Ottawa walking tour: ByWard Market, Notre-Dame & Mint

Walk Ottawa's core landmarks in one morning with a guide who knows the stories.

A small group walking tour of Ottawa led by a local guide covers the ByWard Market, Royal Canadian Mint, Notre-Dame Cathedral Basilica, Centennial Flame and National Gallery in two hours. You meet at 1 Elgin Street downtown and move through the city on foot, passing the Fairmont Château Laurier and ending at the Maman sculpture. The tour is narrated throughout, so you hear the history and context of each stop as you walk.

Options for this experience

2 options

From CA$ 40 to CA$ 129 per person, depending on the option and date you choose. See options & prices

Highlights of Ottawa City Tour 10:00, 12:30, 14:30 and 16:30 Guide in English

Upgrade to a Rideau Canal Cruise 12:30 Guide in English Add a scenic Rideau Canal cruise to your tour, taking in the city's famous sights from the water

None of these options right for you? See 2 alternatives ›

Step-by-step itinerary

Explore Ottawa's landmarks on foot

• Meet local guide at 1 Elgin Street
• Walk to ByWard Market
• Pass by Royal Canadian Mint
• Pass by Notre-Dame Cathedral Basilica
• Pass by Fairmont Château Laurier
• Visit Centennial Flame
• End at National Gallery of Canada

Stops and time spent at each 4 stops

1. ByWard Market 30m
2. Royal Canadian Mint passing by
3. Notre-Dame Cathedral Basilica passing by
4. Centennial Flame passing by

What’s included

• A narrated walk past the Maman sculpture, Royal Canadian Mint and Notre-Dame Basilica.
• views of the Centennial Flame and Fairmont Château Laurier.
• a local tour guide for the full two-hour experience.
• and time in the ByWard Market to see the city's energy and history.

Times

Looking for another day or time? ›

• Saturday 10:00 12:30 14:30 16:30

Information

Small group walking tour of Ottawa's landmarks with a local guide: ByWard Market, Royal Canadian Mint, Notre-Dame Cathedral Basilica.

Group Up to 10

Live guide English Another language? ›

Meeting point and pickup No hotel pickup: you go to the meeting point. Ends at a different place from where it starts. See the exact address

Book up to 2h before

Ages Adult (13 and older) · Child (5 to 12 years) · Infant (under 5)

Cancellation and refunds Free cancellation up to 24 h before the start. After that, no refund. It may be canceled due to bad weather. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund.

Good to know

Low physical effort Public transport nearby

More information The exact meeting point address, the operator’s instructions and every other detail are in the full listing. See the full listing

Traveler reviews

3.50 ★★★★★ 4 verified traveler reviews

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The experience

The tour starts at 1 Elgin Street in downtown Ottawa, steps from the city's core. Your local guide leads the group on foot toward the ByWard Market, one of Canada's oldest public markets, where the energy and local culture set the tone for the rest of the walk. From there you pass the Royal Canadian Mint, the facility that produces Canadian circulation coins and collectible currency, then move on to Notre-Dame Cathedral Basilica: a Gothic Revival landmark with twin spires that anchor Ottawa's religious and architectural heritage.

The route takes you past the Fairmont Château Laurier, a grand railway hotel that's been a symbol of the city for over a century, and continues toward the Centennial Flame, a fountain in the heart of the city that commemorates Canada's Confederation. The walk ends at the National Gallery of Canada, where the striking Maman sculpture, a giant spider, serves as the final landmark. The whole experience is narrated, so you're not just walking past these places. You're learning what they mean to Ottawa as you go.

The tour runs two hours and is suitable for all fitness levels. Public transportation options are available nearby if you need them. You can add a Rideau Canal Cruise to extend the experience, depending on which option you choose at checkout.

Top questions

Can children come?

Yes. Ticket types: Child (5 to 12 years); Infant (under 5).

What happens if it rains?

It may be canceled due to bad weather. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund. Free cancellation up to 24 h before the start.

What is the ByWard Market like, and what will I actually do there on the tour?

The ByWard Market is one of Canada's oldest and most lively public markets. On the tour, you walk through it with your guide, soaking in the energy, history and local culture of the city rather than stopping to shop or eat. It's a pass-through that shows you how the market fits into Ottawa's character.

Will I go inside Notre-Dame Cathedral Basilica, or just walk past it?

You pass by Notre-Dame Cathedral Basilica during the walk. It's a Gothic Revival masterpiece with soaring twin spires and detailed interior architecture that your guide will narrate as you move through the area.

How long does the whole tour take, and where does it end?

The tour takes two hours and ends at the National Gallery of Canada, where you'll see the Maman sculpture: a striking giant spider that serves as an artistic finale to the walk through Ottawa's landmarks.

Is this tour only walking, or does it include other transportation?

This is a walking tour throughout. You move on foot from 1 Elgin Street through the ByWard Market, past the Royal Canadian Mint and Notre-Dame Cathedral Basilica, and on to the Centennial Flame and National Gallery. Public transportation options are available nearby if you need them.

Can I add something to this tour to see more of Ottawa?

Yes, you can add a Rideau Canal Cruise upgrade at checkout, depending on which option you select. This extends your experience beyond the walking tour of the city's landmarks.

Operated by See Sight Tours. Explorevia does not run this tour: we compare it with similar options, and you book it with our booking partner.

Prices and times updated today