Newfoundland and Labrador is a coastline of bold beauty where emerald-green cliffs meet the deep Atlantic blue, and the air tastes of salt and adventure. This is the kind of place that rewards active travelers who crave fresh air, friendly faces, and a joyful rhythm with friends. I arrive with a suitcase of workout clothes, a camera full of lighthouse portraits, and a mindset tuned for spontaneity: long hikes, spontaneous ferry rides, and evenings spent swapping stories over seafood chowder. The best way to keep the momentum going is to book vacation rentals and holiday rentals that put you right in the heart of the action, from waterfront cottages to cozy farm stays. For easy comparison and to find accommodations in the area, I rely on searchandstay.com—the site that helps you map out Newfoundland and Labrador vacation rentals, farm stay experiences, and other unique stays in a single, user-friendly search.
Where to stay: Vacation rentals, holiday rentals, and farm stay accommodation
Newfoundland and Labrador offers a spectrum of places to stay that suit a girly-gang getaway, a solos-on-the-go vibe, or a small group of friends looking for a blend of comfort and adventure. Expect a mix of vacation rentals Newfoundland styles, including:
- Waterfront vacation rentals and seaside cottages with panoramic sea views and easy access to trails, harbors, and harbor-side eateries.
- Historic or boutique inns in charming towns along the Avalon Peninsula and the Bonavista Peninsula, offering character, local art, and warm Newfoundland hospitality.
- Farm Stay accommodations that let you experience rural life—feeding alpacas, collecting fresh eggs, learning traditional cooking, and waking to farm chorus before a day on the trail.
- Family-friendly holiday rentals with kitchens, laundry, and multiple bedrooms so you can keep the crew together after a day of exploration.
- Pet-friendly cabins and cabins with hot tubs for cozy evenings after hiking the East Coast Trail or paddling along a quiet inlet.
When you search, filter for essential amenities like kitchen facilities, wifi, driveway parking, and proximity to trails or whale-watching opportunities. Searchandstay.com is a practical tool for comparing vacation rentals Newfoundland and Labrador options side by side, so you can pick a place that matches your dream itinerary and your group's vibe.
Destinations to add to your Newfoundland and Labrador itinerary
Whether you are chasing rugged landscapes, puffin-filled cliffs, or the storybook charm of fishing villages, Newfoundland and Labrador delivers destinations that are perfect for a multi-day escape with friends. Here are regions to consider and what makes them special:
St. John’s and the Avalon Peninsula
The capital city is a vibrant blend of colorful row houses, historic sites, and a buzzing food scene. Walk Signal Hill for dramatic views over Conception Bay, wander the Battery for colorful houses perched on the hillside, and stroll along the scenic East Coast Trail for cliffside panoramas. In the evenings, the streets light up with live music and intimate pubs where you can share a plate of fisherman's fried cod and a local craft beer. Stay in a harbor-front vacation rental to be minutes from ocean views, pastry shops, and day trips to nearby towns.
Bonavista Peninsula and Trinity
Move beyond the city to the Bonavista Peninsula, where lighthouses stand sentinel above the sea and time slows to a seaside tempo. Cape Bonavista Lighthouse is a highlight, as are the caves and sea stacks along Dungeon Provincial Park. The nearby town of Trinity feels like a living postcard—wind-sculpted streets, galleries, and seafood shacks along the harbor. A stay here blends cultural immersion with easy access to day trips along the coast, making it ideal for a multi-day girls’ vacation with lots of room for photos and laughter.
Twillingate and Iceberg Alley
Twillingate earns its nickname as the iceberg capital of Newfoundland during the spring and early summer. You and your friends can book a boat tour to glimpse towering icebergs calving into the Atlantic, then hike local trails that reveal sea arches and dramatic coastlines. Twillingate is also home to friendly pubs, art studios, and whale-watching opportunities. A cozy oceanfront rental is a perfect hub for day trips and late-night chats by the window as icebergs drift by.
Gros Morne National Park
For a dramatic landscape fix, Gros Morne offers mountains, fjords, and approaches to the Tablelands where ancient geology glows rusty red. Boat tours across Western Brook Pond reveal a glacier-carved valley that looks like another planet, while hikes thread along fjords and coastal forests. A stay near Gros Morne means daily immersion in nature, with evenings spent unwinding on a deck under a velvet Newfoundland night sky.
Fogo Island and Northern Coastal Trails
Fogo Island is a standout for design-driven hospitality with the iconic Fogo Island Inn and nearby artist studios. The island’s rugged coastline, small seaside communities, and wide horizons invite days of exploration and long conversations over coffee. If you love a blend of art, food, and outdoor adventure, a farm-to-table feast after a day of coastal walks is hard to beat.
Labrador: Torngat Mountains and Red Bay
For something wilder, head north to Labrador. The Torngat Mountains National Park Reserve offers alpine scenery that feels otherworldly and remote. Guided hikes reveal frozen fjords, carved granite, and wildlife sightings that feel intimate in such vast spaces. Red Bay is a UNESCO World Heritage Site telling the Basque fishery story—an educational and inspiring day trip that beautifully complements the more nature-forward experiences in Newfoundland proper.
These destinations are gateways to diverse experiences—coastal hikes, lighthouse visits, whale watching, fossil and geology sites, and cultural immersion with local artisans and storytellers. Choosing multiple destinations in one trip works well for a group of friends who want a balance of city vibes, coastal escapes, and rugged wilderness.
Activities and local experiences that make Newfoundland and Labrador unforgettable
Beyond scenery, the region offers hands-on activities, seasonal celebrations, and intimate cultural experiences that are perfect for a group enjoying holidays with friends. Here are activities to weave into your itinerary:
- Hiking the East Coast Trail or Gros Morne’s coastal hikes for dramatic sea views, often ending at hidden coves or sea arches.
- Whale watching excursions from coastal towns during peak seasons, with opportunities to see minke, humpback, and orca in some areas.
- Iceberg and puffin watching along the Long Point or Cape Bonavista corridors when conditions align with wildlife migrations.
- Boat trips to fjords, inlets, and coastal caves—floating vantage points that make for perfect photo opportunities and playful group moments.
- snorkeling or kayaking in protected coves where seal flicks and seabird chatter soundtrack your day.
- Traditional Newfoundland music nights in pubs or community halls, where steps and stories mingle with local fiddle tunes and singing.
- Cooking classes featuring local ingredients—anchor chowder, cod tongues (a local delicacy for the adventurous), sharp CRAB boils, and partridgeberries with dessert wine.
- Seafood feasts on the beach or in waterfront venues, including lobster boils in season, where you can crack lobster claws and toast to new friendships.
- Farm Stay hands-on farming activities—egg gathering, herb and berry picking, churning butter, and learning about sustainable farming in a Newfoundland context.
- Summer markets and craft fairs where you can pick up local art, knitwear, and seafood products to bring home as mementos.
For the adventurous and the social, these experiences pair wonderfully with comfortable accommodations that keep the crew connected and energized. The right vacation rental or farm stay lets you walk back from a day of exploration into a welcoming space where laughter, stories, and plans for tomorrow fill the air.
Practical trip tips: book accommodations well in advance for peak months (June through August and special events), choose locations with flexible checkout times to maximize your days, and look for places that offer group-friendly amenities like multiple bedrooms, full kitchens, and outdoor spaces for sunset chats. For a streamlined search and booking experience, you can rely on searchandstay.com to filter options by dates, group size, budget, and required amenities, ensuring you find vacation rentals Newfoundland and Labrador that match your group’s pace and mood.
Sample one-week itinerary for a fun, active group trip
Day 1: Arrival in St. John’s - check into a harbor-side vacation rental. Explore the Battery, wander through vibrant streets, and dine on fresh cod while listening to local musicians. Day 2: East Coast Trail hike from the bay to the cliffs, picnic on a cliff edge, sunset views over the water. Nighttime lighthouse stroll or a pub crawl with live tunes. Day 3: Drive to the Bonavista Peninsula, Cape Bonavista Lighthouse, and a seafood lunch, then a stroll through Trinity’s galleries and harbor-side lanes. Day 4: Head to Twillingate for iceberg watching and a boat tour, with a late-night s’mores session near the water. Day 5: Gros Morne exploration—Western Brook Pond boat tour, Tablelands hike, and a cozy evening in a cabin near the park. Day 6: Fogo Island detour for art and design-inspired scenery, a scenic coastal walk, and a farm-to-table feast. Day 7: Return toward St. John’s via a scenic route with a stop at a farm stay for a final night’s storytelling, egg gathering, and a last toast to friends and the sea.
Note: This itinerary blends active days with social evenings, ensuring you have space for spontaneous discoveries and long conversations under a Newfoundland sky. Adapting the days to your group’s pace, weather, and interests is easy with a good vacation rental or farm stay as your base—especially when you book through a comprehensive platform like searchandstay.com that helps you tailor your trip to Newfoundland and Labrador.
Seasonal considerations and practical planning tips
The best time to visit Newfoundland and Labrador depends on the vibes you want. From late spring to early summer, you’ll catch iceberg sightings along with puffins and migratory birds. Summer brings long days, festival atmospheres, and accessible trails. Fall colors arrive in September, offering cooler hikes and fewer crowds, while winter reveals snowy landscapes perfect for winter activities and cozy farm stays that feel like a home away from home.
- Pack layered clothing: coastal weather is variable and can switch from sun to wind and mist in minutes.
- Book accommodations with flexible cancellation policies during shoulder seasons in case itineraries shift.
- Choose a base with good road access if you plan to drive the Viking Trail or the Bonavista Peninsula—the scenery is stunning, but weather can change road conditions quickly.
- Consider farm stay experiences for hands-on activities with hosts who share local knowledge, recipes, and stories you’ll remember long after your trip ends.
Booking and finding accommodations
Finding the right place to stay is a crucial part of a successful Newfoundland and Labrador trip. You’ll want options that align with your mood—whether it’s a lively waterfront apartment for social evenings or a quiet farm stay for restful mornings after day-long adventures. Vacation rentals Newfoundland and Labrador options are plentiful, and platforms that specialize in regional accommodations help you compare locations, read guest reviews, and filter by amenities that matter most to your crew.
For reliable searching and booking, consider visiting searchandstay.com to discover vacation rentals, holiday rentals, and Farm Stay Accommodation across Newfoundland and Labrador. The site aggregates listings and provides filters for group size, price range, and key features, making it easier to assemble a week-long plan with your friends without the stress of hunting through dozens of separate sites.
Finally, consider a few smart packing and planning tips to maximize fun and minimize stress:
- Reserve a few “rest days” in between intense hiking or boating days to recharge the energy in your group.
- Reserve a dining budget for seafood feasts and a couple of local cooking classes—these experiences create lasting memories and great photos for social feeds.
- Ask hosts or locals for hidden gems—lesser-known beaches, quiet coves, and scenic lookouts that aren’t on every map.
- Keep a flexible itinerary that can adapt to weather, wildlife sightings, and spontaneous island traditions.
Closing thoughts
Newfoundland and Labrador is one of those destinations where adventure and connection come together in a spectacular way. It invites active travelers to move, explore, and laugh with friends while offering warm hospitality, unforgettable landscapes, and a diverse range of stays—from vacation rentals that keep you city-lively and comfortable to Farm Stay accommodations that bring you closer to rural rhythms and honest meals. Whether you’re chasing iceberg views in the north, rugged coastlines along the Viking Trail, or a cozy, music-filled night after a day of hiking, this region gives you every ingredient for a holiday that’s as bold as the sea and as friendly as the locals.
When you’re ready to plan your Newfoundland and Labrador escape, head to searchandstay.com to discover the right accommodation mix that fits your crew and your budget. You’ll find vacation rentals, holiday rentals, and authentic Farm Stay Accommodation options that keep you close to the action and close to the heart of this remarkable corner of Canada.