Ottawa City Walk: Perfect 1-Day Itinerary

After a 12-hour flight from Barcelona to Vancouver, we couldn't miss exploring Canada further—so we hopped on another 4.5-hour flight to Ottawa! Ottawa is compact, with key attractions clustered close together, making it ideal for a one-day walking tour. Here’s our route: 🏛️ Must-Visit Spots 1️⃣ Confederation Building A stunning Gothic-style "castle"—great for quick photos. 2️⃣ Parliament Hill Canada’s iconic political heart. Don’t miss: Centennial Flame (eternal fire symbol) Free tours (book online in advance). 3️⃣ Rideau Canal (UNESCO World Heritage Site) Still operational! Best for a scenic stroll. 4️⃣ Major’s Hill Park Best photo spot with Parliament Hill in the background. 5️⃣ National Gallery of Canada Famous for its giant spider sculpture (Maman). Ticket: $20 (Students: $10 | Free on Thursdays after 5 PM). 6️⃣ Royal Canadian Mint See how coins are made! (Ticket: $10 online). 7️⃣ Notre Dame Cathedral Breathtaking stained glass & architecture (Ticket: $10). 8️⃣ Ottawa Sign Classic city landmark—must snap a pic! 9️⃣ ByWard Market Grab a BeaverTail pastry or shop for souvenirs. 🔟 Senate of Canada Free tours (book ahead online). 1️⃣1️⃣ University of Ottawa Beautiful campus—quick stop for photos. ⏳ Time-Saving Tips Walk everywhere (all attractions are within 5km). Skip interiors if short on time (we did, since we were heading to Montreal the next day). Extend to 2 days for a more relaxed pace. #OttawaTravel #CanadaTrip #CityWalk #ExploreCanada