Fully private, fully customizable tours in Ottawa — plus the top attractions to see, each with its own guide. Tell us what matters to you and we'll build the day around it.
Ottawa is Canada's capital, sitting on the Ontario side of the Ottawa River directly across from Gatineau, Quebec. Parliament Hill, with its Gothic Revival Centre Block and Peace Tower, dominates the downtown skyline and hosts the daily Changing of the Guard in summer. Unlike Toronto or Montreal, Ottawa is a relatively compact, walkable capital built around government, culture, and the waterways that run through it.
The Rideau Canal, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, runs through the heart of the city and transforms in winter into the world's largest naturally frozen skating rink, stretching nearly 8 km (5 miles). In warmer months, it's a scenic waterway for walking, cycling, or boating instead. ByWard Market, one of Canada's oldest and largest public markets, anchors the historic core with food stalls, restaurants, and local vendors, while Rockcliffe Park offers a quieter, leafy escape with river lookouts just minutes from downtown.
Because Ottawa's landmarks — Parliament Hill, the Canal, ByWard Market, and Rockcliffe — are close together but still spread across a walkable-but-large downtown core, a private tour lets you cover all of them at an easy pace in a single day without the time pressure of a fixed group itinerary.
Popular stops our guides build into Ottawa itineraries — tap any attraction to learn more.
Late spring through early fall (May–September) brings warm weather, the Changing of the Guard on Parliament Hill, and the Rideau Canal at its most scenic for walking or boating. Winter (January–February) is the season to skate the frozen canal, but temperatures regularly drop well below freezing.
Downtown Ottawa — Parliament Hill, the Canal, and ByWard Market — is very walkable. Rockcliffe Park and some outlying viewpoints are a short drive away, and a private vehicle makes it easy to link all of them in one visit.
Summers are warm and can be humid (20–28°C / 68–82°F); winters are cold, often well below freezing, with the canal typically skateable from January into February. Pack layers regardless of season, since Ottawa's weather shifts quickly.
Canada uses the Canadian dollar (CAD). Tipping 15–20% at restaurants is standard, and contactless card payment is widely accepted, including at most ByWard Market vendors.
Free guided tours of the Centre Block and Peace Tower are available but require advance reservation, especially in summer — worth booking ahead if going inside Parliament is a priority rather than viewing it from outside.
Ottawa sits on the Ontario–Quebec border, and Gatineau (directly across the river) is French-speaking. English is widely spoken throughout Ottawa itself, but expect more French across the river.
Tell us your group size and dates — we'll take care of the rest.
