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Signal Hill

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Landmark
—°11
Signal Hill (Canada)

Weather…

Signal Hill is a prominent hill overlooking the city of St. John's, Newfoundland, and serves as one of Canada's most significant historical sites. It gained international fame on December 12, 1901, when Guglielmo Marconi received the first transatlantic wireless signal here, consisting of the letter 'S' in Morse code. The hill's most recognizable structure is Cabot Tower, constructed between 1897 and 1900 to commemorate the 400th anniversary of John Cabot's arrival in Newfoundland and Queen Victoria's Diamond Jubilee. Due to its strategic vantage point at the entrance of St. John's Harbour, Signal Hill was used for military fortifications for centuries. It was the site of the Battle of Signal Hill in 1762, the final conflict of the Seven Years' War in North America, where British forces successfully defeated the French. Today, it is a National Historic Site operated by Parks Canada, offering educational exhibits on military and communication history. Visitors frequent the site for its rugged hiking trails and wide-open views of the Atlantic Ocean, often spotting icebergs during the spring months.

Best time to visit & climate

The most pleasant time to visit is Jul–Sep.

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
Avg °C-2-2-1148141613951
Rain mm1271051179090869390104131128140

📋 Practical info

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Visiting
Signal Hill is a public park that can be visited for free year-round. The interior of the historic Cabot Tower is open to visitors seasonally.
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Typical hours
The park is open daily from sunrise to sunset. Cabot Tower typically has set hours from June to October, roughly 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
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Photography
Photography is allowed throughout the park, and the view of the city and ocean is spectacular. Drones are not permitted without a permit, but handheld cameras are handy.
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Time needed
A visit to Signal Hill takes about 1-2 hours, including a walk to Cabot Tower. In good weather, you can linger longer to enjoy the view.
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Combine with
Combine the visit with downtown St. John’s, which is a short drive away. The historic Water Street and the Johnson Geo Centre are also nearby.
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Getting there
Signal Hill is located on the edge of St. John’s, reachable by car or on foot. There is parking at the base of the hill, and a hiking trail leads to the summit.
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Insider tip
Visit Signal Hill in the late afternoon to watch the sunset over the Atlantic Ocean. Bring a jacket as it can be windy.

History & landmarks

Modern

1901

Geography

Elevation
167 m
Coordinates
47.56940, -52.68000

Facts

  • Guglielmo Marconi received the first transatlantic wireless signal here in 1901.
  • Cabot Tower was officially completed and opened in 1900.
  • The Battle of Signal Hill took place on September 15, 1762.
  • The site was designated a National Historic Site of Canada in 1951.
  • The hill rises to an elevation of approximately 167 meters above sea level.
  • The Signal Hill Tattoo performs 19th-century military drills during the summer.

Explore nearby

Notable places around

St. John's (Metro)St. John's (Metro)4 km · SExplore →
Logy Bay-Middle Cove-Outer CoveLogy Bay-Middle Cove-Outer Cove5 km · EExplore →
Port of St. John'sPort of St. John's5 km · SWExplore →
TorbayTorbay8 km · SEExplore →
Mount PearlMount Pearl12 km · SExplore →
BaulineBauline19 km · SEExplore →
ParadiseParadise24 km · SExplore →
Witless BayWitless Bay26 km · SWExplore →

Route planner — Car & Motorhome

Where do you start? We build the route here, with stops and country notes along the way.

Vehicle
Only stops with (optional):

© OpenStreetMap contributors · OpenRouteService

Sights in the town Signal Hill (11)

Cabot Tower🏛 museum

A museum tower on Signal Hill, commemorating John Cabot's landing in 1497.

Masjid-an-Noor⛪ religious

A mosque in Signal Hill.

Fort Amherst Lighthouse📍 landmark

A lighthouse in Signal Hill at the entrance to St. John's harbour.

Caplin Cove📍 landmark

A bay in Signal Hill.

Bottle Cove📍 landmark

A bay in Signal Hill.

Signal Hill🌿 nature

Signal Hill is a peak in St. John’s, known as the site where Guglielmo Marconi received the first transatlantic wireless signal in 1901.

Signal Hill Park Interpretation Centre🏛 museum

Signal Hill Park Interpretation Centre is a museum in Signal Hill that provides information about the hill's history.

Red Cliff Radar Station🏺 historical

Red Cliff Radar Station is a ruin of a former radar station in Signal Hill.

Queen's Battery🛡️ fortress

Queen's Battery is a historic fort in Signal Hill.

Fogarty's Wetland🌿 nature

Fogarty's Wetland is a viewpoint in Signal Hill.

Torbay Point Viewpoint🌿 nature

Torbay Point Viewpoint is a viewpoint in Signal Hill.

Sights nearby

Frequently asked questions

What is Cabot Tower?
A tower commemorating Cabot and the first transatlantic wireless signal.
Can you see whales from there?
Yes, in early summer you can often spot whales and icebergs offshore.
What is the weather like up there?
Often very windy and cool; bring a windproof jacket.
Does it cost anything to visit?
Access to the hill is free, but there may be a fee for the tower.
Are there hiking trails?
Yes, the North Head Trail features spectacular ocean views.
Signal Hill: where is it located?
Signal Hill is located in Canada.
Signal Hill: what is there to see?
Highlights include Cabot Tower, Masjid-an-Noor, Fort Amherst Lighthouse.
Signal Hill: when is the best time to visit?
The most pleasant time to visit is Jul, Sep.
Signal Hill: why is it worth visiting?
Signal Hill is a prominent hill overlooking the city of St.
View on map → The Top 50 Attractions → OpenStreetMap →
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History & landmarks

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St. John's
Capital of Newfoundland and Labrador
Gros Morne — Signal Hill (Canada)
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Capital of Nova Scotia
Peggy's Cove Lighthouse — Signal Hill (Canada)
Peggy's Cove Lighthouse
An iconic lighthouse on the coast of Nova Scotia.
Hopewell Rocks — Signal Hill (Canada)
Hopewell Rocks
Known for its unusual rock formations shaped by tidal erosion.
Bay of Fundy — Signal Hill (Canada)
Bay of Fundy
Known for high tides
Fredericton — Signal Hill (Canada)
Fredericton
Capital of New Brunswick

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