Nova Scotia

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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 are just a few of the amazing places waiting to be explored in Nova Scotia! Nature lovers can hike Cape Breton Island’s stunning trails, kayak and stargaze at Kejimkujik National Park, or try thrilling tidal bore rafting in the Bay of Fundy. Don’t miss world-class whale watching in Digby, Chéticamp and Ingonish. Foodies will love pairing fresh local seafood with award-winning wines in Wolfville and the Annapolis Valley, while scenic drives like the Cabot Trail and Lighthouse Route lead to picture-perfect spots like Lunenburg and Peggy’s Cove. History buffs can dive into Halifax’s museums or explore Nova Scotia’s Scottish and Acadian roots in towns like Pictou, Antigonish and Grand-Pré – with even more Indigenous culture to discover in Kejimkujik National Historic Site.