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Let’s Get Planning

Ready to start planning your Nova Scotia adventure? We’re here to help with the practical information you need, from how to get here to dressing for the season!

Plan your trip to Nova Scotia

Planning a trip to Nova Scotia is all about deciding how you want to experience the province. Many visitors combine iconic destinations like Halifax, Peggy’s Cove, the Cabot Trail, Lunenburg, and the Bay of Fundy with scenic drives, coastal communities, beaches, and outdoor adventures. When planning your itinerary, allow extra time for unexpected stops, local recommendations, and changing coastal weather, as some of Nova Scotia’s best experiences happen along the way.

Where should you stay in Nova Scotia?

Where you stay in Nova Scotia depends on what you want to experience. Halifax is a popular base for city attractions, restaurants, and day trips, while the Cabot Trail and Cape Breton are ideal for coastal scenery and hiking. The South Shore offers easy access to Peggy’s Cove and Lunenburg, while the Bay of Fundy region is known for tides, wineries, and coastal landscapes. Accommodation options include hotels, resorts, oceanfront cottages, inns, B&Bs, glamping domes, and campgrounds.

Person sits by the window at Driftwood Domes, they are looking out at the beach and ocean from the view in the Dome.

What are the best things to do in Nova Scotia?

Some of the best things to do in Nova Scotia include driving the Cabot Trail, visiting Peggy’s Cove and Lunenburg, exploring Halifax, witnessing the Bay of Fundy tides, relaxing on ocean beaches, and enjoying local seafood and wine. Many travellers mix and match suggested itineraries to create a trip that combines coastal scenery, outdoor adventure, culture, and historic communities. For more inspiration, explore Nova Scotia’s Top 25 experiences and customize an itinerary that fits your travel style.

A person standing with their arms outstretched to their sides as they stand next to the Peggy's Cove Lighthouse at sunrise in Peggy's Cove in Nova Scotia

By Land, Sea or Air

Nova Scotia is closer than you think! We welcome visitors by land, sea and through our international and private airports. No matter how you arrive, we’re ready to welcome you!

Getting Here

Three people relax on a boat on a sunny day.

Weather

Before packing your bags, let us give you a few weather tips so you know exactly what to bring. From average temperatures by season to clothing tips, we’ve compiled the information you need to make the most of any season in Nova Scotia.

Nova Scotia Weather

Visitor Centres

Our friendly, knowledgeable travel ambassadors are ready to help you make the most of your visit. Drop into one of Nova Scotia visitor information centres or call ahead to plan your adventure.

Find a Visitor Centre

Plan Your Visit to Nova Scotia Frequently Asked Questions

Yes. Nova Scotia is often considered a great introduction to Atlantic Canada because it offers a mix of coastal scenery, historic towns, beaches, seafood, culture, and road-trip experiences within a relatively compact area. First-time visitors can experience iconic places like Peggy’s Cove, Lunenburg, the Cabot Trail, and the Bay of Fundy while exploring both urban and rural communities.

Yes. Guided day tours and multi-day tours are available throughout Nova Scotia, including departures from Halifax. Options range from sightseeing tours to destinations like Peggy’s Cove, Lunenburg, and the Annapolis Valley to structured multi-day itineraries that include accommodations, transportation, and guided experiences. Many visitors enjoy the province without driving by combining tours with time in Halifax.

Nova Scotia can suit a range of travel budgets. Costs vary depending on the season, accommodations, dining preferences, and activities you choose. Travelling during spring, fall, winter, or off-peak times can often provide more availability and value than peak summer months of July and August. Many of Nova Scotia’s most memorable experiences, including scenic drives, coastal hikes, beaches, and historic communities, are free to enjoy.

Most travellers find Nova Scotia busy rather than overcrowded. Popular attractions such as Peggy’s Cove, Lunenburg, and the Cabot Trail can see higher visitor volumes during July and August, especially in the middle of the day. Visiting early in the morning, later in the afternoon, or during spring, fall, winter, or off-peak times often provides a more relaxed experience.

For many visitors, Nova Scotia’s combination of ocean scenery, coastal drives, historic communities, fresh seafood, outdoor adventures, and maritime culture makes the journey worthwhile. The province offers experiences that are difficult to find elsewhere in Canada, from the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Lunenburg to the Cabot Trail, Bay of Fundy tides, and authentic fishing villages along the Atlantic coast.

Yes. Many visitors combine Nova Scotia and Prince Edward Island in a single trip. The two provinces are connected by ferry service between Caribou, Nova Scotia and Wood Islands, PEI, and can also be visited as part of a broader Atlantic Canada itinerary. To enjoy both destinations at a comfortable pace, many travellers allocate at least a week or more for their trip.

Many visitors say they wish they had allowed more time. Distances may look short on a map, but there is often more to see and do along the way than expected. Travellers are also sometimes surprised by how quickly coastal weather can change, even in summer. Leaving room for scenic stops, local recommendations, and unplanned discoveries often leads to the most memorable experiences in Nova Scotia.

Nova Scotia uses the Canadian dollar (CAD). Credit and debit cards are widely accepted at hotels, restaurants, attractions, and businesses throughout the province. Carrying a small amount of cash can still be helpful at farmers’ markets and some smaller vendors.

Cell service and internet access are available throughout much of Nova Scotia, and Wi‑Fi is commonly offered at accommodations, restaurants, attractions, and visitor information centres. Connectivity can vary depending on your location, particularly in remote coastal areas and outdoor destinations, so it’s a good idea to download maps, itineraries, and other important travel information before exploring.

Many travellers find that 7 to 10 days provides enough time to experience several of Nova Scotia’s highlights, including Halifax, Peggy’s Cove, Lunenburg, the Cabot Trail, and the Bay of Fundy. Shorter trips can focus on one region, while longer visits allow time to explore coastal communities, beaches, outdoor adventures, and scenic routes at a more relaxed pace. Many visitors say they wish they had allowed more time.