Guided Tours
Enjoy a moment of discovery and contemplation on a group tour.
Whether you visit alone, with friends or as part of an organized group, our guided tours will help you explore the National Gallery of Canada's extensive collection and special exhibitions.
Join a tour
Guided Gallery Tours
Join one of our Guides to learn about the Gallery's architecture and discover must-see works of art.
Check out our Events Calendar for tour times and themes.
Duration: 45 minutes
Cost: $3 per person (in addition to admission). Free for Members
Tickets can be purchased in person at the Box Office on the day of your visit.
3 to See
Drop in tours on Free Thursday Nights presented by BMO.
30 minutes, one theme, three artworks: discover new-to-you spaces and artists with 3 to See, a selection of three artworks connected by one theme.
Check out our Events Calendar for tour times and themes.
Duration: 30 minutes
Cost: free
Drop-in activity. No registration required.
Group Visits
Your group of friends or colleagues will enjoy a thematic exploration of the Gallery's collections or special exhibitions. Check out our current offer in the Program Descriptions below.
Duration: Tours are offered during Gallery hours and last 60 minutes unless otherwise indicated.
Cost: $2 per person (in addition to admission). Taxes not included. Minimum 10 participants.
Payment processed in a single lump sum for your group on the day of the visit.
Registration required three weeks in advance. To register, please fill out the reservation form. If you require additional support, please contact us by email at [email protected], or call 613-990-4888.
Group Visit Descriptions
Duane Linklater, wintercount_215_kisepîsim (detail), 2022. Linen canvas, cochineal, orange pekoe tea, charcoal, sumac, cotton thread, blueberry dye, dimensions variable. National Gallery of Canada, Ottawa. Purchased 2023. © Duane Linklater. Photo: Steven Cottingham. Courtesy Catriona Jeffries, Vancouver
Winter Count: Embracing the Cold
NEW
November 22, 2025 to March 22, 2026
Winter Count delves into the connections between art by Indigenous Peoples, Canadian settlers and Europeans, all of whom share a fascination with winter. On this tour, your group will explore winter-themed art by these groups and discover points of contact and difference in painting, photography, clothing and more.
Learn more about the exhibition Winter Count: Embracing the Cold
Camera and the City
NEW
January 6 to March 15, 2026
Discover the many ways photographers have captured the spirit and stories of city streets. During this tour, your group will explore a selection of works by both Canadian and international artists from the late 1800s to today, who take the city as their subject.
Learn more about the exhibition Camera and the City
Gallery
Highlights
An introduction to the National Gallery of Canada, its extraordinary glass building and several iconic artworks in the Gallery's collection. Throughout the tour, we consider the notion of originality, the role of a museum and what makes a work of art great using guided discussions.
Highlights from the Indigenous and Canadian Collection
The Indigenous and Canadian Collection presents a broad range of artworks that date from time immemorial to today and includes artistic practices that operate outside the established western canons of art history. On this tour, we consider some of the iconic artworks that give voice to the artists’ visions.
Indigenous
Expressions
First Nations, Métis and Inuit artists from Turtle Island/North America have been creating since time immemorial. Your group will be introduced to Indigenous artwork to appreciate the worldviews of First Nations, Métis and Inuit artists, past and present.
A Picture is Worth a Thousand Words: Visual Thinking Strategies
Visual Thinking Strategies is an inquiry-based facilitation method that fosters participants’ abilities to describe, analyze, and interpret imagery through careful observation and discussion of visual art. On this tour, your group is guided to build a shared understanding of a handful of artworks. A perfect team building experience!
Art Rounds: Visual Thinking Strategies for Healthcare Professionals
Visual Thinking Strategies is an inquiry-based facilitation method that supports the development of clinical soft skills, including critical thinking, building a tolerance with ambiguity, and effective communication. Your group will benefit from the risk-free collaborative technique implemented by healthcare professionals across the world.
This 60-minute tour is followed by an additional 30 minutes to debrief and discuss the connections between the VTS experience and clinical practice. The fee for Art Rounds is $6 per participant + Gallery admission.
For the latest information about current activities, please check out our calendar of events.