Visiting Nova Scotia for 7 days is plenty of time to see the unique sites that Nova Scotia has to offer. There so much to do, that it may not be possible to see everything in one trip. This post has 4 separate itineraries to choose from to best suit your interests, while also seeing the best of what Nova Scotia has to offer.
Most start their road trip in Halifax Nova Scotia since that is where the airport is. However these road trips can be completed in either direction (clockwise or counterclockwise), and from any starting point. Here are 4 of the best road trip destinations during 7 days in Nova Scotia.
Itinerary #1 – Halifax, Port Mouton, Bay of Fundy (Digby and Wolfville)
This first itinerary has limited time in the city of Halifax, and primarily focuses on the South Shore and it’s colourful towns and gorgeous beaches, and the dramatic tides of the Bay of Fundy, and quaint maritime fishing villages. Everything that is quintessential to Nova Scotia.
Summary
- Day 1: Arrive in Halifax. Walk the Halifax Boardwalk. Overnight Halifax.
- Day 2: Drive from Halifax to Peggy’s Cove. Visit Mahone Bay and Lunenburg, overnight Lunenburg.
- Day 3: Take the Lahave Ferry and stop at the Lahave Bakery for lunch. Drive on Crescent Beach, and walk the boardwalk at Rissers’s beach. Drive to Port Mouton, and go to Carter’s beach for sunset. Overnight in Port Mouton.
- Day 4: Drive to Bear River, Annapolis Royal and Digby. Overnight in Digby.
- Day 5: Travel down the Digby Neck towards Brier Island. Hike to the Balancing Rock, and go Whale Watching. Overnight in Brier Island (or return to Digby for the night).
- Day 6: Drive to Wolfville. Stop in Annapolis, explore Wolfville all day. Overnight in Wolfville.
- Day 7: Wolfville to Burntcoat Head OR go Tidal Bore Rafting. Return to Halifax in the evening.
Suggested Reading: Day trip to Lunenburg and Mahone Bay from Halifax
Itinerary #2 – Halifax, Lunenburg, Mahone Bay, Bay of Fundy and Cape Breton
For those that are coming to Nova Scotia to drive the Cabot Trail in Cape Breton, this itinerary primarily focuses on that. On this itinerary you will also see Peggy’s Cove, the famous 3 churches in Mahone Bay, and the UNESCO World Heritage site of Lunenburg.
Summary
- Day 1: Arrive in Halifax, overnight Halifax
- Day 2: Halifax all day, overnight in Halifax
- Day 3: Day trip to Peggy’s Cove Lighthouse, Mahone Bay and Lunenburg. Overnight in Lunenburg.
- Day 3: From Lunenburg drive to Shubie, visit Burntcoat head or go Tidal Bore Rafting, overnight in Shubie
- Day 4: Drive to Baddeck, overnight in Baddeck
- Day 5: Drive half of the Cabot Trail, overnight in Ingonish
- Day 6: Drive the rest of the Cabot Trail, overnight in Port Hood or Cheticamp
- Day 7: Drive back to Halifax
Itinerary # 3: Halifax, Lunenburg, Mahone Bay, Yarmouth & Bay of Fundy
This itinerary is more fast-paced, but it focuses more on the very south of Nova Scotia (Yarmouth and the French shore), and the dramatic tides of the Bay of Fundy.
Summary
- Day 1: Spend the entire day in Halifax. Overnight in Halifax.
- Day 2: Drive to Lunenburg and Mahone Bay, overnight in Lunenburg
- Day 3: Drive to Yarmouth and stop at Carter’s beach along the way, overnight near Yarmouth.
- Day 4: Drive to Digby, go whale watching and hike to the balancing rock. Overnight in Digby.
- Day 5: Check out Annapolis Royal and Wolfville. Overnight in Wolfville.
- Day 6: Go Tidal Bore Rafting in Shubie, visit Burntcoat Head, overnight in Truro (or drive straight to Five Islands).
- Day 7: Visit Truro and spend the day at Five Islands Provincial Park.
- Day 8: Drive Back to Halifax
Suggested Reading: What to do on a road trip to Yarmouth
Itinerary #4: Halifax, Lunenburg, Bay of Fundy and Cape Breton
This 7 days in Nova Scotia itinerary includes seeing iconic town of Lunenburg, experiencing the dramatic unique tides of the Bay of Fundy, AND seeing Cape Breton! All of the main highlights in one trip.
Summary
- Day 1: Halifax all day
- Day 2: Drive to Peggy’s Cove, Mahone Bay and overnight in Lunenburg
- Day 3: Lunenburg during the day. Drive to Wolfville in the evening. Overnight in Wolfville.
- Day 4: Explore Wolfville in the morning, then drive to Shubie for Tidal Bore Rafting.
- Day 5: Drive to Ingonish in Cape Breton. Overnight in Ingonish.
- Day 6: Explore the Cabot Trail. Drive to Cheticamp, over night in Cheticamp
- Day 7: Drive back to Halifax
Suggested Reading: What you need to know when visiting Cape Breton
Where to Stay during your 7 days in Nova Scotia
Below are suggestions for the best locations to stay in each destination listed in the 7 days in Nova Scotia itineraries. Hotels or AirBnBs can be used!
Halifax
When staying overnight in Halifax, it is best to stay in a hotel or AirBnB that is close to the Halifax Boardwalk, since that is where you will be spending the majority of your time. This is a central location and within walking distance to all of the main attractions/sites. I have personally stayed at the Westin which is close to the entrance of the boardwalk.
Lunenburg
In Lunenburg, The “Old Town” of Lunenburg (near the Fisheries Museum and boardwalk) is the most central. Lunenburg is a small and walkable town, but driving through Lunenburg can be tricky because there are so many one-way streets. So it’s best to leave your car at the hotel (like the Lunenburg Arms or Salt Shaker Deli & Inn) or your AirBnB and walk around from there!
Port Mouton
If you decide to follow the itinerary that includes Port Mouton for an overnight stay, then White Point Beach Resort (their minimum night stay is 2 nights), the Quarterdeck Resort (located on Summerville beach!) or an AirBnB near these locations is ideal.
Brier Island
Spending the night Brier Island there are no wrong places to stay. It is a small island so everywhere is central. I personally stayed in the Brier Island Lodge and enjoyed my time there.
Digby
Digby is close to Brier Island, but if you are not traveling all the way down to Brier Island in your 7 days in Nova Scotia road trip, then Digby is an excellent location. The closer to Water St. you stay, the closer to the central part of Digby you are.
Wolfville
Wolfville is such an elegant and charming town. Staying in a Bed and Breakfast in a historic home would really complete the entire experience.
Cape Breton
While driving the Cabot Trail in Cape Breton, spending a night in Baddeck, Ingonish and Cheticamp as you travel around the Island is ideal.
Booking.comImportant Tips for Nova Scotia
Rent a car (or bring your own) while traveling around Nova Scotia. Public transportation is very limited and non-existent to many destinations in these lists. There are 4 car rental companies located at the Halifax Airport:
Check the tide times! The tides along the Bay of Fundy are the highest in the world. Water levels can raise up by 53ft (or 16m), so it can be very dangerous if you walk too far away from the entrance of a beach without knowing when the tide will come in.
Stay off the black rocks at Peggy’s Cove. The ocean is unpredictable and a wave can come up on the black rocks.
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