Ottawa is the capital of Canada and a cosmopolitan city with a varied cultural scene and a visually appealing landscape, full of open parks and impressive Victorian architecture, located on the south bank of the Ottawa River, with the mouths of the Rideau River and the Rideau Canal.It is a city that offers many activities in both winter and summer, such as sunbathing on the famous Rideau Canal Promenade, shopping and getting to know the local culture at the Byward Market, visiting art centres such as the National Gallery of Canada, exploring the many historic buildings in the city such as the City Hall on Ottawa and enjoying the nightlife in the Golden Triangle.
The best area to stay in Ottawa is Centretown , with its many tourist attractions, such as the Rideau Canal, Parliament Hill, the National Gallery of Canada, the National Arts Centre and the War Museum of Canada; it is also within walking distance of the Chinatown and Little Italy neighbourhoods.The area is pedestrian-friendly and most of its tourist attractions can be visited on foot, although the city also offers some transportation options such as buses, boats, bicycles and taxis.
If you are interested in knowing where to stay in Ottawa , you may also be interested in knowing where to stay in Toronto, where to stay in Montreal, where to stay in Quebec City and where to stay in Vancouver.
Centretown, the best area to stay in Ottawa
Centretown, also known as downtown, is the financial and commercial center of Ottawa.It’s the ideal area to stay in Ottawa because it’s within walking distance of many of the city’s star attractions, usually a 20 minute taxi ride away.
It doesn’t matter if you decide to come to Ottawa in the summer or winter, because the city offers a complete list of activities and places to make your visit unforgettable.The best way to get to know Ottawa is from the 202 km long Rideau Canal, which runs through the UNESCO World Heritage towers of Kingston, Fort Henry and Four Martello.In the summer, you can take a walk along the shore to skate, ride a bike, or take a boat ride to see Ottawa from a different perspective.
To continue your tour, you can visit the Canadian Museum of Nature and the National Arts Centre.In Centretown, you’ll also find the Canadian War Museum where you can learn about Canada’s military history through a series of exhibitions about the wars on Canadian soil as well as in other parts of the world.Parliament Hill hosts many popular celebrations: plays, concerts and the iconic Canada Day Parade. From the Hill, you can easily reach the National Gallery of Canada where you can find a wealth of paintings, drawings, sculptures and photographs on display, including works by Andy Warhol and Salviati, as well as native Canadian and Inuit art.
If you want to get a taste of other cultures in Ottawa, Centretown offers easy access to the popular Chinatown where you can enjoy the sights, sounds and tastes of Asian culture.In this neighbourhood, delicious dishes from all over the world are served: Chinese, Korean, Thai, Vietnamese and more.
Other areas to sleep in Ottawa
Byward Market
Byward Market is one of Canada’s oldest areas with low houses, historic buildings and facades reminiscent of Ottawa’s past and one of Canada’s largest and oldest markets dating back to the early 1800’s. Byward Market is Ottawa’s main attraction and a paradise for shopping, dining and entertainment.With over 250 local farmers’ stalls and more than 500 shops, it is the most visited place in the world for tourists and a meeting place for locals.At night, around the market, between Clarence and York streets, you can find many restaurants, clubs and bars.
Golden Triangle
The Golden Triangle is a residential area of Centretown Ottawa, named after the triangle formed by Elgin Street in the west and the Rideau Canal in the east.The most prominent landmark in the area is the Ottawa City Hall, which consists of two connected buildings: a modern building located on Laurier Avenue and a 19th century building on Elgin Street.It is also a student area due to its proximity to the university campus, with a young and vibrant atmosphere and a lively night scene. During the day, you can browse the boutiques, cafes and galleries and at night, enjoy the trendy bars, restaurants and clubs on Elgin Street.
