Step into a city that feels like it leapt straight out of a storybook – cobbled streets, ancient walls, grand cathedrals, and the smell of chocolate in the air. York, England, is one of those rare places where history whispers from every corner and every view looks like a postcard. Whether you’re craving a romantic weekend, a cultural escape, or a family adventure, this York travel guide will show you why travelers fall in love with this charming small English city again and again – and why you might, too.
Do you like small-town travel? Are you planning a trip to the UK? Then I’ve got the perfect small town for you: York, England. Use this York travel guide to discover all the amazing things to see and do here. You can also find great ideas for your York bucket list so that you can have an unforgettable trip!
This complete York guide with the best places to visit in York, England, where to stay in York, where to eat in York, York sightseeing, and travel tips for York is presented by Suzy from Our Bucket List Lives.
This guide is part of the free travel guides series on this blog. Use this insider’s guide to York, UK, when creating your York itinerary.
As a fun fact, did you know that York is considered Britain’s best small city or town? York ranks #1 in the PwC ‘Good Growth for Cities’ quality-of-life index (2025). Why it matters for travelers: great walkability, lots of free things to do, and easy rail access from London and across the North – perfect for a weekend in York or an extended 4–5 day stay if you love museums.
If you need more reasons to visit York, read the guide below and discover the amazing things to see and do here, which, I’m sure, will convince you to visit it!
York Travel Guide (2025): Best Things to Do in York, Where to Stay & Eat
York is a relatively large City in North Yorkshire, UK. York has a strong Roman and Viking past, which is celebrated well. The City is well known for its beautiful Gothic Minster, quirky and historic old buildings, the Jorvik Viking centre, and museums.
There is so much to see and do in York, enough to fill nearly a whole week. Best time: April–June and Sept–Oct for mild weather and fewer crowds; Nov–Dec is magical for the Christmas market; Feb hosts the JORVIK Viking Festival.
We visit in all weathers and there’s always something to do, indoors or outdoors.
You can reach York by train from London in just 2 hours. “Fast LNER trains from London King’s Cross take ~1h50–2h05 to York Station (YRK).
York sightseeing guide – the top 15 tourist attractions in York, England
York Minster
This York sightseeing guide couldn’t start any other way but with the recommendation of York Minster. This is a stunning Minster and it is also classed as a Cathedral.
Time-saving tip: Book tower tickets early if you want skyline views. Allow 90–120 minutes for the Minster + Undercroft Museum.
Don’t miss the Undercroft Museum beneath the cathedral – interactive galleries trace 2,000 years of York’s history (Roman to Viking) and display treasures like the Horn of Ulf and the York Gospels. Make sure you include this on your York itinerary!
The Shambles
This street is a must to wander down. It is one of the oldest streets in York.
With overhanging timber-framed buildings so close in places, you could pass things from one side of the street to the other.
The narrowest pinch points are ~1.4m/4.5ft wide; many visitors come for the Harry-Potter-ish vibe and independent shops.
Best time: Go early morning or evening to avoid crowds and get the best photos; most shops open late morning.
York Castle Museum
Still wondering what to do in York, England? Add York Castle Museum to your list, as this is one of the York tourist attractions you simply have to see.
With plenty to see, including an authentic Victorian street, York Castle Museum will enchant you.
Step onto Kirkgate, one of Britain’s earliest recreated indoor streets (opened 1938), the museum’s most iconic exhibit.
National Railway Museum
The National Railway Museum – Free entry; advance booking recommended at busy times. Expect icons like Mallard and the Shinkansen. Walk-up is allowed when not at capacity.
Good to know: Budget 2 hours; combine with a City Walls walk or Museum Gardens for a free/low-cost day in York.
There are so many trains to look at and to look around. If you want, you can pay to have a ride on a steam train or miniature railway.
Jorvik Viking Centre
Jorvik Viking Centre is one of York’s points of interest.
This is a ride around the streets of Viking York with sights, sounds and smells to take you right back in time. Based on the Coppergate Dig (1976–81) finds.
Booking tip: This is timed entry and sells out on weekends and school holidays – reserve in advance.
The York Dungeon
Next in this York visitor’s guide are the York Dungeons. These can be pretty scary with actors acting out torturous scenes and more, but they are definitely a lot of fun!
Live actor shows; pre-booking essentia.
Age guidance: Best for 8+ (minimum 5). Allow 60–75 minutes. Not suitable for very sensitive kids.
Hop on Hop off bus
The York tourist bus is a great way to get around York and to travel between York attractions.
City Sightseeing York runs up to every 15 mins, ~60-min loop, 24/48-hour tickets, and live guides.
Itinerary hack: Use the bus as transport between NRM → Minster → Clifford’s Tower and save your steps for The Shambles and City Walls.
DIG
This is an interactive attraction for children in York – JORVIK DIG is a hands-on archaeology experience (best for ages 5–12).
They can learn how to carefully dig for bones and hidden treasures. Doesn’t it sound great? I can assure you, it’s one of the fun things to do in York.
York’s Chocolate Story
If you want to explore York, you have to find out more about chocolate.
York is well known for its chocolate production, and this wonderful museum teaches you all about chocolate production. And if that’s not enough, I have to add that you get to sample quite a few on your way around.
Guided tours daily; typical prices from ~£16 adult; family tickets available.
Family tip: Choose morning slots for smaller groups; allergy info available – ask on arrival.
That is why Chocolate Story is one of the unmissable places to visit in York.
Yorkshire Museum
Another one of the best York activities is a visit to the Yorkshire Museum. This museum has a great new dinosaur exhibition that is well worth a visit.
Check Yorkshire’s Jurassic World, the museum’s long-running dinosaur/sea-monster exhibition (included in admission).
Pair with: Museum Gardens (free) and the ruins of St Mary’s Abbey for a great 1–2 hour loop.
Barley Hall
This is a lovely old hall with many interactive exhibits, perfect for young and old, and one of the best things to do in York.
This is a restored medieval townhouse (York Archaeological Trust). Seasonal opening hours; check times.
Photography note: Interiors are atmospheric – consider midday for more natural light through the windows.
You are positively encouraged to touch and feel everything in there and to get a better understanding of life in York long ago.
Merchant Adventurers’ Hall
Merchant Adventurers’ Hall – a Grade I-listed medieval guildhall (1357–61).
Admission currently £7.50 adult; card/contactless only. Make sure you include it on your York trip.
Rainy-day pick: Excellent indoor stop close to cafés and The Shambles – allow 45–60 minutes.
City Cruises York
Why not see York from a different perspective and go on one of their cruises along the river?
City Cruises York (City Experiences) runs sightseeing and dining cruises on the River Ouse year-round; schedules can change with river levels.
It’ll give you the chance to get different views of the city, and you will relax during the cruise!
Sunset idea: Evening cruises offer lovely golden-hour views – check schedules in advance, especially after heavy rain.
York’s City Walls
I simply had to recommend seeing the city’s walls in this York, England city guide.
The City of York is surrounded by an ancient wall. Free to walk; gates usually open 08:00–dusk, closed 25 Dec and during severe weather/works. This is one of the best free things to do in York.
Route tip: The Bootham Bar → Monk Bar stretch gives superb Minster views. Wear comfy shoes; some sections have steep steps and no handrails.The Bootham Bar → Monk Bar stretch gives superb Minster views. Wear comfy shoes; some sections have steep steps and no handrails.
York Off the Beaten Path
Apart from the famous York landmarks, there are numerous offbeat things to do in York. So I’m inviting you to explore York off the beaten path and these are my best recommendations for lesser-known places to visit in York and unusual things to do in York.
These hidden gems in York are ideal once you’ve covered the classics—great for second visits or crowd-free afternoons.
York Chocolate trail
As already mentioned, York is famous for its chocolate history.
Take a mouth-watering wander through time and discover York’s chocolate-making history along the way. Visit York’s Chocolate Trail is an official self-guided route (PDF/map available). Stops include York’s Chocolate Story, Rowntree Park and more.
Rowntree Park
This is a lovely green space in York. There’s a lake, playgrounds, a skate park, tennis courts, and even a caravan park.
York museum gardens
York museum gardens are set in the stunning surroundings of the Medieval ruins of St. Mary’s Abbey.
The gardens are a great space to meet family and friends and to step away from the hustle and bustle of the city.
The Gardens are free to visit – so these are one of the York attractions you can’t afford to miss.
York Army Museum
This museum is home to some of the most important regimental collections in the UK.
Covering over 300+ years of history, the York Army Museum is a wonderful trip back in time and one of the great ways to discover York and its history.
Fairfax house
Fairfax House is a fine Georgian townhouse museum in the city centre.. With wonderfully decorated rooms that will take you right back to the 18th Century. If you are an architecture buff or just curious to see how a mansion look back in the day, consider adding this place on your York sightseeing list.
READ MORE: Discover another amazing town in the UK: Kingston upon Hull from this comprehensive guide
Where to eat in York, England
It’s time to get the tasty part of York in this expert’s guide to York, England. So, if you are wondering where to eat in York, here are some great restaurants in York for you.
The place to eat in York is Betty’s Tea-Room. For classic afternoon tea, book the Belmont Room (reservation-only); the ground-floor café operates walk-in basis with queues.
The food and decadence of this place are just wonderful.
York has a really good mix of restaurants; there is something to suit everyone’s tastes and budgets.
What to try in York: Yorkshire pudding, Sunday roast, artisan chocolate, and proper afternoon tea. Search “best afternoon tea in York” or “restaurants near York Minster” for up-to-date openings and menus.
Where to stay in York
There are plenty of accommodation options in York, England.
Book ahead for Feb (Viking Festival) and Nov–Dec (Christmas Market). For a car-free stay, pick hotels within 10–15 minutes’ walk of the Minster or the station.
York Hotels
The best hotels in York include The Grand, which is a grand Edwardian hotel with chic rooms.
Or, another one of the great places to stay is The Principal York ➜ The Milner York (rebranded Oct 2024). Located in the heart of the city this hotel combines carefully preserved Victorian architecture alongside modern touches.
Novotel York Centre – Situated close to the celebrated historical city walls, just a short riverside stroll from the centre, with newly refurbished rooms.
Radisson Hotel York City Centre – We love the waterside location of this hotel. It’s really convenient for walking into the centre and has good-sized sized comfy rooms.
Hostels in York
There are also some great hostels in York for budget accommodation.
Safestay York hostel features wonderful exposed beams, grand fireplaces, and hand-carved ceilings. The 16th-century basement has a TV games area and a courtyard garden.
YHA York is set within a lovely Victorian mansion with extensive gardens. YHA York is just a 15-minute riverside walk to York’s ancient centre.
Tips for York
Here are some useful travel tips for York to make your visit as pleasant as possible.
Money & tickets: Most places take contactless; popular attractions use timed slots—pre-book weekends and school holidays.
Driving: Use Park & Ride to avoid city-centre parking; buses have dedicated lanes.
Accessibility: Some City Walls sections have steps—check routes in advance if needed.
There is very little city centre parking in York. Because of this, they have some great park and ride facilities which are well worth using. Not only are they cheap, but the buses are clean and can use the bus lanes to avoid traffic.
York has a major train centre and has routes into London and other parts of the country.
York is a city with very little crime. I never feel that there is anywhere we shouldn’t be, nor do I feel that I need to be wary of who is around us.
York is the perfect destination for young and old. There really is something for everyone. It’s an easy city to walk around and there’s more than enough to see and do.
READ MORE: Discover Bristol, England from this cool guide.
Plan Your York Trip
- Days in York: 2–3 (highlights) or 4–5 (museums + day trips).
- Typical costs: mid-range hotels £100–£150/night; most attractions £10–£25.
- Day trips: Castle Howard, Harrogate, Whitby.
- Good weather Plan B: NRM, Barley Hall, Merchant Adventurers’ Hall, Chocolate Story.
York Travel Guide FAQ (2025 Update)
Q1: What are the absolute must-see attractions in York?
York Minster, The Shambles, National Railway Museum (free), York Castle Museum (Kirkgate street), JORVIK Viking Centre, and a walk on York’s City Walls.
Q2: How many days do I need in York?
2–3 days cover the highlights; plan 4–5 days if you love museums or want day trips to Castle Howard, Whitby, or Harrogate.
Q3: What’s the best time to visit York?
April–June and September–October for pleasant weather and smaller crowds. December is festive for the Christmas Market; February hosts the JORVIK Viking Festival.
Q4: Is York good for families?
Yes – kids love JORVIK DIG, York’s Chocolate Story, the National Railway Museum, and Rowntree Park. Many attractions have hands-on exhibits and family tickets.
Q5: Can I do York as a day trip from London?
Yes – LNER trains from London King’s Cross take about 2 hours. A day is doable, but an overnight or weekend lets you see much more.
Q6: Are there free things to do in York?
Absolutely – City Walls, National Railway Museum, and Museum Gardens are all free. York is great for budget-friendly sightseeing.
Q7: Do I need to book attractions in advance?
For JORVIK Viking Centre, The York Dungeon, and Chocolate Story, book timed tickets, especially on weekends and school holidays.
Q8: Where should I stay in York without a car?
Pick hotels near the station (e.g., The Milner York, The Grand) or riverside/centre (Radisson Hotel York City Centre, Novotel York Centre). You can walk almost everywhere.
Q9: What local foods should I try?
Yorkshire pudding, Sunday roast, artisan chocolate, and afternoon tea at Bettys Café Tea Rooms are classics.
Q10: Is York safe for solo travelers?
Yes – York is safe, walkable, and friendly. As usual, follow standard city precautions at night.
About the author:
Suzy McCullough has a popular family travel website over at https://ourbucketlistlives.co.uk. Her website has a strong focus on day out and weekend breaks with a bit of Disney thrown in for good measure. Their family has a bucket list full of travel ideas and inspiration, which they are gradually working their way through. Follow her online on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter.
