See the capital properly with the 5 best tours in Ottawa!
Between Parliament Hill, the Rideau Canal, and the ByWard Market, Ottawa packs a lot into one very walkable capital. The best tours in Ottawa help make sense of it all without turning sightseeing into a checklist marathon.
Some travellers keep things easy with bus tours, while others chase good bites on food tours or head outside for something more active. There’s no shortage of ways to see the city beyond the usual postcard stops!
To narrow it down, we picked local tours that bring solid storytelling, knowledgeable guides, and plenty of personality. Consider this the shortcut to getting better acquainted with Ottawa without wasting a perfectly good afternoon.
How much does a tour cost in Ottawa?
Standard sightseeing tours across Ottawa generally cost between $5 CAD for tips-based walks and $92 CAD for specialized outings, while combo boat and bus passes can reach up to $85 CAD.
| Tour Type | Estimated Cost (in CAD) |
|---|---|
| Tips-Based Walking Tour | $5+ CAD (plus tip) |
| Haunted / Historic Walking Tour | $24.99 – $91.99 CAD |
| Ottawa River Sightseeing Cruise | $38 – $40 CAD |
| Hop-On Hop-Off Bus Pass (1-Day) | $45 – $54 CAD |
| Amphibious “Amphibus” Tour | $45 – $50 CAD |
| Land & Water Combo Packages | $70 – $85 CAD |
1. The Haunted Walk of Ottawa
Address: 46 ½ Sparks Street
Contact: (613) 232-0344 | [email protected]
Hours: Daily: 10 AM–9 PM (office/ticketing); tour departure times vary, with many evening experiences starting around 7:30 PM or later
Ottawa may look buttoned-up by day, but The Haunted Walk gives the capital a much creepier after-hours personality.
We love how cloaked guides, lantern light, and shadowy downtown streets do a fine job of setting the mood!
Better yet, the guides mix local history with ghost stories and folklore instead of serving up a dry roll call of dates. The Original Haunted Walk runs about 75 minutes and passes landmarks such as the Fairmont Château Laurier.
For something less spooky but still quirky, Hidden Ottawa digs into the city’s stranger stories and overlooked details. It’s a fun choice for travellers who like their sightseeing with a little mischief.
The catch is that the flagship tour is mostly outdoors and on foot, so rain, cold, or tired legs can spoil the séance. Anyone with mobility concerns should check the specific route before booking.
Customer Reviews
“Great tour, especially because of Emily”
Our family had a fantastic time on Emily’s tour Sunday night! As history lovers and locals, it was fascinating to hear about Ottawa through the ghost stories of the area. Emily was a fabulous guide who kept everyone interested (even the 12-year-olds). Not only did she share all the spookiness at our tour stops, but she also gave us lots of extra tidbits between stops. I am sure that anytime we are downtown, we will all be thinking of the bodies/ghosts/history of where we are standing. Great tour, especially because of Emily! We will be back for more.
— Marcia St. Pierre | Google Review
“I plan on doing the rest of them in Ottawa”
So I’ve done this twice now. I did the original walk in Ottawa with a tour guide named Nart and the one at the Beechwood Cemetery with Caleb. Both were excellent; both guides were very good. I plan on doing the rest of them in Ottawa. I love experiences like this. I saw a wild turkey in the cemetery, which just topped the experience perfectly.
— Emily Godin | Google Review
2. Escape Bicycle Tours and Rentals
Website
Address: 65 Sparks St
Contact: 613-608-7407 | [email protected]
Hours: Daily, 9:30 AM–5:30 PM (April–October daily; November–March by appointment)
Ottawa’s flat paths make cycling a pretty clever way to sightsee, and Escape Bicycle Tours keeps things pleasantly low-stress.
We like that their Ottawa Express tour covers major downtown sights, including Parliament Hill and the Rideau Canal, without turning the ride into a fitness test.
A big plus is that bikes, helmets, bottled water, and a local guide come included! Small groups also help the pace feel relaxed, while optional e-bike upgrades give tired legs an easy backup plan.
The route runs for about two hours and sticks mostly to scenic bike paths, so casual cyclists shouldn’t feel out of their depth. It’s a fun pick for travellers who’d rather pedal between landmarks than stare through a bus window.
However, scheduled public tours run in English. French, Spanish, and German tours need advance arrangements and depend on guide availability.
Customer Reviews
“Wonderful Tour”
Wonderful Tour, very nice tour guide (David) who had interesting and fun things to tell about Ottawa. You see Spots you never could walk in one day. Our 7-year-old had a great experience too! As a bonus, we got Fotos from our Group for free afterwards. Strongly recommend!
— Nicole Schaaf | Google Review
“One of the highlights of our trip”
We had an incredible private bike tour with Ellen. She was knowledgeable, engaging, and adapted the tour perfectly for both me and my 10-year-old daughter. Her passion for Ottawa’s history and architecture made the city come alive. It was, without question, one of the highlights of our trip. Highly recommend requesting Ellen if you have the chance!
— Véronique Emery | Google Review
3. Lady Dive Tours
Website
Address: 59 Sparks St
Contact: 613-524-2221 | [email protected]
Hours: Monday–Friday: 8:30 AM–4:30 PM (extended weekend and summer hours up to 7:45 PM; seasonal May 1–October 31)
Ottawa sightseeing gets much more fun when a tour bus decides it’s had enough of dry land. Lady Dive’s Amphibus rolls past Parliament Hill and downtown Ottawa before splashing into the Ottawa River for a completely different view of the capital.
Along the way, a live bilingual guide keeps things lively with local stories in English and French. The one-hour loop packs in city streets, river scenery, and that unmistakably Ottawa mix of grand landmarks and waterfront views.
For travellers who’d rather linger around Sparks Street or hop off near major attractions, Lady Dive’s double-decker tours offer more freedom.
We reckon that makes the company a handy pick whether the goal is novelty or a slower sightseeing day.
The catch is that the Amphibus isn’t wheelchair accessible and doesn’t allow mid-route hop-offs. Availability is seasonal too, so departure dates are worth checking before building the day around it.
Customer Reviews
“Absolutely worth it”
…This summer (2026), my family and I finally did—and it was absolutely worth it!
In one word: WOW!
I was genuinely amazed by how much I learned about the city. Even though I already know quite a bit about Ottawa, this tour introduced us to fascinating facts and stories we had never heard before.
Ottawa has such a rich history, and hopping aboard the amphibious bus made discovering our beautiful capital even more enjoyable. I highly recommend the Lady Dive tour to both visitors and locals—you might be surprised by how much there is still to learn!
— Seb | Google Review
“Absolutely brilliant tour”
Absolutely brilliant tour. Wendy was our tour guide, and she was fabulous. Bruno was our Captain, and he navigated perfectly!! This was a really interesting tour and well worth the fee. Wendy made us all laugh and provided loads of information about Ottawa, as well as giving tips for other options for my visit. I would highly recommend doing this if you’re in Ottawa and you have the time.
— Vikki Sommers | Google Review
4. Toonie Tours
Website
Address: 42 Elgin St
Contact: +1 (866) 643-1847 | [email protected]
Hours: Daily: 9 AM–5 PM
Ottawa gives walkers plenty to work with, and Toonie Tours makes a good case for seeing the capital on foot.
We love how their three-hour route threads through Parliament Hill, ByWard Market, Centretown, and the Golden Triangle with plenty of local context along the way.
The guides keep things lively with history, cultural tidbits, and useful tips on where to eat or grab a drink afterward.
Also, there’s no fixed ticket price for the public walking tour, so guests decide what to pay at the end based on the experience.
That said, gratuity is expected rather than optional in spirit, and the company notes that guests generally tip around US$30 per person. Tours can fill up too, so booking ahead is smart if there’s a specific date or time you want.
Customer Reviews
“Fascinating three-hour exploration of this great understated city”
Reiner led a great tour of Ottawa! He was very knowledgeable and clearly had a great working knowledge of the Canadian capital, answering any additional questions with insider information. Great range of sites, buildings and monuments visited on a fascinating three-hour exploration of this great understated city. Many thanks to Reiner for a great introduction to Ottawa!
— Nick Mills | Google Review
“One of the most enjoyable walking tours I have taken”
I took the walking tour with Lee, and it was one of the most enjoyable walking tours I have taken. Lee shared Ottawa and Canada’s history in a way that made the city feel familiar by the end of the tour. The tour was engaging, so much so that I didn’t realize where 3 hours went by.
Thank you, I highly recommend this!
— Talwinder Kaur Bharaj | Google Review
5. Aventure Outaouais
Website
Address: 495 Boulevard Saint-René Est, Unité 8, Gatineau
Contact: (873) 660-1881 | [email protected]
Hours: Tuesday–Sunday: 8 AM–8 PM
Once Parliament Hill and ByWard Market are ticked off, Aventure Outaouais makes it easy to see what lies just beyond Ottawa’s downtown core.
It’s great that their private tours can bundle transport, local guides, food, and activities across Gatineau and the wider Outaouais region.
You can start by choosing the group’s priorities, whether that means craft beer, wineries, hiking, or winter adventures. The team can then shape the route around your interests, budget, and available time.
It’s especially practical for groups that don’t want to drive between rural stops or juggle parking throughout the day. Book it when convenience matters just as much as seeing more of the region.
The downside? Complimentary pickup only covers selected Ottawa and Gatineau accommodations. Seasonal activities can shift too, so confirm your preferred experiences before locking in the day.
Customer Reviews
“Brandon is an awesome storyteller”
We absolutely loved our Ottawa Valley Haunted Tour! Living in the area, this made it all the more interesting!! Brandon is an awesome storyteller, with endless knowledge of the goings-on in the Pontiac…👻 Sophie was our driver, and she was so lively & fun! We had great weather, and even chilly blankets were provided! Intrigued by all the stories, driving up the 148 will never be the same!! And the crumble pie @ Coronation Hall Cider Mills… WOW!! Will definitely be visiting again.
Highly recommend this activity, looking forward to the next one!! Thanks again!!
— Bree Dunnett | Google Review
“Brandon is so knowledgeable and passionate”
I had an amazing day on the Pontiac wine and cider tour. Brandon is so knowledgeable and passionate. Drinks and food are definitely top-notch. Plus, it was the perfect time of year in the region when the landscape is going through a colourful transition. However, the places we visited are extremely local, and I wouldn’t even know them if I weren’t going with a tour. Will come back for a different tour on my next visit to Ottawa!
— Jimmy Ding | Google Review