Halifax Citadel National Historic Site

The Halifax Citadel is a fascinating historical landmark that brings Canada’s colonial past to life. Perched atop a hill overlooking downtown Halifax, the star-shaped fortress offers incredible panoramic views of the city and harbour. Walking through its well-preserved walls and ramparts, you can explore the museums, military exhibits, and the daily routines of soldiers from the 18th and 19th centuries. The changing of the guard ceremony is a highlight, showcasing tradition and discipline in a captivating way. Every corner of the Citadel tells a story, from its strategic importance in defending the city to the fascinating artifacts on display, making it a must-visit for history enthusiasts, families, and anyone looking to connect with Halifax’s rich heritage.

The Citadel is a must visit for anyone at Halifax. There are many guided tours suited for groups of all types. I would recommend the one by the Soldier's Wife that starts around 11am and ends with the noon Cannon firing. It was informative, engaging and fun. Enjoy.

A very nice historical site to spend an afternoon wandering around and soaking up history. A number of historical actors dressed in period costume are more than willing to answer questions and let you what life was like back in the 1800's. They fire the noon day gun, and fire off the random musket to keep things interesting.

We rode the e bikes up the hill and around the citadel. It was a very cool way to see the city from a high viewpoint 360° viewing all the way around as the road makes you do a big circle, super cool place to visit, you can walk. You can bike, you can drive. You can sit on the hill and take in the sunset. Super cool Place in the city.

Thoroughly enjoyed this visit. We parked at the bottom of the hill that it was situated on only to realize that we could have driven to the top lol! The tour guides were very informative and welcomed any questions. It was interesting for both children and adults. A definite must see on the east coast that took the majority of the day to see properly. French tour guides were also available.

Don’t miss seeing this historic site in Halifax, even if you’re only there for one day. The historic significance is fascinating and even if history doesn’t interest you, if nothing else, this site is worth visiting for the views alone. Wonderful experience. Go before noon and tag along for the tour and you’ll get to see them shoot the canon right up close (take ear plugs or use your fingers,lol)

A Fascinating Piece of History – A Halifax Must-Visit! My wife and I absolutely loved our time at the Halifax Citadel. We ended up visiting twice because there’s just so much to take in—from the rich history to the immersive demonstrations. The staff are amazing, super knowledgeable and passionate, and really help bring the past to life. Highlights included the cannon firing at noon (a tradition to signify lunchtime) and hourly rifle demonstrations, which added such an engaging and exciting touch. The views from the top are also beautiful—a perfect blend of education and scenery. The only downside was running into rowdy school groups—some of the kids were a bit wild and disrespectful, which did take away from the experience at times. That said, it didn’t stop us from enjoying everything the site had to offer. If you’re in Halifax and love history or just want a unique experience, the Citadel is a must-visit!

A truly unique and memorable experience. Be sure to see the short movie to introduce you to the history of the fortress and catch a short tour. We enjoyed the rifle firing exhibition as well as Cannon fire and the changing of the guards.