This fairytale Canadian village has quaint streets with candy-coloured shops and water views
If you've ever dreamed of stepping into a postcard-perfect seaside village with brightly coloured buildings and jaw-dropping ocean views, you can do so right here in the True North.
Rather than booking an expensive plane ticket to Europe, you can discover a charming town filled with amazing restaurants, shopping and sights (complete with salty tales of seafaring and rum-running), on Canada's East Coast.
Located just over an hour from Halifax, Lunenburg is a quaint ocean village on Nova Scotia's South Shore.
The charming coastal village looks like something straight out of a fairytale, with vibrant buildings and stunning ocean scenery that will have you snapping pics nonstop.
Designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site, the village will transport you to the past with its pastel-painted buildings and cozy coastal vibes on every corner.
The town is reminiscent of little fishing villages you may find in Norway or Iceland, minus the expensive flight.
Old Town Lunenburg is a must-visit here. The area's distinctive waterfront is home to many original colonial buildings from the 18th and 19th centuries.
Consider booking a walking tour, where a guide will explain the equally colourful history of the village, or a haunted walk to discover the secrets of Lunenburg’s chilling past, including hauntings, superstitions and ghost sightings.
When she's in port, you can also visit the famous Bluenose II, a schooner ship that you may recognize from the Canadian dime. Built in 1963, Bluenose II is a replica of the famed schooner Bluenose.
The ship does 2-hour harbour cruises twice a day in Lunenburg and Halifax, as well as free deck tours. Tour the ship's deck in port, or book a tour to view the region aboard the sailing icon.
It almost goes without saying that no visit to Canada's Maritimes would be complete without enjoying some classic East Coast food.
Lunenburg offers plenty of hearty restaurants serving up everything from fresh-caught seafood to flaky pastries. Grab a lobster bun from The South Shore Fish Shack, or a sandwich from the Salt Shaker Deli, a local favourite.
Lunenburg is also known for its rum-running history. During the Prohibition era, instead of just fishing for tuna and salmon, fisherman would repurpose their boats to smuggle spirits.
Today, you can relive some of that history by walking or biking the Rum Runners Trail, a 119-kilometre multi-use trail that runs from Halifax to Lunenburg.
Whether by bike or on foot, the trail is great for exploring coastal communities and nearby parks, beaches, and hiking trails, with community kiosks and interpretive panels along the way.
Whether you're visiting for a weekend getaway or road-tripping through the Maritimes, Lunenburg is the kind of spot that makes you slow down, breathe in that salty sea air, and fall in love with small-town charm all over again.
To continue the coastal adventures, an hour away from Lunenburg, you can visit the iconic Peggy's Point Lighthouse in Peggy's Cove, with more small towns and scenic coves along the way.
Before you get going, check out our Responsible Travel Guide so you can be informed, be safe, be smart, and most of all, be respectful on your adventure.
