Planning a trip to Newfoundland and not sure where to start? Steal my 3-day St. John’s itinerary! We packed a lot into three days, but this route gave us a great mix of incredible views, hikes, colourful streets, coastal towns, puffins, whales, good food and some of the best sights around St. John’s.
Want to see the trip in action? Check out my Reel for the full 3-day Newfoundland itinerary!
DAY 1: Signal Hill, Quidi Vidi & Downtown St. John’s
Arrive in St. John’s
We landed in St. John’s around 2 PM, picked up our rental car and checked into our hotel around 3 PM. Since we didn’t want to waste our first afternoon, we dropped our bags and headed straight out to explore.
Having a rental car made this trip so much easier because we were able to explore outside of the city and stop whenever something caught our eye.
Signal Hill
Our first stop was Signal Hill National Historic Site, and it was the perfect introduction to St. John’s.
The views overlooking the city, harbour and Atlantic Ocean are incredible. There are also several hiking trails here, so if you have extra time, I definitely recommend exploring beyond the main lookout points.
👉 Parks Canada – Signal Hill National Historic Site
Quidi Vidi Village
Next, head over to Quidi Vidi, one of the cutest little fishing villages just outside downtown St. John’s.
We stopped at Quidi Vidi Brewing Company for an early dinner and then walked around the village. It’s such a pretty area to wander around and take in the colourful fishing village atmosphere.
If you have the time and energy for another hike, add Sugarloaf Path to your itinerary. The views from the trail are absolutely worth it.
👉 East Coast Trail – Sugarloaf Path
George Street & Jellybean Row
Head into downtown St. John’s for the evening and explore George Street.
During the summer, parts of George Street are closed to traffic, making it a fun place to walk around, browse the shops and stop for food or drinks.
And of course, don’t leave St. John’s without seeing the famous Jellybean Row — the colourful row houses are one of the city’s most recognizable sights.
If you’re looking for a drink, check out YellowBelly Brewery on George Street. George Street is also known for having an incredible concentration of bars and pubs, making it a fun spot to spend the evening.
DAY 2: Cape Spear, Puffins & La Manche
Day two starts EARLY, but trust me, it’s worth it.
Cape Spear Lighthouse
Start your morning at Cape Spear, the easternmost point in North America, and watch the sunrise over the Atlantic.
This was one of my favourite experiences of the entire trip. There’s something pretty special about standing here and watching the sun come up over the ocean.
There are also walking trails around Cape Spear if you want to get some hiking in before continuing on.
👉 Parks Canada – Cape Spear Lighthouse National Historic Site
TIP: Check the sunrise time before you go and give yourself plenty of time to arrive, park and walk to the viewpoint.
Bay Bulls & O’Brien’s Boat Tour
After Cape Spear, make your way down to Bay Bulls for a boat tour with O’Brien’s Whale & Bird Tours.
This is where you get the chance to see Newfoundland’s famous puffins up close, along with the possibility of spotting whales, dolphins and other marine life.
The puffins alone make this worth adding to your itinerary!
👉 O’Brien’s Whale & Bird Tours
TIP: Dress warmer than you think you need to. It can feel significantly colder out on the water, even in the summer.
La Manche Provincial Park
After your boat tour, head north to La Manche Provincial Park.
One of the highlights here is the suspension bridge, which crosses the gorge and makes for a fun stop while exploring the park.
👉 Parks Newfoundland & Labrador – La Manche Provincial Park
If you still have time and energy, continue on toward Ferryland and explore the area before calling it a day.
DAY 3: Cobbler’s Path & the Irish Loop
For your final day, we’re heading back out along the coast for more hikes, beaches, views and food.
Cobbler’s Path
Start the morning with Cobbler’s Path, one of the highlights of our trip.
The trail takes you along the coastline with some seriously beautiful views. It’s the kind of hike where you’ll probably want to stop constantly for photos.
TIP: Check the trail conditions and difficulty before heading out, and give yourself enough time because you’ll want to stop and enjoy the views along the way.
👉 East Coast Trail – Cobbler’s Path
Middle Cove Beach
Continue exploring the coast and make a stop at Middle Cove Beach.
It’s a beautiful spot to get out, stretch your legs and enjoy the Newfoundland coastline.
The Post Taphouse
Ready for a break? Stop at The Post Taphouse for food, drinks and more beautiful coastal scenery.
It’s a great place to slow down for a little while before continuing your drive.
Keep Exploring the Coast
One of my favourite things about Newfoundland is that sometimes the best stops aren’t necessarily the ones you planned.
Continue driving along the coast and make stops whenever something catches your eye. Add Beach Cove Beach to your route and take some time to explore.
For another food stop, check out The Grounds Café.
Have Extra Time? Take the Ferry to Bell Island
If your schedule allows, consider taking the ferry over to Bell Island.
It’s an easy way to add another little adventure to your Newfoundland trip, but I would treat this as an optional extra rather than trying to squeeze it in if you’re already short on time.
👉 Bell Island Ferry Information – Government of Newfoundland & Labrador
Our 3-Day Newfoundland Route at a Glance
Day 1
✈️ Arrive in St. John’s (Hamilton – St. John’s)
🚗 Pick up rental car
🏨 Check into hotel
📍 Signal Hill
🥾 Hike if time allows
🦞 Quidi Vidi Village
🍺 Quidi Vidi Brewing
🥾 Sugarloaf Path
🌈 George Street
🏠 Jellybean Row
🍻 YellowBelly Brewery
Day 2
🌅 Cape Spear sunrise
🥾 Cape Spear hike
🚗 Drive to Bay Bulls
🐧 O’Brien’s Whale & Bird Tour
🌉 La Manche Provincial Park
⛴️ Ferryland
Day 3
🥾 Cobbler’s Path
🏖️ Middle Cove Beach
🍺 The Post Taphouse
🌊 Beach Cove Beach
☕ The Grounds Café
⛴️ Bell Island if time allows
💡 Tips for Planning a St. John’s Trip
Rent a car. If you want to explore beyond downtown St. John’s, having your own vehicle makes the trip much easier.
Pack layers. Newfoundland weather can change quickly, and it can feel chilly on the coast even during summer.
Book the boat tour ahead. If seeing puffins and whales is high on your list, don’t leave this until the last minute during peak summer.
Don’t overpack your days. There are so many hikes and coastal stops that you’ll constantly find places you want to pull over and explore.
Start early. Especially for Cape Spear. The early morning is worth it!
Save this itinerary. If you’re planning a Newfoundland road trip, this gives you a great starting point, but you can easily slow it down and spread the stops over more days.
Want to see the itinerary?
I’ve shared the entire trip over on Instagram, including all the stops, hikes, food and views.
Watch my 3-Day Newfoundland Itinerary Reel here
And if you’re planning your own trip, save this post and send it to whoever you’re travelling with!