Eastern Canada pairs European‑flavored cities with wild Atlantic coastlines and bucket‑list wonders. This 11‑day itinerary threads Montréal’s markets, Halifax’s lighthouses, PEI’s dunes, Niagara’s roar, and Toronto’s skyline—designed for an adventurous traveler with a taste for great food, coffee, wine, and unique local experiences.

You’ll trace centuries of history—from fortified Old Montréal and Quebec City to Halifax’s Citadel and Titanic stories—then cut loose on coastal hikes, e‑bike rides, brewery stops, and night cruises. Expect wow‑moments: sunset at Peggy’s Cove, dunes at Greenwich, mist on your face at Niagara, and city lights from a Toronto helicopter.

Practical notes: Canada is card‑friendly, tipping is standard (15–20%), and bilingual French/English signage is common in Québec. Weather shifts quickly on the Atlantic—pack layers and a windproof shell. No car is required for this plan; we’ll fly the long legs and use tours/transit where it’s easiest on the budget and time.

Montréal (with a day trip to Quebec City)

Montréal is a mosaic of neighborhoods: cobbled Old Montréal, bohemian Plateau, and foodie‑beloved Mile End. It rewards early mornings at a café, long market strolls, art, hockey nights, and late dinners that roll into lively bars. Think stone facades, bagels from wood‑fired ovens, and views from Mount Royal.

Getting in: Book flights to Montréal (YUL) on Trip.com or Kiwi.com. Typical nonstop times from major U.S./Canadian hubs: 1.5–5 hours, ~$150–$400 round‑trip depending on season.

Where to stay: Browse stays near Old Montréal or Plateau to walk everywhere: VRBO Montréal | Hotels.com Montréal

Days 1–3: Montréal highlights + Quebec City day trip

• Old Montréal and Mount Royal: Start with a guided overview to get your bearings around the Old Port, Notre‑Dame Basilica, and more.
  Recommended:
  Montreal City Sightseeing Tour with Live Commentary

  

• Food, coffee, and bagels in Mile End: Sample the city’s greatest hits—bagels, smoked meat, maple sweets—while learning neighborhood lore.
  Montreal Mile End or Jean Talon Market Food Tour with 8 Tastings

  

  
  Level up with a hands‑on cooking class:
  The Bagel Class: Montreal Bagel Making Workshop

  

• Day trip to Quebec City + Montmorency Falls: Stroll UNESCO‑listed Old Québec, ride the funicular, and feel spray from a waterfall taller than Niagara.
  Quebec City & Montmorency Falls Day Trip from Montreal

  

Cafés & breakfast: Café Olimpico (classic Italian espresso), Dispatch (modern roastery), Le Passé Composé (decadent brunch), and Hof Kelsten (Jewish‑style bakery).

Lunch & dinner: Schwartz’s Deli (smoked meat institution), St‑Viateur or Fairmount for bagels, Damas (Syrian, for a splurge), Joe Beef (book far ahead), and Le Vin Papillon (vegetable‑driven small plates).

Beer, wine, nightlife: Dieu du Ciel! (top craft brewery), Vices & Versa (Québec microbrews), Big in Japan Bar (hidden whisky bar). Sports fans: check the Montréal Canadiens schedule at Bell Centre; the atmosphere is electric.

Travel to Halifax (Day 4 morning): Fly Montréal (YUL) → Halifax (YHZ) ~1h45m nonstop, ~$120–$260 one‑way. Search on Trip.com or Kiwi.com.

Nova Scotia (Halifax)

Halifax blends salty maritime grit with indie culture: a bustling harbor, live music, and seafood fresh off the day’s catch. It’s the springboard to photogenic villages, windswept trails, and iconic lighthouses.

Where to stay: Base near the waterfront or Spring Garden for easy walks to the Citadel and restaurants: VRBO Halifax | Hotels.com Halifax

Days 4–6: Waterfront, Peggy’s Cove, Lunenburg & wine country

• Orientation + Citadel: Walk the waterfront boardwalk, Maritime Museum area, and climb to the star‑shaped Halifax Citadel for views and history of the city’s defenses.
• Peggy’s Cove (lighthouse & granite coast): Explore the wave‑washed rocks and fishing sheds with a relaxed guided outing.
  Peggy’s Cove Express Tour

  

  
  Or go deeper with history in town and the Titanic cemetery:
  Halifax Premium Tour: Peggy's Cove, Citadel & Titanic Cemetery

  

• Lunenburg & Mahone Bay (UNESCO town): Rainbow‑painted waterfronts, shipbuilding heritage, galleries, and seaside chowder.
  Peggy's Cove, Lunenburg and Titanic Cemetery Full Day Tour

  

• Annapolis Valley wine & lunch: Cool‑climate whites, sparkling, and crisp rosés with pastoral views.
  Wine and Lunch Escape

  

Short hikes & photos: Point Pleasant Park (forest & sea), Duncan’s Cove Coastal Trail (dramatic cliffs—go with sturdy shoes and check tides/wind), and York Redoubt for harbor panoramas.

Coffee & bites: Two If By Sea (buttery croissants), Lucky Penny or Weird Harbour (espresso). For seafood and local flavors: The Bicycle Thief (Italian‑Maritime mashup), 2 Doors Down (regional comfort), Stillwell Beer Bar (craft taps), and Battery Park (beers + oysters).

Sunset on the water: Consider a golden‑hour sail with live music to cap a perfect day:
Halifax Sunset Cruise Ft. a Live Musician

Travel to Charlottetown, PEI (Day 7 morning): Halifax (YHZ) → Charlottetown (YYG) seasonal nonstop ~50–60 min (or via connection ~3–4h). ~$120–$260 one‑way. Check Trip.com or Kiwi.com. In summer, a scenic drive + ferry is possible if you’ve rented a car.

Prince Edward Island (Charlottetown)

PEI is gentle beauty: rolling fields, red‑sand beaches, and pastoral lanes that inspired Anne of Green Gables. Charlottetown hums with music, patios, and fresh seafood, and the island’s trails are perfect for leisurely biking.

Where to stay: Walkable Charlottetown puts dining and the waterfront at your door: VRBO Charlottetown | Hotels.com Charlottetown

Days 7–8: E‑bikes, dunes, and Green Gables

• E‑bike the capital or coast: Glide past heritage homes, the harborfront, and leafy lanes with a guide.
  2 Hour E‑Bike Tour of Charlottetown

  

  
  For a day in nature, ride the Confederation Trail to turquoise waters and soaring dunes:
  St. Peter’s Bay to Greenwich National Park Day Tour

  

• Anne of Green Gables & North Shore: Visit Green Gables Heritage Place, Cavendish cliffs, and postcard‑worthy beaches.
  Prince Edward Island Premium Tour With Anne of Green Gables

  

• Harbor time: See Charlottetown from the water on a solar‑powered boat—quiet, eco‑friendly, and photogenic.
  1.5‑hour Harbour Experience on North America’s Largest Solar Boat

  

Eat & drink: Water Prince Corner Shop (lobster rolls; casual), The Blue Mussel Café in North Rustico (seasonal; line up early), Merchantman or Slaymaker & Nichols (local fare), Upstreet Craft Brewing and PEI Brewing Company (craft pints), and COWS Ice Cream (PEI‑made scoops).

Coffee: Receiver Coffee (roastery), Kettle Black (heritage‑house café). Sunset photos pop at Covehead Harbour Lighthouse and Brackley Beach.

Travel to Toronto (Day 9 morning): Charlottetown (YYG) → Toronto (YYZ) ~2h20 nonstop in season (or via Montréal). ~$130–$320 one‑way. Search Trip.com or Kiwi.com. Continue same‑day to Niagara Falls by tour or transit.

Niagara Falls, Ontario

Niagara is a force of nature—thunder, spray, rainbows—and also a gateway to vineyards, parkway bike paths, and classic amusement lights at night. Staying one night lets you enjoy the illumination and fireworks when crowds thin.

Where to stay (Canadian side): Falls‑view splurge: Marriott Fallsview Hotel & Spa. Family favorite: Great Wolf Lodge Niagara Falls. Budget walkable: Days Inn by Wyndham Niagara Falls Near The Falls. If you prefer the U.S. side, consider The Giacomo, Ascend Hotel Collection, Comfort Inn The Pointe, or Sheraton Niagara Falls.

Day 9: The Falls up close by day and lit at night

• By boat & by viewpoints: Feel the power from the base of Horseshoe Falls and catch sweeping views from Table Rock and the Niagara Parkway.
  Niagara Falls Canadian Side Tour (boat ride option)

  

• Cross‑border full experience (passport required): See both sides in one curated day, including classic attractions.
  Niagara Falls in 1 Day: American & Canadian Sides

  

• Night illumination & fireworks: After dark, the falls glow with color; on select nights fireworks bloom over the gorge.
  Niagara Falls Nightlight Experience (USA side)

  

Hike & bike idea: Niagara Glen Nature Centre trails dive into the whirlpool gorge (great for photos). The Niagara Parkway path is a scenic, mostly flat ride to Niagara‑on‑the‑Lake with vineyards en route.

Eat & drink: AG Inspired Cuisine (farm‑to‑table), Tide & Vine (oysters), Weinkeller (house wines), and a tasting hop in Niagara‑on‑the‑Lake (The Exchange Brewery; wineries along the Parkway). For a view meal, Table Rock House Restaurant overlooks the brink.

Travel to Toronto (Day 10 morning): GO Transit train/bus Niagara Falls → Toronto Union ~2h–2h15, ~$15–$25; or drive ~1.5h. If you prefer a tour that handles transport, pick a day or evening Niagara tour from Toronto such as:
Niagara Falls Day Tour from Toronto

Toronto

Toronto is Canada’s big stage: neighborhoods that span the globe, a buzzing arts scene, and a waterfront made for sunsets. From the PATH tunnels to the Distillery District’s brick lanes, it’s ideal for coffee crawls, museums, markets, and a night out.

Where to stay: Downtown puts you near the CN Tower, theaters, and sports arenas. Browse VRBO Toronto | Hotels.com Toronto. Top picks: The Ritz‑Carlton, Toronto (spa + views), The Rex Hotel Jazz & Blues Bar (live music built‑in), and Chelsea Hotel, Toronto (family‑friendly, central).

Days 10–11: Icons, markets, views, and nightlife

• Downtown essentials with a local: Navigate underground PATH passages, learn skyline stories, and hit top landmarks with insider context.
  Discover Toronto’s Underground – PATH Walking Tour

  

• Foodie deep‑dive: Eat your way through St. Lawrence Market (think peameal bacon sandwiches, artisanal cheeses) and the Distillery District’s Victorian lanes.
  Toronto: St. Lawrence Market Food Tour with 6 Tastings

  

• Skyline thrills: For an adventurous aerial, see the CN Tower and islands from a helicopter.
  7‑Minute Helicopter Tour over Toronto

  

  
  Prefer water and a DJ?
  Toronto Premier Dinner Cruise on Odyssey

  

Museums & neighborhoods: AGO (art), ROM (world cultures/natural history), Distillery District (galleries), Kensington Market (vintage + global eats), Queen West & Ossington (boutiques and bars).

Sports & shows: Check Blue Jays (Rogers Centre with the roof open is a vibe), Raptors/Maple Leafs (Scotiabank Arena), and concerts at Massey Hall. The Rex Jazz Bar has nightly sets—grab a seat even if you’re not staying there.

Coffee & meals: Sam James Coffee Bar and Boxcar Social (serious coffee), Dineen Coffee Co. (gilded espresso bar). For dinner: Pai (Northern Thai heat), Bar Isabel (Spanish plates), Grey Gardens (natural‑leaning wine list), and Richmond Station (Top Chef‑helmed seasonal menu). Breweries: Bellwoods Brewery (hazy IPAs), Blood Brothers (creative sours).

Trip pacing at a glance

• Days 1–3: Montréal (Old Montréal, Mile End eats, bagel workshop; Quebec City + Montmorency Falls day trip).
• Day 4: Fly to Halifax.
• Days 4–6: Halifax & South Shore (Peggy’s Cove, Lunenburg, wine country; sunset cruise).
• Day 7: Fly to Charlottetown, PEI.
• Days 7–8: E‑bike tours, Green Gables, beaches/dunes.
• Day 9: Fly to Toronto, continue to Niagara Falls for the night (boat tour, illumination).
• Days 10–11: Toronto icons, food tour, helicopter or dinner cruise; nightlife.

Final flight out: Depart Toronto (YYZ) on Trip.com or Kiwi.com. Build in 2.5–3 hours pre‑flight at YYZ for international departures.

This 11‑day route blends city culture, Maritimes scenery, and world‑famous waterfalls—balanced with food tours, tastings, and active outdoor time. You’ll leave with memory cards full of lighthouses and skylines, and a new appreciation for Canada’s coast‑to‑coast flavors.