Baddeck

Travel Guide

Baddeck showing a small town or village and street scenes
Baddeck showing a church or cathedral
Baddeck showing a bay or harbour and a house
Baddeck featuring street scenes and a house
Baddeck

This lakeside village appeals with its scenery, history and outdoor pursuits. Kayak to an island, ski through forests and visit the home of the inventor of the telephone. 

Baddeck is an attractive village on the shores of Bras d'Or Lake, a place of scenic beauty and adventure. Try different outdoor pursuits and wildlife watching and drive or cycle along a coastal route that winds through mountains and villages.

The unhurried, leafy streets of Baddeck are pleasant to explore on foot. Check out the colorful clapboard houses, many of which double up as guesthouses, hotels, cafés and restaurants. Browse the antique stores, boutiques, independent galleries and jewelry shops. Make your way over to the east edge of the village to visit the Alexander Graham Bell National Historic Site. Explore the museum to discover more about the inventor of the telephone, who made Baddeck his summer home. Learn about his experiments with boats and planes and see replica models.

Go to the waterfront and enjoy a relaxed stroll around Baddeck Harbour and the northern shores of Bras d’Or Lake. Spot luxury yachts and old fishing boats moored in the water and admire the views across the lake to nearby islands. 

The harbor is a great base for watersports activities such as waterskiing and Jet Skiing. Join a kayaking tour or catch the shuttle boat to Kidston Island for its beaches, walking trails, lighthouse and bald eagles. Kayak tours also explore more of Bras d’Or Lake and St. Ann’s Bay. 

A short drive from Baddeck are more opportunities for outdoor adventures amid the region’s natural beauty. Hike along the trails of Usige Ban Falls Provincial Park to a striking 50-feet (16-meter) tall waterfall. Drive or bike along the Cabot Trail, which passes beaches, lakes, mountains and villages. When the winter snow arrives go cross-country skiing at Ski Tuonela. 

Baddeck is about a 4-hour drive from Halifax and reachable via intercity buses. Rent a car and visit other areas of Cape Breton Island, including Cape Breton Highlands National Park and Fortress Louisbourg National Historic Site. Both are approximately 90 minutes away by car along scenic routes.

Silver Dart Lodge
Silver Dart Lodge
4 out of 5
257 Shore Rd, Baddeck, NS
Fully refundableReserve now, pay when you stay
The price is CA $160 per night from Jul 14 to Jul 15
CA $160
CA $188 total
Jul 14 - Jul 15
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this 4-star family-friendly hotel in Baddeck. Enjoy free WiFi, free parking, and an outdoor pool. Our guests praise the restaurant and the helpful staff ...
8.8/10 Excellent! (1,007 reviews)
"Staff was amazing, polite, freindly!!! Very resourceful and accommodating. Would definitely attend again."

Reviewed on Jul. 4, 2025

Silver Dart Lodge
Ceilidh Country Lodge
Ceilidh Country Lodge
2.5 out of 5
369 Shore Road, Baddeck, NS
The price is CA $147 per night from Jul 19 to Jul 20
CA $147
CA $173 total
Jul 19 - Jul 20
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this motel in Baddeck. Enjoy free breakfast, free WiFi, and free parking. Our guests praise the helpful staff and the clean rooms in our reviews. Popular ...
7.8/10 Good! (856 reviews)
"Very good value, no problem recommending."

Reviewed on Jul. 2, 2025

Ceilidh Country Lodge
Auberge Gisele's Inn
Auberge Gisele's Inn
4 out of 5
387 Shore Road, Baddeck, NS
The price is CA $175 per night from Jul 6 to Jul 7
CA $175
CA $205 total
Jul 6 - Jul 7
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this 4-star business-friendly inn in Baddeck. Enjoy free WiFi, free parking, and daily housekeeping. Our guests praise the helpful staff and the clean ...
8.6/10 Excellent! (1,003 reviews)
"Perfect location. Loved our stay. Would 100% return"

Reviewed on Jul. 3, 2025

Auberge Gisele's Inn
Lowest nightly price found within the past 24 hours based on a 1 night stay for 2 adults. Prices and availability subject to change. Additional terms may apply.
Modern Apartment in the Heart of Baddeck
Modern Apartment in the Heart of Baddeck
Baddeck
Stay at this apartment in Baddeck. Enjoy patios, an in-room coffeemaker, and air conditioning. Popular attractions Gilbert H. Grosvenor Hall and Bras d'Or Lakes ...
9.4/10 Exceptional! (6 reviews)
"Amazing!"

Reviewed on Apr. 7, 2025

Modern Apartment in the Heart of Baddeck
Private cabin in Boisdale. Perfect getaway for the whole family with a view!
Private cabin in Boisdale. Perfect getaway for the whole family with a view!
Boisdale
Stay at this vacation home in Boisdale. Enjoy free WiFi, a garden, and an in-room coffeemaker. Popular attractions MacMullin Lake and Barachois Provincial Park ...
10/10 Exceptional! (1 review)
"It is a lovely place! Very private with a good scenic view."

Reviewed on Jun. 17, 2025

Private cabin in Boisdale. Perfect getaway for the whole family with a view!
Spacious & Private home overlooking the Bras d'Or Lake.  Serenity NOW!
Spacious & Private home overlooking the Bras d'Or Lake. Serenity NOW!
Baddeck
Stay at this vacation home in Inlet Baddeck. Enjoy free WiFi, a garden, and patios. Popular attractions Washabuck River Nature Reserve and Mary Harper Nature ...
10/10 Exceptional! (2 reviews)
"We absolutely loved our stay here. We spent a lot of time on the deck looking at the beautiful water view. Very comfortable furniture outside and inside. Tons of space for everyone to spread out if needed, well-stocked kitchen, great coffee maker. Terrific place to use as a base for exploring Cape ..."

Reviewed on Jun. 9, 2025

Spacious & Private home overlooking the Bras d'Or Lake. Serenity NOW!
Lowest nightly price found within the past 24 hours based on a 1 night stay for 2 adults. Prices and availability subject to change. Additional terms may apply.

Popular places to visit

Things to do

Reviews of Baddeck

4.4
Top destination
5 - Excellent
64
5 - Excellent 45%
4 - Good
70
4 - Good 49%
3 - Okay
6
3 - Okay 4%
2 - Disappointing
1
2 - Disappointing 1%
1 - Terrible
1
1 - Terrible 1%

4/5 - Good

Verified traveller

Traveled October 22nd and a lot of places close early for the season so choices were limited

5/5 - Excellent

Verified traveller

Beautiful town, helpful friendly people. Good food. It’s a great spot for a weekend getaway!

4/5 - Good

Verified traveller

We didn't stay in Baddeck too long. It was an overnight stay after finishing the Cabot Trail, before heading home. We did stop to fish the lake, and it is a beautiful town.

4/5 - Good

Verified traveller

Enjoyed the Cabot Trail..

5/5 - Excellent

Verified traveller

Beautiful little town

4/5 - Good

Verified traveller

The guy playing the pipes needs to learn some songs and not keep replaying the scales.