Canada
St. John's, Canada: A City Shaped by History and Sea
Practical guide to St. John's, Newfoundland's capital, known for Signal Hill and colorful Jellybean Row houses.
Fast facts
- Country
- Canada
- Region
- Newfoundland and Labrador
- Climate
- Cold oceanic with snowy winters and cool summers
- Population
- Approx. 110,000 (2021)
- Known for
- Signal Hill, Jellybean Row, maritime heritage, George Street pubs
St. John's is the easternmost city in North America and the capital of Newfoundland and Labrador, Canada. Its history as a fishing port dates back to the 16th century, with landmarks like Signal Hill, where Guglielmo Marconi received the first transatlantic wireless signal in 1901. The city offers a glimpse into maritime culture alongside Victorian architecture and rugged coastal views. Winter brings snow-covered streets and Atlantic storms, while summer fills the harbor with fishing boats and outdoor festivals. Local pubs in George Street reflect the city's social life with a long tradition of music and storytelling.
Signal Hill Views
Visit Signal Hill National Historic Site for panoramic views of St. John's harbor and to see where Marconi received the first transatlantic wireless message.
Jellybean Row Houses
Walk through downtown to see the brightly colored row houses, an iconic and practical design suited to St. John's often foggy and wet climate.
Winter Atlantic Weather
Prepare for strong winds and snow from December to March; Atlantic storms shape the coastline and local daily life during colder months.
Book St. John's tours, activities and tickets
Bookable St. John's tours and tickets are live now via the partners we trust. The full editorial guide is being expanded — check back as new sections land.
Where is St. John's?
Get a feel for St. John's on the map — the neighbourhoods, landscapes, and places that will shape the full guide.
Top experiences in St. John's
A handful of the best-reviewed, instant-confirmation tours and tickets — sourced live from our partners.
St. John's Guided Walking Tour
Cape Spear, Signal Hill in St. Johns Newfoundland Shore Excursion
Friendly St. John’s: A Newfoundland Port Self-Guided Audio Tour
Scenic Bus Tour of the Northeast Avalon from St. John's
Explore St. John's Scenic Bus Tour to Cape Spear and Quidi Vidi
2 Hours Guided Whale and Bird Boat Tour in Bay Bulls
Inventory updated 6 days ago.
Find a place to stay in St. John's
Hotels, apartments and independent stays in St. John's, sourced from the partners we use ourselves. Pricing and availability are real-time on each partner.
82 destinations.
Going live, city by city.
Visit St. John's is one of 82 destination micro-sites across the Visit Network — independent guides, written by editors who actually go.
Get in touch about VisitStjohns.com
Are you a hotel, tour operator, local guide, contributor, or potential partner? We're expanding the St. John's guide and would like to hear from you. Send us a note and we'll reply personally.
- → Direct reply, no auto-responder
- → Typical response within 1–2 business days
- → Partnerships, listings and offers reviewed personally