Ottawa

Why Ottawa

Belongs on Every Canada Itinerary

Many travellers overlook Ottawa in favour of Toronto or Montreal, and that is a mistake. Canada’s capital offers something neither of those cities can fully replicate — the concentrated experience of a nation’s identity in one compact, walkable, and strikingly beautiful setting.

Here's what makes Ottawa tours so rewarding:

A Living History Lesson

Ottawa sits at the heart of Canadian confederation. Every street, building, and landmark tells part of the story of how this country was built. Parliament Hill, the War Memorial, and the Supreme Court of Canada are not just tourist attractions — they are the engines of a functioning democracy that visitors can see up close.

World-Class Museums, Free of Charge

Canada's national museums are some of the finest on the continent, and most are free to enter. The National Gallery of Canada, the Canadian Museum of History, the Canadian War Museum, and the Canada Aviation and Space Museum together offer an entire education in Canadian culture, art, and identity.

Natural Beauty Woven into the City

The Ottawa River, Gatineau Hills, Rideau Canal waterway, and Gatineau Park give Ottawa a natural grandeur that few capital cities in the world can match. Depending on the season, these landscapes offer skating, cycling, paddling, and hiking — all minutes from the city centre.

Bilingual Character

Ottawa sits on the Ontario side of the river, directly across from Gatineau, Quebec. The city's bilingual French-English character gives it a distinct cultural texture that makes every neighbourhood feel slightly different. A guided Ottawa tour captures those nuances in a way that independent exploration simply cannot.

Ottawa City Tours with Bell Tours

Bell Tours has been one of Canada’s leading receptive tourism operators for decades, serving group tour operators, travel agencies, cruise lines, and independent travellers from around the world. Our Ottawa city tours are available in multiple formats to suit every group size, budget, and schedule.

Guided Ottawa City Tour

Our flagship Ottawa city sightseeing tour is a comprehensive, narrated journey through the capital’s most iconic landmarks. Led by a knowledgeable Bell Tours guide, the tour covers:

  • Parliament Hill — Canada’s seat of government, featuring the Centre Block, Peace Tower, and East and West Blocks. Your guide explains the architecture, the history of confederation, and the political significance of the Hill.
  • Rideau Canal — A UNESCO World Heritage Site and the world’s largest naturally frozen skating rink in winter. In summer, the canal is lined with cyclists, kayakers, and picnickers.
  • ByWard Market — One of Canada’s oldest and largest public markets, operating since 1826. A vibrant hub of restaurants, artisan vendors, local produce, and street life.
  • Major’s Hill Park — The city’s original park, offering panoramic views of Parliament Hill, the Ottawa River, and the Gatineau Hills across the water.
  • Confederation Boulevard — Ottawa’s ceremonial route, connecting the country’s most significant national monuments, museums, and government buildings.
  • Rideau Hall — The official residence of Canada’s Governor General, surrounded by 88 acres of immaculately maintained grounds.
  • Sussex Drive — The prime minister’s official residence at 24 Sussex Drive and the surrounding diplomatic precinct.

Ottawa Walking Tours

For travellers who prefer to explore at street level, our Ottawa walking tours offer an immersive experience through the city’s neighbourhoods, laneways, and hidden corners that a vehicle simply cannot access. Walking tour highlights include:

  • ByWard Market & Lowertown — Explore the neighbourhood’s historic architecture, independent boutiques, and diverse food scene
  • Parliament Hill Grounds — Walk the grounds of Canada’s parliament, hearing stories of political history and architectural detail
  • Sparks Street Pedestrian Mall — Canada’s first pedestrian mall, now home to galleries, cafés, and public art installations
  • Ottawa’s Chinatown & Little Italy — Two of the city’s most vibrant multicultural neighbourhoods, rich in food culture and community history
  • Centretown & Glebe — Residential neighbourhoods with Victorian architecture, independent shops, and local character
Walking tours can be customized for distance, pace, and thematic focus – history, food, architecture, or a general overview.

Ottawa Helicopter Tours

For the most dramatic perspective of the city, Bell Tours can arrange Ottawa helicopter tours that reveal the capital from the air. Aerial tours showcase:

  • The full length of the Rideau Canal and its locks
  • Parliament Hill in the context of the riverscape
  • The confluence of the Ottawa, Rideau, and Gatineau rivers
  • The Gatineau Hills stretching north into Quebec
  • The patchwork of green parkland interwoven through the city

Helicopter tours are ideal for photographers, milestone celebrations, and travellers who want a truly unforgettable Ottawa experience.

Custom Group Ottawa Tours

Bell Tours specializes in serving group tour operators and travel companies. Our custom group Ottawa city tours are available for:

  • Motorcoach groups and escorted tour programs
  • Corporate incentive travel
  • Conference and convention delegates
  • School and educational groups
  • Cruise itinerary extensions
  • International travel trade clients
We coordinate guides, transportation, multilingual commentary, restaurant bookings, attraction tickets, and full itinerary management. Group sizes from 10 to 500+ are accommodated.

Ottawa Day Trip Packages

Ottawa is ideally positioned for memorable day trips to nearby destinations. Bell Tours can extend your Ottawa experience with excursions to:

  • Gatineau Park, Quebec — A vast wilderness of forests, lakes, and lookouts just 15 minutes from downtown Ottawa
  • Montreal — A two-hour drive east brings you to Canada’s most European city
  • Kingston & the Thousand Islands — A scenic drive southwest along the St. Lawrence River, visiting historic Fort Henry and the stunning island archipelago
  • Wakefield & the Gatineau Valley — A charming heritage village in the Quebec countryside, accessible by road or scenic steam train

Ottawa's Must-See Attractions

Every Bell Tours Ottawa sightseeing tour is built around the city’s most compelling landmarks. Here’s a deeper look at what awaits you.

National gallery of Canada

Designed by architect Moshe Safdie and opened in 1988, the National Gallery’s glass towers and granite facades are a striking landmark on Ottawa’s skyline. Inside, the collection spans more than 40,000 works across five centuries. The Canadian collection – the largest in the world – features the Group of Seven, First Nations and Inuit art, and contemporary Canadian artists. The Great Hall offers one of the finest views of Parliament Hill in the city.

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Parliament Hill

No visit to Ottawa is complete without standing on Parliament Hill. The Gothic Revival buildings, completed between 1866 and 1927, crown the limestone bluff above the Ottawa River with copper-topped towers, carved stonework, and stained-glass windows. The iconic Peace Tower rises 92 metres above the main entrance and houses a 53-bell carillon that chimes daily. The Centre Block – the heart of Canadian democracy – is undergoing a major restoration expected to continue until at least 2028, but the East Block, Library of Parliament, and the grounds remain fully accessible. The Changing of the Guard ceremony takes place on the front lawn each summer morning, a tradition dating back to 1959.
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Canadian Museum of History

Located across the river in Gatineau, Quebec, the Canadian Museum of History is one of the most-visited museums in North America. The curvilinear building, designed by Indigenous architect Douglas Cardinal, represents the emergence of land from the ice age. The Grand Hall – the largest indoor gathering space in Canada – presents six Pacific Coast totem poles against a glass wall that frames a sweeping view of Parliament Hill. The Canada Hall tells the story of 1,000 years of Canadian history through life-sized reconstructions of streets, buildings, and scenes.

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Rideau Hall

The official residence and workplace of Canada’s Governor General since 1867, Rideau Hall is set on 88 acres of parkland near the eastern end of Sussex Drive. Free guided tours of the state rooms are available from late June to late August, offering a rare glimpse into the ceremonial life of Canada’s vice-regal household. The grounds are open year-round and are especially beautiful during the tulip season.
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Rideau Canal

Stretching 202 kilometres from Ottawa to Kingston, the Rideau Canal is a masterpiece of 19th-century engineering and a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Completed in 1832, it was originally built as a military supply route. Today it is one of Canada’s most beloved recreational waterways. In summer, the Ottawa locks – a staircase of eight locks beside Parliament Hill – are a captivating sight as boats rise and fall between the river and the canal. In winter, the 7.8-kilometre urban section transforms into the Rideau Canal Skateway, the world’s largest naturally frozen skating rink, where thousands of Ottawans skate to work.
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ByWard Market

Operating since 1826, ByWard Market is Ottawa’s oldest and most vibrant neighbourhood. The covered market hall is surrounded by more than 600 shops, restaurants, cafés, and nightlife venues. Come for the BeaverTails pastries, stay for the international cuisine, local artisan goods, and the unmistakable energy of a place that has been the city’s social heart for two centuries.
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Canadian War Museum

One of the world’s great military history museums, the Canadian War Museum traces Canada’s military history from the earliest conflicts to the present day. The building itself – a dramatic structure of weathered steel and poured concrete – is designed so that a single ray of light illuminates the Memorial Hall at exactly 11:00 a.m. on November 11 each year, the moment of Remembrance Day.

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Best Time to Take Ottawa Tours

Ottawa is a year-round destination, and each season offers a distinct experience for sightseers.

Spring (April–May) — Tulip Season

Ottawa hosts the world-famous Canadian Tulip Festival each May, a tradition born from the gift of tulip bulbs given by the Netherlands after World War II as a gesture of gratitude to Canada. Over a million tulips bloom along Commissioner’s Park, the Rideau Canal, and throughout the city. This is one of the most photographed periods of the year and a peak time for Ottawa city tours.

Summer (June–August) — Festival Season & Sightseeing

Summer is prime time for outdoor exploration. Parliament Hill hosts free concerts and celebrations, the Rideau Canal is alive with boats and cyclists, and ByWard Market buzzes day and night. Summer is ideal for Ottawa walking tours and helicopter tours. Canada Day on July 1st transforms the city into a national celebration that draws visitors from across the country.

Fall (September–October) — Colours & Culture

Autumn brings spectacular foliage to Gatineau Park and the Ottawa Valley. Museums are quieter, walking conditions are perfect, and the city’s cultural calendar fills with festivals, gallery openings, and live performances. Fall is an excellent season for a reflective, unhurried Ottawa tour.

Winter (December–February) — Winterlude & the Skateway

Winter in Ottawa is not to be feared — it’s to be celebrated. Winterlude, held each February, is one of Canada’s most popular winter festivals, featuring ice sculptures, snow activities, and skating on the Rideau Canal Skateway. There’s something truly magical about gliding on the world’s largest natural skating rink with Parliament Hill glowing in the background.

Why Choose

Bell Tours for Ottawa

Bell Tours is one of Canada’s most experienced and trusted receptive tourism operators. Here’s what sets us apart for Ottawa city tours:

Decades of Canadian Tourism Expertise

Bell Tours has been crafting Canadian travel experiences for international visitors and tour operators for over 30 years.

Multilingual Tour Guides

Our Ottawa guides are available in English, French, German, Spanish, Portuguese, Japanese, Mandarin, Cantonese, Hindi, Russian, and more.

Fully Customizable Itineraries

No rigid packages. We build your Ottawa tour around your group's size, interests, timeline, and budget.

End-to-End Logistics

From airport meet-and-greet to guide coordination, restaurant bookings, and group transportation, Bell Tours handles every detail.

Trusted by the Global Travel Trade

We serve tour operators, travel agencies, cruise lines, and incentive travel companies worldwide. Our systems integrate with group travel workflows seamlessly.

Pan-Canadian Reach

Ottawa is just one of our destinations. Bell Tours covers Vancouver, Victoria, Toronto, Montreal, Quebec City, Calgary, Banff, and beyond — making us the ideal single partner for multi-city Canadian itineraries.

Sample Ottawa Itineraries

1-Day Ottawa City Tour

An ideal introduction for cruise passengers, day visitors, or travellers with limited time.
  • Morning: Guided Ottawa city tour — Parliament Hill, Rideau Canal locks, Confederation Boulevard, National War Memorial
  • Afternoon: National Gallery of Canada or Canadian War Museum
  • Evening: Dinner in ByWard Market, explore the neighbourhood

2-Day Ottawa Experience

The right amount of time to cover the highlights without rushing.

  • Day 1: Guided Ottawa city sightseeing tour with Parliament Hill, Rideau Hall, and Major’s Hill Park. Afternoon at ByWard Market.
  • Day 2: Ottawa walking tour through Centretown and Sparks Street. Canadian Museum of History in the afternoon. Sunset views from the Alexandra Bridge.

3-Day Ottawa & Gatineau Package

For travellers who want to go deeper into the region.
  • Day 1: Ottawa city tour with guide — all major landmarks
  • Day 2: Museum day — Canadian Museum of History in the morning, Canadian War Museum in the afternoon
  • Day 3: Day trip to Gatineau Park and the heritage village of Wakefield

4-Day Ottawa Extended Itinerary

For groups with a full Ottawa program.
  • Day 1: Ottawa city sightseeing tour
  • Day 2: Ottawa walking tours — ByWard Market, Sparks Street, Lowertown
  • Day 3: Ottawa helicopter tour + leisure afternoon
  • Day 4: Day trip to Kingston and the Thousand Islands, or Montreal

Frequently Asked Questions

What languages are Bell Tours Ottawa city tours available in?

We offer guided Ottawa tours in English, French, German, Spanish, Portuguese, Hungarian, Polish, Greek, Russian, Japanese, Cantonese, Mandarin, Hindi, and Tagalog. Contact us to confirm availability for your preferred language.

How do I book an Ottawa tour with Bell Tours?

You can request a quote directly on our website or contact us by phone at 1-800-665-9501 or by email at tours@belltours.ca. We’ll respond with options, availability, and pricing tailored to your group.

Are Bell Tours Ottawa tours suitable for large groups?

Absolutely. We specialize in group travel – from small private parties of 10 to large motorcoach groups of 50 or more. We coordinate multiple guides, split groups, and full itinerary logistics for large programs.

What is the best time of year to visit Ottawa?

Ottawa is wonderful in every season. May is extraordinary for the Tulip Festival, July 1st for Canada Day, October for fall foliage, and February for Winterlude and the Rideau Canal Skateway. Summer (June–August) is the most popular season for general sightseeing tours.

Can Bell Tours handle transportation as well as guiding in Ottawa?

Yes. We offer full receptive services including motorcoach transfers, airport meet-and-greets, step-on guide services, and complete ground handling for group programs.

Is Ottawa easy to get around during a guided tour?

Ottawa is one of Canada’s most walkable cities. Many major attractions are concentrated in a compact area between Parliament Hill, the Rideau Canal, and ByWard Market. Our guides know exactly how to structure the day for maximum sightseeing efficiency.

Can Bell Tours combine an Ottawa tour with other Canadian cities?

Yes — this is one of our strengths. Bell Tours operates across Canada, including Toronto, Montreal, Quebec City, Vancouver, Victoria, Calgary, and Banff. We can design a seamless multi-city itinerary with consistent guide quality and logistics management.

Nearby Destinations to Pair with Ottawa Tours

Make the most of your time in Eastern Canada by combining Ottawa with these nearby experiences:

Montreal (2 hours east) Canada’s most cosmopolitan city — bilingual, vibrant, and architecturally stunning. Bell Tours offers Montreal city tours for groups of all sizes.

Quebec City (4.5 hours east) Old Quebec is the only walled city north of Mexico and a UNESCO World Heritage Site. It pairs beautifully with Ottawa for a complete French-Canadian cultural experience. Explore our Quebec City tours.

Toronto (4.5 hours southwest) Canada’s largest city offers CN Tower, Niagara Falls, distillery districts, and world-class dining. Bell Tours’ guided Toronto tours are available for all group types.

Niagara Falls (5 hours southwest) No Canadian itinerary is complete without the Falls. Bell Tours covers Niagara Falls tours with expert guides and seamless logistics.

Plan Your Ottawa Tour with Bell Tours

Whether you’re a tour operator building an Eastern Canada program, a group organizer planning a conference extension, or a traveller ready to discover Canada’s capital in depth — Bell Tours is your partner.

2148-20800 Westminster Highway, Richmond, BC V6V 2W3

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