Downtown and waterfront
Everything on footThe boardwalk, Citadel and bars.
City guide
Things to do in Halifax
The lively capital of Nova Scotia and the Maritimes: a long waterfront boardwalk, the Citadel, Pier 21, lobster and donairs, a pub and live music scene, and Peggy's Cove, Lunenburg and the Cabot Trail nearby.
3
Hostels in the city
8.8
Average, from 1,924 reviews
Noon
The Citadel's daily gun
2–3
Days
The Maritimes' harbour city
Halifax is the capital of Nova Scotia and the largest city in Atlantic Canada, built around one of the world's largest natural harbours. It is a friendly, walkable city with a young population, thanks to its universities, and a strong pub and live music scene.
The waterfront boardwalk runs for several kilometres past restaurants, shops and the Canadian Museum of Immigration at Pier 21, where around a million immigrants arrived in Canada. Above the city, the star-shaped Citadel fort fires a cannon at noon every day. Halifax has a deep maritime history: it is where many victims of the Titanic were brought, and where the Halifax Explosion of 1917 destroyed part of the city.
Nearby are Peggy's Cove, with its famous lighthouse, and Lunenburg, a colourful UNESCO-listed fishing town. Further away, Cape Breton's Cabot Trail is one of the great drives in Canada. Give Halifax two or three days, plus day trips.
Where to base yourself
Downtown near the waterfront for everything on foot, or the North End for bars, cafes and a local feel.
North End
Bars, cafesA creative neighbourhood.
Dartmouth
QuieterAcross the harbour by ferry.
Orange labels are neighbourhoods, dots are the 3 top-rated hostels. Map data from OpenStreetMap contributors.
Things to do
Things to do in Halifax
Walk the waterfront boardwalk, visit the Canadian Museum of Immigration at Pier 21, and see the Titanic and Halifax Explosion exhibits at the Maritime Museum of the Atlantic. Climb to the Halifax Citadel for the views and the noon gun.
Relax in the Halifax Public Gardens, take the ferry across the harbour to Dartmouth, and explore the bars and cafes of the North End.
Take a day trip to Peggy's Cove and its lighthouse, and to Lunenburg and Mahone Bay on the South Shore. In summer, go whale watching in the Bay of Fundy, or drive the Cabot Trail in Cape Breton.
More on things to do in Halifax
Free things
And what it costs nothing to do
The waterfront boardwalk, the Halifax Public Gardens and Point Pleasant Park are free. The noon gun at the Citadel can be heard all over downtown.
Peggy's Cove is free to visit, though you need transport.
The Dartmouth ferry is cheap and gives great harbour views.
Food and drink
Eating and drinking
The donair, spiced beef in a pita with a sweet garlic sauce, is Halifax's official food. Seafood is excellent: lobster rolls, Digby scallops, chowder and fish and chips. Try blueberry grunt for dessert.
Alexander Keith's has brewed beer here since 1820, and the city has many craft breweries.
Menu prices do not include tax or tip: add sales tax at the till and 15 to 20 per cent tip in restaurants and bars.
Nightlife
Going out
Halifax has one of the best pub scenes in Canada, with live music most nights, including East Coast folk and Celtic music. Argyle Street downtown and the North End have most of the bars.
Students keep it busy during term.
The Halifax Jazz Festival is in July.
Getting around
Getting around
Halifax Stanfield International Airport is about 30 to 40 minutes from downtown by bus or taxi. Downtown is compact and walkable, though hilly. Halifax Transit runs buses and the harbour ferries to Dartmouth.
VIA Rail's Ocean runs to Montréal.
A car or tour is needed for Peggy's Cove, Lunenburg and the Cabot Trail.
Costs
What Halifax costs
Halifax is moderately priced for Canada. Dorm beds start at around €25 to €40 a night. Restaurant mains cost €13 to €24 before tax and tip; lobster is cheaper than elsewhere in Canada.
Sales tax in Nova Scotia is 14 per cent. Menu prices do not include tax or tip: add sales tax at the till and 15 to 20 per cent tip in restaurants and bars.
Safety
Safety and scams
Halifax is a safe city. Take normal care at night downtown.
At Peggy's Cove, stay off the black rocks near the water: large waves can sweep people into the sea, and people have died there.
Weather changes quickly on the coast, with fog and storms. In an emergency, call 911.
Worth leaving town for
Lighthouses, fishing towns and the Cabot Trail.
Peggy's Cove
The famous lighthouse.
Lunenburg
A colourful UNESCO fishing town.
Cabot Trail
One of Canada's great drives.
What's on
What is on while you are there
Jazz, tall ships and autumn colour.
July
Halifax Jazz Festival
Halifax
Jazz and more on the waterfront.
October
Celtic Colours
Cape Breton
Celtic music during autumn colour.
Every day
Noon gun
The Citadel
A cannon fired at noon.
Hostels
Where to stay
The highest-rated hostels in Halifax, live from Hostelworld. Prices and availability are live on each property page.
When to go
June to October is the best time, with summer festivals and autumn colour on the Cabot Trail in early October. Winters are cold, snowy and stormy.
Jan
Cold, stormy
Feb
Cold
Mar
Cold
Apr
Spring
May
Mild
Jun
Summer begins
Jul
Jazz festival
Aug
Peak season
Sep
Pleasant
Oct
Cabot Trail colour
Nov
Cool
Dec
Cold
Bar height is temperature. Colour is how busy it gets:
quiet
busy
peak
Average highs, rounded. Cooler and foggier by the sea.
What your trip will cost
Per night, for one person, based on Halifax prices.
Treat these as a guide, before tax and tip.
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- Beds—
- Food and drink—
- Getting around—
- Doing things—
Halifax questions
The ones we get asked most.
How do I get from the airport to Halifax?
By bus or taxi, in about 30 to 40 minutes.
Can I visit Peggy's Cove without a car?
Yes, on a tour from Halifax.
What is a donair?
Spiced beef in a pita with a sweet garlic sauce, Halifax's official food.
How many days do you need in Halifax?
Two or three, plus day trips.
When is the best time to visit Halifax?
June to October.
Is the Cabot Trail a day trip from Halifax?
No. It is far; give it at least two or three days.
Is Halifax expensive?
Moderately, and cheaper than Toronto or Vancouver.
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