TRAVEL TO NEWFOUNDLAND AND LABRADOR

Newfoundland and Labrador – this rather different province in the east of Canada is cheerful and colourful. Just 3 hours’ flight from Toronto and 5 hours from London, Newfoundland is well connected and easy to reach. Its time difference also sets it apart from every other province: at 4:30 hours (summer time), it is somewhat unusual.

Area and population

With an area of a good 400,000 km², Newfoundland and Labrador is as large as Japan. With just over 500,000 inhabitants, however, life here is far more peaceful than in the densely populated Asian island nation, home to more than 127 million people.

St. John's

The provincial capital is the oldest city in North America and has around 110,000 inhabitants. In summer, numerous cruise ships call at its natural harbour, well sheltered by the surrounding hills, giving visitors a chance to get a taste of Newfoundland for a day. The city’s landmark is the Cabot Tower on Signal Hill, visible from practically every corner of the city. We also recommend a leisurely stroll past the colourful rows of houses in the centre of St. John's before rounding off the day in one of the many bars and pubs on George Street.

The coast

With more than 29,000 km of coastline and countless small fishing villages dotted along its bays and fjords, Newfoundland and Labrador offers plenty of opportunities to enjoy glorious views of the Atlantic. Experience the warmth and friendliness of the Newfoundlanders as you chat with them about the day’s catch or the icebergs drifting in the distance.

The icebergs

When a fresh breeze blows along the coast in spring, huge icebergs break away in Baffin Bay and drift down the east coast of the island of Newfoundland. With a bit of luck, you can watch these gigantic, glittering blue blocks of ice from the shore. Depending on currents and weather, they sometimes stay in the same spot for several days – a unique experience!

The wildlife

In spring, humpback whales head north – in exactly the opposite direction to the icebergs. With 29 species of marine mammals, the waters here have the highest density in all of North America. With more than 35 million birds, Newfoundland and Labrador is regarded as the seabird capital. And as if that were not enough, Labrador is home to the world’s largest contiguous wapiti population as well as numerous black bears.

Gros Morne National Park

The earth took more than 485 million years to shape what is probably Newfoundland’s best-known national park. With its countless fjords, waterfalls, green hills and steep cliffs around Western Brook Pond, it casts a spell over every visitor. The southern part of the park, by contrast, presents a completely different picture: here lie the Tablelands, a desert-like lunar landscape of red rock.

L'Anse aux Meadows Historic Site

In the far north of Newfoundland lies North America’s first archaeological Viking site: a former Norse village some thousand years old. Throughout the summer, actors bring the village back to life (just as it once was), to the delight of visitors.

Lighthouses

The lighthouses along the coast of Newfoundland and Labrador once guided countless ships and still attract hundreds of visitors every year. Some are still in operation, while others are now simply tourist attractions. One thing is certain, though: each one has its own story and, with its own colours and shapes, stands proudly on the cliffs of this Atlantic province.