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Newfoundland and Labrador · Canada
The capital of Newfoundland, with colorful houses on slopes above the harbour, Signal Hill, Cape Spear and, in season, icebergs, whales and puffins nearby.
In the photo: The entrance to St. John's harbour seen from Signal Hill.
Illustrative images. The pictures in this guide are illustrations based on the real place, not photographs, and may differ from it.
Get to know the place
St. John's, capital of the province of Newfoundland and Labrador, sits at the eastern tip of North America in a narrow Atlantic cove protected by cliffs. It is one of the oldest European-settled cities on the continent, with a harbour used by fishers since the 16th century.
The downtown climbs in slopes from the harbour, with wooden houses painted in bright colors, the Jellybean Row, pubs with traditional music and The Rooms museum on the heights. At the harbour entrance is Signal Hill, a hill with Cabot Tower where Guglielmo Marconi received the first transatlantic radio signal in 1901.
Near the city, Cape Spear marks the easternmost point of North America, with a 19th-century lighthouse. To the south, the Witless Bay Ecological Reserve hosts large seabird colonies, including puffins. In spring, icebergs from Greenland often pass along the coast, and in summer humpback whales come close to feed.
The city has a distinct accent and vocabulary, a legacy of Irish immigrants and settlers from southwest England.
This destination brings together 1 city: St. John's.
One destination, many paths
Start with one city or combine several in your itinerary.
Boundaries: Statistics Canada (Statistics Canada Open Licence) / geoBoundaries. Adapted by Cidade Turismo.
✈ St. John's International Airport (YYT) · 8 km to St. John's
St. John's International Airport (YYT) receives flights from Canadian cities and some from Europe. By road, the city sits at the end of the Trans-Canada Highway; Marine Atlantic ferries connect Nova Scotia to the island of Newfoundland.
The local experience
Hill at the entrance to St. John's harbour, with Cabot Tower (1900), gun batteries and trails; there Marconi received the first transatlantic radio signal in 1901.
Easternmost point of North America, 15 km from St. John's, with the 1836 lighthouse, the oldest remaining in Newfoundland, and World War II batteries.
The provincial museum, art gallery and archives of Newfoundland and Labrador, in a building atop downtown St. John's with large windows over the harbour.
Rows of wooden terraced houses painted in bright colors on the slopes of downtown St. John's, such as Gower Street, Queen's Road and Duckworth Street.
A fishing village inside St. John's, in a narrow harbour between rocks, with wooden sheds, artisan studios and a lake used in the oldest regatta in North America.
Four islands south of St. John's with large seabird colonies, including puffins and murres, seen by boat from Bay Bulls and Witless Bay.
Before you go
A little planning leaves more time to enjoy the journey.
From June to September, with milder days, for boats and trails. Icebergs usually pass from April to June; puffins stay on the islands from May to August; whales usually appear from June to August. Fog and wind are common at any time of year.
The seasons shown are the most usual ones; nature doesn't always follow the calendar.
Three days: one for downtown and Signal Hill, one for Cape Spear and Quidi Vidi, and one for the boat trip in Witless Bay.
The downtown, between Water Street and Duckworth Street, puts the harbour, pubs and The Rooms within walking distance, with hills. Streets above downtown have guesthouses in old houses. Neighbourhoods near the airport and commercial avenues are more practical if you have a car.
Take your trash with you, follow the signs and support local businesses. In natural areas, follow the visiting guidelines.
Get your questions answered
The season usually runs from April to June, when icebergs from Greenland pass along the coast. The number varies greatly from year to year.
At the Witless Bay Ecological Reserve, about 30 km to the south, on boat trips from May to August.
Three days for downtown, Signal Hill, Cape Spear, Quidi Vidi and a boat trip.
Downtown is walkable, with hills. For Cape Spear and Witless Bay, a car, taxi or organised tour is needed.
Newfoundland Time: UTC−3:30, and UTC−2:30 from March to November.
