Halifax

Travel Guide

Crystal Crescent Beach showing general coastal views and a beach
Halifax featuring an administrative building and heritage architecture
Fisherman\'s Cove featuring a bay or harbour
Halifax
Enfield featuring a cemetery

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 harbor side of downtown across two miles (three kilometers). Public artworks, historical monuments and harbor views guide the way.

Catch a ferry to see the harbor 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 Harbor. Dine on fresh Atlantic seafood at one of the many restaurants and cafes along the waterfront. 

Within ten minutes walking distance from the harbor, you can find yourself in the center 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 neighborhood.

Halifax Stanfield International Airport is located 22 miles (35 kilometers) 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 Emera Oval or Cornwallis Street Baptist Church.

North End
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Fairmount

Fairmount might not have many top sights, but Chocolate Lake Beach and Halifax Shopping Centre are two attractions nearby that you can check out.

Fairmount
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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
The Barrington Hotel
The Barrington Hotel
3.5 out of 5
1875 Barrington St, Halifax, NS
Fully refundableReserve now, pay when you stay
The price is HK$1,288 per night from 13 Jul to 14 Jul
HK$1,288
HK$1,513 total
13 Jul - 14 Jul
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this 3.5-star business-friendly hotel in Halifax. Enjoy free WiFi, breakfast (surcharge), and a health club. Our guests praise the breakfast and the ...
7.8/10 Good! (4,198 reviews)
"Love the hotel and the area. Didnt love the parking."

Reviewed on 3 Jul 2025

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 HK$1,447 per night from 6 Jul to 7 Jul
HK$1,447
HK$1,700 total
6 Jul - 7 Jul
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this 4.5-star luxury hotel in Halifax. Enjoy free WiFi, breakfast (surcharge), and room service. Our guests praise the helpful staff and the clean rooms ...
9/10 Wonderful! (1,506 reviews)
Great hotel, would stay here again (with caveats)
"So glad to have found this gem of a hotel in Halifax. It's beautiful and well located in the city centre. The room was very large and spacious with comfy beds and an Nespresso machine, with coffee pods supplied. There are some things to gripe about though. We've realized that this is a very large ..."

Reviewed on 1 Jul 2025

The Lord Nelson Hotel & Suites
The Sutton Place Hotel Halifax
The Sutton Place Hotel Halifax
5 out of 5
1700 Grafton Street, Halifax, NS
The price is HK$1,864 per night from 20 Jul to 21 Jul
HK$1,864
HK$2,202 total
20 Jul - 21 Jul
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this 5-star luxury hotel in Halifax. Enjoy free WiFi, a fitness center, and valet parking (surcharge). Our guests praise the helpful staff and the clean ...
9.4/10 Exceptional! (1,691 reviews)
"Always provides a excellent location when visiting Halifax"

Reviewed on 4 Jul 2025

The Sutton Place Hotel Halifax
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 WiFi, laundry facilities, and Netflix. Our guests praise the clean rooms in our reviews. Popular attractions ...
8.6/10 Excellent! (332 reviews)
Will stay here again
"Location was perfect for the purpose of our trip. Room didnt just look clean, it felt clean. Just remember theres no front desk or any attendants, watch your emails for check in info and do echeck in a day in advance to get your door codes. 16:00 check in is a little late but they have luggage storage ..."

Reviewed on 1 Jul 2025

Cameo Hotel and Suites
Seacliff- Luxury Halifax Waterfront Paradise -Pool, Hot Tub, Wharf & Boathouse
Seacliff- Luxury Halifax Waterfront Paradise -Pool, Hot Tub, Wharf & Boathouse
Halifax
Stay at this vacation home in Halifax. Enjoy free WiFi, private pools, and a garden. Popular attractions Halifax Waterfront Boardwalk and Scotiabank Centre are ...
10/10 Exceptional! (10 reviews)
Halifax
"Awesome house and location.Highly recommend this home to anyone visiting Halifax."

Reviewed on 1 Jun 2025

Seacliff- Luxury Halifax Waterfront Paradise -Pool, Hot Tub, Wharf & Boathouse
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 vacation home in Halifax. Enjoy free WiFi, free parking, and private pools. Popular attractions Halifax Waterfront Boardwalk and ...
"It was amazing!"

Reviewed on 19 Oct 2024

Lux Exec Home HFX Waterfront Pool Hot Tub
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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