Halifax Travel Guide

Tourist Guide
Crystal Crescent Beach showing a sandy beach and general coastal views
Atlantic Canada’s harbour city is a treasure trove of maritime heritage, woodland parks and sandy beaches. 

Halifax possesses the community spirit of a little port town and the liveliness of a harborside city. Atlantic Canada’s largest city and the capital of Nova Scotia is home to over 400,000 people, and millions of visitors pass through its port each year. The atmosphere of local culture burns bright with Haligonians’ pride in their heritage, landscape and achievements. 

The city is tucked into one of the largest natural harbors in the world. The port played a role in the British Empire, two World Wars and the aftermath of the Titanic disaster. Learn about the history of the port at the Maritime Museum of the Atlantic.

Stroll along the Halifax Harborwalk, a boardwalk that spans the harbour side of downtown across two miles (three kilometres). Public artworks, historical monuments and harbour views guide the way.

Catch a ferry to see the harbour from the water. Ferries leave from the Halifax Ferry Terminal along the Harborwalk. The two ferry routes to Dartmouth and Woodside are integrated with the affordable metro bus system, making them cheap and easy to use. Enjoy a clear panoramic outlook of the Halifax Harbour. Dine on fresh Atlantic seafood at one of the many restaurants and cafes along the waterfront. 

Within ten minutes walking distance from the harbour, you can find yourself in the centre of downtown Halifax. Explore the historic Grand Parade, with Halifax City Hall on the north side and St Paul’s Anglican Church and Province House in the south. The compact downtown area is easy to explore on foot.

Head further inland and you’ll come across Halifax’s leafy green sanctuary. Citadel Hill, the Museum of Natural History and Public Gardens Park await you in this quiet, tree-lined neighbourhood.

Halifax Stanfield International Airport is located 22 miles (35 kilometres) from downtown Halifax, and is serviced by regular flights from all over the world. Arrive in August to maximize your outdoor adventures by the sea. Atlantic Canadian winters are relatively mild but you’ll need to rug up for the colder months.

Where to stay in Halifax

Halifax showing heritage architecture and an administrative building

Downtown Halifax

4.5/5(18 area reviews)

Downtown Halifax is beloved for its captivating waterfront views. Take some time to explore sights in the area like Neptune Theatre and Maritime Museum of the Atlantic.

Downtown Halifax
Halifax Public Gardens which includes a garden and a pond

South End

4.5/5(3 area reviews)

South End is beloved for its captivating waterfront views. Take some time to explore sights in the area like Nova Scotia Archives and Rebecca Cohn Auditorium.

South End
Fairview Cemetery featuring a cemetery and a memorial

North End

4/5(1 area review)

You'll enjoy the bars and live music in North End. You might want to make time for a stop at Halifax North Common Park or Cornwallis Street Baptist Church.

North End
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Clayton Park

The restaurants and waterfront are a few reasons travellers visit Clayton Park. Though there aren't many top sights in the neighbourhood, you can visit Halifax Mainland Common Park and Fairview Lawn Cemetery, a few notable attractions nearby.

Clayton Park
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Fairview

While there might not be top attractions in Fairview, you can explore the larger area and discover places like Halifax Mainland Common Park and Fairview Lawn Cemetery.

Fairview
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Clayton Park West

Though Clayton Park West may not have many top sights, you can venture to the surrounding area to see attractions like Canada Games Centre and Halifax Mainland Common Park.

Clayton Park West
Hotel Halifax
Hotel Halifax
3.5 out of 5
1990 Barrington St, Halifax, NS
The price is Rp1.445.192 per night from 3 Nov to 4 Nov
Rp1.445.192
Rp1.711.831 total
includes taxes & fees
3 Nov - 4 Nov
Stay at this eco-certified hotel in Halifax. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, breakfast (surcharge) and a health club. Our guests praise the pool and the restaurant in their ...
8/10 Very Good! (5,065 reviews)
"Great stay!"

Reviewed on 31 Oct 2024

Hotel Halifax
The Barrington Hotel
The Barrington Hotel
3.5 out of 5
1875 Barrington St, Halifax, NS
The price is Rp1.613.914 per night from 10 Nov to 11 Nov
Rp1.613.914
Rp1.911.681 total
includes taxes & fees
10 Nov - 11 Nov
Stay at this 3.5-star eco-certified hotel in Halifax. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, breakfast (surcharge) and a health club. Our guests praise the breakfast and the restaurant ...
7.8/10 Good! (3,696 reviews)
"I had a great stay. Check in/out was so easy, no hassle. The room was spacious and the bed was comfortable. My only feedback was that the decor and wallpaper was clearly very old, we’re talking probably from the days where smoking in rooms was allowed. Of course there was no smell or problem, so ..."

Reviewed on 1 Nov 2024

The Barrington Hotel
The Lord Nelson Hotel & Suites
The Lord Nelson Hotel & Suites
4.5 out of 5
1515 South Park Street, Halifax, NS
The price is Rp1.452.523 per night from 1 Dec to 2 Dec
Rp1.452.523
Rp1.720.515 total
includes taxes & fees
1 Dec - 2 Dec
Stay at this 4.5-star luxury hotel in Halifax. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, breakfast (surcharge) and room service. Our guests praise the helpful staff and the clean rooms ...
9/10 Wonderful! (1,281 reviews)
"Amazing"

Reviewed on 31 Oct 2024

The Lord Nelson Hotel & Suites
Lowest nightly price found within the past 24 hours based on a 1 night stay for 2 adults. Prices and availability subject to change. Additional terms may apply.
Cameo Hotel and Suites
Cameo Hotel and Suites
3 out of 5
1572 Barrington St, Halifax, NS
Stay at this 3-star aparthotel in Halifax. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, laundry facilities and Netflix. Our guests praise the clean rooms in their reviews. Popular attractions ...
8.4/10 Very Good! (200 reviews)
"The hotel is near many restaurants, bars and stores, all walkable. Some inconvenience is that the shower stay always wet because the drain is too high and there is many signs of water infiltration around the suite. But it was really clean and everything is in order and recent."

Reviewed on 28 Oct 2024

Cameo Hotel and Suites
Lux Exec Home HFX Waterfront Pool Hot Tub
Lux Exec Home HFX Waterfront Pool Hot Tub
4.5 out of 5
2947 Purcells Cove Rd, Halifax, NS
Stay at this 4.5-star luxury holiday home in Halifax. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, free parking and private pools. Popular attractions Halifax Waterfront Boardwalk and ...
10/10 Exceptional! (3 reviews)
"It was amazing!"

Reviewed on 19 Oct 2024

Lux Exec Home HFX Waterfront Pool Hot Tub
Windmill walk
Windmill walk
3 out of 5
63 Windmill Rd, Dartmouth, NS
Stay at this 3-star business-friendly apartment in Dartmouth. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, free parking and laundry facilities. Popular attractions Halifax Waterfront Boardwalk ...
9.2/10 Wonderful! (146 reviews)
"Nice place overall, but Dartmouth is a bit sketchy."

Reviewed on 27 Oct 2024

Windmill walk
Lowest nightly price found within the past 24 hours based on a 1 night stay for 2 adults. Prices and availability subject to change. Additional terms may apply.

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