Ottawa is a city of distinct, walkable neighbourhoods, and where you choose to stay can shape your whole trip. Whether you're here for Parliament Hill, the Rideau Canal, or a weekend of restaurant-hopping, picking the right area to book a hotel makes getting around a lot easier. Here's a rundown of four of the best spots to base yourself.
ByWard Market
The ByWard Market is Ottawa's most tourist-friendly neighbourhood, and for good reason. It's packed with restaurants, bars, boutique shops, and the historic Byward Market Building itself, where local vendors sell produce, baked goods, and Ottawa's famous BeaverTails pastries. Staying here puts you within walking distance of Parliament Hill, the National Gallery of Canada, and the Rideau Canal, making it a solid choice for first-time visitors who want to be in the middle of the action. Nightlife is also concentrated in this area, so it's a good fit for travellers who want restaurants and bars just steps from their hotel door.
Downtown / Centretown
Centretown sits just south of Parliament Hill and offers a more business-friendly, central base for visitors. This is where you'll find many of Ottawa's larger hotel chains, making it convenient for conferences, government visits, or anyone who wants quick access to the Sparks Street pedestrian mall and the O-Train Confederation Line. It's a practical, no-frills option for travellers who want to be close to everything downtown Ottawa has to offer without paying ByWard Market's premium.
The Glebe
For a quieter, more residential feel, the Glebe is a favourite among visitors who still want to be close to downtown. Centred around Bank Street, this neighbourhood is known for its independent shops, cafés, and proximity to Lansdowne Park, home to concerts, markets, and Ottawa Redblacks and 67's games. It also sits right along the Rideau Canal, which freezes over into the world's largest skating rink each winter — a major draw for anyone visiting Ottawa between January and February.
Westboro
A bit further from the downtown core, Westboro has become one of Ottawa's trendiest neighbourhoods, known for its outdoor gear shops, yoga studios, and laid-back café culture along Richmond Road. It's a great pick for visitors who want easy access to the Ottawa River pathway system for cycling or walking, and who don't mind a short drive or transit ride into the downtown core for sightseeing.
Choosing the right base for your trip
Wherever you land, Ottawa's compact downtown core and reliable transit make it easy to explore multiple neighbourhoods even if you're only staying in one. Visitors focused on politics and history tend to gravitate toward ByWard Market or Centretown, while those looking for a slower-paced trip with local flavour often prefer the Glebe or Westboro. Either way, Ottawa's mix of neighbourhoods means there's a good fit for just about any kind of traveller.
Source: Google News Ottawa
