Brace yourself – you are about to be blown away. On Cape Breton Island you will experience heart-stopping views around every corner, from highland hills that tower above the clear blue Atlantic ocean, to the sun rising over the waters of the Bras d’Or Lakes, to the splendor of the Margaree Valley’s incomparable salmon rivers. Indulge in a gourmet meal at one of Sydney’s fine dining restaurants while you take in our vibrant waterfront and nearby picturesque golf greens.
Home to the Cabot Trail, often considered one of the best driving destinations in the world, guiding you from the charming village of Baddeck, through Cape Breton Highlands National Park and the glacier-carved valleys of the Acadian region of Cheticamp. Waterfalls, look-offs and vistas, mountain hikes and wildlife, from the whales in the bay to the moose in the highlands, provide many breath-taking photo opportunities for nature at its finest.
Music moves throughout this island tapestry, many of the world’s finest Celtic musicians call this island home, and they sure do like to party, so make sure you join in on the fun. From ceilidhs to the International Celtic Colours Festival to the Red Shoe Pub owned by the talented Rankin family, the music of Cape Breton will leave your heart singing. Signs in Gaelic line the roads and trails. Want to know how to pronounce them? Explore the Highland Village where Cape Breton Island’s rich Gaelic heritage is reflected in the language, hands -on crafts, songs and stories of this working village.
From museums, artisans, tours and golfing the island provides plenty of activities. The beauty of the island provides the perfect setting for our fabulous golf courses. Tour the Glenora Distillery to discover Canada’s only single-malt whisky. Go back in time and learn about the battles between the French and the English from a soldier himself at the Fortress of Louisbourg National Historic Site. Tour the Alexander Graham Bell National Historic Site for an up-close look at early artifacts of one of the best inventions known to man.
Perhaps that is why Cape Breton Island has been voted the number one island in continental North America by Travel and Leisure magazine.
Explore Our Scenic Drives
Cape Breton Island is home to four scenic travelways, the Ceilidh Trail, Cabot Trail, Bras d’Or Lakes Scenic Drive, and Fleur-de-lis/Marconi/Sydney Area Trails.
The Ceilidh Trail (pronounced kay-lee) guides visitors from the Canso Causeway to the Margaree Harbour. The Ceilidh Trail is named for traditional Gaelic gatherings of music and song. Stunning vistas along the Mabou Highlands, where coastal trails and sea cliffs over look beautiful St. George’s Bay, will leave your heart singing as it follows the shore of western Cape Breton.
The Cabot Trail guides visitors from the charming village of Baddeck through the Margaree Valley, the Acadian village of Cheticamp, to a highway carved into the edge of ancient highlands that winds its way around the highlands of Cape Breton Highlands National Park. Don’t forget that the Cabot Trail is lined with amazing artisan shops many of them concentrated in St. Ann’s. Vibrant reds, golds and oranges also make for a breathtaking autumn drive.
The Bras d’Or Lakes scenic drive circles the shoreline of Cape Breton Island’s beautiful inland sea, a haven for wildlife and seabirds. Farms and the villages of our Scottish settlers are nestled alongside the lakes known for gentle, fog-free waters, beautiful anchorages, and hundreds of coves and islands. The lakes are an international cruising destination, attracting hundreds of boating enthusiasts every year.
The Fleur-de-lis/Marconi/Sydney Area Trails which extend from Glace Bay to the Canso Causeway are dotted with picturesque Acadian villages such as Arichat and Petit-de-Grat. Along the rugged coastline you will find the historic Fortress of Louisbourg which stands guard overlooking the powerful Atlantic Ocean. Feel the bustle of activity along the waterfront of our city centre Sydney, a popular cruise ship destination.