Nova Scotia

Your invitation to experience the best of Nova Scotia has arrived!

The province of Nova Scotia, whose vibrant coastal capital Halifax is the main international gateway to the Atlantic Canada region, sits on Canada’s eastern seaboard. Over 13,000km of coastline comprises the Nova Scotia peninsula, Cape Breton Island, and a few small adjacent islands.

Nova Scotia’s seven unique regions - Halifax Metro, South Shore, Yarmouth and Acadian Shores, Bay of Fundy and Annapolis Valley, Northumberland Shore, Eastern Shore, and Cape Breton Island – are home to colourful fishing villages, quaint coastal towns, and breathtaking scenery and trails.

From Yarmouth in the west to Cape Breton Island in the east, experience sandy beaches, mountain hikes, whale watching, coastal inlets, national parks, charming seaside towns, bustling city nights, and so much more.

Savour seafood, fresh produce, and locally-inspired menus, paired with wines, beer, cider, and spirits. Visit stunning Cape Breton Island, home to the Cabot Trail – one of the most scenic drives in the whole of North America – and epic hikes such as the Skyline Trail. Play golf at world-class golf courses; and discover a history that’s tied to the sea.

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Visiting Nova Scotia is easy when you can arrive by land, sea, and air!

Your direct flight from the UK to the capital city of Halifax is shorter than you think and gives you just enough time to prepare yourself for all the adventures ahead! There are WestJet flights from Dublin, Edinburgh, and London Gatwick and also a year-round service on Air Canada from London Heathrow.

Nova Scotia’s also a breeze to get to by water, especially aboard a cruise ship. More than 20 major cruise lines visit Nova Scotia – from the marquee ports of Halifax and Sydney to the smaller ports of call a variety of shore excursions provide rich cultural experience to suit all tastes.

Discover Nova Scotia’s story by experiencing its rich culture, heritage, and arts!

Nova Scotia's traditions of Mi’kmaq, Acadian, African Nova Scotian, and Gaelic influences live strong in the everyday. The art, music, language, and spirituality of the native Mi’kmaq people are a drum beat away and the spirit of L’Acadie echoes deep in the culture, a legacy of French and British settlers.

Nova Scotia’s artisans craft unique art inspired by history, cultures, and natural landscapes; especially along the Cabot Trail and the South Shore. The region’s culture is written in the lives of Nova Scotia’s people and also written in their stage plays, films, music, and art.

Nova Scotia offers four seasons of outdoor adventures and activities!

Embark on a guided sea kayaking tour or learn to surf in autumn. Snowshoe to the top of a trail in the winter and explore the many trailways by bike in the spring. Experience nature at Cape Breton Highlands National Park; go whale watching in the Bay of Fundy; and ride a horse at Shelby Ranch.

Try tidal bore rafting on the Shubenacadie River; step back to the Coal age at Joggins Fossil Cliffs; ride the Gondola at Cape Smokey; fly over Sambro Island by helicopter; get up close to sharks from Halifax and Liverpool; and go off the beaten track by side-by-side ATV in South Shore.

Fresh and local aren’t a choice here – they’re a way of life!

The food and drink scene was built on its connection to the sea and understanding of the land. From Good Cheer Trail’s award-winning craft breweries, distilleries, cideries, and wineries to feasts made with the finest local ingredients; there’s plenty of delicious ways to whet your appetite in Nova Scotia.

Throughout the province, innovative speciality food shops offer amazing and unique culinary treats; the 40+ farmer’s markets offer local meats, fresh seafood, and locally-grown produce; and food and drink tours are the ideal way to discover the best of what’s on offer with a knowledgeable local guide.

Discover the stories and histories of Nova Scotia at museums, lighthouses, gardens, and UNESCO sites!

Walk in the footsteps of Canada’s oldest dinosaurs at Fundy Geological Museum; discover the people, places, and machines of the past at Nova Scotia Museum of Industry; and meet bees, butterflies, and nature at Museum of Natural History. Visit the Peggy’s Cove, Cape Forchu, and Cape d’Or Lighthouses.

Wander through Annapolis Royal Historic Gardens, Halifax Public Gardens, and Harriet Irving Botanical Gardens. Discover the UNESCO-listed Cliffs of Fundy, Joggins Fossil Cliffs, Old Town Lunenberg, the Landscape of Grand Pré, Bras d’Or Lake, and Southwest Nova Biosphere Interpretive Centre.

Here a just a few of the fascinating places to visit throughout Nova Scotia!
 
Nature lovers will relish Cape Breton Island trails and the epic kayaking and stargazing at Kejimkujik National Park and National Historic Site. Other crowd-pleasers include the world-class whale watching, as offered in Digby, Chéticamp and Ingonish, and tidal bore rafting in the Bay of Fundy, home to the world’s highest tides. 
 
Areas such as Wolfville and the Annapolis Valley offer foodies the chance to pair Nova Scotia’s famous seafood such as lobster and crab with local wines, including Nova Scotia’s signature appellation Tidal Bay.
 
Scenic drives include the Cabot Trail on Cape Breton Island and the Lighthouse Route along the Southern Shore, the latter home to photogenic sites such as the colourful coastal town of Lunenburg and Peggy’s Cove, with its famous lighthouse. 
 
And history fans will appreciate Halifax’s fascinating museums while locations such as New Glasgow, Antigonish and Pictou offer fascinating insight into the proud Scottish heritage of Nova Scotia, AKA ‘New Scotland’. Alternatively, Grand-Pré National Historic Site is a great place to discover the province’s Acadian French roots while bucolic Kejimkujik National Park and National Historic Site offers insight into the history of the Mi’kmaq people.