Nova Scotia

Facing the wild swells of the Atlantic, Nova Scotia is heavily influenced by the sea. With its candy-striped lighthouses, salty fishing towns and towering red cliffs, this Maritime province feels thrillingly rugged and wild, especially in winter, when storms thrash the coastline and the ocean freezes. But come summer it's a different picture: Nova Scotians emerge to hike the trails, lounge on the beaches, tuck into gigantic lobster suppers and celebrate their Celtic roots with lively ceilidhs (parties with music and dancing). Life here has always been tough, but the locals' warm-hearted humor can't fail to make you feel welcome.

Best Time to Visit

Best Things to Do

Attractions

Must-see attractions for your itinerary

Fortress of Louisbourg National Historic Site
Cape Breton Island
The fortunes of the province that became Nova Scotia are inextricably bound up with this mighty fortress, built by the French but battled over countless…
Alexander Graham Bell National Historic Site
Cape Breton Island
Telecommunications pioneer and inventor Alexander Graham Bell fell in love with Bras d'Or during a family holiday – apparently the hilly scenery reminded…
Citadel Hill National Historic Site
Halifax
Perched atop the grassy hillock looming over town, this star-shaped fort played a key role in Halifax's founding. Construction began in 1749; the current…
Cape Chignecto Provincial Park
Nova Scotia
This isolated wilderness on the Bay of Fundy offers some of the best coastal hiking in Nova Scotia. The 55km coastal loop usually takes three days to…
Canadian Museum of Immigration at Pier 21
Halifax
There's an argument that this dockside museum is Canada's most important institution. Between 1928 and 1971, Pier 21 was the Canadian version of the USA's…
Joggins Fossil Cliffs
Nova Scotia
Located on the site of the Old Joggins No 7 Coal Mine, this impressive visitor center relates the story of the World Heritage–listed Joggins Fossil Cliffs…
Fort Anne National Historic Site
Annapolis Valley
The strategic importance of Annapolis Royal, particularly its access to the Annapolis River, led to decades of conflict, mostly centered on this…
Grand Pré National Historic Site
Annapolis Valley
This interpretive center explains the historical context for the deportation of the French-Acadian people from Acadian, Mi'kmaw and British perspectives,…

View more attractions

Top picks from our travel experts

The 10 best things to do in Nova Scotia

Curated by Yashy Murphy

Trout Point Lodge
Nova Scotia
Situated at the edge of the Tobeatic Wilderness Area, this fabulously luxurious forest lodge offers a taste of the wild blended with old-fashioned country…
Peggy's Point Lighthouse
Nova Scotia
The highlight of the cove is this picture-perfect lighthouse, built in 1914. It's supposedly the most photographed lighthouse in Canada, and for many…
Cape George Point Lighthouse
Nova Scotia
This handsome, scarlet-topped 110m lighthouse atop Cape George Point overlooks the calm waters of St Georges Bay. The present light (the third) was built…

The top 15 free things to do in Nova Scotia

Curated by Helen Earley

Église Ste-Marie
Nova Scotia
The town of Church Point, also commonly known as Pointe de l'Église, takes its name from Église Ste-Marie, which towers over the town. Built between 1903…
Halifax Public Gardens
Halifax
Established in 1867 to mark Confederation, but formally opened to the public in 1875, Halifax's delightful 6.5-hectare public gardens are a fine example…
Fort Point Lighthouse
Nova Scotia
Built in 1885, this lighthouse at the end of the spit of land overlooking Liverpool harbor stands on the place where Frenchmen Pierre Dugua and Samuel de…
Fort Anne National Historic Site
Annapolis Valley
The strategic importance of Annapolis Royal, particularly its access to the Annapolis River, led to decades of conflict, mostly centered on this…
St Paul's Church
Halifax
The oldest surviving building in Halifax is also the oldest Protestant place of worship in Canada. Established in 1749 with the founding of Halifax, St…
Africville Heritage Trust Museum
Halifax
Learn the story of Africville, Halifax's predominantly African suburb, the residents of which were evicted and their homes razed in what became the local…
William E deGarthe Gallery & Monument
Nova Scotia
Finnish-born local artist William deGarthe (1907–83) carved the magnificent Lasting Monument to Nova Scotian Fishermen into a 30m granite outcrop behind…
Cape Forchu Lightstation
Nova Scotia
Instantly recognisable thanks to its strange 'apple core' shape (designed to deflect winds around the structure), the present-day lighthouse on the lonely…
Maritime Museum of the Atlantic
Halifax
Sea dogs will love this briny museum on the waterfront, which houses a huge collection of maritime memorabilia relating to Atlantic Canada's many nautical…
Canadian Museum of Immigration at Pier 21
Halifax
There's an argument that this dockside museum is Canada's most important institution. Between 1928 and 1971, Pier 21 was the Canadian version of the USA's…
Citadel Hill National Historic Site
Halifax
Perched atop the grassy hillock looming over town, this star-shaped fort played a key role in Halifax's founding. Construction began in 1749; the current…
Bluenose II
Nova Scotia
Launched in 1963, this handsome replica of the Bluenose racing schooner (arguably the most famous boat in Canadian history, and certainly the only one to…