- The closest part of North America to the UK, roughly a five-hour flight from London
- Icebergs drift past from about May to June
- Gros Morne and L'Anse aux Meadows are UNESCO World Heritage Sites
- UK visitors flying in need an eTA
- Airports
- St John's (YYT), about 15 minutes to downtown; Deer Lake (YDF) for Gros Morne
- Best time to go
- Late May-June for icebergs; June-August for whales; July-September for hiking
- Type
- Province
Newfoundland and Labrador is Canada's most easterly province and arguably its most distinctive. Newfoundland, the island, is wild and rugged, with fjords, sea stacks and colourful outport villages clinging to rocky coves. Labrador, on the mainland, is far bigger and far emptier, a land of tundra, mountains and Inuit and Innu communities.
People here have their own accents, slang and a wonderful sense of humour, with strong Irish and West Country roots. Newfoundland even keeps its own half-hour time zone. For the wider picture, see our Canada guide.
Things to do
- St John's – the colourful "Jellybean Row" houses, pubs and live music on George Street, and Signal Hill, where Marconi received the first transatlantic wireless signal.
- Cape Spear – the most easterly point in North America, with a historic lighthouse and whales offshore in summer.
- Iceberg Alley – from roughly May to June, icebergs from Greenland drift down the coast; Twillingate and Bonavista are good viewing spots.
- Whale watching and puffins – humpbacks feed off the coast in summer, and the Witless Bay Ecological Reserve hosts one of North America's largest Atlantic puffin colonies.
- Gros Morne National Park – a UNESCO site with fjords such as Western Brook Pond, exposed Earth's mantle at the Tablelands and fine hiking.
- L'Anse aux Meadows – the only confirmed Norse settlement in North America, dating from around 1,000 years ago.
- Fogo Island – a remote island known for its striking modern inn and artist studios.
- Torngat Mountains National Park – a remote Labrador wilderness, usually visited on organised trips.
Where to stay
- Downtown St John's – walkable to the harbour, restaurants and music venues.
- Rocky Harbour and Woody Point – small villages inside Gros Morne National Park.
- Twillingate – a base for icebergs and whales on the north-east coast.
- Bonavista – historic outport town with a growing number of stylish guesthouses.
Getting there
Air Canada usually operates a seasonal direct flight from London Heathrow to St John's, taking around five hours, which makes it the shortest hop from the UK to Canada. Otherwise connect via Toronto, Montreal or Halifax. Year-round car ferries also cross from North Sydney in Nova Scotia. British citizens flying to Canada need an eTA, applied for online on the official Government of Canada website. A GHIC is not valid in Canada, so travel insurance is essential.
Newfoundland is bigger than it looks: St John's to Gros Morne is roughly eight hours by car. Many visitors fly into one end and out of the other.
Best time to visit
Late May and June are best for icebergs, though weather is cool and changeable. June to August is whale and puffin season, and July to September is warmest for hiking. Autumn is colourful but quieter, and winter is long and stormy, with many attractions closed.
Check an iceberg-tracking map before planning your route, as the bergs' positions change from year to year.
Top attractions in Newfoundland and Labrador
Newfoundland and Labrador on the map
Frequently asked questions
When is the best time to see icebergs in Newfoundland?
Usually from late May to June, although numbers vary greatly from year to year.
Do UK citizens need an eTA for Newfoundland?
Yes, if you fly to Canada. Apply online on the official Government of Canada website before travel.
What time zone is Newfoundland in?
Newfoundland Standard Time is three and a half hours behind GMT, half an hour ahead of Atlantic Canada.
Can you visit Labrador easily?
Southern Labrador is reachable by ferry from northern Newfoundland; the far north is remote and best visited with an operator.
Written by
Emma City breaks & deals editor
Emma plans city breaks the way other people plan the weekly shop: on a budget, with a spreadsheet and a backup plan. She covers city guides and deal-hunting.
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