Ottawa — Canada's Elegant Capital★★
Ottawa, Ontario (450 km nordöstlich von Toronto)
Ottawa is often underestimated—those expecting a boring bureaucratic city will be pleasantly surprised. Canada's capital (population: ~1 million in the metropolitan area) is picturesquely located at the confluence of the Ottawa River and Rideau Canal and offers world-class museums, French-English bilingualism, and a surprisingly vibrant gastronomy and craft beer scene.
Top Highlights
- Parliament Hill: The neo-Gothic parliament building on the hill above the Ottawa River is Canada's symbol of democracy. Free tours (reserve in advance on the website!), daily changing of the guard in summer (10:00 a.m.), and the sound-and-light show on the facade (July–September, free). The Centre Block is being renovated—sessions are held in the temporary Senate of Canada Building.
- Canadian Museum of History: Directly across from Parliament Hill (in Gatineau, Québec side). One of Canada's most visited museums with the world's largest collection of First Nations totem poles and an impressive journey through 20,000 years of Canadian history. 23 CAD.
- National Gallery of Canada: The distinctive glass building by Moshe Safdie houses the country's best art collection—from the Group of Seven (Canada's most famous landscape painters) to Emily Carr and contemporary art. The giant spider statue "Maman" by Louise Bourgeois in front is a photo opportunity. 20 CAD.
- Rideau Canal: UNESCO World Heritage Site and in winter the longest skating rink in the world (7.8 km!). In summer: boating and cycling along the shore. In February: the Winterlude festival with ice sculptures and BeaverTails (fried pastry with maple syrup).
- ByWard Market: Ottawa's oldest market (since 1826), surrounded by restaurants, cafés, and bars. In summer: flower stalls and terraces. Try a BeaverTail (flat, fried pastry)—it's practically Ottawa's national dish.
💡 Tipp
Ottawa is located on the border between Ontario and Québec. Cross the bridge to Gatineau for the Museum of History, cheaper food, and a French atmosphere—you literally change cultures in 5 minutes.
