You guys, Prince Edward Island, stole my heart in about five seconds flat. Imagine I’m driving along the north shore at sunset, watching those famous red cliffs light up like gold. And North Cape? Those postcards of lighthouses on bright green cliffs aren’t even doing it justice. After road tripping across this tiny slice of Canada, I found some of the most beautiful places in PEI that feel like they jumped straight out of a storybook.
When I walked through the gardens at Green Gables Heritage Place, I swear I turned into a kid again. There’s just something about this island that makes you want to drop everything and stay awhile. Let me show you the spots that made me fall head over heels for PEI.
Fairytale-Like Places to Visit in Prince Edward Island
Looking to explore Prince Edward Island’s most beautiful places? From the stunning red cliffs of Cavendish Beach to the charming streets of Charlottetown, Prince Edward Island is packed with stunning scenery. Stroll through the historic Green Gables Heritage Place, marvel at the natural beauty of Prince Edward Island National Park, or explore the cultural richness of Victoria-by-the-Sea. Discover the serene allure of North Rustico, the tranquil waters of Malpeque Bay, or the breathtaking views from Point Prim Lighthouse. Whether you’re into beaches, history, or coastal charm, here are 12 of Prince Edward Island’s most breathtaking spots!
1. Anne of Green Gables Heritage Place
Anne of Green Gables Heritage Place hits different when you’re actually standing in the rooms where L.M. Montgomery got her inspiration. I walked through that iconic green-gabled farmhouse thinking about how a simple childhood visit turned into Canada’s most beloved literary character. The restored Victorian rooms are packed with authentic period furniture, and honestly, the attention to detail is pretty impressive.
The Haunted Wood Trail and Lovers Lane are exactly what you’d picture – those dreamy woodland paths that feel straight out of Anne’s adventures. I spent way more time than expected just wandering the gardens and taking photos by the Lake of Shining Waters. The visitor center does a great job explaining Montgomery’s life, and if you’re lucky enough to visit in July or August, you’ll catch the costumed interpreters who actually make the whole experience come alive.
Here’s what you need to know for 2025: Parks Canada is offering free admission from June 20 to September 2, which is a huge deal since regular adult admission is usually around $8. The site’s open 9 AM to 5 PM daily during peak season, and they’ve got that new Butter Churn Café if you need coffee and snacks. Pro tip – if you’re doing the full Anne experience, grab the Anne of Green Gables Package for $49.95, which gets you into five different Montgomery-related sites including the musical.
2. Basin Head Provincial Park
You guys, Basin Head really does have singing sand – and it’s not just some tourist gimmick. When I walked across that perfectly white beach, the sand literally squeaked under my feet because of all the silica content. It’s this weird, delightful sound that had me walking back and forth like a kid testing it out. The beach stretches for almost nine miles of pristine coastline, and honestly, photos don’t do those red cliffs justice.
The real fun happens at “the run” – this narrow channel where teenagers (and let’s be honest, adults too) jump off the bridge and get carried downstream by the current. The lifeguards know everyone’s gonna do it anyway, so they just keep a close eye out. The water here hits around 70°F in summer, which is way warmer than most Atlantic beaches. I watched families spend entire days here building sandcastles while kids splashed around in the shallow areas.
For 2025, the park’s open June 4 to September 1 with supervised swimming and all facilities running. The Basin Head Fisheries Museum is right there too ($5 admission) if you want to learn about the area’s fishing history. Free parking, clean facilities, and that accessible beach mat from the wharf to the water makes this place pretty much perfect for everyone. Just remember – this unique Irish moss ecosystem is protected, so stay on designated areas.
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3. Cavendish
Cavendish is basically PEI’s Disney World, but with way better seafood and those famous red cliffs. I’ve never seen a place that balances literary tourism with legit beach fun so well. Cavendish Beach itself is incredible – miles of white sand backed by those dramatic red sandstone cliffs that look straight out of a postcard. The Gulf Shore waters are surprisingly warm, and the beach is wide enough that you’ll always find space even in peak summer.
The entertainment options here are actually pretty solid. Sandspit Amusement Park has been around forever and still delivers – that Cyclone roller coaster is the longest in Atlantic Canada, and the 70-foot Ferris wheel gives you killer views of the coastline. Shining Waters Family Fun Park connected to the local Jellystone campground has over 40 wet and dry attractions that’ll keep kids busy for hours. I was skeptical about the theme park stuff, but it’s actually well done and not too cheesy.
What I really love about Cavendish is the dining scene. You’ve got everything from casual fish shacks to upscale farm-to-table spots, plus some of the Island’s best golf courses if that’s your thing. The Gulf Shore Parkway connecting Cavendish to North Rustico is perfect for biking or driving, with tons of scenic lookouts and beach access points. Parks Canada’s offering free admission to PEI National Park areas from June 20 to September 2, 2025, so you can hit Cavendish Beach without the usual park fees.
4. Charlottetown
Charlottetown surprised me with how much it feels like a real city while still maintaining that maritime charm. As Canada’s “Birthplace of Confederation,” the history here is legit – Province House is where the whole country basically got started back in 1864. But what really won me over was the walkable downtown core with its perfectly preserved Victorian architecture and the fact that you can actually get excellent food here.
Victoria Row becomes a pedestrian paradise in summer with outdoor patios, live music, and this energy that reminds you why people love small cities. The Confederation Centre of the Arts hosts Anne of Green Gables – The Musical, which has been running for decades and honestly holds up pretty well. The Charlottetown Farmers’ Market on Saturdays is where locals actually shop, not just a tourist thing, and the waterfront area has some seriously good seafood restaurants with harbor views.
I always tell people to start with a walking tour of the historic district, then hit up the local craft brewery scene (which is way better than you’d expect for a city of 40,000). The Charlottetown Harbour offers boat tours if you want to see the city from the water, and there are enough museums and galleries to fill a rainy day. Summer brings tons of festivals, and parking downtown is actually manageable compared to bigger cities.
5. Confederation Bridge
Driving across the Confederation Bridge is one of those experiences that makes you realize how impressive engineering can be. This thing stretches 8 miles across the Northumberland Strait – it’s literally the longest bridge over ice-covered waters in the world. The curved design keeps it interesting as you drive, and it rises high enough that cruise ships can pass underneath, which is pretty cool to see if you time it right.
Gateway Village on the PEI side is worth a stop, especially if you’re into shopping or need to grab food. It’s designed to look like a traditional Island community, and they’ve got some decent restaurants and souvenir shops. The visitor center there explains the whole construction process, which took four years and cost $1.3 billion – kind of mind-blowing when you think about it.
Here’s the deal with tolls: you only pay when you’re leaving PEI, not arriving, which is actually pretty smart from a tourism perspective. As of 2025, it’s around $50.25 for a regular car. For the best photos, I recommend Marine Rail Park in Borden-Carleton, where you get unobstructed views of the whole bridge. The actual crossing takes about 10 minutes, but it’s one of those “I can’t believe I just drove across the ocean” moments.
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6. Cows Creamery
Cows Creamery started as this quirky local ice cream shop and somehow became a Canadian institution, and after trying their stuff, I totally get why. The Charlottetown flagship location offers factory tours where you can watch them making premium ice cream from scratch using PEI milk. Watching the production process made me appreciate why their ice cream consistently ranks among the world’s best – they’re not cutting corners on ingredients or process.
The flavor selection is honestly overwhelming in the best way possible. “Wowie Cowie” and “PEI Blueberry” are classics, but they’ve got over 32 flavors rotating through, including some seasonal ones that use local ingredients. The cow-themed merchandise with all the puns might seem cheesy, but it’s actually become collectible. I ended up buying way too many t-shirts with slogans like “Udderly Canadian.”
The factory tours run Monday through Saturday year-round, and they’re free, which is pretty generous. They also make award-winning aged cheddar cheese on-site, and you can sample that too. Multiple locations across the island mean you’re never far from a scoop, but the Charlottetown headquarters gives you the full experience with both production viewing and the biggest flavor selection. Pro tip – the “Gooey Mooey” flavor is basically chocolate chip cookie dough perfection.
7. North Rustico
North Rustico is what people picture when they think “quaint fishing village,” except it actually lives up to the hype. The working harbor is still legit – I watched fishing boats unload their daily catch while tourists snapped photos from the boardwalk. North Rustico Beach has some of the warmest waters on the north shore, and the harbor views during sunset are legitimately stunning.
Blue Mussel Café is the kind of place where the lobster literally went from boat to plate in the same harbor you’re looking at while you eat. The seafood here is as fresh as it gets, and the portions are generous without being touristy ridiculous. I had the fish and chips and could taste the difference that super-fresh fish makes. The harbor boardwalk is perfect for walking off dinner while watching the boats come in.
The village sits perfectly positioned between major attractions – you’re minutes from Cavendish and Anne of Green Gables stuff, but far enough away to feel like you’ve escaped the crowds. Kayak rentals are available right from the harbor if you want to paddle along those red cliffs everyone talks about. The lighthouse here is one of PEI’s most photographed, especially when the evening light hits it just right. I stayed longer than planned just because the whole pace of life here made me want to slow down.
8. Orwell Corner Historic Village
Orwell Corner Historic Village is basically time travel without the gimmicks. This perfectly preserved 19th-century community feels authentic because it actually is – these are real buildings with real stories, not some theme park recreation. The costumed interpreters know their stuff and actually engage you in conversations about what life was like back then, rather than just reciting scripts.
The blacksmith demonstrations are legit fascinating – I had no idea how much skill went into making everyday items. The general store is stocked with period-appropriate goods, and the working farm has heritage livestock that the kids in our group couldn’t get enough of. During the harvest festival, they do traditional activities like butter churning, which sounds boring but is actually pretty satisfying to try yourself.
What I really appreciated was how hands-on everything is. You’re not just looking at displays behind glass – you can touch things, try activities, and ask detailed questions about how people actually lived. The village operates June through early September with full programming, and honestly, mid-week visits are better because you get more personal attention from the interpreters. It’s only about 30 minutes from Charlottetown, making it an easy day trip that actually teaches you something about Island history.
9. Panmure Island
Panmure Island feels like PEI’s best-kept secret, even though it’s technically a provincial park. The island connects to the mainland by this mile-long sand dune, creating two completely different marine environments on either side. Panmure Island Lighthouse from 1853 is the oldest wooden lighthouse on PEI, and you can actually climb it for views that’ll make your Instagram followers jealous.
The beach at Panmure Island Provincial Park has some of the warmest, shallowest water I’ve found on the Island – perfect for families with little kids who want to actually swim instead of just splash around. At low tide, you can walk the sandspit and discover tide pools and unique ecosystems that most tourists never see. I spent an entire afternoon just exploring the different microclimates created by the island’s weird geography.
The relative isolation means you’ll often have huge stretches of beach completely to yourself, even during peak summer. The lighthouse makes for incredible sunset photography – that white tower against the red cliffs and green fields is quintessential PEI scenery. Panmure Island Campground offers waterfront camping with spectacular sunrise views if you want to stay overnight. It’s about 45 minutes from Charlottetown, making it perfect for people who want beautiful beaches without the Cavendish crowds.
10. Prince Edward Island National Park
PEI National Park is way more than just beaches, though the beaches are definitely world-class. The Greenwich Peninsula with its floating boardwalk leading to massive sand dunes is unlike anything else I’ve seen in Canada. Those parabolic dunes are constantly shifting and reshaping, creating this almost desert-like landscape right next to the ocean. The Gulf Shore Way cycling trail offers 40 kilometers of coastal views that never get old.
Cavendish Beach within the park is probably the most famous, but honestly, some of the lesser-known beach access points offer the same stunning red cliffs and warm Gulf waters without the crowds. I always recommend visiting early morning or late afternoon when the light hits those sandstone cliffs just right. The park’s also home to Dalvay-by-the-Sea, this gorgeous Victorian hotel that was featured in Anne of Green Gables adaptations.
Wildlife watching here is actually pretty good – I’ve seen red foxes, various seabirds, and even the endangered piping plover if you know where to look. The park offers interpretive programs throughout the summer that are educational without being boring. For 2025, Parks Canada is offering free admission from June 20 to September 2, which normally would cost around $8 per adult daily. The park deserves at least two full days to properly explore all the different ecosystems and beach areas.
11. Thunder Cove Beach
Thunder Cove Beach is the kind of place you need local knowledge to find, which is exactly why it’s so special. No signs, no facilities, just this incredible stretch of coastline with some of the most dramatic rock formations I’ve seen anywhere. Teacup Rock is this delicate sandstone mushroom formation that looks impossible – like nature was showing off its artistic skills.
The sea caves here become accessible at low tide, and exploring them feels like discovering hidden treasure. I spent hours photographing the geological layers in the cliffs – all these vibrant reds and oranges that change color as the light shifts throughout the day. At sunset, those red cliffs literally glow, and since hardly anyone knows about this place, you’ll often have the entire beach to yourself.
The relative obscurity means you need to be prepared – bring water, snacks, and definitely bug spray if you’re visiting in summer. The coastal erosion here is constantly reshaping the landscape, so what I saw might be different from what you’ll see. That’s actually part of the appeal – Thunder Cove is this living, breathing coastline that changes with every storm and tide. It’s about 40 minutes northwest of Charlottetown, but feels like you’ve found your own private piece of PEI.
12. West Point
West Point offers something you literally can’t get anywhere else in the world – the chance to sleep in an actual working lighthouse. The West Point Lighthouse Inn is Canada’s only lighthouse accommodation, and waking up to ocean waves outside your window while a functioning beacon rotates overhead is pretty surreal. The black and white striped tower from 1875 has been carefully converted into guest rooms without losing its maritime character.
Cedar Dunes Provincial Park surrounds the lighthouse with some of the warmest swimming waters on the Island and sunsets that consistently rank among the best in Atlantic Canada. I’ve stayed here twice, and both times I found myself just sitting on the beach watching the sun disappear into the Gulf waters. The working fishing harbor gives you authentic glimpses of Island life without the tourist crowds you get elsewhere.
The lighthouse museum explains the area’s maritime history better than most big-city museums, and the staff actually knows the local stories passed down through generations. For 2025, rooms at the lighthouse inn book up fast (especially weekends), so reserve early. The drive to West Point takes about two hours from Charlottetown, but it’s worth it for the bragging rights alone – how many people can say they’ve slept in a lighthouse? The isolation here is perfect if you want to truly disconnect from everyday life while still having comfortable accommodations.
