Often overshadowed by Toronto and Montreal, Ottawa stays under the radar – not for lack of appeal, but for its refined, almost diplomatic character. With new direct flights from London via Air Canada, it’s becoming a haven for travellers seeking slower, more meaningful escapes. Here, culture, nature and wellness replace the rush of big-city life.
Ottawa may be Canada’s political hub, but it lacks the frenetic rhythm of other capitals. The streets are peaceful, the traffic relaxed, and the architecture understated. Even in winter, getting around is simple and efficient. There’s a stillness to the city that feels intentional, almost meditative.
ENGAGE WITH INDIGENOUS CULTURE IN OTTAWA
Experiences rooted in Indigenous knowledge are at the heart of Ottawa’s cultural revival. Makatew, an Indigenous-owned business, hosts workshops where visitors create traditional medicinal bags, guided by stories, teachings and open dialogue.
At Mādahòkì Farm, endangered Ojibwe horses roam, their legacy preserved through artist Rhonda Snow’s vivid paintings and elders’ memories. Inside a tipi, guests cook bannock over an open fire and share a meal made with foraged ingredients. These are more than activities – they are acts of cultural respect and connection.
While most Indigenous-led workshops are currently for private groups, public access is growing. Mādahòkì Farm plans to open to individuals by summer, and Makatew is developing more city-wide spaces to expand cultural accessibility.
Left: The Ottawa Summer Solstice Indigenous Festival offers visitors a unique opportunity to participate in Indigenous traditions and culture.
Right: Workshops at Mādahòkì Farm invite families to engage in activities to gain a deeper understanding of the Indigenous community.
EXPLORE OTTAWA’S RICH ART AND CULTURAL HERITAGE
Ottawa’s cultural offerings surprise many visitors. The National Gallery of Canada is a standout, with extraordinary collections of Indigenous art and works by the Group of Seven, who transformed Canadian landscape painting.
Outside, Maman, Louise Bourgeois’s monumental spider sculpture, is a modern icon. Nearby, ByWard Market offers a more casual experience: cafés, flower stalls, colourful murals – and the must-try beaver tail, a deep-fried pastry covered in sugar and cinnamon. The National Arts Centre (NAC) is Canada’s bilingual, multi-disciplinary home for the performing arts, with a focus on nurturing the next generation of audiences and artists from across Canada.
Left: The National Arts Centre, brilliantly renewed by Diamond Schmitt Architects. Right: View of Parliament Hill from the Ottawa river.
The immersive Parliament exhibition uses storytelling, sound and light to chart the country’s political evolution. Visitors are enveloped in darkness, pulsing visuals and surround sound that make Canada’s past feel powerfully present.
On 1st July, for Canada Day, Ottawa transforms into a party city with an electric atmosphere. LeBreton Flats Park has interactive activities, dance, DJs, and live performances by Canadian artists. Parliament Hill features Canadian traditions and the Snowbirds in flight. In front of the Supreme Court of Canada, enjoy percussion workshops, yoga, and family fun! And Old Hull brings you a full day of shows and celebration.
WHERE TO EAT IN OTTAWA
Though still gaining international culinary status, Ottawa’s food scene is full of promise. At Riviera, an elegant Art Deco restaurant, Canadian ingredients take centre stage in inventive seasonal dishes and standout cocktails.
Norca, at Le Germain Hotel, tempts guest with creative dishes inspired by Northern Cuisine, put together with Canadian ingredients (Nor-Ca).
For dinner with a cultural backdrop, 1–Elgin at the National Arts Centre delivers creative, contemporary Canadian cuisine with a refined touch.
At Norca, Chef James Bratsberg delivers a menu specialised in Canadian market cuisine, using Canadian fruits, vegetables, and proteins.
NATURE IN OTTAWA
In every season, nature in Ottawa feels integrated and accessible. Spring and summer bring bikes and hikers to the riverside trails. In winter, the Rideau Canal becomes the world’s longest natural skating rink.
When we visited in April, the canal hadn’t yet frozen – but walking along its snowy banks at sunset, golden light reflecting on the water, was equally enchanting. Here, even nature encourages you to slow down.
View of the Rideau Canal locks from the Ottawa River.
RELAX AT NORDIK SPA-NATURE
Just 15 minutes from downtown, Nordik Spa-Nature in Chelsea, Quebec, is North America’s largest spa – and a true sanctuary of wellbeing.. Guests wander forest paths in robes between thermal pools, saunas, and quiet zones. You can even dine at Le Resto, which serves healthy, locally sourced meals.
Each sauna offers its own mood: glowing firelight, carved stone walls, scented eucalyptus air. Floating in the saltwater pool, suspended in silence, becomes a moment of deep mindfulness.
Located at the entrance of Gatineau Park, Nordik Spa Villa is a haven that features relaxation treatments from the Nordic countries.
WHERE TO STAY IN OTTAWA
Although Ottawa doesn’t have as many five-star hotels as Toronto or Montreal, it does offer several high-end, luxury properties that meet five-star standards in terms of service, design, and amenities. Among them:
The Fairmont Château Laurier is Ottawa’s most iconic hotel, often described as the “castle” in the city. Historic charm, grand interiors, fine dining, and views of Parliament Hill and the Rideau Canal.
Le Germain Hotel Ottawa, where I stayed is a contemporary, boutique-style hotel with a focus on modern design, wellness touches, and quiet luxury – popular with design-conscious travellers. This hotel is a peaceful retreat in the heart of the city. Close to top sights, it offers thoughtful wellness touches like complimentary eye masks and herbal patches – mirroring Ottawa’s understated, health-conscious spirit.
Andaz Ottawa ByWard Market by Hyatt is a luxury lifestyle hotel with sleek rooms, a rooftop lounge, and prime location in the trendy ByWard Market district.
Left: View of the Fairmont Château Laurier from a Rideau Canal Cruise on the Ottawa River. Right: The rooms at Le Germain Hotel modern are stylish with and industrial-inspired design an apartment-like feel.
THE QUIET POWER OF OTTAWA
Ottawa isn’t a city of spectacle or grandeur. It’s a place of balance: culture without crowds, nature without effort, wellness without pretence. Ottawa doesn’t need to raise its voice to be heard – and that’s why it stays with you.
Author: Ana Salvá
Air Canada flies direct from London Heathrow to Ottawa four times a week. Return fares from £1,640 in Premium Economy and £2,520 in Business Class (including taxes).
Find out more about Ottawa, HERE.
All images courtesy of Ottawa Tourism.
Other destinations recommended by our travel experts this season include Italy in September, Cézanne’s Festival in Aix-en-Provence, and our selection of luxury golf destinations.
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