6 Nicest Small Towns In The Maritimes

Home to some of Canada's prettiest seaside towns and most breathtaking coastal landscapes, the Maritimes consist of the three provinces of Nova Scotia, New Brunswick and Prince Edward Island. These provinces have a rich and diverse cultural heritage influenced by their Indigenous inhabitants and British, Irish and French settlers. Known for their deliciously fresh seafood, pristine beaches, and friendly locals, the Maritime provinces are one of Canada’s most popular tourist destinations. Put these nicest Maritime towns on your bucket list next time you travel north to enjoy a vacation like no other.

Mahone Bay, Nova Scotia

A quintessential seaside town with pretty streets and stunning views, Mahone Bay lies on Nova Scotia’s southern shore, west of Halifax. The town’s most famous landmarks — and one of its most-photographed sights — are the Three Churches. This historic trio sit side by side on Edgewater Street overlooking the bay and are some of the oldest buildings in town. Mahone Bay has plenty of beautiful bay overlooks but you’ll find the best views out on the waves. Take a ride with Salty Dog Sea Tours to enjoy a stunning cruise around the islands of Mahone Bay and the southern Nova Scotia shoreline.

Back on land, try something different at Amos Pewter, a studio and workshop housed in a former boat building shop that dates back to the 1880s. The studio offers free guided tours, a chance to craft your own pewter keepsake, and a store displaying locally made pewter jewelry, home décor, ornaments & tableware.

Victoria-By-The-Sea, Prince Edward Island

A historic fishing village on Prince Edward Island’s south coast, Victoria-By-The-Sea was recently named one of Forbes’ 2025 Top 50 Most Beautiful Places in the World. Wandering its colorful and quaint streets, it’s easy to see why. The town was founded in 1819 and quickly became one of the island’s busiest seaports. You can learn more about its fishing heyday at the Victoria Seaport Museum, housed in the village’s historic red and white lighthouse.

Victoria Playhouse Theatre, the longest-running on the island, is the place to be in summer when it hosts a concert series featuring some of Canada’s best musicians. The theatre hosts around 70 performances during its season, which runs from July to September. Don’t leave Victoria-By-The-Sea without trying its legendary shellfish. Located on Main Street with views over the water, the Lobster Barn is famous for serving up what's touted as Prince Edward Island’s best lobster rolls.

Shediac, New Brunswick

Shediac, along New Brunswick’s eastern shore, isn’t just a charming waterfront hamlet. It’s known as "the Lobster Capital of the World" and is the home of the world’s largest lobster statue. Erected in 1989 on Main Street, the 35-feet-long crustacean is a popular stop to grab a unique vacation photo. For more shellfish-related fun, make sure you’re in town for Lobster Festival, a local tradition since 1949. Held in July, the event features live music, lobster eating contests, and Le Grande Table — the festival finale during which a huge lobster buffet takes over Main Street.

Apart from lobsters, Shediac’s other claim to fame is its beaches. Boasting the warmest water north of Virginia and the best saltwater beaches in Eastern Canada, water temperatures here can reach up to 24 degrees at the height of summer. Head to Parlee Beach Provincial Park to take a dip in the balmy seas and enjoy a lazy beach day. If you’re in Shediac on Sundays in the summer, take a trip to Pascal-Poirier Park to spend a few hours browsing the wide selection of crafts, produce, gifts, and foods at the Shediac Market. Featuring over 100 exhibitors, the market also has activities for kids and live music.

Lunenburg, Nova Scotia

One of only two urban centers in North America to be designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site, Lunenburg is simply stunning. Wandering the classic seaside streets lined with period homes and 18th century storefronts, you’ll feel as if you just stepped onto a movie set. To see the Old Town and historic waterfront with a local expert, book a trip with Lunenburg Walking Tours. The company offers a 90-minute, half-day, and full-day tours as well as specialty excursions such as the Haunted Lunenburg ghost tour and a Tastes of Lunenburg foodie experience.

Quench your thirst after walking around town at the Shipwright Brewing Company, a craft brewery overlooking the waterfront that offers seasonal ales, brewery tours, and award-winning dining. While at the waterfront you may notice an iconic ship in the harbor. Featured on the Canadian 10 cent piece, the original Bluenose Schooner became a national treasure when she won the International Fishermen’s Cup in the 1920s and 30s. While the original was lost in a shipwreck in 1946, the Bluenose II, an exact replica, now sits in Lunenburg Harbor and is open to the public in season. The ship also offers two-hour cruises during the summer, departing twice a day.

Georgetown, Prince Edward Island

The tiny but charming village of Georgetown has a long tradition of seafaring and a history of hospitality. These are both evident at the Georgetown Inn and Restaurant which dates back to 1840 and is now a lively eatery, pub, and boutique bed and breakfast. The inn and restaurant are open from mid-June to mid-October.

Another popular spot in summer is the A.A. Memorial Gardens, a beautiful park which features walking paths, flower displays, a large fountain, and Canada’s largest ship wheel. Nearby is the King’s Playhouse which hosts a busy line-up of plays, performances, seasonal festivals, and fairs throughout the year. See Georgetown from the water with Tranquility Cove Adventures which offers a two-hour Lighthouse & Seal Watch tour. The trip heads out to sea to visit the harbor seals before heading east to see PEI’s oldest wooden lighthouse, the historic Panmure Island Light.

Saint Andrews, New Brunswick

Situated on the shores of Passamaquoddy Bay, Saint Andrews is often referred to as Canada’s first seaside resort town. The town has maintained its charm through the centuries, with its Victorian-era architecture and picturesque surroundings continuing to lure holidaymakers to southern New Brunswick. One of the nicest attractions in town is Kingsbrae Garden, a beautifully landscaped 27 acre preserve featuring themed gardens, ponds, streams, old-growth Acadian forest, and various flora and fauna. There’s also sculpture displays, an art studio, and a fine-dining restaurant on site.

Housed in an 1824 Georgian Mansion, the Ross Memorial Museum is also a must-visit. The house’s owners, Henry Phipps Ross and Sarah Juliette Ross. first came to Saint Andrews in 1901 and stayed for four decades. In that time, they amassed a large collection of 19th-century furniture, artwork, and items from their travels, all of which are on display at the museum. After seeing some local art and history, meet the local wildlife with a Whale Watching tour from Jolly Breeze. The company owns New Brunswick’s only tall ship and offers a ‘whales and sails’ tour which takes visitors out to see the porpoise and whales of the Bay of Fundy. Whale season runs from June to the end of October.

Magic in the Maritimes

Scenic and inviting, these Maritime towns offer family-friendly fun, outdoor adventure, and a warm welcome. Canadians have always had a reputation as being “nice” and these small towns in the country’s smallest provinces prove it. They’re not just nice, they’re welcoming, friendly, scenic, historic, and unique. Snack on fresh lobster, take a boat ride, visit a lighthouse, spend a day at the beach, meet some whales — every day in the Maritimes brings a new adventure.