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What to expect

Rich maritime history, breathtaking coastline, and fresh seafood - what more could you ask for on holiday? How about live music, festivals, lighthouses, and a rich melting pot of cultures? The capital of Nova Scotia has plenty to offer.

The best time to visit Halifax is arguably between May and October. The summer months are often considered the ideal time, thanks to warm weather and plenty of fun festivals and events. It's the best season to take advantage of the area’s beaches, parks and trails – but autumn is also beautiful, with crisp temperatures and colourful foliage.

Before you sample the salty Atlantic air and ample seafood of the Canadian Maritimes, how about comparing the weather and fresh fish in Reykjavík? When you book flights to Halifax from the UK with Icelandair you can add a Stopover in Iceland at no additional airfare.

Exploring Nova Scotia

Halifax is the capital of Nova Scotia, the province in the easternmost part of Canada. It’s almost completely surrounded by the Atlantic Ocean and bills itself as ‘Canada’s Ocean Playground’.

Nova Scotia's neighbours include New Brunswick and Prince Edward Island. Collectively, these three provinces are known as the Maritime provinces, or simply 'the Maritimes'. There’s no end of coastline to explore, lighthouses to admire, and fresh seafood to sample in the area.

Halifax is also a gateway to some fantastic natural wonders, from the Bay of Fundy (famed for high tides and remarkable fossils) to the beautiful Cape Breton Island.

Furthermore, Nova Scotia is blessed with many beautiful sandy beaches.

You can make Halifax your hub and find lots of options for day trips from the city, or you can plot out a Maritime road trip that lasts as long as you like. However you decide to spend your time in Nova Scotia, you’ll find delights at every corner.

Halifax attractions

Standing guard over the large, deep natural harbour and downtown skyline, Halifax's remarkable Citadel is a star-shaped 19th-century fortress that's worth investigating. Meanwhile the Halifax Town Clock which was completed in 1803, and has been restored several times since, is another icon of the city.

As a historic port city, Halifax has always been tightly connected to its waterfront, and the boardwalk is a hive of activity. The Canadian Museum of Immigration at Pier 21 honours all the immigrants (over a million) who arrived here to start a new life in Canada.

Another worthwhile stop is the Maritime Museum of the Atlantic, which details seafaring stories connected to the city, including the 1912 Titanic sinking. Ships from Halifax were involved in the rescue efforts and a number of victims of the disaster were buried in the town.

Other favourite places to explore are the pretty Halifax Public Gardens, and the award-winning Central Library, a beautiful piece of modern architecture.

Day trips from Halifax

Everyone's favourite day trip from Halifax is to Peggy’s Cove. It is 28 miles (45km) southwest of Halifax.

Peggy’s Cove is one of the most-visited (and photographed) fishing villages in Canada, and it's easy to see why. Its iconic red-and-white lighthouse perches on boulders, the small coves are full of boats, and the scene is simply idyllic.

Further afield (62 miles or 100km from Halifax) is delightful Lunenburg, a World Heritage site recognised for its preserved seafaring heritage.

It was established in 1753, and a wander among its narrow streets and brightly painted wooden architecture is an evocative step back in time, best complemented by a scenic boat trip on a storied sailing vessel known as a schooner.

Another popular option is a day trip to the Annapolis Valley, Nova Scotia's wine country. Sample wines from sparkling and icewine to rosés and reds and be sure to try out the signature appellation wine Tidal Bay.

What to eat

Seafood is everywhere in this maritime city. The fish and chips are a good bet, as is creamy chowder, but you can't really go wrong with any dish featuring local oysters, scallops and lobster.

Great homegrown flavour is found at the Halifax Seaport Farmers Market, which has been in existence since 1750, making it one of the oldest in North America. Browse what's local and seasonal, or pick up treats for a picnic if the weather is good.

The official snack of Halifax is the donair, which is similar to kebab or gyro. The donair is a pita sandwich of Greek origin, filled with sliced meat (typically beef) with tomato, onions and topped with donair sauce.

The donair is best eaten late at night after a few drinks. We recommend checking out a branch of the King of Donair chain if you want to eat like a local.

Leisure hotspots

Downtown Halifax and the North End host the lion's share of eating options. North End in particular has some great spots, plus on-trend cafes and microbreweries. In particular, take a stroll along Agricola Street for a wide range of options.

In the downtown area, the boardwalk is a 2-mile (4km) harborside adventure area of stores, beer gardens, museums, restaurants, tours, playgrounds, and public art.

A cluster of old warehouses sits towards the northern end of the boardwalk. It's known as the Historic Properties, and you’ll find some tasty options there.

Also downtown, Argyle Street has come to be known as Halifax’s entertainment epicentre.

Stretching over three blocks, Argyle Street is home to live theatre, bistros, pubs, restaurants, and bars, with patios that spill out into the street during the summer months. It’s an especially great place to stop and sample a pint or two of Halifax’s local craft beer.

Getting around the city

Travelling around the city of Halifax is easy. Indeed, walking is one of the best ways to admire the waterfront as many of the top attractions are by the boardwalk and within walking distance of one another. Cycling is also a good option in summer.

For public transport, the bus is the way to go. Halifax Transit has several routes that travel locally as well as to suburban and outer areas in the city.

Don’t miss out on using the harbour ferry - one of the best (and cheapest) ways to see the city. The 15-minute journey between the Halifax waterfront and the nearby town of Dartmouth is the most affordable harbour cruise around. It’s an experience you won’t want to miss while in Halifax.

Beyond Halifax

A car is useful for exploring Nova Scotia.

The province is home to more than 8,000 miles (13,000km) of coastline, thousands of lakes, lush valleys, three national parks, six UNESCO World Heritage Sites, the world's highest tides, and good whale-watching opportunities.

There are golf courses, stellar hiking trails, lots of beaches, and quality kayaking and canoeing.

One of the region's best activities is to drive the famous Cabot Trail, voted one of the world's most scenic drives, as it weaves 186 miles (300km) through the Cape Breton Highlands National Park.

You might also like to tap into the creative itineraries suggested by the local tourism board, such as the Nova Scotia Good Cheer Trail, a route with stops at wineries, craft breweries, cideries and distilleries. For seafood fans, there's a Nova Scotia Lobster Trail, guiding you to all the best places to experience lobster dinners, lobster rolls, and everything in between.