Set at the head of the Annapolis Basin, the town blends thousands of years of Mi’kmaw presence with more than four centuries of European settlement, making it one of the most historically layered communities in the country.

Its compact streets hold one of Canada’s largest National Historic Districts, anchored by Fort Anne, the nation’s oldest National Historic Site and the focal point of repeated struggles for control of early Acadia.

Just upriver, the reconstructed Port‑Royal Habitation brings the 1605 settlement to life, while the award‑winning Historic Gardens showcase centuries of horticultural tradition.

Today, Annapolis Royal pairs its deep heritage with galleries, shops, and a lively cultural scene, all framed by the Annapolis River and the starting point of the Harvest Moon Trailway.