StayAreasIs Centretown & Parliament a good place to stay in Ottawa?
Yes, especially for sightseeing and good value. Parliament and the canal are on hand, though nights are quieter than the market.
Stay here if
- First-time visitors
- Business travellers
- Families
Look elsewhere if
- You want lively nights on the doorstep
- You want market atmosphere
- You want a big-city buzz
Hotels in Centretown & Parliament
All Centretown & Parliament hotels on Booking ↗Typical rates for a double outside peak events, not live prices. Updated Oct 2026 · How we rate areas · Booking through our links costs you nothing extra and may earn us a commission. Learn more
Staying in Centretown & Parliament
Centretown is the most practical place to stay in Ottawa. Parliament Hill, the Rideau Canal and the ByWard Market are all a short walk away, there are O-Train stations on hand, and hotels are better value than in the market.
The area is the working heart of the capital. Civil servants fill Sparks Street at lunchtime, Elgin Street's pubs get busy in the evenings, and joggers and cyclists use the paths along the canal. In winter, skaters glide past the hotels on the frozen canal, and the Hill is lit up at night.
The downside is that it's quieter than the ByWard Market at night, and some streets feel like an office district at weekends. The best restaurants are spread out.
What makes Centretown worth it is being next to Parliament Hill. You can watch the Changing of the Guard on the lawn in summer, walk along the canal and be in the market for dinner in ten minutes.
Getting around
- Rideau Canal10walk
- ByWard Market12transit
- Parliament Hill13walk
- National Arts Centre14walk
- National Gallery of Canada16transit
- Fairmont Château Laurier16walk
- Ottawa Macdonald-Cartier International Airport (YOW)43
Centretown & Parliament questions
Is Centretown & Parliament a good area to stay in Ottawa?
Yes, especially for sightseeing and good value. Parliament and the canal are on hand, though nights are quieter than the market. It suits first-time visitors, business travellers and families.
How much does a hotel in Centretown & Parliament cost?
A typical double is around $125 a night at a budget hotel, $290 mid-range and $415 for luxury, outside peak events.
How do I get from Ottawa Macdonald-Cartier International Airport (YOW) to Centretown & Parliament?
About 43 minutes door to door: Taxi or rideshare from the airport to Centretown.
How far is Centretown & Parliament from the main sights?
Door to door from Centretown & Parliament: Rideau Canal 10 minutes on foot, ByWard Market 12 minutes, Parliament Hill 13 minutes on foot and National Arts Centre 14 minutes on foot.