10 Day Nova Scotia Itinerary (Guide + Maps)

If you enjoy ocean views, small-town charm, and a relaxed pace without the big crowds, Nova Scotia is one of the best parts of Canada to explore.

It's one of Canada's smaller provinces, and while there's more than enough to fill a few weeks, or even months, you can still cover a lot in a week to ten days and come away feeling like you’ve really experienced it.

We spent two weeks road tripping through Nova Scotia, New Brunswick and PEI, and it was one of our most memorable trips we’ve taken as a family.

This itinerary is designed for those with a shorter travel window or for anyone looking to focus their time exploring Nova Scotia more in-depth.

That said, planning our trip wasn’t easy. We found it overwhelming to narrow down the best places to visit, figure out which ones were kid friendly, decide how long to stay in each spot, and work out whether the drive times were manageable - especially with young kids in tow.

No matter where you are in the planning process, this 10-day Nova Scotia itinerary is here to help you. It's based on our own experience living and travelling through Canada, with practical tips and plenty of family-friendly ideas along the way.

Ready to start planning your Nova Scotia adventure? Let’s get into it.

About Our Family

We’re a British family that moved to Canada in 2012, and since then, we’ve explored both the East and West Coasts of Canada extensively.

We believe the best way for kids to learn is by experiencing the world firsthand - seeing it. Touching it.

We love travel so much that we have decided to take a 100-day career sabbatical to travel through Asia, Australia, and New Zealand, and you can learn more about our trip here.

10 Day Nova Scotia Itinerary - at a Glance

In a rush? Here's a quick glance at the daily itineraries. Whether you have a day, a full weekend, or longer, we suggest starting here.

Day 1 - Downtown Halifax

• Explore the harbour front

• Maritime Museum of the Atlantic

• Citadel National Historic Site

• The Alderney Ferry to Dartmouth

Day 2 - Halifax & Fisherman's Cove

• Canadian Museum of Immigration at Pier 21

• The Discovery Centre (for younger kids)

• Fisherman's Cove

Day 3 - Peggy's Cove, Mahone Bay & Lunenburg

• Peggy's Cove

• Mahone Bay and its "Trio of Churches"

• Lunenburg

Day 4 - Kejimkujik National Park & Digby

• Kejimkujik National Park

• World's Best Scallops in Digby

Day 5 - Annapolis Valley & Wolfville

• Fort Anne Historic Site

• Grande Pre National Historic Site

• Wine Tasting in Wolfville

Day 6 - The Drive to Cape Breton

• Long Drive to Cape Breton

• Truro

• Pictou

• Port Hawksbury

  
  

Day 7 - Drive The Celtic Shores Coastal Trail

• Inverness & Cheticamp

• Secluded beach in cove

• Secret quarry swimming spot

Day 8 & 9 - Explore the Cabot Trail

• Cape Breton Highlands National Park

• Hiking the Skyline Trail

• Local beaches

• Pleasant Bay

• Ingonish

  
  

Day 10 - Baddeck & the Drive back to Halifax

• Baddeck

• Alexander Graham Bell National Historic Site

• Drive back to Halifax

To jump ahead to a certain section, click the links below:

Nova Scotia Itinerary Map

Whenever we plan a trip, we always start with Google Maps. It helps us visualize locations and create efficient itineraries. We’ve added all the sights and attractions to the map below to help you see where everything is and plan your own itinerary.

To save the map to your Google Maps account, click the star next to the title. To access it later, open Google Maps, go to “Your Places,” and find it under “Maps.”

Day 1 - Explore Downtown Halifax

This lively and welcoming city is a great place to kick off your Nova Scotia road trip. Halifax has a scenic waterfront, spacious parks, rich history, and fantastic food - so it’s no surprise there are plenty of kid-friendly things to do.

Here is how we recommend planning your time in Halifax.

Explore the Harbourfront

Start your first day in Halifax by checking out the iconic Halifax Harbourfront. Take a leisurely walk along the 4km boardwalk, where there is a variety of restaurants, shops, museums, and some great spots for ice cream.

It’s the perfect place to soak up the lively atmosphere while enjoying scenic views of the harbor.

While you’re on the boardwalk, be sure to check out the Maritime Museum of the Atlantic, where you can learn about Halifax’s maritime history, including its connection to the Titanic disaster.

Close to the museum, the kids can have fun on the wave monument and submarine-inspired play structure. While they’re playing, grab some fish and chips or a lobster roll from the nearby food stalls for lunch!

Learn About Halifax's History at the Citadel

In the afternoon, make your way up to the Halifax Citadel National Historic Site for panoramic views over the city and harbor, and of course the famous clock tower.

This hilltop fort is still guarded by the 78th Highlanders, dressed in traditional uniforms, and you might catch them performing drills or playing in the regimental band.

If you’re there around midday, be prepared for the blast of the “noon gun” - a cannon that’s fired every day right at 12 o’clock.

The Halifax Public Gardens is a beautiful park just minutes from the Citadel, and is an ideal place for a picnic or to unwind after a day of exploring.

Take the Alderney Ferry to Dartmouth

There are plenty of great places to eat in downtown Halifax, but one of the most fun things we did on our trip was take the Alderney Ferry across the harbor to Dartmouth for dinner.

The short ride offers great views of the city, especially as the sun starts to go down. Once you're over in Dartmouth, why not try the Crobster Roll at Canteen on Portland - it was amazing!

Day 2 - Halifax Museums & Fisherman's Cove

Learn About Canada's Immigration at Pier 21

On your second day in Halifax, consider visiting the Canadian Museum of Immigration at Pier 21. It tells the stories of more than a million people who arrived in Canada between 1928 and 1971, and while it might not sound like the most exciting museum for kids, they loved it.

If your kids are younger or more into hands-on activities, the Discovery Centre is just a short walk away and located right on the boardwalk.

Explore Fisherman's Cove

We recommend making the short drive - just 15 minutes - to Fisherman’s Cove, a 200-year-old fishing village. It has a somewhat touristy but still charming boardwalk lined with colourful shops. Our kids spent a good chunk of their holiday money here (especially at the candy store).

Not far from the shops, MacCormack’s Beach is a shallow, sandy spot that’s ideal for little ones. In places, the water is only a few centimetres deep — great for families with toddlers. If you're hoping to spend more time by the ocean, we’ve also rounded up other local beaches in this post.

Note: If you’re running out of time to fit this in, or if you’d prefer to spend a full two days in Halifax, don’t worry — you can always stop by Fisherman’s Cove on your last day as you drive back to Halifax from the Cabot Trail.

Where to Stay in Halifax

LUXURY:

• The Muir Hotel: Prime waterfront location, stunning views, part of the Marriott chain. We stayed for our daughter’s birthday (used Marriott points) and loved it.

  • Full review: Review of the Muir Hotel in Halifax

• Sutton Place Hotel: Located near the Citadel, another great luxury option.

MID-RANGE:

• Halifax Marriott Harbourfront Hotel: Steps from the waterfront and Historic Properties. Good value for its location.

• Courtyard by Marriott (Dartmouth): Newer hotel with clean rooms and a fun slide for the kids, but a little further out.

BUDGET:

• Halifax Backpackers: Located in the North End, recommended by a local friend for budget stays.

Day 3 - Peggy's Cove, Mahone Bay & Lunenburg

Visit Peggy's Cove - Canada's Most Photographed Lighthouse

While there’s plenty to see in Halifax, you’re probably itching to get out and explore the surrounding area as well! The coastline is full of picturesque fishing villages, stunning scenery, and, of course, plenty of lighthouses.

Peggy’s Cove Lighthouse is the most photographed lighthouse in Canada, and is one of the most popular spots for day trips. Because it’s so well-known and close to Halifax, it tends to get quite busy - unless you get there early!

The kids will have a blast climbing over the granite rocks around the lighthouse - just make sure they don't get too near the edge (since the waves can crash over the rocks during heavy seas and storms).

Lunenburg - a UNESCO World Heritage Site

After a few hours exploring Peggy's Cove, set off on the approx. 2 hour drive to Lunenburg, stopping for a few short leg stretchers and scenic spots along the way.

One of the best spots is Mahone Bay - a small village known for its trio of churches and postcard-worthy town centre.

Lunenburg is one of Nova Scotia’s most picturesque towns. Established in the 1700s, it’s filled with colourful historic buildings, a beautiful waterfront, and charming local shops to explore.

In Lunenburg, explore St. John’s Anglican Church or the Fisheries Museum of the Atlantic to learn about its fishing heritage, and if it's not out sailing, catch a glimpse of the Bluenose II, the famous schooner that moors here most of the year.

For the best view of the town, head to Cove Road near the Bluenose Golf Course.

If you are looking to explore the surrounding area, there is a beautiful picturesque fishing village called Blue Rocks. Often called 'Little Peggy's Cove' you get a similar experience without all the crowds!

Where to Stay in Lunenburg:

If you're looking for a place to stay in Lunenburg, here are some great options to consider:

• The Dockside Inn & Restaurant: Cozy rooms with waterfront views and a popular restaurant.

• Lunenburg Arms Hotel: Historic hotel with charming rooms and easy access to local shops.

• Spinnaker Inn: A quaint B&B offering comfortable rooms and personalized service.

Day 4 - Kejimkujik National Park & Digby

Kejimkujik National Park

Kejimkujik National Park is a great place to stop on a road trip around southern Nova Scotia, as it offers a different type of scenery compared to the coastal towns and villages that dominate the island.

Make the most of your visit by setting off early from Lunenburg and aim to arrive at the park by 10 a.m - it’s about an hour’s drive.

Reminder: Kejimkujik is both a National Park and a National Historic Site, so you’ll need to purchase a park pass at the entry gate. We’ve have a post dedicated to answering common questions about the Canadian National Park Pass here.

We recommend starting with the 2 km Mill Falls loop, an easy trail that begins right behind the visitor information centre. It's perfect for kids. The boardwalk sections offer great views of the falls and a chance to spot interesting lichen in the shaded forest.

Kids can pick up scavenger hunt booklets at the info centre — a fun way to keep them engaged as they search for wildlife and nature.

From the falls, you can continue to cross the pedestrian bridge to explore the Ukme’k Trail and several others, or head back to do another activity, depending on how long you intend to stay in the park.

After your hike, take some time to explore the cultural activities offered in the park. During our visit, we watched a live demonstration of birch bark canoe-building by a seventh-generation Mi’kmaq.

Check what activities are happening during your visit here.

While we didn't get to use the canoe we just watched being built, kayaking the Mersey River is one of the best place to try canoeing in the park. Whynot Adventure at Jake's Landing is the best places to rent canoes - they do 2 hour tours suitable for the whole family.

Eat the World's Best Scallops in Digby

Later in the afternoon, drive to Digby for some dinner and accommodation for the night. Digby is a quiet fishing town that is the gateway to Digby Neck, which is a long peninsula that stretches' 30 kilometers into the Bay of Fundy.

It's around a 40 minute drive from Kejimkujik National Park so not too long of a drive.

One of the best things to do in Digby is go whale watching, as Digby Neck is considered one of the best places in North America to do it.

We didn’t go on our trip (partly because we’ve done it before and also the weather was awful) but if you want to take a tour you have two options:

1. You can start the tour from East Ferry on Digby Neck, or

2. Drive farther along Digby Neck to Brier Island, which requires a short ferry ride. From Brier Island, tours are also available to see seabirds, including puffins which sounds incredible!

If you do decide to drive down Digby neck, be sure to stop at Sandy Cove Beach, as well as the Balancing Rock, which is (as you might have guessed) a narrow vertical rock that is balanced on its tip. I have no idea how it is still standing!

For dinner, unless you have a seafood allergy - and maybe even then - you have to try the scallops. Digby is known around the world for having some of the best, and after tasting them, I’ve never had any better.

Where to Stay in Digby:

On our trip, we didn't actually stay in Digby, instead choosing to continue closer to Wolfville as we had found a wonderful B&B we wanted to stay at.

Looking back, although we loved the B&B, we would have maybe done things differently, as we felt we didn’t have enough time to properly explore Digby.

So while we can’t offer specific recommendations, we did notice plenty of B&Bs in the area.

Alternatively, if you’d rather camp in Kejimkujik National Park, check out the oTENTik or Oasis accommodations through Parks Canada. We desperately wanted to stay in one of these accommodations to experience the stargazing, but they were sold out on the dates we were there.

Day 5 - Annapolis Royal & Wolfville

Note: If hiking and nature-based activities around Digby appeal to you more than historical attractions, you could easily skip Annapolis Royal, and stay longer in Digby. Everything in this part of the Annapolis Valley is relatively close together.

Learn about Nova Scotia's History

Start day 5 by driving to Annapolis Royal, home to the Fort Anne National Historic Site. The fort grounds offers stunning views over the bay, a small museum, and it even has Canada's oldest building under Parks Canada control, dating back to 1708.

Inside the museum there were opportunities for kids to dress up in traditional outfits, if they like that sort of thing. You don't need to spend more than a few hours here though.

Pro Tip: If it's a hot day, stop by 1 Scoop 2 Scoop for a watermelon sorbet (with chocolate chip 'seeds'). You'll thank me later.

Relax and Enjoy some Wine Tasting

Continue along the Annapolis Valley to Wolfville, known for Acadia University and its many wineries. It's a really beautiful and 'green' part of Nova Scotia - everything seemed so lush in comparison to everywhere else!

We stopped at a couple of wineries but Lightfoot & Wolfville was definitely our favourite. They’ve got a great restaurant with beautiful vineyard views, delicious wine, and a kid friendly food menu.

If wine isn’t your thing, visiting the Grand-Pré National Historic Site is a great alternative - it tells the story of the Acadian people and their deportation in the 1700s.

Close by you can stop off by the viewpoint on Old Post Road or the Look-Off for sweeping views of the valley - both are well worth a visit.

Where to Eat in Wolfville

In the evening grab we HIGHLY recommend dinner and craft beer at the Church Brewing Co which is located right in the main street in downtown Wolfville. We had loads of fun playing card games there!

Where to Stay in the Annapolis Valley

We stayed at a charming B&B called the Farmhouse Inn, located in the small town of Canning, and just a 5-minute drive from Wolfville.

The hosts were incredibly welcoming to children! On a rainy day, they even brought out a rock painting set for our kids to play with in the room. They also serve an amazing breakfast, so if you enjoy homemade, locally sourced food, I highly recommend staying here!

Day 6 - The Drive to Cape Breton

Attention - Long Drive Alert

Unfortunately, today is a long day of driving, around 5-6 hours in total, so try to get on the road early.

Due to the coastal roads being windy and slower, the quickest route to the Cape Breton is actually driving back via Halifax. It's about an hour back to Halifax, and about another hour to Truro, and a further 45 minutes to Pictou. If time isn't a concern, then hugging the coast would be a more scenic option.

If you are close to Pictou around lunch time, consider stopping in for a slice of Pictou pizza. Instead of a tomato sauce base, they have a specialty brown sauce that they use - it looks strange, and I'm sure Italian's would be horrified, but it was delicious!  

From Pictou, it's around 90 minutes to Port Hastings, which is where you cross the bridge onto Cape Breton Island.

Depending on how much driving you are able/willing to do in a day, you could spend the night in Port Hawksbury, which is a fairly large town. To be honest, we didn't think much to Port Hawksbury and I think it's worth driving that little bit further to stay along the coast.

Drive Along the Celtic Shore Trail

Many travelers skip the Celtic Shore Coastal Trail and head straight for the Cabot Trail - but we think that’s a missed opportunity.

The Cabot Trail doesn’t officially begin until you’re near Baddeck, and the stretch between Baddeck and Margaree Harbour (on the coast) isn’t particularly scenic by comparison. We recommend saving Baddeck for the return trip to Halifax.

Instead, take the Celtic Shore Trail to Inverness for the night. It puts you much closer to Cape Breton Highlands National Park and the start of the (coastal) part of Cabot Trail, and there are more kid-friendly things to do in the area.

One of our favourites stops, which was about a 20 minute detour off the road to Inverness (Strathlorne), was the hike to Egypt Falls. It's a fun trail for kids as there are ropes to help you descend / ascend the steeper parts along the hike, so it adds a bit of a challenge.

Where to Stay in Inverness

How far you drive up the coast will partly depend on where you decide to stay. This stretch of coastline has plenty of charming B&Bs, along with a good number of Airbnb's.

It takes about 45 minutes to drive from Inverness to Chéticamp, which sits right at the entrance to the national park.

If you’re thinking about using Pleasant Bay as a base - which is what we did - it’s only 1 hour and 20 minutes from Inverness, so anywhere along this section works well.

Day 7 - Inverness & Cheticamp

Explore Inverness and Cheticamp

If you're staying in, or passing through Inverness, Magic Cove is a great little hidden beach worth exploring. It's only about 15 minutes away by car, just past Port Ban Cove. The water is clear and calm, and it is a great place for kids to swim or play without the crowds.

Inverness Beach is one of the best places to stop along the Celtic Shore Trail, as the wide stretch of sand is perfect to relax after the long drive the day before.

Just past Inverness is Route 19 Brewing, a local brewery where they serve great beer and food. The Dog Daisy passionfruit sour was delicious!

The Secret Quarry Hike

Just before you reach Cheticamp, I'd recommend hiking the Gypsum Mine Trail (especially on a warm day). The trail leads to a beautiful swimming hole tucked away in an old quarry, and it’s a fun reward at the end of the walk.

There's also a short climb - around 5 to 10 minutes - that takes you up to a viewpoint overlooking the water below.

It's a good mix of adventure and downtime, and a hit with kids who love the idea of a “secret” place to swim. It's a lot colder than you would expect though!

Alternate Option: If the weather isn't playing ball and the idea of sitting on a beach, or lounging by a swimming hole in the rain doesn’t sound appealing - or if you’d simply rather be out hiking - this is a good time to start exploring Cape Breton Highlands National Park.

Just past Cheticamp near the park entrance, the Le Buttereau Trail is a great introduction to the area. It’s fairly short hike, with a bit of a steep start, but it levels out quickly and has some great views over the coastline. It’s a nice warm-up for the trails ahead, because from here on, it only gets better.

Where to Stay on the Cabot Trail

We knew this part of the trip would deliver some incredible views, so we wanted a place where we could truly take them in - and staying in a True North Destinations dome overlooking Pleasant Bay was one of the most memorable experiences of our entire trip.

It’s definitely a splurge, but if you can stretch the budget for a night or two, it’s absolutely worth it. Soaking in the hot tub with million-dollar views felt like a once-in-a-lifetime moment.

Day 8 - Drive the Cabot Trail & Pleasant Bay

Explore the Cabot Trail

Once you're inside Cape Breton Highlands National Park, there are plenty of opportunities to hike or simply pull over and take in the sweeping ocean views.

Reminder: you’ll need to purchase a park pass at the entry gate. We’ve have a post dedicated to answering common questions about the Canadian National Park Pass here.

Our strategy to keep the kids engaged was to mix a few shorter hikes and beach stops with one longer hike to make sure we experienced the epic views along the Cabot Trail.

There are 13 hiking trails along this side of the coast, 4 more as you head inland and cross to the other side, and another 12 on the East Coast. You can find more details about each of them here:

Although it's less than 1km, the Bog Trail was quick and easy, and we all found it really interesting. The kids loved searching for frogs, orchids, and insect-eating plants from the boardwalk trail.

If you have a stroller than this is the perfect hike for you. Also, don't worry about the bugs, we didn't see many at all.

Hike the Skyline Trail

The highlight, though, was definitely the Skyline Trail, and this was the 'long' hike we chose to do with our kids. It’s the most iconic hike in the park and has gained a bit of Instagram fame thanks to its iconic boardwalk lookout.

The trail is fairly easy and can be done as a 6.5 km out-and-back or an 8.2 km loop (we opted for the loop). Even if your kids aren’t big on hiking, it’s absolutely worth encouraging them to give it a try.

We built ours up to it a few days beforehand - and promised ice cream afterward as motivation!

Along the Cabot Trail between Chéticamp and Pleasant Bay, there are several roadside pullouts where you can stop and take in the views.

Don’t rush through this stretch - we ended up driving it at least three times during our stay. The MacKenzie Mountain look-off in particular is stunning.

You briefly exit the National Park around Pleasant Bay, which is a lovely fishing village with stunning views over the bay. Honestly, if I had to choose a highlight of our trip, it was our dome stay here. I could look out over that bay for the rest of my life and not get bored.

If you missed out on whale watching in Digby, you can also do it here. Captain Mark Whale & Seal Cruises runs regular tours and is the most popular option.

Where to Eat

If you're staying in the area for dinner, the Rusty Anchor serves fresh seafood and has an outdoor patio where you can watch the sunset over the water. It was gorgeous!

There was a nice ice cream place in Pleasant Bay too.

Day 9 - Cabot Trail & Ingonish

Ingonish on the Cabot Trail

On your second full day on the Cabot Trail, the route leaves the coast and heads inland to cross over to the Eastern side of Cape Breton Island, and the towns of South Harbour, Neil's Harbour and Ingonish.

Along this route, there are some great family friendly hikes that are worth considering. MacIntosh Brook is an easy 1.7km hike past a small brook and that ends with a nice waterfall.

Lone Shieling is a quick and easy 0.6km walk through 350 year old sugar maple trees and has replica of a Scottish crofter's hut to look inside at the beginning of the trail.

Green Cove is technically one of the 26 hikes in the national park, but at just 0.2 km, it’s really more of a short boardwalk leading out to a rocky peninsula lookout. That said, it’s a worthwhile stop to stretch your legs - and a fun little adventure for the kids.

Middle Head Trail was one of our favourite hikes along the East coast of the island. It's a relatively easy 3.8 km loop that follows a narrow peninsula between two ocean bays and ends with sweeping views of Cape Smokey and Ingonish Island. It runs past the Keltic Lodge which is one of the best places to stay in the area.

Ingonish is another great place to whale watch. There are two companies that you can choose between; Keltic Express Zodiac Adventures and Ingonish Whalewatching Tours. If you are lucky you'll spot Pilot and Minke whales along with larger Humpback whales here.

Ingonish Beach is a unique spot thanks to a natural formation called a barachois (bonus points if you already know what that is!).

It’s essentially a strip of land with a freshwater lake on one side (aptly called 'Freshwater Lake') and the ocean on the other - sand on one side, pebbles on the other. It also means you can experience both salt water and freshwater just a few meters apart.

Franey Trail was the one hike we had to skip - at 7.8 km with a steep climb, it would have been too challenging for our kids. If you’re visiting with older children who can handle the elevation, its worth considering.

Alternatively, you can take the gondola to the top of Cape Smokey. Its the only year-round gondola in Eastern Canada, and has stunning views from Cape Smokey to Ingonish.

Where to Eat in Ingonish / Baddeck

If you are looking for a place to grab a coffee, plan to stop at the Salty Rose’s Periwinkle Café, which is just south of Ingonish.

It's a cute café that serves delicious food and coffee, plus has an artisan gift shop to browse while you are waiting - a great place to pick up some nice homemade gifts.

Where to Stay on the Cabot Trail - Ingonish & Baddeck

Ingonish Beach is a spot where you can camp or book roofed accommodations through Parks Canada. If there's availability, it's definitely worth considering as they look amazing. They've even added some cocoon tents suspended in the trees, which sound like a unique experience.

For a luxury stay in Ingonish, the Keltic Lodge Resort is a popular option located on Middle Head and offers incredible views of the Atlantic Ocean.

The Water’s Edge Inn & Gallery is a boutique waterfront inn located in the heart of Baddeck, located on the shores of the Bras d’Or Lakes. The inn has stunning harbor views and easy access to the Alexander Graham Bell National Historic Site.

Day 10 - Baddeck & Drive back to Halifax

Learn all about Alexander Graham Bell

This is the final day of your itinerary, but depending on your travel plans, you should still have time to explore Baddeck and the surrounding area. The drive back to Halifax takes roughly four hours.

The Alexander Graham Bell National Historic Site is a great museum located just minutes from the centre of Baddeck and is well worth a visit.

We had no idea Bell was involved in so many different inventions or that he played such a significant role in working with the deaf. Truly amazing!

Experience Nature

Uisge Ban Falls is a great hike that is just a short drive from Baddeck. The trail winds through the forest, where you'll spot some fascinating trees with roots draped over massive boulders.

The hike finishes with a bit of rock scrambling before you're rewarded with a beautiful view of the waterfall. Even in the rain, the kids had a great time!

If you have a few extra days, or are willing to have a longer drive, you could choose to drive back along the southern coast (it's around 6 hours to Halifax).

However, if you're looking for the quickest route, head back the way you came via Truro (around 4 hours).

Options for Less Days

If you don’t have a full 10 days, here are a few parts of the itinerary you could skip to shorten your trip:

1. Skip Annapolis Royal and Wolfville entirely to save two nights, or

2. Spend your second day in Halifax doing a day trip to Peggy’s Cove and Lunenburg instead of staying overnight, which saves one night.

   
   

Cutting any more than this will make it difficult to fit in the Cabot Trail - which, in my opinion, is the absolute must-do when visiting Nova Scotia.

Options for More Days

If you have more than 10 days to spend travelling around Nova Scotia, then consider our 14 day itinerary that also includes time in New Brunswick and PEI.

Here are some additions we’d suggest if you have extra time:

1. Spend time exploring the Southwest coast of Nova Scotia, with stops in Liverpool, Shelburne, and Yarmouth (2–3 days)

2. Add a day in Cape Breton to visit the town of Sydney and the Fortress of Louisbourg (1 day)

3. Extend your trip into New Brunswick to see the Hopewell Rocks and explore Fundy National Park (1–2 days)

4. Relax for a few days on the red sand beaches of PEI (2–3 days)

When is the Best Time to Visit?

The best time to visit Nova Scotia is from late spring through early fall, when the weather is mild, attractions are fully open, and coastal towns are bustling with activity.

June to September offers the most reliable conditions for exploring the province’s scenic drives, beaches, hiking trails, and historic sites.

July and August are the busiest months and accommodation tends to be more expensive.

For fewer crowds and a more relaxed pace, consider visiting in September or October. The weather is still pleasant, usually dry, and you’ll be treated to stunning fall colors along the Cabot Trail and within the national parks. Next time we visit, this is when we plan to go.

How to Get Around Nova Scotia?

In general, you are going to need to hire a car to complete this road trip (unless you have your own obviously).

The exception being Halifax, where you don't really need a car, and from there you could book tours to nearby attractions (e.g Peggy's Cove). However, for the flexibility, we definitely recommend hiring a car.

We managed to book a car with Avis for around $50 Canadian per day and there is no need to get a 4X4 type vehicle, any regular car will do.

We hope you enjoy your trip to Nova Scotia! If you have any questions feel free to reach out to us in the comments!