![Nova Scotia](https://lp-cms-production.imgix.net/2022-11/NovaScotia-Stocksy_txpc47b12fc0OY300_Medium_780403.jpeg?auto=format&w=1920&h=640&fit=crop&crop=faces,edges&q=75)
© Mark Fleming / Stocksy United
Nova Scotia
Facing the wild swells of the Atlantic, Nova Scotia is heavily influenced by the sea. With its candy-striped lighthouses, salty fishing towns and towering red cliffs, this Maritime province feels thrillingly rugged and wild, especially in winter, when storms thrash the coastline and the ocean freezes. But come summer it's a different picture: Nova Scotians emerge to hike the trails, lounge on the beaches, tuck into gigantic lobster suppers and celebrate their Celtic roots with lively ceilidhs (parties with music and dancing). Life here has always been tough, but the locals' warm-hearted humor can't fail to make you feel welcome.
Start planning your trip
Attractions
Must-see attractions for your itinerary
Fortress of Louisbourg National Historic Site
Cape Breton Island
The fortunes of the province that became Nova Scotia are inextricably bound up with this mighty fortress, built by the French but battled over countless…
Alexander Graham Bell National Historic Site
Cape Breton Island
Telecommunications pioneer and inventor Alexander Graham Bell fell in love with Bras d'Or during a family holiday – apparently the hilly scenery reminded…
Citadel Hill National Historic Site
Halifax
Perched atop the grassy hillock looming over town, this star-shaped fort played a key role in Halifax's founding. Construction began in 1749; the current…
Cape Chignecto Provincial Park
Nova Scotia
This isolated wilderness on the Bay of Fundy offers some of the best coastal hiking in Nova Scotia. The 55km coastal loop usually takes three days to…
Canadian Museum of Immigration at Pier 21
Halifax
There's an argument that this dockside museum is Canada's most important institution. Between 1928 and 1971, Pier 21 was the Canadian version of the USA's…
Nova Scotia
Located on the site of the Old Joggins No 7 Coal Mine, this impressive visitor center relates the story of the World Heritage–listed Joggins Fossil Cliffs…
Fort Anne National Historic Site
Annapolis Valley
The strategic importance of Annapolis Royal, particularly its access to the Annapolis River, led to decades of conflict, mostly centered on this…
Grand Pré National Historic Site
Annapolis Valley
This interpretive center explains the historical context for the deportation of the French-Acadian people from Acadian, Mi'kmaw and British perspectives,…
Planning Tools
Expert guidance to help you plan your trip
Transportation
One of Canada’s three “Maritime Provinces”, Nova Scotia is easy to navigate by car, bus, plane or bicycle. Here's how to do it.
Read articleFree Things to Do
Put away your wallet, grab your sunscreen and relax: many of the best things to do in Nova Scotia are free.
Read articleBest Road Trips
This guide to the best road trips in Nova Scotia lets you discover the best roads, hikes (and scallops) in the province.
Read articleArticles
Latest stories from Nova Scotia
Filter by interest:
![Dean Petty rides his motorcycle along the coast of Nova Scotia © Jack Pearce/Lonely Planet](https://lp-cms-production.imgix.net/2022-11/Camping on the Coast Nova Scotia JPA06315.jpg?auto=format&w=780&h=425&fit=crop&q=75)
- BeachesLighthouses, whales and fishing villages: 10 best places to visit in Nova Scotia
Dec 18, 2021 • 7 min read
- Wildlife & NatureThese are Nova Scotia’s 8 best national parks and historic sites
Oct 11, 2021 • 7 min read
- Wildlife & NatureNova Scotia's Cliffs of Fundy are now a UNESCO Global Geopark
Jul 14, 2020 • 3 min read
Guidebooks
Purchase our award-winning guidebooks
Get to the heart of Nova Scotia with one of our in-depth, award-winning guidebooks, covering maps, itineraries, and expert guidance.