National Gallery of Canada
One of Ontario’s best cultural attractions, the National Gallery of Canada is as much an iconic feature of the Ottawa skyline as it is a veritable treasure trove of Indigenous, Canadian and international art dating back over 5,000 years.
Marvel at pieces by Gustav Klimt, Henri Matisse, Sandro Botticelli, Peter Paul Rubens, Paul Cézanne, Vincent van Gogh, Claude Monet and Rembrandt, to name just a few. Browse the prints and drawings, along with silverwork, decorative pieces, sculptures and photographs representing a vast array of different artistic movements and styles in art history.
National Gallery of Canada | Ottawa Tourism
How to get to National Gallery of Canada
Location: 380 Sussex Drive, Ottawa
By car: The National Gallery is close to downtown Ottawa, approximately a 10-minute drive north from the Metcalfe Exit off Highway 417. Paid underground parking is available.
By transit: VIA Rail provides train service to Ottawa. From the station, take the 9 OC Transpo bus to the Gallery.
Know before you go
Canada’s National Gallery is open year-round but closes on Mondays during the slower winter months. Purchase tickets in advance online.
Bags, backpacks, umbrellas, skateboards and other personal items can be stored in the cloakroom free of charge.
Things to do at National Gallery of Canada
Discover more activities and experiences.
Browse the full collection
Tour early 20th-century First Nations and Métis art, contemporary Inuit sculptures, early pre-Confederation pieces and works by international artists dating back to the 18th century.
Walk through history
Part of a convent built in 1887, the interior of Rideau Street Chapel was dismantled into 1,123 pieces and reconstructed in its entirety within the Gallery in 1988.
Enjoy a peaceful break
Relax in the Taiga Garden inside the interior courtyard. This Zen-like garden was designed to mimic the landscapes in the A.Y. Jackson painting “Terre Sauvage” (housed in the gallery).
Check the outdoor art
Admire “Maman,” a nine-metre-high bronze sculpture of a spider created by artist Louise Bourgeois at the entrance to the gallery.
Join family-friendly activities
Look for special events and workshops for families in the Open Studio or play Art Bingo as you browse the gallery collections.
Get art-themed merch
Commemorate your time at the gallery with a souvenir from the gift shop including books, home décor and jewellery.
Articles and itineraries
Get ideas and inspiration for your next trip.
Interesting facts about the National Gallery of Canada
First established in 1880—when the collection consisted of a sole 19th-century landscape painting—the National Gallery of Canada has grown to become one of the world’s finest galleries, home to more than 75,000 works of art.
Canadian architect Moshe Safdie designed the National Gallery. It draws inspiration from the Gothic Revival style of the nearby Parliament Buildings but adds a timeless, modern twist.
The gallery overlooks the Ottawa River and Nepean Point—one of the city’s best sunset spots.
Last updated: August 29, 2024