Eight reasons Nova Scotia should be on your travel bucket list
Nova Scotia is the kind of place that lingers in your memory long after you’ve left. A land of dramatic coastlines and distinctive cultural heritage, this Atlantic gem offers an experience that feels both untouched and timeless. Whether you're chasing adventure, seeking seafood delights or searching for world-class golf, here’s why Nova Scotia deserves a top spot on your travel list.
1 The world’s most scenic drive.
Whether you’re travelling by road or on foot, just getting from A to B in Nova Scotia is an adventure in itself. Few roads in the world can match the raw beauty of the Cabot Trail. 298 kilometres of winding roads around the tip of Cape Breton Island, and through the Cape Breton Highlands National Park, this legendary route delivers sweeping ocean vistas, rugged cliffs, and the kind of highland scenery that begs for a slow drive with plenty of stops.
2 Iconic hiking trails.
With its abundance of natural beauty, there is something for everyone along the trails of Nova Scotia, from the experienced hiker to the beginner. The Skyline Trail is often heralded as the perfect place to start, an easy 8km loop walk where you can see a variety of wildlife, including moose, bears and bald eagles, as well as breathtaking views of the ocean and headlands – this is also one of best places to watch the sunset. Then, there’s Balancing Rock, a short but spectacular trail that leads you up a 235-step staircase to a platform where you will see the famous rock that gives it its name. See secluded beach along Taylor Head, spot wildlife in the Cape Split Provincial Park Reserve, or go all out on the 50km Cape Chignecto Coastal Trail is one of the world’s best hikes.
3 Historic Halifax.
Halifax is the beating heart of this Canadian province, a city where the historical meets the modern. It’s home to the Halifax Citadel, a 19th-century fortress, and the Maritime Museum of the Atlantic, which tells tales of the Titanic and Halifax Explosion. Wander along the bustling Halifax Waterfront, sample the city’s thriving craft beer scene, or take in live music at a cozy pub. It’s a place where old and new blend seamlessly.
4 The Bay of Fundy.
To the south west of Nova Scotia, the Bay of Fundy is one of the world’s most extraordinary natural wonders. An ever-changing seascape, it is home to the planet’s highest tides, transforming dramatically every day, as well as the world’s most complete fossil record of life 300 million years ago. You can kayak along the coastline, walk on the ocean floor at Hopewell Rocks, experience the thrill of tidal bore rafting on the Shubenacadie River, or simply watch on as fishing boats in tiny harbors rise and fall with the tide.
5 Whale watching.
Nova Scotia is often lauded as one of the world’s best whale watching destinations, one of the few places where you can see up to 12 different types of whales; Finbacks and Minkes usually arrive in May, the Humpbacks come in June. Again, the Bay of Fundy is where you’ll want to head; there can be as many as 300 whales in the bay between June and October, while August is peak time and sightings are very common. You may even spot an orca, blue or pilot whale, as well as dolphins, seals, puffins, turtles, bald eagles and more.
6 Celtic culture
Music and culture run deep in Nova Scotia. Cape Breton, in particular, is a place where the past is very much alive. Here, ceilidhs (traditional Gaelic music gatherings) fill the air with the sound of fiddles and foot-stomping rhythm, while Acadian communities celebrate their heritage with lively festivals. Visit Grand-Pré National Historic Site to learn about the Acadian people or lose yourself in the music at a small-town pub – it’s an experience that’s both intimate and unforgettable.
7 Seafood like no other.
Along the countless postcard-worthy fishing villages scattered across Nova Scotia’s coastline, fresh seafood is always on the menu, and locals are always ready to share a story or two. Freshly caught lobster, scallops, oysters, and mussels are served just about everywhere, from high-end restaurants to roadside shacks. The province’s lobster rolls are legendary, and no trip is complete without a steaming bowl of seafood chowder. Wash it down with a glass of Tidal Bay, Nova Scotia’s crisp, ocean-influenced white wine, for the perfect culinary experience.
8 Cabot Cape Breton
For golfers, among all of this, perhaps the most special part of Nova Scotia is Cabot Cape Breton. Perched on the edge of the Atlantic in the town of Inverness, this bucket-list resort is a destination in itself, home to two of the world’s most spectacular courses. Cabot Links is Canada’s only true links course, a firm and fast layout that channels the spirit of Scotland’s ancient fairways, with rolling dunes, tight lies, and ocean views on every hole. Next door there’s Cabot Cliffs, ranked among the very best golf courses on the planet, taking things to another level. Designed by Bill Coore and Ben Crenshaw, this course plays along the cliffs, with dramatic elevation changes, infinity greens, and views that can steal your breath away before you even take your swing.