Parliament Hill

I had such a wonderful time walking around the grounds and just taking everything in. The views are stunning, especially with the river in the background and the Peace Tower standing tall above the buildings. It’s one of those places that feels both grand and welcoming at the same time. What surprised me most was how much history is packed into the place. I expected politics, of course it’s the center of Canadian government, but I didn’t expect to come away feeling more connected to the country’s story. Inside the buildings, you don’t just see offices or chambers. You see where Canada was shaped. There’s so much to learn about Confederation and the people who helped build the country. The architecture itself tells part of the story, with its old stone and intricate carvings. It feels like a museum and a working political hub all at once. If you go, take the time to walk around slowly. Look at the statues. Sit on the lawn for a bit. You’ll leave with more than just nice pictures. You’ll leave with a better sense of Canada.

I had the opportunity to visit Parliament Hill in Ottawa, and it was a truly enriching and memorable experience. I toured the House of Commons, which offers fascinating insights into Canadian democracy and governance. Although I booked my visit after arriving in Ottawa and the English-language tour was fully booked, I opted for the French-language tour. Fortunately, our guide was very accommodating — our group had around 7–8 visitors, and while the main tour was conducted in French, the guide kindly responded to my questions in English, making the experience accessible and enjoyable. I highly recommend planning ahead to book the English tour, but even if that’s not possible, the experience remains worthwhile. A few tips for future visitors: • Don’t miss the House of Commons tour — it’s a great way to learn how the Canadian Parliament functions. • There is a souvenir shop located inside the House of Commons, right after the security check and frisking area. It offers a variety of memorabilia and gifts. • If you plan to visit the Senate, note that it is currently housed in a converted historic train station about 300–400 meters away, as the original Senate building is under renovation until 2029. Unlike the House of Commons, the Senate site does not have a souvenir shop. The entire visit offers valuable learning about Canadian governance, parliamentary procedures, and historical context. When the House is in session, visitors may also attend live proceedings on a first-come, first-served basis.

Parliament Hill is truly the heart of Canadian democracy and a must-visit spot in Ottawa. The historic architecture of the Parliament Buildings is stunning, especially the Peace Tower. The free guided tours inside are very informative—you learn a lot about Canada’s political system and history. The Changing of the Guard ceremony in the summer is a highlight, and the views of the Ottawa River from the hill are beautiful. It’s also a peaceful place to walk around or sit and reflect. Security is well-managed but respectful. Whether you’re a tourist or a Canadian, visiting Parliament Hill gives you a sense of pride and connection to the country. Definitely recommend spending a couple of hours here!

Great place to check out all times of the day. We visited the grounds and arranged for a few of the tours. You’ll want to go online and book a time. Definitely worth checking out both the House of Commons and the Senate. In the summer, if you go there at 10am, they have a changing of the guard ceremony. Very cool. If you book tours, aim to do them earlier in the day before it gets busy (especially the House of Commons).

If you're planning to explore the capital of Canada, Parliament Hill is hands down the best place to start! It's not just the heart of Ottawa but also a symbol of Canadian history and government. The iconic buildings are stunning to look at, especially with the beautiful Gothic-style architecture. It’s a perfect spot for photos, a peaceful walk, and soaking in the spirit of Canada’s capital.

Such a great place to visit! The buildings are beautiful and full of history. It’s a nice spot to walk around, take photos, and enjoy the view of the river. Definitely worth checking out if you’re in Ottawa!

This is a place worth checking out in Ottawa. Very beautiful and simply breathtaking architecture and history. ⭐️⭐️⭐️ It is very spacious and lots of walking. There are barely any places to sit and catch your breath so make sure you have proper footwear and stay well hydrated. 😊🚰🚶🏼‍♂️

Our family had a fantastic time visiting Ottawa’s Parliament Hill! The free guided tour of the West Block, where the House of Commons is temporarily located, was super informative, and the kids loved learning about Canada’s government in such a cool, historic setting. The Visitor Welcome Centre was a great starting point—staff were friendly and helped us navigate the tour options, even providing free brochures and kids’ activity books. The only downside was the construction around Centre Block, which limited some views, and the security screening took a bit longer than expected. Still, the grounds and the temporary chambers were impressive, and we’d definitely recommend booking tours in advance!”

The most popular tourist spot in Ottawa, Parliament hill has a magnificent walking pathway in front of the Parliament house that starts from the Fairmont Chateau Hotel, through Centennial Flame and House of Commons and ends at Confederation building. A lot of the prettiness has been hindered by the on going renovation construction work at the Parliament house. Yes the area is maintained beautifully, all grass are trimmed, flower and gardens are picturesque. At the corner, there's a lookout area that overlooks the city of Gatineau, Quebec, across Ottawa river. There are restrooms under the lookout pavement. Lots of security personnel are assigned to keep the whole place safe and organized.

Amazing hill of the Parliament Buildings. Wonderful architecture. It was amazing to tour the interim House of Commons on West Block. Looking forward to coming back when the construction is complete.

Parliament Hill was a really cool sight to see while in Canada, especially if you're interested in history or politics. I wish that we would have had more time to actually tour the Parliament building, but we were just there for a quick photo stop. We were very impressed with the architecture and layout of Parliament Hill, though, and the Centennial Flame was also a sight to see! They have recently started using bio gas to light it, so it stays lit in the rain and snow. Others we chatted with who had taken the guided tour of the Parliament building said that it was fabulous, so the next time I am in Ottawa, I will be planning more time to be able to do that!

If there's one thing you really must see in Ottawa it's Parliament Hill. Although the main building is currently being renovated you can still tour the House of Commons and the Senate. Tours are free, each building has a separate tour. You can book your tour time online, which I highly recommend, as they were turning away people without advance tickets when we arrived for our early afternoon tour because all of the tickets for the day had been booked. Tours start from the visitors center and you will have to go through a security screening in which all loose and metal objects must be put through a scanner and you must walk through a metal detector - similar to airport security. Allow time for the security lineup or you might miss your tour. Bag size is strictly limited - check dimensions online before coming for your tour. Once inside you proceed to the waiting area until your tour is called, where there is plenty of comfortable seating, restrooms and a gift shop. You will come back through the same room following your tour, so wait until you return to shop. We had a lovely tour guide, Mireille, who was fluent in both English and French and had a thorough knowledge of the architecture, history and trivia related to Parliament - there was a quiz (just for fun). There is no parking at Parliament, so you will need to park at a public garage or take transit (there was a bus stop directly opposite). The tour for each building lasts about 45 minutes and you will be standing and walking the entire time. There are accommodations and options to borrow a wheelchair to use if you don't think you can stand for so long. A very interesting and educational tour - highly recommend

I went here twice. This is a great place to know about Canadian politics and also French :). The view is very good, and staff very friendly. Their debate are very insightful and interesting.

Parliament Hill or The Hill, usually called is the heart of Ottawa, and some might say of Canada itself. This is home of Canada's federal government where representatives meet to make laws. The location is absolutely perfect. It is on the southern banks of the Ottawa River in the downtown Ottawa. It has been designated as National Historic Site, and it is well worth the visit even during the renovations. In 1858, Queen Victoria selected Ottawa as the capital of the Province of Canada and The Hill was chosen as the site of the new parliament buildings. All the buildings were built in Gothic architecture, which is a reminder of parliamentary democracy's history and it contradict the republican neoclassicism of the USA capital. We walked the ground for a good hour even in the winter on -10'C. The parking is not allowed on the grounds itself, but there are plenty of street parking on the surrounding streets to downtown, specially if you make an effort to come earlier or later in a day or on the weekends. It is a definite must when in Ottawa.

Whenever someone visits, I take them to Downtown Ottawa specifically the Parliament Hill! It's the perfect touristy place in any season. The only downside is the difficult parking!

The Parliament Hill is under construction for 10 years, so there's no access to the buildings and you can only walk around and view the building. The Parliament Hill's architecture is amazing. It is so impressive when you walk around and see the beautiful details. I would love to come back when the renovations are done and go inside the building and have a full tour and hear more about the history of it.

When your friend visits you in Ottawa, a trip wouldn't be a trip without going to the Parliament of course! Too bad it is closed but we walked all around that area and it was beautiful, especially the back which looks right into Hull. The location is also perfect since you can run to a coffee shop and heat up!

Parliament Hill is an important Canadian landmark. I was recently here for the Canada Day celebrations, where speeches by the Prime Minister and Governor General, and performances through dance and song come alive. You can also catch fireworks during the afternoon and at night. It's fun and lifts everyone's Canadian spirit! I have come here often in November. The Remembrance Day ceremonies happen around this vicinity. When you're at Parliament Hill, you get a chance to see the Centennial Flame in front of it. You used to be able to take a tour of the House of Commons and more, but I'm not sure if that's the case with the various restoration changes happening. If you do, it's worth the tour. If you are visiting Ottawa and are on a budget, simply visiting Parliament Hill and snapping photos is an option. Otherwise, if tours are still available, go on one and say that you've been here. (246)

Sadly, this place is under renovation until 2032. But one could see an amazing architectural design. The big lawn surrounding it makes it more astonishing. Senate is moved across the chateau hote and house of commons on the right building facing the parliament bldg. each offer tours that could be booked online or at the site.

Bigger than I expected Lot of construction Looks beautiful from across the way Interesting for a walk by

There are several must-sees in Ottawa (and it's across-the-river neighbor, Gatineau, QC). I don't know if there's one bigger in that category then Parliament Hill (known simply to most as "The Hill.)" So, Drew, why the heck are you giving one of the grandest places in all of Canada FOUR stars ... it's friggin' awesome, eh? Agreed, but I found the area very un-visitor-friendly. Where the hell do I enter? Where the hell do I go? We lost about 15 minutes trying to get to the quadrangle (the grassy area in front of Parliament, essentially the main destination). On top of that, we were hamstrung by construction that made things even more confusing. Once we got there, though, what a place! Keep in mind here that I'm reviewing "The Hill" ... the outdoor area around Parliament, NOT Parliament itself or its interior, which are also awesome. If I were, I'd be giving you recommendations to reserve tickets in advance for the tour ... and also go when the House of Commons and Senate are in session! For The Hill itself, what a site to see! Built on a rocky, limestone outcrop over 60+ years in the 1800s and early 1900s, it gives visitors a great view of Rideau Canal and the Ottawa River. More importantly, it gives you an amazing view of what are mostly Neo-Gothic structures that make up the home of Canada's government. Most prominent in your view is the Peace Tower (Tour de la Paix) and the Centre Block, which Canadians will recognize on their $20 bills. Turning 100 years old next year (2020), the multi-bell tower (campanile) is more than 300 feet (92 metres) tall. Be sure to get up close and personal to this sandstone building and see the hundreds of gargoyles, grotesques, and friezes they've created on the building. You'll also want to check out the East Block. While it still houses Senators and their staff, its history -- especially the still intact office of Canada's first Prime Minister -- is a sight to see. To me, the the most visually stunning is the Library of Parliament (Bibliothèque du Parlement). While the Parliament of Canada Yelp page (https://bit.ly/2YjFCgj) does plenty to describe the stunning and also very useful library on the inside, the outside -- and its 16 flying buttresses and other Victorian High Gothic accouterments -- make it a selfie you'll want to leave yourself out of. Beautiful. At the centre of the quadrangle (where all of this is best viewed) is the Centennial Flame. It was created and dedicated to the 100th anniversary of Canadian confederation (in 1967). Fun fact: It's NOT eternal, but unless you catch it on a maintenance day or when it's hella cold out, it should be whipping up a ferocious natural gas flame. Also check out the surrounding shields for all 13 provinces and territories (Nunavutians, yours is there too!). The Hill is a great area. It is the metaphoric crown jewel in a city full of great things to see and do.

This is my absolute favorite place in Canada. Long stretches of well tended lawn and foliage. I've lived here for over 4 decades. I value the freedom we have. Parliament Hill, Parliament Building, the Peace Tower with the Maple Leaf flowing high in the wind makes me very humbled and so happy to be a Canadian!

Iconic landmark in Canada! We were so lucky to have a show while staring at this beautiful building, horray! Lugar icónico de Canada! Tuvimos tanta suerte de tener un show de luces mientras mirábamos el bellisímo edificio, wow!

This is very obviously a go to when you are visiting Ottawa or even if you live here. There are tours offered inside (though I'm not sure how that works with it shutting down for a while). The tours are very informative and take you through the various areas of the building. My favourite is the library with its gothic style. Absolutely must see if possible. The outside has two large lawns that you can hangout on. And the eternal flame is also a must see! In the summer there are various events that happen here like weekly yoga on the lawn, the Canada day festivities and the light shows which are also super cool!

Definitely worth the 30 minutes of your time. Watching the history show lighting up the face of the parliament. I didn't go inside, but walked around it, the nearby 'castle ' and parks.

The 7-day Tour East Bus trip that I'm traveling on stopped here; we have 50 tourists in our group. The $222.50 attractions package includes access to the Whale Watching Boat Tour, Thousand Island Boat Tour, Hopewell Rocks, Maritime Museum, etc., of which this attraction is one of the experiences. This is the final day of our trip and time to pack in a few more sights before heading home. Been here many times. We only spent half hour at Parliament Hill for some quick photos during The Changing of the Guard ceremony. Historical & Fascinating Canada

Take the guided tour to get up close inside. Includes the Peace Tower and Memorial Chamber. You get to see the meeting halls of the senate and the House of Commons. Be early (7:45-8am) at 90 Wellington Street to get your free tickets. Office opens at 9am sharp. You get to choose your scheduled tour slots. We got the 10:50am one which gave us time to later checkout of the hotel and come back here for the tour. Open during holidays too. Do check their website just to be sure. A friend of mine was told that it was closed during thanksgiving. Of course that was not correct. We were there and thoroughly enjoyed it.

The Parliament building is beautiful and a popular place in Ottawa. The changing of the guards around 10am daily was very interesting to see. The river, Rideau mall and Byward market are nearby.

It's Parliament Hill so you get what you expect: beautiful neo gothic architecture, nice spots for pictures of buildings and the river, decent little walk that will be do-able for almost everyone, and close to shopping and food. So why 4 stars instead of 5? Because Parliament Hill constantly has a non-negligible amount of construction repair going on. So it's scaffolding central - not the good kind of centrality. So I deduct 1 star for that.

Went to see the laser show about Canada's democracy and independence was a great show and good story telling all in beautiful lights and music

Nice place, must visit if you're going to Ottawa. Really nice old buildings definitely worth the visit. Landmark of Canada.