Lunenburg Travel Guide

Tourist Guide

Lunenburg which includes a house
Lunenburg
Chester featuring a lake or waterhole and a small town or village
Lunenburg showing street scenes and a house
Lunenburg
Hear tales of old sea voyages, see humpback whales, navigate waterways and appreciate the traditional architecture of this old port town.

Located on the South Shore of Nova Scotia, Lunenburg is a port town with a past that stretches back more than 250 years. Explore the history of the town's fishing industry, see historic architecture and embark on a whale-watching cruise.

Lunenburg was a British colonial settlement founded in the middle of the 18th century. During the following century, the coastal community became a major fishing center, which still flourishes today.

Learn about Lunenburg’s fishing heritage at the Fisheries Museum of the Atlantic. Browse exhibits and explore ships moored on the dockside. Step onto Canada’s oldest salt bank schooner and listen to retired fishermen and captains tell stories of their voyages. The museum also houses one of the most extensive aquariums on the east coast of Canada. Among the animals you will see here are eels, crabs and giant lobsters.

Walk into the center of town to see more of Lunenburg’s history. Look at the well-preserved old wooden buildings, some of which date back to the 18th century. Step inside Knaut-Rhuland House, built in 1793. The old wooden residence is now a museum dedicated to the early history of the town. See period furniture, Victorian artifacts and early 19th-century fireplace surroundings.

While you are in Lunenburg, spend some time on the water. Set sail for a maritime adventure by going on a boat cruise. From the deck of your vessel, enjoy the view of the town's brightly painted buildings and the lighthouse at the end of the breakwater. From June to October, head out to sea on a whale-watching tour and marvel at the pilot and humpback whales that pass by the area on their migration.

Lunenburg is approximately a 2-hour drive southwest of Halifax, where there is an international airport. Give yourself at least a few days to enjoy the town’s scenic beauty, history and waterways.

Smugglers Cove Inn
Smugglers Cove Inn
4 out of 5
139 Montague Street, Lunenburg, NS
The price is AU$221 per night from 2 Mar to 3 Mar
AU$221
includes taxes & fees
2 Mar - 3 Mar
Stay at this 4-star hotel in Lunenburg. Enjoy free WiFi, daily housekeeping, and a hair salon. Our guests praise the helpful staff and the clean rooms in our ...
8.8/10 Excellent! (585 reviews)
"The inn was quiet, clean and the bed was very comfortable."

Reviewed on 20 Feb. 2025

Smugglers Cove Inn
Brigantine Inn & Suites
Brigantine Inn & Suites
3 out of 5
82 Montague Street, Lunenburg, NS
The price is AU$139 per night from 28 Feb to 1 Mar
AU$139
includes taxes & fees
28 Feb - 1 Mar
Stay at this 3-star hotel in Lunenburg. Enjoy free WiFi, laundry facilities, and a gift shop. Our guests praise the helpful staff in our reviews. Popular attractions ...
8/10 Very Good! (451 reviews)
"Wonderful experience."

Reviewed on 5 Nov. 2024

Brigantine Inn & Suites
The Homeport Motel
The Homeport Motel
2 out of 5
167 Victoria Road, Lunenburg, NS
The price is AU$151 per night from 1 Mar to 2 Mar
AU$151
includes taxes & fees
1 Mar - 2 Mar
Stay at this motel in Lunenburg. Enjoy free WiFi, free parking, and a garden. Our guests praise the helpful staff and the clean rooms in our reviews. Popular ...
8.8/10 Excellent! (352 reviews)
Clean, comfortable and modern
"This is a typical roadside motel from the outside, but that impression vanishes when you open the door. The interior has been upgraded to a high level of finish, with comfortable mattresses and pillows, and the walk-in shower and large, thick towels are outstanding. The advantages of a motel are ..."

Reviewed on 13 Feb. 2025

The Homeport Motel
Lowest nightly price found within the past 24 hours based on a 1 night stay for 2 adults. Prices and availability subject to change. Additional terms may apply.
Ideal Lunenburg Retreat w/ King Bed & Kitchenette (Suite 4)
Ideal Lunenburg Retreat w/ King Bed & Kitchenette (Suite 4)
Lunenburg
Stay at this apartment in Lunenburg. Popular attractions Pearl Theatre and Bluenose II are located nearby.
Ideal Lunenburg Retreat w/ King Bed & Kitchenette (Suite 4)
Seaside Harbour View Apartment
Seaside Harbour View Apartment
Lunenburg
Stay at this apartment in Lunenburg. Enjoy free WiFi, cable/satellite TV service, and an in-room coffeemaker. Popular attractions St John's Anglican Church and ...
9.8/10 Exceptional! (18 reviews)
Fantastic location
"Property was the best location, very clean and well taken care of. Look forward to visiting again when in Canada, and the South Shore area, again."

Reviewed on 11 Sep. 2024

Seaside Harbour View Apartment
Mahone Bay Hide-Away
Mahone Bay Hide-Away
Mahone Bay
Stay at this vacation home in Mahone Bay. Enjoy free WiFi, a garden, and patios. Popular attractions Have A Yarn and Northern Sun Gallery & Gifts are located ...
9.8/10 Exceptional! (67 reviews)
Super comfortable stay.
"It was a perfect place for me to relax and concentrate on my work. Everything I needed was very close. Property was exceptionally clean and comfortable. Highly recommend this property and others owned by this host."

Reviewed on 14 Nov. 2024

Mahone Bay Hide-Away
Lowest nightly price found within the past 24 hours based on a 1 night stay for 2 adults. Prices and availability subject to change. Additional terms may apply.

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