St. John's, Canada: travel guide
Colourful harbour houses and Atlantic headlands in Newfoundland
Colourful, weather-beaten capital of Newfoundland, North America's easternmost city with rich seafaring heritage.
About St. John's
St. John's is the capital of Newfoundland and Labrador and sits on the island's eastern edge, among the most easterly points in North America. Rows of brightly painted houses climb the hills above a deep, narrow harbour, giving the city a look that is quickly recognisable.
A short climb up Signal Hill brings Cabot Tower and wide views of the Atlantic, and Cape Spear nearby is a dramatic headland with a historic lighthouse. In town, George Street is the centre of the pub and live-music scene, and Quidi Vidi is a small fishing village with a lakeside brewery.
St. John's suits travellers who enjoy coastal scenery, music and a distinctive local culture. Summer is the most reliable season, and the weather can change quickly at any time of year.
- Country
- Canada
- Currency
- CAD
- Time zone
- America/St_Johns
- Nearest airport
- YYT
Last updated
Top places to visit in St. John's
Basilica of St. John the Baptist
basilica · 4.6 rating · about 0.8 h · check the fee at the gate
A 19th-century Romanesque Revival cathedral-basilica and National Historic Site, one of the largest churches in North America when built, dominating the downtown skyline.
Quidi Vidi Village & Brewery
fishing-village · 4.7 rating · about 1.5 h · check the fee at the gate
A picturesque fishing village tucked in a sheltered cove, home to colourful stages, the Quidi Vidi Brewery and Mallard Cottage. A charming spot for a pint and a stroll.
Petty Harbour
fishing-village · 4.6 rating · about 1.5 h · check the fee at the gate
A quintessential Newfoundland fishing village a short drive south of the city, with weathered wharves, a mini aquarium and Newfoundland's oldest continuously fished waters.
George Street
entertainment-district · 4.5 rating · about 2 h · check the fee at the gate
A short downtown street famously packed with pubs and bars, said to have more per square foot than any other street in North America. The heart of St. John's nightlife.
The Rooms
provincial-museum · 4.7 rating · about 2 h · check the fee at the gate
Newfoundland and Labrador's flagship provincial museum, art gallery and archives, with exhibits on the province's history, culture and natural world plus harbour views.
Quidi Vidi Lake
lake · 4.6 rating · about 1 h · check the fee at the gate
A scenic urban lake circled by a popular 4 km walking path and the historic venue of the Royal St. John's Regatta, North America's oldest sporting event.
Witless Bay Ecological Reserve
ecological-reserve · 4.8 rating · about 3 h · check the fee at the gate
A protected cluster of islands south of the city hosting North America's largest Atlantic puffin colony plus humpback whales and icebergs in summer, reached by boat tour.
Johnson Geo Centre
science-museum · 4.6 rating · about 1.5 h · check the fee at the gate
A largely underground geology museum on Signal Hill exploring Newfoundland's ancient rocks, the Titanic story and space, built into 550-million-year-old bedrock.
Bannerman Park
urban-park · 4.5 rating · about 0.8 h · check the fee at the gate
A historic downtown Victorian-era park with walking paths, a playground, a seasonal outdoor pool and a winter skating loop, popular for festivals.
Signal Hill National Historic Site & Cabot Tower
national-historic-site · 4.8 rating · about 2 h · check the fee at the gate
Hilltop fortification overlooking the Narrows where Marconi received the first transatlantic wireless signal in 1901. Cabot Tower (1900) crowns the summit with sweeping views of the harbour and Atlantic, plus the popular North Head Trail.
Cape Spear National Historic Site
lighthouse · 4.8 rating · about 1.5 h · check the fee at the gate
The easternmost point in North America, home to Newfoundland's oldest surviving lighthouse (1836) and dramatic clifftop views ideal for spotting icebergs and whales in season.
Jellybean Row Houses
streetscape · 4.6 rating · about 0.8 h · check the fee at the gate
St. John's signature brightly painted row houses lining the steep downtown streets, a beloved photo subject and symbol of the city.
Things to do
- Witless Bay Puffin & Whale Boat Tour Boat · 2.5 h · from CAD 75 per person
- Iceberg Viewing Boat Tour Boat · 2.5 h · from CAD 80 per person
- Signal Hill & North Head Trail Guided Hike Hiking · 2.5 h · from CAD 45 per person
- Screech-In Cultural Experience Cultural · 1 h · from CAD 25 per person
- Cape Spear & Petty Harbour Sightseeing Tour Sightseeing · 4 h · from CAD 90 per person
- Downtown St. John's Walking & Food Tour Food Tour · 3 h · from CAD 85 per person
Day trips and tours
- Witless Bay Puffins & Whales Boat Tour 5 h · from CAD 110
- Cape Spear & Petty Harbour Day Tour 5 h · from CAD 95
- Iceberg Alley Seasonal Tour 4 h · from CAD 100
Where to stay in St. John's
- Downtown / Harbour about CAD 200 per night
The walkable heart of St. John's along Water and Duckworth Streets, steps from the harbour, George Street nightlife, restaurants and the colourful row houses.
- Georgestown about CAD 150 per night
A quiet, historic residential neighbourhood of Victorian row houses just uphill from downtown, popular for B&Bs and an easy walk to the city centre.
- Airport / Portugal Cove Road about CAD 170 per night
Convenient hotel cluster near St. John's airport and the Portugal Cove ferry, good for early flights and Bell Island day trips, with free parking.
Hotels
- Alt Hotel St. John's 4-star · CAD 190 to CAD 280 per night
- Sheraton Hotel Newfoundland 4-star · CAD 220 to CAD 340 per night
- JAG Boutique Hotel 4-star · CAD 175 to CAD 250 per night
- The Roxbury B&B 3-star · CAD 120 to CAD 175 per night
- Courtyard by Marriott St. John's 3-star · CAD 165 to CAD 235 per night
- Holiday Inn St. John's 3-star · CAD 150 to CAD 210 per night
Where to eat
- Ches's Fish and Chips Fish and Chips, Newfoundland, Seafood · about CAD 20 per person
- Mallard Cottage Newfoundland, Canadian, Contemporary · about CAD 70 per person
- Rocket Bakery Bakery, Cafe · about CAD 15 per person
- The Duke of Duckworth Pub, Fish and Chips, British · about CAD 22 per person
- Leo's Restaurant Fish and Chips, Seafood · about CAD 18 per person
- Adelaide Oyster House Seafood, Tapas, Contemporary · about CAD 45 per person
- Raymonds Fine Dining, Newfoundland, Contemporary · about CAD 120 per person
- Chinched Canadian, Bistro, Newfoundland · about CAD 55 per person
Getting to St. John's
Airport: St. John's (YYT)
Getting around
- Bus
- Car Rental Self
- Walking
Safety and scams to avoid
Inflated taxi fares without a meter
Airport and George Street late-night
Some drivers may quote a high flat fare or take a roundabout route, particularly for late-night George Street pickups or airport runs, since the city uses a zone-fare system rather than meters.
How to avoid it: Confirm the fare or zone before getting in, ask for the standard airport-to-downtown rate (~$25-30 CAD), and use reputable dispatch taxi companies.
More in Canada
Frequently asked questions about St. John's
- What are the top-rated places to visit in St. John's?
- The highest-rated places in our St. John's guide are Witless Bay Ecological Reserve, Signal Hill National Historic Site & Cabot Tower, Cape Spear National Historic Site, Quidi Vidi Village & Brewery, The Rooms.
- Where should I stay in St. John's?
- Our guide covers these areas to stay in St. John's: Downtown / Harbour, Georgestown, Airport / Portugal Cove Road.
- How do I get around St. John's?
- Ways to get around St. John's covered in our guide: City bus, Self-drive car, Walking.
- What scams should I watch out for in St. John's?
- Scams reported to us for St. John's include Inflated taxi fares without a meter. Each is explained in the guide, with how to avoid it.
- Which airport is nearest to St. John's?
- The nearest airport to St. John's has the code YYT.