The 7 Most Picturesque Towns in Atlantic Canada

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With its rolling hills, bright-coloured buildings, and rocky ocean shores, it’s easy to fall in love with Atlantic Canada. The region was first occupied by First Nations over 6,000 years ago, by Vikings around 1000 A.D., and by European settlers in the 17th century. It’s an incredible place to visit whether you’re an outdoors enthusiast, adventurist, or history buff. In fact, only 6 of the 7 towns mentioned below are actually Canadian, as traces of Europe still exist in the region which makes Atlantic Canada such a facinating destination for locals and visitors alike.

Peggy’s Cove, Nova Scotia

Located on the eastern shore of St. Margarets Bay in Nova Scotia, Peggy’s shore is a small fishing community best known for its lighthouse on Peggy’s Point. A short 40-minute drive from Halifax, the area is also popular for its lobster and rustic buildings which are scattered amongst its landscape.

Gaspé, Quebec

There are few towns which can compete with the natural maritime beauty of Gaspé. Meaning “land’s end” in Miꞌkmaq, an eastern Algonquin language, the town is where frFrenchxplorer Jacques Cartier first took possession of New France before Canada was even a country.

The Battery in St.John’s, Newfoundland and Labrador

The Battery is located on Signal Hill at the entrance of St. John’s historic harbour. Apart from its dramatic location on the rocks of the Atlantic Ocean, the area is celebrated for its colourful houses and battery which defended St. John’s harbour in World Wars I & II.

Lunenburg, Nova Scotia

Lunenberg was first established by British protestants in an effort to displace Mi’kmaq and Acadian Catholics in the area. Known for its beautifully coloured homes and shops, the historic Nova Scotian town is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and was an important port and shipbuilding centre in the early days of settlement.

Mahone Bay, Nova Scotia

Mahone Bay is a small town on the south shores of Nova Scotia that is known for its wood boat building and iconic shoreline. If you’re ever in the area, make sure you rent a boat and sail out to the middle of its harbour as the three churches of St. James’ Anglican, St. John’s Evangelical Lutheran, and Trinity United provide a picturesque view of the town.

Trinity, Newfoundland and Labrador

Trinity was first discovered by Portuguese explorer Gaspar Corte-Real when he arrived on its shores on Trinity Sunday in 1501. It became a fishing harbour later in the 16th century and was eventually settled by merchants from Poole, England during the 18th-century.

St. Pierre and Miquelon, France

You didn’t misread that title. Did you know that France maintains two small islands off the southwest coast of Newfoundland? The two islands have an incredibly rich history including Al Capone using St. Pierre as an outpost for smuggling alcohol from Canada to the US during prohibition. If you do make the journey, be sure to bring your euro-plug converters and passports if you’re not Canadian.