Halifax
Nova Scotia's capital, built around a working harbor and a hilltop fort. Use it as a base for day trips to Peggy's Cove, Lunenburg and Cape Breton.
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Halifax is Nova Scotia's capital, on Canada's Atlantic coast. The city sits on one of the largest natural harbors in the world, and much of its history is tied to the water. Halifax Citadel, a star-shaped fort built in the 1800s, stands on Citadel Hill above downtown and looks out over the harbor. Below it, the Historic Properties waterfront has old warehouses that now hold shops and restaurants. Ferries cross the harbor to Dartmouth on a short crossing, with the skyline in view on the way.
Halifax works well as a base. Peggy's Cove, a fishing village with a granite lighthouse, is a drive southwest of the city. Lunenburg, a colorful old fishing town on the South Shore, is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Cape Breton and the Cabot Trail sit a longer drive northeast. Plan two or three nights in the city, and more if you want the day trips at an easy pace. Summer and early fall suit the outdoor walks and coast drives best.
Halifax in five
- Pay the $3 Halifax Transit fareHalifax Transit lists a $3 adult single fare for conventional buses and the harbor ferry, and a $7.50 one-day pass on the HFXGO app. Regional Express routes 320, 330 and 370 cost $4.75.
- Ride the Alderney ferry for the harbor viewThe Alderney ferry links the Halifax Ferry Terminal with Alderney Gate in Dartmouth, using the same Halifax Transit tickets as the buses. It is the cheapest harbor outing here.
- Visit the Citadel early in the dayParks Canada lists adult admission to Halifax Citadel National Historic Site at $22.00; youth 17 and under are free. Parking on site is $9.50 per vehicle per day.Parks Canada fees
- Add Peggy's Cove and Lunenburg by car or tourThe classic coastal day trips need a car or a guided tour, since public transport is thin. Start early and return before evening traffic.
- Link Halifax with Cape BretonMost Nova Scotia loops add the Cabot Trail after Halifax. Drive on after two nights here, or fly in and out of Sydney if time is short.Cape Breton Island
Things to do in Halifax
See all attractions in Halifax
Need to know
- Airport
- Halifax Stanfield (YHZ), north of the city
- Getting there
- Flights from across Canada; Cape Breton and the coast by road
- Getting around
- Halifax Transit buses and harbor ferry; adult fare $3 Read more
- Best base
- Downtown near the waterfront
- Time needed
- 2 to 3 days; 4 with Peggy's Cove and Lunenburg
Weather by month
- Rainy days
- Snowy days
- Best
- Good
- Mixed
- Poor
- JanuarySnow12 rainy days4 snowy daysHigh1°Low-5°Snow, coldJanuarySnow
Poor
- High
- 1°
- Low
- -5°
- Precipitation
- 150 mm
- Rainy days
- 12
- Snowy days
- 4
- Days with storms
- 0
Snow, cold
- FebruarySnow12 rainy days6 snowy daysHigh1°Low-6°Cold, stormsFebruarySnow
Poor
- High
- 1°
- Low
- -6°
- Precipitation
- 155 mm
- Rainy days
- 12
- Snowy days
- 6
- Days with storms
- 0
Cold, storms
- MarchRain13 rainy days4 snowy daysHigh4°Low-3°Cool, slushMarchRain
Poor
- High
- 4°
- Low
- -3°
- Precipitation
- 135 mm
- Rainy days
- 13
- Snowy days
- 4
- Days with storms
- 0
Cool, slush
- AprilRain14 rainy days1 snowy dayHigh9°Low2°Spring, coolAprilRain
Mixed
- High
- 9°
- Low
- 2°
- Precipitation
- 141 mm
- Rainy days
- 14
- Snowy days
- 1
- Days with storms
- 0
Spring, cool
- MayPartly cloudy12 rainy daysHigh13°Low6°Mild, greenMayPartly cloudy
Good
- High
- 13°
- Low
- 6°
- Precipitation
- 96 mm
- Rainy days
- 12
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Mild, green
- JuneRain12 rainy daysHigh18°Low11°Mild, fogJuneRain
Good
- High
- 18°
- Low
- 11°
- Precipitation
- 152 mm
- Rainy days
- 12
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Mild, fog
- JulyPartly cloudy11 rainy daysHigh22°Low15°Warm, festivalsJulyPartly cloudy
Best
- High
- 22°
- Low
- 15°
- Precipitation
- 131 mm
- Rainy days
- 11
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Warm, festivals
- AugustPartly cloudy12 rainy daysHigh23°Low16°Warm, peakAugustPartly cloudy
Best
- High
- 23°
- Low
- 16°
- Precipitation
- 114 mm
- Rainy days
- 12
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Warm, peak
- SeptemberPartly cloudy10 rainy daysHigh20°Low13°Warm, fewer crowdsSeptemberPartly cloudy
Best
- High
- 20°
- Low
- 13°
- Precipitation
- 131 mm
- Rainy days
- 10
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Warm, fewer crowds
- OctoberRain10 rainy daysHigh15°Low9°Fall colorsOctoberRain
Mixed
- High
- 15°
- Low
- 9°
- Precipitation
- 166 mm
- Rainy days
- 10
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Fall colors
- NovemberRain11 rainy daysHigh9°Low3°Cool, wetNovemberRain
Poor
- High
- 9°
- Low
- 3°
- Precipitation
- 206 mm
- Rainy days
- 11
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Cool, wet
- DecemberRain13 rainy days2 snowy daysHigh4°Low-2°Cold, lightsDecemberRain
Poor
- High
- 4°
- Low
- -2°
- Precipitation
- 226 mm
- Rainy days
- 13
- Snowy days
- 2
- Days with storms
- 0
Cold, lights
Average daily high and low in Halifax, 2016–2025. Rainy day: 1 mm of rain or more.
Right now in Halifax
Local time, today's weather and the exchange rate, refreshed through the day.
15
- Feels like
- 12°
- Humidity
- 61%
- Wind
- 13 km/h
- Chance of rain
- 5%
Halifax
05:13 PM
Monday, November 2
- Today16°6°5%Monday: Cloudy. High 16°, Low 6°. Chance of rain 5%.
- Tue11°2°27%Tuesday: Drizzle. High 11°, Low 2°. Chance of rain 27%.
- Wed13°5°68%Wednesday: Drizzle. High 13°, Low 5°. Chance of rain 68%.
- Thu16°10°16%Thursday: Cloudy. High 16°, Low 10°. Chance of rain 16%.
- Fri16°10°39%Friday: Cloudy. High 16°, Low 10°. Chance of rain 39%.
- Sat13°11°56%Saturday: Drizzle. High 13°, Low 11°. Chance of rain 56%.
- Sun14°9°59%Sunday: Rain. High 14°, Low 9°. Chance of rain 59%.
Updated 04:19 PM local time · Powered by WeatherAPI.com · Weather data by Open-Meteo.com
Money
Mid-market rate1 USD = 1.397 CAD
Rates from Nov 2, 2026 · Rates By Exchange Rate API
Day trips by train
- Peggy's Cove and Lunenburga coastal day by car or tourA lighthouse village and a UNESCO harbor town; start early and leave time for traffic.
- Cape Breton Islanda long drive; plan nights, not a dayThe Cabot Trail loop and Fortress of Louisbourg sit at the far end of the province.Read the guide
- The wider Maritimesmulti-dayNew Brunswick and Prince Edward Island fit a bigger loop with the Confederation Bridge.Read the guide
Before you go to Halifax
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Rules for Halifax, checked
- Halifax Transit: adult single fare $3 for buses and the ferry; one-day pass $7.50; Regional Express routes 320, 330 and 370 are $4.75.Checked Oct 2, 2026 · Source
- Halifax Citadel National Historic Site: adult daily admission $22.00, youth 17 and under free; parking $9.50 per vehicle per day.Checked Oct 2, 2026 · Source
Plan around Halifax
Cabot Trail, Louisbourg and the Highlands
Read the guideNova Scotia, New Brunswick and PEIA Maritimes route with the Fundy tides
Read the guidePrince Edward IslandFerry or bridge from Nova Scotia
Read the guideSaint JohnDigby ferry and the Bay of Fundy
Read the guideNewfoundland and LabradorFerry from North Sydney, icebergs, Gros Morne
Read the guideAll of CanadaeTA, regions, cities and money basics
Read the guideGetting around CanadaCar hire, trains and long distances
Read the guideCanada eTA explainedWho needs it and where to apply
Read the guideHalifax FAQ
How many days do you need in Halifax?
Two or three days covers the Citadel, the waterfront and a harbor ferry ride. Add a day for Peggy's Cove or Lunenburg, and a night or two if you continue to Cape Breton.
Is Halifax worth visiting?
Yes as a base: a walkable harbor city with a hilltop fort, and the easiest launch point for the Nova Scotia coast. It is a poor fit for a single night.
Do you need a car in Halifax?
Not for downtown, where walking and Halifax Transit work. You need a car or a tour for Peggy's Cove, Lunenburg and Cape Breton.
How much does Halifax Transit cost?
Halifax Transit lists $3 for an adult single fare on buses and the harbor ferry, and $7.50 for a one-day pass on the HFXGO app. Children 12 and under ride free.
When is the best time to visit Halifax?
July to October. Summer is warm and busy, while September and October bring fewer crowds and fall color. Winters are cold and storm-prone, and some coastal sights close.