A Solo Traveler’s Guide to Halifax

Nova Scotia
Nova Scotia | © Dennis Jarvis

Solo travel is always an amazing experience, and a solo trip to Nova Scotia is no exception. In fact, a number of factors make it an ideal destination to visit on your own including its safety, the gorgeous scenery, and the relatively small size of the region. And seeing as the locals are considered the friendliest in Canada, there’s a good chance you’ll start your trip solo, but you’ll leave with many new friends.

Halifax

Spending a few days in Halifax is a must. This vibrant town is buzzing with life and activity, and it’s small enough that you can explore on foot. It’s safe, home to the friendliest locals, and absolutely brimming with fun spots including bars, cafés, markets, boutiques, and restaurants. Stroll along the waterfront, through the cool yet historic downtown, and the city’s hippest new neighbourhood, the North End. Book a hotel room if you’d like to keep your trip solo, or stay in one of the hostels and B&Bs if you’d like to socialize.

A park in Halifax, Nova Scotia

Road trips

Whether you want a quick day trip from Halifax or a week or longer trip around the province, there is so much to see on a visit to Nova Scotia. From Halifax, places such as Wolfville, Mahone Bay, and Lunenburg are not to be missed (Mahone Bay and Lunenburg can be done in the same day), and throughout the province, we recommend the Bay of Fundy, Cabot Trail, and Northumberland Shore, just as a starting off point. Due to the province’s relatively small size, it’s an easy drive for a solo traveler. Tourism Nova Scotia offers some great road trip itineraries.

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Beaches

If there’s anything better than spending a day on a gorgeous beach with a good book, we haven’t found it. Grab a beach read and snacks and head to any of the province’s stunning beaches for some serious R&R. Close to Halifax, we recommend Rainbow Haven, Crystal Crescent, and Bayswater (to name a few), and around the province you’ll find everything from white sand and crystal-clear water to cool surf spots. Check out Carter’s, Lawrencetown, Martinique, and Summerville to get started.

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Wineries

Nova Scotia’s burgeoning wine scene is drawing fans from around North America, and our favourite way to enjoy them is with a wine tour. The majority of the province’s wineries and vineyards are found in the Annapolis Valley, and the region offers a number of wine tours. Enjoy the beautiful valley, drink delicious wine, and meet new friends. Win, win, win!

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Tours

There are tours available for almost any activity you can think of in the province. Whether you’re interested in whale watching, biking, hiking, eating, drinking, or anything in between, chances are there’s a tour for it! Mixing in group tours with solo travel is a great way to keep your trip interesting.

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meet our Local Insider

Hanna

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HOW LONG HAVE YOU BEEN A GUIDE?

2 years.

WHAT DO YOU LOVE ABOUT YOUR JOB?

It's the personal contact, the personal experiences. I love meeting people from all over the world... I really like getting to know everyone and feeling like I'm traveling with a group of friends.

WHAT DESTINATION IS ON YOUR TRAVEL BUCKET-LIST?

I have so many places on my list, but I would really lobe to go to Africa. I consider myself an “adventure girl” and Africa feels like the ULTIMATE adventure!

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Every CULTURE TRIP Small-group adventure is led by a Local Insider just like Hanna.

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Connect with like-minded people on our premium trips curated by local insiders and with care for the world

Since you are here, we would like to share our vision for the future of travel - and the direction Culture Trip is moving in.

Culture Trip launched in 2011 with a simple yet passionate mission: to inspire people to go beyond their boundaries and experience what makes a place, its people and its culture special and meaningful — and this is still in our DNA today. We are proud that, for more than a decade, millions like you have trusted our award-winning recommendations by people who deeply understand what makes certain places and communities so special.

Increasingly we believe the world needs more meaningful, real-life connections between curious travellers keen to explore the world in a more responsible way. That is why we have intensively curated a collection of premium small-group trips as an invitation to meet and connect with new, like-minded people for once-in-a-lifetime experiences in three categories: Culture Trips, Rail Trips and Private Trips. Our Trips are suitable for both solo travelers, couples and friends who want to explore the world together.

Culture Trips are deeply immersive 5 to 16 days itineraries, that combine authentic local experiences, exciting activities and 4-5* accommodation to look forward to at the end of each day. Our Rail Trips are our most planet-friendly itineraries that invite you to take the scenic route, relax whilst getting under the skin of a destination. Our Private Trips are fully tailored itineraries, curated by our Travel Experts specifically for you, your friends or your family.

We know that many of you worry about the environmental impact of travel and are looking for ways of expanding horizons in ways that do minimal harm - and may even bring benefits. We are committed to go as far as possible in curating our trips with care for the planet. That is why all of our trips are flightless in destination, fully carbon offset - and we have ambitious plans to be net zero in the very near future.