It’s clear why this strategic hilltop location with a commanding view of the Halifax harbour was chosen in 1749 for the fort destined to protect the city. The Halifax Citadel’s star shaped architecture is equally as impressive from the inside and out. Step back in time with the 78th Highlanders and the 3rd Brigade Royal Artillery to learn what it was like for the soldiers and their families to live and work in this historic fort. Learn what roles the fort and its inhabitants played over time. Learn more

Featured things to do

Things to do
Visitors lean over to interact with a digital exhibit.
Fortress Halifax – A City Shaped by Conflict
Self-guided tour
Two female visitors and two soldiers stand discussing a gas mask in foreground on the sand and among the barricades and a boat replica from the “Storm the Beach D-Day Exhibit” as other visitors explore the exhibit in the background.
Commemorating the First and Second World Wars

Hours of operation

Open daily
9 am to 5 pm

See more details

The grounds are open year-round.

Fees

Free admission for youth. Other fees still apply.
Detailed fees list

Contact us

+ 902-426-5080

pc.halifax.pc@canada.ca

Planning to visit during COVID-19?

Click here for details.

Sites nearby

  • Georges Island National Historic Site

    A drumlin created by glacial deposits thousands of years ago, Georges Island sits in the centre of Halifax Harbour and was at the heart of military action for hundreds of years.

  • Prince of Wales Tower National Historic Site

    Built in 1796-97 to protect against French attack, the Prince of Wales Tower was the first of its kind in North America. Visitors can explore its history, architectural features and significance as a defensive structure.

  • Fort McNab National Historic Site

    From the 1880s and for more than half a century, Fort McNab played a key role in the Halifax Defence System, guarding one of the British Empire’s (and then Canada’s) most significant naval stations.

  • York Redoubt National Historic Site

    An integral part of Halifax’s Defense Complex, York Redoubt helped protect this strategic port city from military attack for over 200 years. Walking paths and interpretive panels help tell its impressive story.