Upper Rideau Lake

Westport Real Estate

The village photographers can't leave — sandy beach, limestone streetscape, Rideau Canal at the door

~700

Population

~$520K

Avg Home Price

Village

Municipality Type

Rideau Lakes

Region

Westport's reputation as the prettiest village in Ontario is not accidental — it has a Main Street that photographs itself. The 19th-century limestone and wood-frame buildings line a street that opens directly onto the sandy municipal beach on Upper Rideau Lake, creating a visual that is so completely composed that visitors regularly assume it has been staged. The Rideau Canal UNESCO system is the water highway; Westport's sheltered bay is where boaters stop, linger, and sometimes never leave. The village is genuinely tiny — under 700 year-round residents — but the quality of the environment is outsized by any measure.

Perth, with its full range of services, is 25 km east; Kingston is 90 km south; Ottawa is about 100 km north. Westport sits in the sweet spot between accessible and genuinely removed from the pressures of larger places, and the housing market reflects the premium that comes with being genuinely, photographably beautiful on the Rideau system. Upper Rideau Lake provides excellent fishing, sailing, and kayaking, and the surrounding Rideau Lakes Township landscape — Shield rock, mixed forest, farm fields — changes character gorgeously through every season.

Village Heritage Homes

Limestone and wood-frame homes on Westport's historic streets — a rare and small inventory that turns over infrequently. Buyers who find one of these rarely let go willingly.

~$450K–$780K

Upper Rideau Lake Waterfront

Rideau Canal system frontage on Upper Rideau Lake — boating access to the full 202 km UNESCO waterway, sandy beach proximity, and the particular magic of Rideau water light at sunset.

~$700K–$1.4M

Rural Rideau Lakes

Shield and farm properties in the surrounding Rideau Lakes Township — lakes, forests, and classic Eastern Ontario countryside within minutes of Westport's village amenities.

~$380K–$680K

Westport Real Estate — FAQ

What is the average home price in Westport?

Homes in Westport average around $520,000. Village heritage properties are scarce and trade at a premium; waterfront on Upper Rideau Lake trades higher. Rural properties in the surrounding Rideau Lakes area offer more accessible entry points.

Is Westport really the prettiest village in Ontario?

That title has been applied to several Ontario villages, but Westport's case is strong: the combination of the sandy beach immediately adjacent to the limestone Main Street, the Rideau Canal backdrop, and the surrounding Shield landscape creates a visual environment that is genuinely exceptional. The claim holds up in person.

Is Westport on the Rideau Canal?

Yes. Upper Rideau Lake, on which Westport sits, is part of the Rideau Canal UNESCO World Heritage system. Boaters on the full Rideau route regularly stop in Westport. The village does not have a lock, but the canal system connects to Westport via the lake.

What services does Westport have?

Westport is genuinely small — a general store, a few restaurants, a marina, and a library make up the core services. Perth (25 km east) provides groceries, hardware, healthcare, and the full range of small-city services for Westport residents.

How far is Westport from Ottawa and Kingston?

Westport is approximately 100 km north of Kingston (about 1.5 hours) and 105 km southwest of Ottawa (about 1.5 hours). It sits roughly equidistant between both cities, which is part of its appeal as an escape for residents of either centre.

Does Ontario's Land Transfer Tax apply in Westport?

Yes. Ontario's provincial LTT: 0.5% on the first $55,000; 1.0% on $55,001–$250,000; 1.5% on $250,001–$400,000; 2.0% on $400,001–$2,000,000. On a $520,000 purchase that's approximately $6,475. No municipal LTT outside Toronto. First-time buyers may claim the FTHB rebate up to $4,000.

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