trusses that feel graphic from nearly every angle. From nearby pathways, you can frame the bridge against the Ottawa River for clean lines by day or a moodier silhouette as the light fades. In calm conditions, the water can mirror the structure in broken, shimmering reflections. Keep your focus on the public pathways and lookout points for the clearest, safest perspectives. #StreetGeometry #ReflectionsEverywhere #LinesAndShadows

A sculpture-scale moment at Maman, National Gallery of Canada

Louise Bourgeois’ towering spider sculpture turns the National Gallery’s forecourt into a bold, contemporary stage. The contrast between dark bronze legs and the gallery’s glass-and-stone geometry creates striking negative space and sharp diagonals. Step closer for dramatic close-ups where the texture of the sculpture becomes the story. Overcast weather works surprisingly well here, flattening glare and emphasizing form. #ModernArchitecture #SymmetryHunters #DetailShot

Market color and street energy in ByWard Market

ByWard Market brings a lively mix of produce stands, signage and street corners that reads as pure city texture in photos. You’ll find plenty of color pop moments, from stacked fruit displays to hand-painted details that add a local feel to your frames. Early in the day, the streets look cleaner and the light stays softer between buildings. When the area gets busier, the movement becomes part of the story for candid city scenes. #LocalLife #ColorPlayVibes #UrbanExplorers

Waterfall mist and stone edges at Rideau Falls Park

Rideau Falls delivers a dramatic burst of motion where the Rideau River drops into the Ottawa River, with water splitting into two main curtains. The rushing whitewater, rocky edges and surrounding greenery make the scene feel wild even close to downtown. Depending on conditions, you may catch fine mist in the air that softens the background and gives portraits a natural haze. Stay on designated paths and viewing areas because the rocks near the water can be slippery. #EpicScenery #MoodySkies