Nova Scotia, Canada
Halifax
A salty, walkable harbour city with a hilltop fort, a long boardwalk, lively pubs and seafood. The jumping-off point for Peggy's Cove, Lunenburg and the rest of Nova Scotia.
- Best months
- Jun to Oct
- Ideal stay
- 2 to 3 days
- Train
- Not confirmed
- Bus
- Not confirmed
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Best months
- January
- February
- March
- April
- May
- June, a good time to go
- July, a good time to go
- August, a good time to go
- September, a good time to go
- October, a good time to go
- November
- December
Known as
- Coastal
- Historic
- College town
- Food city
- Music city
Getting there
- Highway / road trip
- Commercial airport
- Local public transit
Train and bus
- Train
- Not confirmed
- Bus
- Not confirmed
People
439,819
in the city, 465,703 in the metro area
Languages
English
Halifax is a naval and university port built around a large natural harbour on the Atlantic. The downtown climbs from the water to the Citadel, a star-shaped fort that looks over the city, and a boardwalk follows the waterfront past old wharves and piers. The city is full of students, sailors and musicians, and it feels friendly and unhurried. It has a hard history too, including the 1917 harbour explosion and its place as a gateway for immigrants and for ships crossing the Atlantic. Dartmouth, across the harbour, is connected to the city by ferry and two bridges.
Start on the waterfront, where the boardwalk links the Maritime Museum of the Atlantic, with its Titanic exhibits, and Pier 21, the Canadian Museum of Immigration. The Halifax Citadel National Historic Site has costumed interpreters and a noon gun. The Halifax Public Gardens are a formal Victorian garden in the middle of town, and Point Pleasant Park is a forested park at the harbour mouth, good for a long walk. Fairview Lawn Cemetery holds graves of Titanic victims. A short ferry ride to Dartmouth gives a view back at the city skyline. Peggy's Cove, with its famous lighthouse, is a short drive southwest.
Seafood is the thing to eat. Look for lobster rolls, chowder, steamed mussels and Nova Scotia oysters at waterfront restaurants and in the lanes off Argyle Street. The donair, a Halifax invention of spiced meat in a pita with a sweet sauce, is the late-night local snack. Craft beer is strong, and the older Alexander Keith's brewery runs tours in a stone building by the harbour. Argyle Street and Granville Street have the pubs, many with live Celtic and folk music. Spring Garden Road and the North End's Gottingen Street offer cafes, bakeries and small restaurants. Dartmouth has a growing set of cafes too.
Downtown and the waterfront are the easiest places to stay, with the boardwalk, the museums and the pubs on foot. The South End, near Dalhousie University and the Public Gardens, is leafy and calm, with guesthouses and cafes. The North End is creative and casual, with murals and independent shops. Dartmouth has quieter stays and ferry views. Halifax Transit buses cover the peninsula, and the harbour ferries link the two shores. The downtown is walkable though hilly. A car is useful for Peggy's Cove and the rest of the province. Parking in the centre is by garage and street meter.
July and August are the warmest and busiest months, with festivals, long evenings and sea breezes. September is a lovely month, with warm days and thinner crowds. Autumn colour comes in October across the province. Winters are cold and wet more than snowy, and the harbour can be grey and windy. Fog is common in spring and early summer. Two days cover the waterfront, the Citadel and the pubs. Three or four days give time for Peggy's Cove and Lunenburg. If you are driving the Maritimes, plan at least one night here.
Halifax is a good base for Nova Scotia. The Lighthouse Route runs southwest along the coast to Peggy's Cove, Mahone Bay and Lunenburg, a UNESCO-listed old town. The Annapolis Valley, with its orchards and wineries, lies to the west, and the Cabot Trail loops around Cape Breton Island to the northeast. A ferry from North Sydney reaches Newfoundland. Moncton and New Brunswick lie to the northwest along Highway 102 and the Trans-Canada. VIA Rail's Ocean train links Halifax to Montreal, ending at Halifax Station.
Highlights
- Halifax Waterfront Boardwalk
A long harbourside walk with wharves, food stalls and ships.
- Halifax Citadel National Historic Site
A star-shaped hilltop fort with a noon gun and costumed guides.
- Maritime Museum of the Atlantic
Ships, the Halifax Explosion and Titanic artefacts.
- Pier 21
Canada's museum of immigration on the old ocean liner wharf.
- Halifax Public Gardens
A Victorian garden with bandstand and ponds.
- Point Pleasant Park
Forested paths and old fortifications at the harbour mouth.
- Peggy's Cove
A lighthouse on granite rocks, a short drive southwest.
- Alexander Keith's Brewery
A tour of a stone brewery with songs and pints.
Neighborhoods
- Downtown and the waterfront
Boardwalk, museums, the Citadel and the main pub streets.
- Argyle and Grafton Streets
A short strip of pubs, restaurants and live music.
- South End
A leafy area near Dalhousie University, with the Public Gardens and cafes.
- North End
Gottingen Street's cafes, murals and independent shops.
- Hydrostone
A small district of rowhouses and shops rebuilt after the 1917 explosion.
- Dartmouth
Across the harbour, with lakes, a waterfront and cafes.
Getting around
Downtown is walkable though hilly, and harbour ferries run between Halifax and Dartmouth. Buses cover the peninsula, and a car is needed for Peggy's Cove and the rest of Nova Scotia.
- Airport
- Halifax Stanfield International Airport (YHZ)
Scores
Very good
- Rated by Route By Design.
- Crime Severity Index around 74 for the metro area; the Canadian figure is about 78. Source: Statistics Canada Crime Severity Index, 2024 (metro area).
- The other scores are estimated from the city’s size, attractions and transport links.
Where to stay
- Camping nearby
- Some
- Hostels
- A few
Showing 1 to 6 of 10
CampgroundsBlueberry Run Trail Campsites151 Grand Desert Station Rd, Halifax, NS RV parksBonnie Brae Trailer Park14 Bonnie Brae Dr, Halifax, NS HotelsDelta Hotels Halifax Downtown1990 Barrington St, Halifax, NS HostelsHI Halifax Heritage House1253 Barrington St, Halifax, NS HostelsHalifax Backpackers Hostel2193 Gottingen St, Halifax, NS RV parksLoch Lomond RV Park1 Loch Lomond Ln, Upper Nappan, Nova Scotia HotelsLord Nelson Hotel & Suites1515 South Park St, Halifax, NS HotelsThe Hollis Halifax - A Doubletree Suites By Hilton Hotel1649 Hollis St, Halifax, NS HostelsThe Novel Stay5611 Morris St, Halifax, NS RV parksWoodhaven RV Park1757 Hammonds Plains Rd, Halifax, NS
Things to do
Showing 1 to 6 of 43
AttractionsAlexander Keith's Brewery Museums & galleriesArt Gallery of Nova Scotia1723 Hollis St, Halifax, NS zoos aquariumsBack to the Sea Centre140 Alderney Dr, Halifax, NS Family activitiesBedford Outdoor Pool277 Shore Dr, Halifax, NS EntertainmentCarbon Arc Cinema1747 Summer St, Halifax, NS casinosCasino Nova Scotia - Halifax1983 Upper Water St, Halifax, NS Family activitiesCentennial Pool1970 Gottingen St, Halifax, NS EntertainmentCineplex Cinemas Dartmouth Crossing145 Shubie Dr, Halifax, NS EntertainmentCineplex Cinemas Park Lane5657 Spring Garden Rd, Halifax, NS zoos aquariumsCole Harbour Heritage Farm Museum471 Poplar Dr, Dartmouth, NS Family activitiesCole Harbour Outdoor Pool609 Colby Dr, Halifax, NS Family activitiesCole Harbour Splash Pad609 Colby Dr, Halifax, NS climbing gymsDalplex Climbing Walls6260 South St, Halifax, NS stadiumsDauphinee Centre934 Tower Rd, Halifax, NS Family activitiesDiscovery Centre1215 Lower Water St, Halifax, NS climbing gymsEast Peak Indoor Climbing6408 Quinpool Rd, Halifax, NS Family activitiesHalifax Central Common Pool5838 Cogswell St, Halifax, NS Museums & galleriesHalifax Central Library5440 Spring Garden Rd, Halifax, NS Sightseeing & toursHalifax Citadel National Historic Site stadiumsHalifax Forum2901 Windsor St, Halifax, NS EntertainmentHalifax Live Comedy Club1575 Argyle St Downstairs, Halifax, NS Parks & outdoorsHalifax Public Gardens Parks & outdoorsHalifax Waterfront Boardwalk zoos aquariumsHatfield Farm1840 Hammonds Plains Rd, Halifax, NS Parks & outdoorsHope Blooms Garden & Greenhouse2346 Brunswick St, Halifax, NS zoos aquariumsHope for Wildlife5909 Hwy 207, Seaforth, NS stadiumsHuskies Stadium923 Robie St, Halifax, NS Museums & galleriesMaritime Museum of the Atlantic Parks & outdoorsNARGS236231 Watt St, Halifax, NS Museums & galleriesNova Scotia Museum of Natural History1747 Summer St, Halifax, NS Sightseeing & toursPeggy's Cove Museums & galleriesPier 21 Parks & outdoorsPoint Pleasant Park EntertainmentScotiabank Centre1800 Argyle St, Halifax, NS climbing gymsSeven Bays Bouldering201 Brownlow Ave #4, Halifax, NS climbing gymsSeven Bays Bouldering114 Chain Lake Dr, Halifax, NS zoos aquariumsShubenacadie Provincial Wildlife Park149 Creighton Rd, Colchester, NS Parks & outdoorsShubie Off-Leash Dog ParkLocks Rd, Halifax, NS EntertainmentThe Comedy Cove192 Prince Albert Rd, Halifax, NS EntertainmentThe Comedy Stand1575 Argyle St, Halifax, NS stadiumsWanderers Grounds5819 Sackville St, Halifax, NS EntertainmentYuk Yuk's Halifax Comedy Club1665 Argyle St, Halifax, NS EntertainmentZuppa5880 Spring Garden Rd, Halifax, NS
Food & dining
Showing 1 to 6 of 28
Cafés & coffeeCabin Coffee1554 Hollis St, Halifax, NS Breweries & wineriesColdstream Clear Distillery37 Logiealmond Clos, Halifax, NS Breweries & wineriesCompass Distillers2533 Agricola St, Halifax, NS Bakeries & dessertsDessert Yard1636 Grafton St, Halifax, NS Cafés & coffeeDilly Dally Coffee Cafe6100 Quinpool Rd, Halifax, NS Bars & pubsDurty Nelly's1645 Argyle St, Halifax, NS RestaurantsFive Fishermen Restaurant & Grill1740 Argyle St, Halifax, NS Breweries & wineriesGarrison Brewing Seaport Hall1096 Marginal Rd, Halifax, NS Markets & food hallsHalifax Brewery Market1496 Lower Water St, Halifax, NS Breweries & wineriesHalifax Distilling Co. home to JD Shore Spirits1668 Lower Water St, Halifax, NS Markets & food hallsHalifax Forum Farmers' Market6205 Almon St, Halifax, NS Markets & food hallsHalifax Seaport Farmers' Market1209 Marginal Rd, Halifax, NS Markets & food hallsHoly Clove!961 Marginal Rd, Halifax, NS Bakeries & dessertsLeonidas Chocolates1444 Brenton St, Halifax, NS Bars & pubsLion's Head Tavern3085 Robie St, Halifax, NS Breweries & wineriesMak902 Distillery and Winery3600 Kempt Rd, Halifax, NS Markets & food hallsNovalea Farmers' Market Cooperative3540 Novalea Dr, Halifax, NS Cafés & coffeeOpen Book Coffee3660 Strawberry Hill St, Halifax, NS Bars & pubsOrso Pub & Grill1859 Brunswick St, Halifax, NS Cafés & coffeePublic Cafe, Bakery & Bar1589 South Park St, Halifax, NS Cafés & coffeeSteve-O-Reno's5415 Doyle St, Halifax, NS Bakeries & dessertsSweet Hereafter6148 Quinpool Rd, Halifax, NS Breweries & wineriesTeaghlach Gold Distillery and Brewery28 Powder Mill Rd, Halifax, NS Bars & pubsThe BG Halifax Beer Garden1599 Lower Water St, Halifax, NS Bars & pubsThe Henry House1222 Barrington St, Halifax, NS Bakeries & dessertsThe Middle Spoon Desserterie & Bar1563 Barrington St, Halifax, NS Bars & pubsThe Narrows Public House2720 Gottingen St, Halifax, NS Bars & pubsThe Pint Public House1575 Argyle St, Halifax, NS
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Work remotely
Halifax scores 6.3 out of 10 for remote work (good), in the top 16% of the cities we score.
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Where to next from Halifax
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5 cities within 100 mi of Halifax by road.
Zoom with the buttons, or hold ctrl while you scroll. Our cities are the markers; other towns on the map are for reference only.
Pick a city on the map to see how far it is and add it to a route.
All 5 cities within 100 mi, with travel times
- Chester Nova Scotiaabout 42 mi · about 48 min by car · estimated
- Lunenburg Nova Scotiaabout 51 mi · about 58 min by car · estimated
- Mahone Bay Nova Scotiaabout 53 mi · about 1 h by car · estimated
- Wolfville Nova Scotiaabout 62 mi · about 1 h 10 min by car · estimated
- Truro Nova Scotiaabout 65 mi · about 1 h 13 min by car · estimated
Routes through Halifax
- Nova Scotia South Shore and Annapolis Valley9 days · 6 stops · May to October
- Boston to Halifax by the Fundy coast12 days · 7 stops · June to October
- Canada coast to coast by rail18 days · 8 stops · May to October
- Halifax to Cape Breton and the Cabot Trail8 days · 4 stops · June to October
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