12 Best Things to Do in Whitby, England (Abbey, Steps and Dracula)

The best things to do in Whitby are packed into one small harbour town: a ruined abbey on the cliff, the 199 steps, Captain Cook’s old lodgings, fish and chips, black Whitby jet and a long sandy beach. Add the town’s link to Dracula and a steam railway across the moors, and you can easily fill a weekend.

I live inland in Wensleydale, and we’ve driven over to Whitby and done all the classic touristy things. This guide covers those, plus a few researched extras for a longer stay. I’ll be clear about which is which.

Details last checked October 2026. Many attractions keep shorter hours in winter, so check before you go.

The Best Things to Do in Whitby

1. Climb the 199 Steps

Whitby’s famous 199 steps lead up to the ruins of Whitby Abbey. I’ve walked up them myself. Take your time on the way up.

2. Explore Whitby Abbey

At the top of the steps is Whitby Abbey. St Hild founded the first monastery here in the 7th century, and in 664 it hosted the Synod of Whitby, which settled how the Church calculated the date of Easter. The ruins you see today belong to the later Benedictine abbey, which was ruined after Henry VIII’s Reformation. The museum covers the site’s history from the Bronze Age to the present day.

It’s run by English Heritage. Booking online by midnight the day before saves you up to 15%, and tickets are valid all day. Whitby Abbey also features in my guide to abbeys in Yorkshire.

3. Follow Dracula Through Town

Bram Stoker visited Whitby and the abbey in 1890, and the town inspired Dracula, published in 1897. The abbey museum has a signed edition of the novel.

4. Visit the Captain Cook Memorial Museum

In 1746 a young James Cook became an apprentice to John Walker, a Whitby ship owner. When he wasn’t at sea, he lodged in the attic of Walker’s 17th-century house on Grape Lane, by the harbour. That house is now the Captain Cook Memorial Museum. Check its opening times before you go.

You’ll also find a statue of Cook on the West Cliff.

5. Eat Fish and Chips by the Harbour

You can’t come to Whitby without fish and chips. The best-known name is the Magpie Café, famous for its fish and chips. It’s popular, so go early or late to avoid the busiest times.

6. Walk Out Along the Piers

Two long piers guard the mouth of the harbour, and each has its own lighthouse. A walk out towards them is an easy, free way to see the harbour entrance. Stay away from the edges in rough weather.

7. Shop for Whitby Jet

Whitby jet is a black gemstone formed from fossilised wood. It became famous in the Victorian era as mourning jewellery. You’ll still find jet shops in town if you want a souvenir with a story.

8. Go to the Beach (and Walk to Sandsend)

Whitby’s beach stretches north from the town towards the village of Sandsend, nearly three miles of sand. Walking along the beach between the two is a popular walk. Check the tide times first so you don’t get cut off.

9. See the Whitby Museum in Pannett Park

Whitby Museum is an independent museum in Pannett Park, in a Victorian building. It has a large collection of Jurassic fossils, maritime exhibits, a wing on Captain Cook and a display of Whitby jet. It’s a good choice on a rainy day.

Day Trips and Bigger Days Out from Whitby

I haven’t done these yet, so this part is researched.

10. Ride the North Yorkshire Moors Railway

Heritage steam and diesel trains run from Whitby station across the North York Moors to Pickering, 24 miles away, through Grosmont and Goathland. Only a few trains a day run all the way to Whitby, and the season runs from spring to early November, so plan ahead. Everything you need is in my North Yorkshire Moors Railway guide.

11. Walk or Cycle to Robin Hood’s Bay

Robin Hood’s Bay is a fishing village hidden in a cove south of Whitby. You can walk there along the coast path, or follow the Cinder Track, a walking and cycling trail on the old Scarborough and Whitby Railway line. The whole Cinder Track runs about 21.7 miles from Whitby to Scarborough, so most people do just a section.

12. Come for Whitby Goth Weekend

Twice a year, in spring and autumn, Whitby Goth Weekend fills the town. The centrepiece is the Bizarre Bazaar, an alternative market with around 100 stalls. If you want a quieter visit, avoid those weekends; if you want the spectacle, plan around them and book early.

How to Get to Whitby

• By car: this is how we’ve done it. Car parks get busy in summer, so arrive early. Compare car hire on Booking.com if you need one.
• By bus from York: the Coastliner 840 runs from Leeds and York through Malton, Pickering and Goathland to Whitby. It takes about three hours from York and has been voted Britain’s most scenic bus route.
• By train: Northern runs the Esk Valley line from Middlesbrough to Whitby through the national park. Trains are infrequent, so check the timetable.
• On a tour: this Whitby and North York Moors day trip from York gives you about three hours in Whitby. More ideas are in my guide to day trips from York.

Where to Stay in Whitby

Staying the night means you see Whitby after the day-trippers leave. The White Horse & Griffin is one of the picks in my North York Moors hotel guide; check prices for the White Horse & Griffin or browse all hotels in Whitby. For more options along the coast and across the moors, see where to stay in the North York Moors.

Further down the coast, Scarborough is easy to combine with Whitby. See my guide to things to do in Scarborough, and for the bigger picture, the best places to visit in Yorkshire.

Things to Do in Whitby FAQ

Is Whitby worth visiting?

Yes. It packs a clifftop abbey, Captain Cook history, the Dracula connection, a sandy beach and a steam railway into one small harbour town.

How many days do you need in Whitby?

One full day covers the steps, the abbey, the harbour and the Cook museum. Two days give you time for Robin Hood’s Bay or a ride on the North Yorkshire Moors Railway.

Can you do Whitby as a day trip from York?

Yes, but it’s a long day. The Coastliner 840 bus takes about three hours each way, so a car or an organised day tour gives you more time in town.

What is Whitby famous for?

Whitby Abbey and the 199 steps, Captain Cook, Bram Stoker’s Dracula, Whitby jet and fish and chips.

When is Whitby Goth Weekend?

It’s held twice a year, usually in late April or May and again in late October or early November. Check the official event channels for the exact dates.