St John's
Newfoundland's capital, built around a harbor, with Signal Hill above the entrance and the coast drive out to Cape Spear.
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St. John's is the capital of Newfoundland and Labrador, on the island of Newfoundland in eastern Canada. The city sits around a deep natural harbor, and its downtown houses climb the slopes above the water. Signal Hill overlooks the harbor entrance and is the city's best-known lookout. The port's fishing history still shows in the old streets and along the waterfront.
The coast is a main reason to come. Cape Spear, where the lighthouse marks North America's easternmost point, is a drive out of the city. Public transit covers downtown, but the coast sites are easier by car. St. John's suits a trip of two to four days: enough time for the harbor, the hill and one or two coastal outings. Travelers who want the wider island need more days. Late spring to early fall is the best season for coast drives, when trails and viewpoints are open.
St John's in five
- Give Signal Hill 1 to 3 hoursParks Canada says plan 1 to 3 hours, reach it by car or on foot, and call the Visitor Centre about guided tours. The grounds are accessible all year; staffed hours run June 1 to October 9 in 2026.Signal Hill
- Add Cape Spear for the easternmost pointParks Canada calls Cape Spear Lighthouse North America's easternmost point, overlooking drifting icebergs and whales. It lies outside the city, so plan a drive or a tour.Parks Canada
- Budget for the Signal Hill daily feeParks Canada lists daily visitor fees at Signal Hill, with free admission for youth. Check the fees page for the current adult rate before you budget.Fees page
- Plan the island crossing firstMost visitors fly in. Drivers arrive by ferry from Nova Scotia, and the Newfoundland and Labrador guide covers the crossings and long drives that follow.Newfoundland and Labrador
- Link St. John's with Cape Breton or HalifaxA Maritimes and Newfoundland trip usually runs through Nova Scotia. Cape Breton is the ferry gateway for drivers.Cape Breton Island
Things to do in St John's
See all attractions in St John's
Need to know
- Airport
- St. John's International (YYT), minutes from the city
- Getting there
- Flights from across Canada; ferry to Newfoundland for drivers
- Getting around
- Walkable downtown; car for Signal Hill, Cape Spear and the coast
- Best base
- Downtown near the harbor
- Time needed
- 2 to 3 days; 4 with Cape Spear and the coast
Weather by month
- Rainy days
- Snowy days
- Best
- Good
- Mixed
- Poor
- JanuarySnow15 rainy days7 snowy daysHigh1°Low-4°Cold, snowJanuarySnow
Poor
- High
- 1°
- Low
- -4°
- Precipitation
- 156 mm
- Rainy days
- 15
- Snowy days
- 7
- Days with storms
- 0
Cold, snow
- FebruarySnow15 rainy days8 snowy daysHigh0°Low-6°Cold, snowFebruarySnow
Poor
- High
- 0°
- Low
- -6°
- Precipitation
- 133 mm
- Rainy days
- 15
- Snowy days
- 8
- Days with storms
- 0
Cold, snow
- MarchSnow15 rainy days7 snowy daysHigh1°Low-3°Late winterMarchSnow
Poor
- High
- 1°
- Low
- -3°
- Precipitation
- 132 mm
- Rainy days
- 15
- Snowy days
- 7
- Days with storms
- 0
Late winter
- AprilRain15 rainy days5 snowy daysHigh4°Low0°Cold, fogAprilRain
Poor
- High
- 4°
- Low
- 0°
- Precipitation
- 124 mm
- Rainy days
- 15
- Snowy days
- 5
- Days with storms
- 0
Cold, fog
- MayRain13 rainy daysHigh8°Low3°Spring, icebergsMayRain
Mixed
- High
- 8°
- Low
- 3°
- Precipitation
- 92 mm
- Rainy days
- 13
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Spring, icebergs
- JuneRain13 rainy daysHigh14°Low8°Early summerJuneRain
Good
- High
- 14°
- Low
- 8°
- Precipitation
- 108 mm
- Rainy days
- 13
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Early summer
- JulyPartly cloudy11 rainy daysHigh19°Low13°Warm, whalesJulyPartly cloudy
Best
- High
- 19°
- Low
- 13°
- Precipitation
- 92 mm
- Rainy days
- 11
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Warm, whales
- AugustPartly cloudy12 rainy daysHigh19°Low14°Warm, festivalsAugustPartly cloudy
Best
- High
- 19°
- Low
- 14°
- Precipitation
- 107 mm
- Rainy days
- 12
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Warm, festivals
- SeptemberRain12 rainy daysHigh16°Low11°Fall, quieterSeptemberRain
Best
- High
- 16°
- Low
- 11°
- Precipitation
- 121 mm
- Rainy days
- 12
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Fall, quieter
- OctoberPartly cloudy12 rainy daysHigh11°Low7°Fall colourOctoberPartly cloudy
Mixed
- High
- 11°
- Low
- 7°
- Precipitation
- 98 mm
- Rainy days
- 12
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Fall colour
- NovemberRain16 rainy days1 snowy dayHigh7°Low3°Cool, wetNovemberRain
Poor
- High
- 7°
- Low
- 3°
- Precipitation
- 173 mm
- Rainy days
- 16
- Snowy days
- 1
- Days with storms
- 0
Cool, wet
- DecemberRain16 rainy days5 snowy daysHigh3°Low-2°Cold, rainDecemberRain
Poor
- High
- 3°
- Low
- -2°
- Precipitation
- 147 mm
- Rainy days
- 16
- Snowy days
- 5
- Days with storms
- 0
Cold, rain
Average daily high and low in St. John's, 2016–2025. Rainy day: 1 mm of rain or more.
Right now in St John's
Local time, today's weather and the exchange rate, refreshed through the day.
7
- Feels like
- 3°
- Humidity
- 78%
- Wind
- 19 km/h
- Chance of rain
- 0%
St John's
08:33 PM
Monday, November 2
- Today10°0°0%Monday: Cloudy. High 10°, Low 0°. Chance of rain 0%.
- Tue6°0°25%Tuesday: Cloudy. High 6°, Low 0°. Chance of rain 25%.
- Wed3°-1°2%Wednesday: Cloudy. High 3°, Low -1°. Chance of rain 2%.
- Thu5°-1°4%Thursday: Cloudy. High 5°, Low -1°. Chance of rain 4%.
- Fri7°1°8%Friday: Cloudy. High 7°, Low 1°. Chance of rain 8%.
- Sat10°6°13%Saturday: Fog. High 10°, Low 6°. Chance of rain 13%.
- Sun8°5°33%Sunday: Fog. High 8°, Low 5°. Chance of rain 33%.
Updated 06:05 PM local time · 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
- Signal Hill1 to 3 hoursParks Canada says it rises above the city and separates it from the Atlantic; the grounds are open all year.
- Cape Speara short drive from downtownThe easternmost point in North America, per Parks Canada, with a restored lighthouse.
- The Newfoundland coastby car or tourFurther coastal stops are covered in the provincial guide, including icebergs, whales and the long drives.Read the guide
Before you go to St John's
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Plan around St John's
Gros Morne, icebergs and the long drives
Read the guideHalifaxThe Nova Scotia gateway for the ferry
Read the guideCape Breton IslandThe ferry port and the Cabot Trail
Read the guideThe MaritimesNova Scotia, New Brunswick and PEI
Read the guideGetting around CanadaCar hire and ferries
Read the guideAll of CanadaeTA, regions, cities and money basics
Read the guideSt John's FAQ
How many days do you need in St. John's?
Two to three days cover Signal Hill, the harbor and downtown. Add a fourth for Cape Spear and the coast, and more if you plan to drive on toward the rest of the island.
Is Signal Hill free?
Parks Canada lists free admission for youth and daily visitor fees for other visitors, and says the grounds are accessible all year. Check the fees page for the current adult rate and for the staffed season.
What is Cape Spear known for?
Parks Canada describes Cape Spear Lighthouse as North America's easternmost point, overlooking drifting icebergs, whales and porpoises. Its restored interior shows 19th century lightkeeping.
Do you need a car in St. John's?
Not for downtown, but you do for Signal Hill's outer sights, Cape Spear and the coast, unless you book a tour. Parks Canada says Signal Hill is reachable by car or on foot.
When is the best time to visit St. John's?
June to September for warmer days, with iceberg and whale season depending on the year. Check the provincial tourism site for iceberg timing, since drift changes yearly, and pack for fog and wind.