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Updated 2026-07-23T16:13:01Z
Full advisory →Is Ottawa safe? 🇨🇦
Canada · Safety report last updated
As of July 2026, Ottawa scores 90/100 on the IsMyTripSafe composite safety index — verdict: yes — very safe. Yes — Ottawa is one of Canada's safest major cities for visitors, with low violent crime and a strong police presence. The main risks for visitors are pickpocketing (moderate risk) and tourist-targeted scams.
Safety Report
IsMyTripSafe.com
Ottawa 🇨🇦
Canada · Assessed 28 July 2026
90
/ 100
Yes — very safe
Safer than ~96% of countries
What drives this score
Crime85/100GoodCrime index 30.4 / 100 · city-level
Sentiment86/100GoodMostly positive
Advisories97Good
Stability82Good
Health89Good
01 · Official Guidance
Advisories
Good
02 · Evidence Signals
Crime
Good
Homicide rate
2.0 / 100kHomicide rate · per 100kJapan0.2Switzerland0.6Canada2World avg5.2United States5.8Brazil19.3South Africa43.7
86
Robbery / mugging
LowMugging and armed robbery are uncommon; incidents are isolated to late‑night bar areas and are typically non‑violent.
Pickpocketing
ModeratePickpocketing occurs mainly in busy tourist zones like ByWard Market and on public transit during peak hours.
03 · Environment
Health & Air
Good
04 · Institutions
Stability
Good
05 · Field Research
Current Situation
Stable
Traveller sentiment score
Mostly positive
86/100
Reported feel82Mostly positive
Robbery risk92Low risk
Pickpocket risk78Moderate risk
Recent traveller reports and forum posts describe feeling safe walking during daylight and in central districts, with only minor concerns about occasional night‑time rowdiness.
Yes — Ottawa is one of Canada's safest major cities for visitors, with low violent crime and a strong police presence.
Ottawa scores a 91 composite safety index, placing it in the top 3% of global destinations for safety. Homicide, terrorism and road‑traffic death rates are all far below world averages, and the city enjoys high scores for governance, health and environmental hazards. While petty theft and occasional late‑night disturbances occur in busy districts, they are rare and typically non‑violent.
Recent developments
- Jul 2026Large protest downtown calling for police accountability; peaceful but caused temporary road closures and heightened police presence.— CBC (2026-07-15)
- Jul 2026Anti‑Ford rally outside the legislature drew several hundred participants; no violence reported but traffic disruptions noted.— CBC (2026-07-20)
- May 2026Thousands gathered for the National March for Life on Parliament Hill; event was peaceful and well‑policed.— EWTN News (2026-05-03)
- Apr 2026Travel Safe Abroad published a 2026 safety rating confirming Ottawa’s low overall risk for tourists.— TravelSafe-Above.com (2026-04-18)
Common scams
- Fake Parliament tour or museum ticket scams targeting tourists
- Overpriced taxi rides and unlicensed rideshare operators
- Street petition or charity hustles that pressure for donations
Full briefing
Ottawa remains one of the safest major cities in Canada for visitors. The multi‑database profile gives it a 91 composite safety score — well above the world average — and rates violent crime, terrorism and road safety as low. Recent news from July 2026 shows a few large protests downtown that were peaceful but led to temporary road closures and a visible police presence; these events did not affect tourist areas and were handled without violence. Overall, travelers report feeling safe walking in central neighbourhoods during daylight, though some note occasional rowdiness in entertainment districts after dark.
The most relevant current risks are petty theft and pickpocketing in crowded spots such as the ByWard Market and on busy public‑transit routes. Scams targeting tourists include fake museum or Parliament tour tickets, overpriced or unlicensed taxi rides, and street petition scams that pressure for donations. To stay safe, keep valuables in a front pocket or money belt, use only licensed taxis or reputable rideshare apps, and stay in well‑lit, busy neighbourhoods like Centretown, ByWard Market or Westboro after dark. Avoid isolated side streets late at night and follow standard urban precautions — most visits to Ottawa are trouble‑free.
06 · Neighbourhoods
Safest areas and areas to avoid
Our field research rated 8 Ottawa districts for visitors: 3 safer, 3 needing caution and 2 best avoided. See them plotted on the Ottawa safety map.
SomersetavoidNoted for higher property crime and transient population; avoid after dark
Rideau RockcliffeavoidElevated break‑ins and drug‑related activity reported in recent police logs
CentretowncautionBusy downtown core; stay alert after dark and watch for late-night disorder
ByWard MarketcautionHigh foot traffic during day; minor incidents reported late at night
LowertowncautionUp‑and‑coming area with occasional pickpocketing near the market
Old Ottawa SouthsaferQuiet residential area with low crime and well-lit streets
WestborosaferAffluent, well-patrolled neighbourhood popular with tourists and locals
GlebesaferTree‑lined streets, strong community presence, and low incident rates
07 · After Dark
Is Ottawa safe at night?
88% of people in Canada say they feel safe walking alone at night in their area (UN SDG survey, 2019).
Mugging and armed robbery are uncommon; incidents are isolated to late‑night bar areas and are typically non‑violent.
After dark, be most careful around Somerset, Rideau Rockcliffe, Centretown, ByWard Market. Stick to busy, well-lit streets and licensed taxis or ride-hail late at night.
08 · Trip Profiles
Score by traveller type
Who's travelling changes which risks matter. These re-weight Ottawa's category data for common trip types — same data, different emphasis. Run your own profile from the interactive checker.
Solo female travellerCrime +35% weight88
Solo travellerCrime +23% weight89
Family with kidsCrime +19% weight · Health & Air +12% weight89
Nightlife-focused tripCrime +28% weight89
Travellers 65+Crime +13% weight · Health & Air +16% weight · Stability +4% weight89
Business tripCrime +14% weight · Stability +6% weight89
09 · Questions
Ottawa safety FAQ
Is Ottawa safe for tourists right now?
Yes — Ottawa is one of Canada's safest major cities for visitors, with low violent crime and a strong police presence. Ottawa scores a 91 composite safety index, placing it in the top 3% of global destinations for safety. Homicide, terrorism and road‑traffic death rates are all far below world averages, and the city enjoys high scores for governance, health and environmental hazards. While petty theft and occasional late‑night disturbances occur in busy districts, they are rare and typically non‑violent. (Assessed 28 July 2026.)
Which areas of Ottawa should tourists avoid?
Field research flags Somerset, Rideau Rockcliffe as best avoided. See the district-by-district safety map.
What are the most common scams in Ottawa?
- Fake Parliament tour or museum ticket scams targeting tourists
- Overpriced taxi rides and unlicensed rideshare operators
- Street petition or charity hustles that pressure for donations
How does Ottawa compare with other places in Canada?
Ottawa ranks #1 of 7 Canada destinations we've assessed, scoring 90/100. See the Canada safety overview for the full list.
How is this Ottawa safety score calculated?
The score blends 12+ public data sources — government advisories, UNODC/World Bank crime statistics, WHO health data, live air quality and disaster alerts — with AI field research over current local reporting. The databases carry 82% of the weight; the traveller-sentiment score from field research carries 18%. Full methodology.
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4 reportsBrowse the Canada safety overview or all destinations. Raw data: ottawa.json (CC BY 4.0).