Lunenburg

No reviews yetTown Nova Scotia, Canada

The Fisheries Museum of the Atlantic commemorates the fishing heritage of Atlantic Canada, Lunenburg, Nova Scotia

Bluenose II is a replica of the racing schooner built in Lunenburg in 1921, Nova Scotia

The Lunenburg Academy was built in 1894 and 1895 and is a National Historic Site, Nova Scotia

St. John's Anglican Church dates its founding to 1753, Lunenburg, Nova Scotia

About Lunenburg

Lunenburg is a colorful harbour town on Nova Scotia's South Shore, founded in 1753 by Protestant settlers recruited largely from German-speaking regions. Its Old Town keeps the original British colonial grid laid over a steep hillside, with brightly painted wooden buildings, and is listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Fishing and shipbuilding shaped its history, and the waterfront remains active.

The Fisheries Museum of the Atlantic, in red waterfront buildings, explains the region's fishing heritage with vessels, aquariums and exhibits. Bluenose II, a replica of the famous racing schooner built here, is based in Lunenburg when not traveling. On the hill, the large Lunenburg Academy is a striking Victorian landmark, and St. John's Anglican Church, carefully rebuilt after a fire, and St. Andrew's Presbyterian Church anchor the townscape. Walking and horse-drawn tours explain the architecture and local stories, including visits to old burial grounds such as Sophie McLachlan's grave.

The rocky shore at Blue Rocks makes a short scenic detour, and Mahone Bay, with its three churches and craft shops, sits just up the road. The Lighthouse Route continues toward Peggy's Cove. Lunenburg suits history lovers and photographers. Summer and early fall are best for sailing trips and outdoor dining.

Best seasonJune through early October, when tours, sailings and waterfront restaurants are in full swing.

Ideal stayOne to two days covers the Old Town, museum and nearby Mahone Bay.

ArrivingMost visitors drive from Halifax along Highway 103 on the South Shore.

WiserMap travel guideLunenburg Nova Scotia Bluenose II Old Town and Mahone BayPlan a visit to Lunenburg, the UNESCO-listed Nova Scotia port town: Old Town streets, the Fisheries Museum, Bluenose II, Mahone Bay and Blue Rocks kayaking.Read the guide

12 Things You Shouldn't Miss in Lunenburg

Neighborhoods 1

Old Town Lunenburg

Old Town Lunenburg is a UNESCO World Heritage site, a British colonial town laid out in 1753 on a grid of steep streets above the...

Museums 2

Fisheries Museum of the Atlantic

The Fisheries Museum of the Atlantic fills red buildings on the Lunenburg waterfront, with exhibits on the fishing industry, aquar...

Knaut-Rhuland House Museum

The Knaut-Rhuland House is one of the oldest buildings in Lunenburg, built around 1793, and is furnished as a home from the early...

Landmarks 2

Bluenose II

Bluenose II is a replica of the famous racing schooner Bluenose, built in Lunenburg in 1921 and pictured on the Canadian dime. Whe...

Lunenburg Academy

The Lunenburg Academy is a large wooden school building from 1895 with towers and decorative trim, standing on Gallows Hill above...

Churches 2

St. John's Anglican Church (Lunenburg)

St. John's Anglican Church was founded in 1754 and is one of the oldest Protestant churches in Canada, later rebuilt in a striking...

St. Andrew's Presbyterian Church (Lunenburg)

St. Andrew's Presbyterian Church is home to the oldest Presbyterian congregation in Canada, founded in the 1770s. The white wooden...

Nature 2

Blue Rocks

Blue Rocks is a tiny fishing village a few minutes from Lunenburg, with fish shacks, small boats and slate blue rocks along a wind...

The Ovens Natural Park

The Ovens Natural Park is on the coast south of Lunenburg near Riverport, where a cliff trail leads to sea caves carved by the wav...

Beaches 1

Hirtle's Beach

Hirtle's Beach is a long, wild sandy beach in Kingsburg, a short drive from Lunenburg, with dunes and a coastal trail along the he...

Food and Drink 1

Ironworks Distillery

Ironworks Distillery is a small craft distillery in a 19th century blacksmith shop on the Lunenburg waterfront, making rum, vodka,...

Events 1

Lunenburg Folk Harbour Festival

The Lunenburg Folk Harbour Festival is held each August, with folk, roots and Celtic musicians playing on stages around the town a...

Reviews

No reviews yet. Been to Lunenburg? Be the first to share your experience.

Write a review

Share what you loved, what to skip and tips for other travelers.

Share your photos

Been to Lunenburg? Add your best shots to the gallery.

More places in Nova Scotia

Cabot Trail

Nova Scotia, Canada

Cape Breton Island

Nova Scotia, Canada

Halifax

Nova Scotia, Canada

Peggy's Cove

Nova Scotia, Canada

Fundy National Park

New Brunswick, Canada

Gatineau

Quebec, Canada

Hopewell Rocks

New Brunswick, Canada

Magog

Quebec, Canada

See all places in Canada →

Photo credits

Photo: Wladyslaw, Edit: Waugsberg (Lichter abgemildert), Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 3.0

Photo: Elviroyage, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0

Photo: Gordon Leggett, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY 4.0

Photo: – Wladyslaw [Disk.], Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 3.0

Photo: Ryan Sharpe, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0

Photo: Kh21, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0

Photo: Gordon Leggett, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY 4.0

Photo: Dennis G. Jarvis, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 2.0

Photo: Taxiarchos228, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 3.0

Photo: Wladyslaw, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 3.0

Photo: WabbitWanderer from London, Canada, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 2.0

Photo: André Carrotflower, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 2.0

Photo: Lars Plougmann from United States, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 2.0

Photo: simpf, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 2.0

Photo: Edgar El, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY 3.0

Photo: giggel, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY 3.0

Photo: Lars Plougmann from United States, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 2.0

Photo: André Carrotflower, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 2.0

Photo: Michael Stokes, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY 2.0

Photo: Danielle Langlois, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 3.0

Photo: Dennis G. Jarvis, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 2.0

Photo: Ryan Sharpe, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0

Photo: CP Hoffman from Washington, DC, United States, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 2.0

Photo: Michael Stokes, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY 2.0

Photo: giggel, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY 3.0

Photo: Skeezix1000, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 3.0

Photo: James Sherar, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 3.0

Photo: Marc-Lautenbacher, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0

Photo: Charles Hoffman, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 2.0

Photo: Lars Plougmann from United States, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 2.0

Photo: Dennis G. Jarvis, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 2.0

Photo: – Wladyslaw [Disk.], Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 3.0

Photo: Dennis G. Jarvis, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 2.0

Photo: Maegan Marshall, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY 3.0

Photo: Skeezix1000, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 3.0

Photo: Hantsheroes, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0

Photo: Skeezix1000, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 3.0

Photo: Andrea Schaffer from Sydney, Australia, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY 2.0

Photo: Dennis G. Jarvis, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 2.0

Photo: Gordon Leggett, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY 4.0

Photo: Dennis G. Jarvis, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 2.0

Photo: SMUBull, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 3.0

Photo: Dennis G. Jarvis, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 2.0

Photo: Lars Plougmann from United States, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 2.0

Photo: Christine Rondeau from Vancouver, Canada, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY 2.0