Ultimate 4-Day Halifax Itinerary Including Peggy’s Cove

If you’re dreaming of salty ocean air, charming coastal vibes, and a city packed with history, culture, and killer seafood—this 4 day Halifax itinerary is for you. From wandering historic forts to indulging in waterfront eats and even making a visit to the world-famous Peggy’s Cove Lighthouse. Whether it’s your first visit or your fifth, this guide will help you soak in the best of the city and its stunning surroundings.

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Halifax isn’t just another stop on the map—it’s a place where cannon blasts meet craft cocktails, and vibrant boardwalks lead to serene seaside hikes. In four perfectly paced days, you’ll dive into local culture, get a taste of maritime life, and maybe even fall in love with a lighthouse or two. Get ready for adventure, good eats, and East Coast charm in spades.

4-Day Halifax Itinerary

Get ready for an amazing coastal trip with so many things to see and do!

Day 1 – Experience Historic Halifax

Start your day in Halifax with a bang – literally! As your introduction, you’ll wind the clock back to few of the oldest historical sights while contrasting with some of the city’s newest developments. It’s a perfect way to get orientated and get welcome with open arms.

To make the most of your 4 days, we recommend that you catch an early flight into Halifax Stanfield International Airport (YHZ). As with other airports in the Maritimes, it’s no fuss here and super easy to navigate it’s one terminal.

If you’re staying at the Muir, you’ll be able to call in the airport shuttle from the Ground Transportation office. Otherwise, you can take a pre-arranged airport transfer or take Halifax Transit Regional Express 320 which allows luggage onboard.

Arriving in downtown Halifax in roughly 35 minutes by hotel shuttle, you’ll check into the refined luxury of the Muir, a Luxury Collection Hotel. From its prime waterfront location in the Queen’s Marque district, you’ll be treated to a hotel that showcases Nova Scotia’s maritime heritage with original local artwork and bespoke Canadian furnishing.

The rooms are impeccably designed with thoughtful touches of custom tartan blanket, an ultra-comfortable bed, handcrafted bar stocked with spirits and wine, and spa-inspired granite bathroom equipped with Aesop amenities.

As a guest, you can also indulge in elevated regional dining at Drift, unwind in the exclusive BKS speakeasy, and rejuvenate at the Windward Wellness Centre.

A stay at the Muir is an attraction unto itself and waves so well with the fabric of the Halifax Waterfront.

Once you’ve dropped your bags off and re-organized, it’s time to head up to the centerpiece of the city – the Halifax Citadel National Historic Site.

Perched above, with the perfect sight lines towards Halifax Harbour, this star-shaped fort has been keeping watch over the city since 1856 and easily the most recognizable landmark.

As you make your way up the steps, you’ll pass by the 19th-century Town Clock which is a faithful reconstruction with the original functioning clock mechanism, operating since 1803.

Continue up the hill and you’ll be rewarded with sweeping views of the harbor. Walking past the gates of the Citadel, you’ll be inside the heart of the fort, surrounded by cannons, the barracks, costumed interpreters, and soldiers marching the grounds.

We highly recommend that you time your visit to the noon gun. Every day, the historical re-enactment group, dressed as 3rd Brigade of the Royal Artillery, perform drill demonstrations with a cannon and firing the gun at precisely 12:00PM.

For the rest of your time here, soak in the immense amount of history, walking the ramparts, roaming Parade Square where there are a number of gun artifacts, and have a chance encounter with the tartan-clad 78th Highlander Regiment.

After you’ve finished imagining life as a British soldier stationed in Halifax, make your downhill walk back to the waterfront district because it’s time for lunch at Salt & Ash.

Having lunch here is like visiting your favorite beach retreat that serves up the best of modern Nova Scotia dining. With idyllic views of the waterfront and an overall relaxing, warm vibe, you’ll love everything about their approachable and hearty menu.

For dessert, head right around the corner to The Fog Company, where they take their ice cream and soft serve over-the-top by incorporating a creative blend of toppings.

The “Seas the Day” that was a fantastical mix of brown butter crumble, cotton candy sprinkles, sea glass candy, cotton candy sprinkles, mermaid tail chocolate, and wildest of all, cotton candy that’s spun around the cone to look like fog. It’s a bit tricky to eat but that’s what makes it fun.

Truly seize the day by soaking in all that the waterfront has to offer. Don’t worry too much that you won’t be able to see it all though as you’ll be walking along the path several times on your trip.

What we love about Halifax is just how much there is to see along the boardwalk including all of the different art installations. One that you shouldn’t miss is called “Drunk Lampposts”, a parody to what lampposts would look like if they were staggering home after a Friday night out.

This is perhaps a foreshadowing of where you’ll be headed to next!

A quick stumble over is one of North America’s oldest working breweries, Alexander Keith’s, a Canadian legend since they opened their doors in 1820.

While you’re in Halifax, a visit to the brewery is a must which includes entertaining guides that tell the tale of and legacy of Mr. Keith, the brewing process, and a visit down to the cavern underground.

During the tour, you’ll have a chance to sample numerous beers including their small batch offerings that you can only find here.

To end off the tour, you’ll head into Stag’s Head Tavern underground where more beers will be accompanied by live music from talented local musicians to the tune of music you’d expect to find in a good old maritime ceilidhs or kitchen party.

You’ll no-doubt be hungry at this point. Take a walk back on the waterfront boardwalk and make your way back to Queen’s Marque.

For dinner, you’ll be eating at Peacock Wine Bar, given the distinction of being one of Canada’s best new restaurants in 2023. This is a chic, bold and playful restaurant that shines with its 90+ labels of wine, tapas-style plate perfect for sharing, handmade pastas, local seafood, and seasonal vegetables.

We were really impressed with their oysters, mahi mahi crudo, tubetti amatriciana, and their signature cocktail, Catching the Ferry. The entire dining experience is superb and was easily our best meal in Halifax.

As one of the newest districts on the waterfront, it’s hard not to notice all of the public art that fills Queen’s Marque.

Satisfied from your meal, make sure to stroll around and snap lots of photos of the work that surrounds you including the mirror finish of the towering Greek figures called ‘The Siren’s Calling’, Ned Kahn’s ‘Rise Again’ which is symbiotic with the tides and weather, the Muntz metal that is used throughout, and finally our personal favorite, ‘Sail’ which is a mesmerizing piece of wire, mesh and lighting to create a 20-foot sail boat.

Staying at the Muir has many benefits, one being that you have exclusive access to a speakeasy bar that’s only accessible by guests.

Using your room keycard, make your way to the third floor, push the fire escape door at the end of the hallway and you’ll find the wooden door to BKS. Knock and when they open the door, you’ll be transported to a sleek bar with its muted marble, luxurious finishes, and curved wooden walls.

This is the perfect way to wind down your day, with a mix of bites to nibble on and one of their historically-inspired cocktails that are accompanied by an playful tall tale on their menu which you can enjoy in the private retreat in the lounge or on their outdoor terrace.

If there’s one drink you should order, it’s Red Sky, that uses special shimmer which recreates the swirling spots of Jupiter.

For your second day, you’ll get to go even further in-depth with your exploration of Halifax, including a crossing of Halifax Harbour to see the community of Dartmouth.

But first, start your day with breakfast at Drift, a true delight with dishes such as their Monte Cristo Breakfast Butty which is packed with house-smoked turkey, pork belly confit, local gouda, brown bread French toast, fresh berries, and a side of griddled potatoes. It’s over-the-top and so good.

If you happen to be here on the weekend, we suggest you make your way to Halifax Seaport Farmer’s Market. This is North America’s oldest continuously operating farmers’ market.

From experience, we know that local markets can give you an authentic sense of what the city is like just by doing a little people watching, the different types of vendors, the crafts being made by locals, the food that’s served, and fresh produce that’s for sale.

One of the most impressive museums in Halifax is one that’s near and dear to us, and that’s the Canadian Museum of Immigration at Pier 21. Not only is this 2 museums in one, it’s literally the building where nearly one million newcomers arrived by ship between 1928 and 1971.

You could call this the Ellis Island of Canada and in its halls is The Pier 21 Story, and The Canadian Immigration Story.

At The Pier 21 Story, you’ll find immersive exhibits that provides a glimpse into what it was like to leave everything behind, come off the ship, get processed as a new Canadian immigrant, and start a new life.

At The Canadian Immigration Story, the museum doesn’t shy away from the complexities of Canada’s immigration history and provides a poignant view that for me especially, made me proud to be Canadian born to Chinese immigrants.

When you come out of Pier 21, you’ll be able to appreciate one of the world’s longest urban boardwalks that spans 4 kilometers (2.5 miles).

Along the way, you’ll get to see more art installations that weave seamlessly into the waterfront, various monuments, museums, and a public space called Salt Yard where you’ll find food stalls, small local businesses, and entertainment.

Be sure to hit up Vandal Doughnuts at Bishop’s Landing for Halifax’s best doughy bites. They recommended that we try their Korean Milk Cream Doughnut and it did not disappoint.

If you’re looking to drop things off or take a break, you can easily make a pitstop at the Muir, otherwise, head on over to the Halifax Ferry Terminal.

We’re now going to introduce you to one of the best hidden secrets in Halifax – the $3 sightseeing boat ride!

As part of the Halifax Transit, they run a friendly, convenient, and affordable way to move between Halifax and Dartmouth. From the second deck, you’ll get an awesome view of the city on both sides.

Once you’re in Dartmouth, you’ll find it has a character of its own.  It seems impossible but it’s got an even more chill vibe here than Halifax with its quaint cafes, bars galore, noteworthy food joints, shops, and a clear charm of its own.

After you arrive by ferry, take some time to walk a bit along the Dartmouth Harbourfront Trail. Similar to in Halifax, it has beautiful views, has art scattered throughout, and what’s different is that it has a lot more greenery as well.

Heading into town, we suggest you check out the Two If By Sea Cafe for an energy boost or if you’re looking to quench your thirst in a different way, there are so many patio spaces for bars to choose from.

We’d be kicking ourselves if we didn’t have lobster roll and clam chowder on this trip and having asked locals about where to eat in Dartmouth, Evan’s Seafood kept coming up. They’re a no-nonsense seafood spot and they have a great patio space that has a view of the ferries coming in and out.

Before you leave, walk over to the nearby Alderney Landing Lookout, to take in the final sweeping views from Dartmouth.

When you’re back in Halifax, treat yourself to the small-batch scoops of Cow’s with pun-filled names like “Wowie Cowie” and “Gooey Mooey.” There’s always a long queue here and it doesn’t take long to know why.

Head back to the hotel and now it’s time to take advantage of the pool, sauna, steam room, and salt room that’s available for you at the Muir’s Windward Wellness.

With the late sunsets, you’ll have plenty of time to make it up the Halifax Public Gardens, an urban oasis that also has the finest surviving examples of Victorian garden design with its manicured lawn, blooming flowers, many species of trees, and charming features like the historic bandstand, water fountains, and Griffin’s Pond.

The itinerary was ultimately designed this way because we weren’t able to secure an early enough reservation at the restaurant, Bicycle Thief. As one of the most popular restaurants in Halifax, 9:15PM was what we were able to get.

As a mainstay waterfront restaurant, many describe it as “North American food with an Italian soul”. Their dark interior allows their dishes to radiate with how delicious they are. We had a chance to try their Yellowfin Tuna Tartare and Short Rib ‘al Barolo’, and Crème Brûlée.

Day 3 – Driving The Peggy’s Cove Lighthouse Route

A trip to Halifax wouldn’t be complete without a visit to Canada’s most famous lighthouse. For this 4-day itinerary, instead of the quick bus tour type of visit, we wanted to give you the full day to see the entire region around Peggy’s Cove, including hikes, new viewpoints, local communities, and more.

After another fabulous breakfast at Drift, take the Muir shuttle or walk to Avis to pick up your car rental for the day. Of course, if you already have your own car, you can skip this step.

We looked around and for daily rates using Avis coupon codes such as AWD: A519319, we were able to get a car for under $50 so it’s definitely worth it!

Hit the road, jamming to your favorite tunes, make your way out of Halifax and get on the Lighthouse Route. The full route covers all of Nova Scotia but of course follows the road going in and out of Peggy’s Cove.

Instead of making a beeline to the famed lighthouse, we suggest you starting from the western side of the Chebucto Peninsula.

Along the way, there are a few spots to pay attention to:

• Hacketts Cove – This is an unassuming fishing community where you’ll often find colorful boats moored in the cove.
• Indian Harbour Lighthouse – This is a small square-base lighthouse that you’ll be able to see from a distance from the parking spaces at Diver’s Beach. Getting up close isn’t possible as you’d have to cross through private property.

While we weren’t quite hungry since we had breakfast at Drift, Rhubarb was a highly rated restaurant, so we wanted to check it out. You can certainly have breakfast here instead or you can try their desserts which is what we did.

We tried their chocolate & sea pate and pecan butter tart and both were superb.

Back on the move, your next stop on the road trip is the Swissair Flight 111 Memorial which offers a serene and poignant tribute to the 229 lives lost in the 1998 crash.

There’s a short walk from the parking lot and opens out to these two minimalist stone monuments with three carved notches symbolizing the flight number.

This tranquil spot also provides great views of the coastline here, so stop here to reflect and also enjoy the scenery.

You’ll be getting close to the famous lighthouse but before you drive into the community, we really love the the photos of Peggy’s Cove from the Cranberry Cove Lookout Point.

There are several pull outs on the road and we suggest using one of the wider ones for safety. From there, walk along the side of the road until you find the composition that you like.

Even if you’re not a photographer, you’ll quite enjoy your first view of Peggy’s Cove Lighthouse.

Wanting to inject a bit of adventure into the trip, we were looking for an easy hike trail and found one nearby named Polly Cove Hiking Trail.

This is a 3.1 km (1.9 mi) coastal trail off of the main road that features an abandoned foundation for a hotel, rugged granite outcrops, hidden coves, a Balancing Cube, and striking landscapes.

As you can tell, on the day that we were there, the visibility was quite poor because of the fog so we didn’t end up doing the entire loop, but it certainly gave us a taste of what the hikes are like in this region – spectacular.

If you get to the far side of the trail, you’ll get a view of Peggy’s Cove, and you have the advantage of being around very few other people.

Now is finally the time to head into the famous Peggy’s Cove. What you will see is that this is more than just a lighthouse but instead, an active community of locals and fishermen.

Arriving by car, you’ll soon see that surrounding you is a large church, art galleries, cove filled with fishing boats, shops and colorful houses splashed all around.

After you park, we suggest that you spend time to walk around the historic community. There are great photo opportunities in the cove itself, shops with local crafts, cafes, ice cream, and restaurants if you’re hungry.

We didn’t end up having lunch but if we did, we’d recommend The Sou’Wester right by the lighthouse, Tom’s Lobster Shack for their lobster rolls, or Hunky Dory for their poutine.

The main attraction though is Peggy’s Cove Lighthouse itself and it does not disappointed. It stands as a true Canadian icon – simple, stoic, and endlessly photogenic against the wild Atlantic backdrop and atop wave-washed granite.

What makes it even more approachable now is massive renovation they’ve done to make Peggy’s Cove as part of their Infrastructure Improvement Strategy which introduced:

• A more sustainable, accessible, sand safer way to enjoy the lighthouse through a new viewing deck designed by Omar Gandhi.
• Better trail connections that connect the parking lot to the lighthouse.
• New public washrooms.

Not only can you enjoy the lighthouse from the comforts of a platform that frames the icon in a postcard-perfect shot, but you can also still get right onto the rocks themselves and get right up-and-close to the tower, allowing you to snap photos from every glorious angle.

Continue along Route 333 and make your way to Shaw’s Landing in the quaint setting of the lobster fishing community of West Dover.

Their tagline is “Beer & Lobster, Enough Said”. Their special was exactly that – 1.5 pounds of freshly boiled lobster, pint of Alexander Keith’s beer, and salad to keep it healthy.

If you’re eager for more photos, especially at sunset, you’re still close enough to head back to Peggy’s Cove. Since you’ve been able to scope it out on your earlier visit, you should know exactly where to go to set up.

To close out the night, drive back into Halifax, drop off the car at the Avis parking garage, and walk back to the Muir. Now that’s what we call a great day!

Day 4 – Sailing Halifax Harbour

It’s your fourth and final day in Halifax but before you go, we have in store for you a sailing adventure, relic of the past, and a local culinary delight that you need to try as a send-off.

After another fantastic breakfast at Drift, walk a few steps to the J Farwell booth set up along the pier.

While you got a tease of this on the public ferry to and from Dartmouth, an even better way to soak in the waterfront views is to do a sailing trip with J Farwell. While we would have loved to have done the Sunset Wine & Cheese Sail, we opted for the Best of Halifax Harbour Tour, which delivered in every way.

This breezy, one-hour cruise is typically with a 45-foot sailing yacht but can also be on their 50-foot catamaran. Kick back and relax in their many lounge areas as the crew pulls up the sails to let wind power you through the Halifax Harbour.

Whether you’re a history buff or just looking for a way to go out with a bang (pun intended), this maritime adventure is a must-do in our books.

Across the way from J Farwell is the last surviving Flower-class corvette from World War II, the HMCS Sackville. These were essential part of the fleet, guarding the convoys of ship that crossed the North Atlantic from German U-boats.

Step aboard and experience a floating piece of Canadian naval history right on Halifax’s waterfront. With the tour, you’ll get an intimate glimpse into life at sea during the Battle of the Atlantic, and get to see the depth charges, guns, wheelhouse, engine room, and crew quarters.

There’s one final act before you depart and that’s to finally try the Halifax Donair, the ultimate comfort food.

Make the walk to Tony’s World Famous Donair or use the Muir’s shuttle (it’s within the 2 km radius) and when you get there, order the Halifax twist to the donair, which is made up of 100% spiced ground beef, steamed pita bread, diced tomatoes and onions. What really sets it apart is literally its secret sauce, which is a sweet, tangy concoction that’s centered around condensed milk.

Halifaxians will have different opinions about where is the best donair but you can’t go wrong with getting your first taste of authentic Nova Scotian comfort food at Tony’s.

With that final order of business donair, head back to the hotel to pack up.

We end off the itinerary in the early afternoon because we took the afternoon flight back to Toronto, but you can certainly adjust this to your liking, depending on if you’re flying, or if you’re continuing your road trip in the Maritimes.

Halifax Will Surprise You

If this is your first time to Halifax, you’re in for a treat.

Halifax is a seaside city that punches above its weight, with historic charm, salty ocean air, and a food scene that’ll have you planning your next meal before you’ve finished your first. From scenic harbor front strolls to speakeasies and friendly Maritime charm, it’s the kind of place that feels like a warm hug wrapped in sea breeze.

Map Of Halifax

We’ve designed this handy interactive map with all the restaurants, attractions, and hotel on this itinerary pinned for you!

Halifax Itinerary Packing Guide

You can pack for Halifax like you would for any coastal town. Weather can be great but Halifax is also known to be very moody and foggy as well so you have to be prepared for rapidly changing conditions and breezy cool-downs.

Summer months are warmer than winter, so clothing wise is heavily dependent on when you go. Bring casual but comfortable clothes and maybe throw in a nice outfit in case you want to go for a nice meal one evening.

Here is a handy list of more specific items to consider bringing:

• Sunglasses: Yes, Halifax is known to be foggy but when the sun’s out, it’s really out so a good pair of Maui Jims is recommended!
• Comfortable shoes: Wandering around Halifax includes a lot of exploring on foot. So, pack your comfiest trainers or even some lightweight hiking boots, especially if you plan on concurring the Polly Cove Hiking Trail.
• Bring a lightweight raincoat: We recommend bringing a pack away raincoat that you can chuck into your daypack, as it is known to rain often in Halifax.
• Make sure to layer up: With changing weather conditions, it’s always good to have a good sweater or something like the Arc’teryx Delta Hoody which is lightweight, warm, and breathable.
• Pack your best camera: There are many points of interest here, lighthouses, rugged coastline, and view of the harbor, you’ll definitely want to capture some images of! A wide angle is going to be your most handy lens, but we did find that a telephoto was useful at Cranberry Cove Lookout Point.
• Remember to bring your favorite backpack: You’ll need something to stow away your camera gear, jackets and whatever else so you can be hands-free when exploring! The Shimoda Urban Explore is the perfect bag for anyone that is looking for a travel and photography backpack.

Halifax Frequently Asked Questions