Halifax, Canada: travel guide
Atlantic port city of waterfront boardwalks and seafaring history
Historic Atlantic port city in Nova Scotia, with a lively waterfront, maritime history and East-Coast seafood.
About Halifax
Halifax is the main city of Nova Scotia and a working Atlantic port with a strong maritime past. The waterfront boardwalk is the natural focus, lined with ships, museums and seafood restaurants, and the hilltop Citadel overlooks the harbour from its star-shaped fort.
Take in the exhibits at the Maritime Museum of the Atlantic, stroll through the Victorian Public Gardens, or walk the trails of Point Pleasant Park. A short drive down the coast leads to Peggy's Cove, whose lighthouse and granite shoreline are among the iconic sights of Nova Scotia.
Halifax suits history lovers, seafood fans and travellers exploring the Maritime provinces. Summer is the best time to visit Halifax for mild weather, with early autumn also pleasant.
- Country
- Canada
- Currency
- CAD
- Time zone
- America/Halifax
- Nearest airport
- YHZ
Last updated
Top places to visit in Halifax
Peggy's Cove
lighthouse-village · 4.8 rating · about 2 h · check the fee at the gate
Iconic fishing village ~43km from Halifax, famed for its classic red-and-white lighthouse on granite shores.
Halifax Waterfront Boardwalk
waterfront-promenade · 4.7 rating · about 1.5 h · check the fee at the gate
One of the world's longest urban boardwalks lined with restaurants, shops, buskers, and harbour views.
Halifax Citadel National Historic Site
historic-fort · 4.6 rating · about 2 h · check the fee at the gate
Star-shaped 19th-century British fort atop Citadel Hill with the noon gun, 78th Highlanders, and city views.
Maritime Museum of the Atlantic
maritime-museum · 4.6 rating · about 2 h · check the fee at the gate
Canada's oldest and largest maritime museum, with Titanic and Halifax Explosion exhibits and historic vessels.
Halifax Public Gardens
botanical-garden · 4.7 rating · about 1 h · check the fee at the gate
Victorian-era formal gardens (1867) with fountains, a bandstand, and seasonal floral displays.
Point Pleasant Park
urban-park · 4.7 rating · about 1.5 h · check the fee at the gate
75-hectare wooded park at the harbour's mouth with trails, beaches, and the Prince of Wales Tower.
Canadian Museum of Immigration at Pier 21
history-museum · 4.5 rating · about 2 h · check the fee at the gate
National museum at the historic ocean gateway where nearly one million immigrants entered Canada 1928-1971.
Halifax Seaport Farmers' Market
farmers-market · 4.5 rating · about 1 h · check the fee at the gate
North America's oldest continuously operating farmers' market, with local produce, crafts, and food vendors.
Alexander Keith's Nova Scotia Brewery
brewery · 4.5 rating · about 1.3 h · check the fee at the gate
Historic 1820 brewery offering costumed guided tours, tastings, and live music in the cellars.
Fairview Lawn Cemetery
cemetery · 4.6 rating · about 0.8 h · check the fee at the gate
Resting place of 121 Titanic victims, the largest number of Titanic graves in the world.
Art Gallery of Nova Scotia
art-gallery · 4.5 rating · about 1.5 h · check the fee at the gate
Provincial art gallery with Maud Lewis's painted house and Nova Scotian and Canadian collections.
Halifax Town Clock
landmark · 4.4 rating · about 0.3 h · check the fee at the gate
Landmark four-faced clock tower on Citadel Hill, operating since 1803, a symbol of the city.
Things to do
- Halifax Harbour Boat Tour Boat · 1.5 h · from CAD 38 per person
- Peggy's Cove Day Tour Day Trip · 4 h · from CAD 75 per person
- Alexander Keith's Brewery Tour Brewery Tour · 1.3 h · from CAD 32 per person
- Whale Watching Excursion Wildlife · 3 h · from CAD 85 per person
- Halifax Citadel Guided Experience Walking Tour · 1.5 h · from CAD 16 per person
- Halifax Food & Donair Walking Tour Food Tour · 3 h · from CAD 95 per person
- Tall Ship Silva Sailing Cruise Sailing · 2 h · from CAD 49 per person
- Hop-On Hop-Off Halifax City Tour Bus Tour · 1.5 h · from CAD 45 per person
Day trips and tours
- Peggy's Cove & Lunenburg Full-Day Tour 8 h · from CAD 135
- Annapolis Valley Wine & Coast Day Tour 9 h · from CAD 155
- Cabot Trail 2-Day Cape Breton Tour 30 h · from CAD 595
Where to stay in Halifax
- Downtown / Waterfront about CAD 230 per night
The heart of Halifax — walkable to the boardwalk, restaurants, museums, and nightlife.
- North End about CAD 170 per night
Trendy, artsy neighbourhood with indie cafes, breweries, and Gottingen Street dining.
- Dartmouth about CAD 150 per night
Across the harbour, quieter and more residential, with great skyline views and a short ferry ride downtown.
Hotels
- Muir Halifax, Autograph Collection 5-star · CAD 400 to CAD 800 per night
- The Halliburton 4-star · CAD 180 to CAD 320 per night
- Halifax Marriott Harbourfront Hotel 4-star · CAD 200 to CAD 360 per night
- The Prince George Hotel 4-star · CAD 170 to CAD 300 per night
- Cambridge Suites Hotel Halifax 3.5-star · CAD 150 to CAD 260 per night
- The Westin Nova Scotian 4-star · CAD 180 to CAD 320 per night
Where to eat
- Salty's on the Waterfront Seafood, Canadian · about CAD 45 per person
- The Bicycle Thief Italian, Seafood · about CAD 50 per person
- The Five Fishermen Seafood, Canadian · about CAD 70 per person
- King of Donair Donair, Fast Food, Lebanese · about CAD 15 per person
- 2 Doors Down Canadian, Comfort Food · about CAD 35 per person
- The Wooden Monkey Canadian, Vegetarian, Organic · about CAD 38 per person
- Battery Park Beer Bar & Eatery Gastropub, Pizza · about CAD 35 per person
- Edna Canadian, Bistro · about CAD 48 per person
Getting to Halifax
Airport: Halifax (YHZ)
Getting around
- Bus
- Ferry
- Ride Hail
- Walking
Safety and scams to avoid
Overpriced unmetered airport taxis
Halifax Stanfield International Airport
Some drivers may quote inflated fares or avoid the meter for the ~35km downtown trip.
How to avoid it: Use the flat-rate zone fare (~$65 to downtown), confirm the price upfront, or book Uber/Lyft.
Aggressive parking ticketing downtown
Downtown Halifax & Spring Garden Rd
Visitors unfamiliar with paid street parking and time limits get ticketed quickly.
How to avoid it: Read parking signs carefully, pay at the HotSpot app or meter, and watch posted time limits.
More in Canada
Frequently asked questions about Halifax
- What are the top-rated places to visit in Halifax?
- The highest-rated places in our Halifax guide are Peggy's Cove, Halifax Waterfront Boardwalk, Halifax Public Gardens, Point Pleasant Park, Halifax Citadel National Historic Site.
- Where should I stay in Halifax?
- Our guide covers these areas to stay in Halifax: Downtown / Waterfront, North End, Dartmouth.
- How do I get around Halifax?
- Ways to get around Halifax covered in our guide: City bus, Ferry, Ride-hailing app, Walking.
- What scams should I watch out for in Halifax?
- Scams reported to us for Halifax include Overpriced unmetered airport taxis; Aggressive parking ticketing downtown. Each is explained in the guide, with how to avoid it.
- Which airport is nearest to Halifax?
- The nearest airport to Halifax has the code YHZ.