Ottawa
Capital of Canada
Ottawa is the capital city of Canada. With a population of about 1 million as of 2021, the city hosts major national landmarks such as Parliament Hill and the National Gallery of Canada.
What to see
The city contains several government and cultural sites. Parliament Hill serves as the center of government, while 24 Sussex Drive and Rideau Hall are official residences. Visitors also go to the National Gallery of Canada. Other notable locations include the Canadian War Museum, the Canadian Museum of Nature, the Canada Aviation and Space Museum, the Supreme Court of Canada, and the Bank of Canada Museum. For sports, Atlético Ottawa plays in the city.
When to go
Ottawa experiences significant seasonal temperature changes. Winters are cold, with daily highs ranging from -5 °C in January to -2 °C in February, and lows dropping to -14 °C. Precipitation occurs throughout the year, with roughly 12 to 16 rainy days per month. The summer months of June, July, and August offer the warmest weather, with daily highs between 24 °C and 26 °C and lows around 14 °C to 16 °C.
Getting there
The primary gateway for air travel is the Ottawa Macdonald-Cartier International Airport, located 12 km from the city. The Ottawa / Rockcliffe Airport is closer, situated 6 km away.
Top sights in Ottawa
Weather by month
The warmest month is July, with an average high of 26 °C. Rain is spread fairly evenly through the year.
| Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average high, °C | -5 | -2 | 4 | 12 | 19 | 24 | 26 | 25 | 20 | 13 | 6 | -1 |
| Average low, °C | -14 | -13 | -7 | 1 | 8 | 14 | 16 | 16 | 12 | 5 | -1 | -9 |
| Rainfall, mm | 68 | 58 | 62 | 73 | 85 | 93 | 89 | 89 | 93 | 88 | 83 | 76 |
| Rainy days | 12 | 12 | 12 | 13 | 12 | 15 | 16 | 14 | 10 | 13 | 12 | 13 |
Temperatures and rainfall: 1981–2010 averages for Ottawa (4 km grid), from CHELSA. Rainy days: 2015–2024, NASA POWER.
Also worth a look
- Atlético Ottawa
- Bank of Canada Museum
- Canada Aviation and Space Museum
- Canadian Museum of Nature
- Canadian War Museum
- Supreme Court of Canada