20 Best Things to Do in York, England (Picked by a Yorkshire Local)

York is the city most people picture when they think of Yorkshire: a Gothic cathedral, medieval walls you can walk on, crooked timber-framed streets and nearly 2,000 years of history packed into a centre you can cross on foot in 20 minutes.

I live in the Yorkshire Dales, just over an hour away, and I’ll be upfront: I don’t go to York all that often anymore. When I do, it’s as a day-tripper, which is exactly how most visitors see it. So this guide is built for a first visit: what’s really worth your time, what it costs, whether you need to book, and how to fit it all into a day or two.

Things to Do in York’s Old Town

Almost everything below sits inside or just outside the city walls, within a 15-minute walk of York station.

Money-saving tip: if you plan to visit three or more paid attractions, look at the Visit York Pass. It covers York Minster, Jorvik, York Castle Museum, Clifford’s Tower, a river cruise and more than 25 other places, for one, two or three days. Add up the entry prices below for your plans first; for one or two sights it isn’t worth it.

1. Go Inside York Minster

If you only go inside one building in York, make it this one. York Minster is one of the largest Gothic cathedrals in northern Europe, and it took around 250 years to build. The Great East Window is the largest expanse of medieval stained glass in the country, and the soaring nave is breathtaking even if cathedrals aren’t usually your thing. Below ground, the Undercroft museum shows the Roman fortress the Minster was built on.

It’s my favourite place in the city. Even though I don’t visit often, I never walk past without going in.

Fit enough for 275 steps? Add the Central Tower climb for the best view in York. And for a free (and very atmospheric) alternative, go to Choral Evensong in the late afternoon. Services are free to attend; check the Minster’s website for times.

Cost: £20 for adults, and the ticket is valid for a whole year; the tower climb is £6 extra (age 8 and over) · Time: 1.5 to 2 hours · Opening hours: sightseeing Monday to Saturday 9.30am to 4pm, Sunday 12.45pm to 2.30pm · Book ahead: on Sundays, and for the tower.

2. Walk the City Walls

York has the longest town walls in England, and you can walk on most of them for free. The full circuit is about 2 miles (3.4 km), but if you only do one stretch, walk from Bootham Bar to Monk Bar. It runs behind the Minster and gives you the classic view over its towers and the gardens below.

Look out for the four main gatehouses, or “bars”. Micklegate Bar is where monarchs traditionally entered the city, and Monk Bar still has a working portcullis.

Cost: free · Time: 30 minutes for the Minster stretch, 2 hours for the full circuit · Good to know: the walls are open from morning until dusk and close in icy weather. The steps up are steep and there are no railings in places.

3. Wander the Shambles

The Shambles is York’s most famous street, and it really does look like a film set. The timber-framed houses lean so far over the narrow lane that neighbours on the top floors could almost shake hands. It was once the street of the butchers (you can still see meat hooks on some shopfronts), and it’s been around long enough to be mentioned in the Domesday Book of 1086.

I’m Dutch, so I grew up around old streets and canal houses, so I didn’t expect a single street to impress me much. But The Shambles did.

Harry Potter fans will feel right at home. The street is often said to have inspired Diagon Alley. There’s no proof of that, but you can definitely see why people might think that.

Cost: free · Time: 20 to 30 minutes · Tip: come before 10am or after 6pm. By late morning it’s shoulder to shoulder.

4. Grab Lunch at Shambles Market

Right behind the Shambles is Shambles Market, an open-air market with stalls selling everything from local cheese and fudge to vintage prints. Its food court is one of the best-value places for lunch in the centre, with street food from around the world and a good few Yorkshire classics.

Cost: free to browse · Time: 30 minutes to an hour · Good to know: the market is open daily, but the food stalls are busiest at weekends.

5. Get Lost in the Snickelways

“Snickelway” is York’s word for the tiny alleys, passages and yards that cut between its streets. Some are barely wide enough for one person, and many have wonderful names: look out for Mad Alice Lane and Lady Peckett’s Yard. Ducking down them is the best way to escape the crowds on the main streets, and most of them lead somewhere interesting.

6. Ride Through Viking York at Jorvik

In the 10th century York was Jorvik, a Viking city, and archaeologists found its streets remarkably well preserved under Coppergate. The Jorvik Viking Centre is built on the dig site. You ride in a small car through a reconstruction of the Viking town, complete with sounds and (yes) smells, then see real finds from the excavation. It’s a bit theme-park, but kids love it, and adults usually do too.

Cost: about £17.50 for adults · Time: 1 to 1.5 hours · Book ahead: yes. Entry is by timed slot, and walk-up queues can be very long in summer. Book Jorvik tickets.

7. See the Trains at the National Railway Museum

You don’t need to love trains to enjoy this one. The National Railway Museum is huge, it’s free, and it’s a five-minute walk from York station. Highlights include the Mallard, the world’s fastest steam locomotive, a Japanese bullet train, and royal carriages used by Queen Victoria. It’s one of the best things to do in York on a rainy day or with kids.

Cost: free (donations welcome) · Time: 2 hours · Opening hours: daily 10am to 5pm · Book ahead: optional. Free tickets are released online about six weeks ahead, but you can also walk in. Parts of the site are being redeveloped, so check what’s open.

8. Step Back in Time at York Castle Museum

York Castle Museum is best known for Kirkgate, a full-size recreated Victorian street with shops, a school and cobbles you can walk down. The museum also takes you through the old Debtors’ Prison, where you can see the cells where prisoners (including the highwayman Dick Turpin) were held.

Cost: £18 for adults, valid for 12 months · Time: 2 hours · Opening hours: Tuesday to Sunday 10am to 5pm, Monday 11am to 5pm · Book ahead: on Saturdays and in school holidays.

9. Climb Clifford’s Tower

Clifford’s Tower is what’s left of York Castle: a 13th-century stone keep on top of a steep grassy mound, right next to the Castle Museum. Inside, walkways explain its often grim history, and the rooftop deck has some of the best panoramic views in York, with the Minster on the skyline. It’s one of my favourite castles in Yorkshire for views.

Cost: paid (cheaper if you book online by midnight the day before; free for English Heritage members) · Time: 45 minutes · Good to know: there are a lot of steps up the mound.

10. Relax in the Museum Gardens

When the streets get busy, head to the Museum Gardens by the river. These free botanical gardens surround the ruins of St Mary’s Abbey, once one of the richest monasteries in England, and a section of the Roman fort’s walls. The Yorkshire Museum in the gardens (paid) has Roman, Viking and medieval treasures, including the Middleham Jewel.

11. Visit the Merchant Adventurers’ Hall

This is one of the finest medieval guildhalls in the world, built in the 1350s for York’s wealthy merchants. The timber-framed Great Hall, with its huge oak beams and uneven floors, is hard to beat, and it’s usually much quieter than the big-name attractions.

Cost: £7.50 for adults, valid for 12 months · Time: 45 minutes to an hour · Good to know: card only.

12. Tour the Treasurer’s House

Tucked behind the Minster, the Treasurer’s House is a grand townhouse run by the National Trust, filled with antiques and period rooms. It’s also the setting for one of York’s most famous ghost stories: a plumber in the 1950s claimed he saw a troop of Roman soldiers march through the cellar. Free for National Trust members.

13. Have Tea at Bettys

Bettys, Yorkshire’s most famous tearoom, has a grand café on St Helen’s Square, a few minutes from the Minster, designed in the style of the ocean liner the Queen Mary. Expect a queue at busy times. There’s a smaller branch, Little Bettys, on Stonegate. If you want the full afternoon-tea experience, the original Bettys is in Harrogate: see my guide to afternoon tea in Harrogate.

14. Learn How York Made Chocolate Famous

York is a chocolate city. The KitKat was invented here by Rowntree’s, and Terry’s made the Chocolate Orange in York for decades. York’s Chocolate Story tells that history with a guided tour and plenty of tastings. It’s a good choice for a rainy afternoon or with kids.

15. Browse the Shops on Stonegate

Stonegate runs from the Minster towards the centre along the line of a Roman road, and it’s one of the prettiest shopping streets in England: independent shops, old shopfronts and, at the far end, the sign of Ye Olde Starre Inne hanging right across the street. Petergate and Swinegate nearby are good for more independent shops and cafés.

16. Join a Ghost Walk

York claims to be one of the most haunted cities in Europe, and an evening ghost walk is a classic. The Original Ghost Walk of York has been running since 1973 and is believed to be the first ghost walk in the world. Your guide takes you through dark alleys and churchyards telling the city’s strangest stories. It’s more fun than frightening, so older kids usually love it.

Cost: £10 for adults, £6 for children · Time: about 1.5 hours · When: 8pm nightly (except 24 to 26 December) from the King’s Arms pub on King’s Staith · Book ahead: not needed; just turn up.

Prefer to book a spot in advance, or fancy something darker? There are plenty of other York ghost tours you can book online, most with free cancellation.

17. Take a River Cruise on the Ouse

A sightseeing cruise on the River Ouse is a relaxing way to rest your legs between sights, with commentary on the city’s history as you pass under its bridges. Boats leave from King’s Staith and Lendal Bridge, both in the centre.

Cost: from about £15.50 for adults · Time: 45 minutes to an hour · When: daily from February to November, weekends only in January · Book a river cruise.

18. Drink in York’s Historic Pubs

York has more old pubs than you could visit in a week. Ye Olde Starre Inne on Stonegate claims to be the city’s oldest licensed pub. The Golden Fleece on Pavement claims to be its most haunted. And the King’s Arms on King’s Staith is famous for flooding so often that it marks the water levels on its walls; on a sunny day its riverside tables are the best seats in York.

Seasonal Things to Do in York

19. York Christmas Market (November and December)

York’s Christmas market, the St Nicholas Fair, fills Parliament Street and St Sampson’s Square with wooden chalets, most of them run by Yorkshire producers. Combine it with the lights, carols in the Minster and a ghost walk, and York is one of the best places in England to spend a winter weekend. See my full guide to the York Christmas Market for tips on when to go, and my guide to York in winter for the ice rink, panto and February’s Viking Festival.

2026 dates: 12 November to 21 December, 10.30am to 7pm · Cost: free entry · Good to know: new for 2026, the market is closed on Tuesdays. Hotels fill up fast at weekends, so book early.

20. The Jorvik Viking Festival and the Yorkshire Marathon

Every February, the Jorvik Viking Festival brings battle re-enactments, Viking encampments and family events to the city. In October, the Yorkshire Marathon starts and finishes at the University of York and runs through the city centre and past the Minster before heading out into the countryside. The next one is on Sunday 18 October 2026.

I ran it, and running past the Minster with crowds cheering is a pretty special way to see York. If you’re visiting that weekend, expect road closures, and book your hotel early.

Day Trips from York

• Castle Howard: one of England’s grandest stately homes (and the Bridgerton house), about 30 minutes’ drive north-east of York. See Castle Howard tickets and tours.
• Harrogate: an elegant Victorian spa town with the original Bettys and the Turkish Baths, 38 minutes by train. See my guide to the best things to do in Harrogate.
• The North York Moors and the coast: heather moorland, steam trains and the seaside town of Whitby. Start with my North York Moors guide and my Yorkshire coast guide.
• The Yorkshire Dales: waterfalls, stone villages and some of England’s best walking. See my Yorkshire Dales guide, or let someone else drive on this highly rated full-day Dales tour from York.

No car? Guided day trips from York also run to the North York Moors, Whitby and Castle Howard. Fountains Abbey, Knaresborough and the Dales are easiest from Harrogate; my day trips from Harrogate guide covers them with travel times. For everything else, see my guide to the best day trips from York.

Free Things to Do in York

York can be expensive, but many of its best experiences cost nothing:

• Walking the city walls
• The Shambles and the snickelways
• The National Railway Museum
• The Museum Gardens and the ruins of St Mary’s Abbey
• Choral Evensong at York Minster
• The Christmas market (November and December)

Things to Do in York When It Rains

York Minster, the National Railway Museum, Jorvik, York Castle Museum and York’s Chocolate Story are all indoors, so a wet day is easy to fill. Finish in a historic pub with a fire.

Things to Do in York with Kids

Jorvik and the National Railway Museum are the big winners, followed by Kirkgate at the Castle Museum, a river cruise and running along the city walls. Older kids will love an evening ghost walk.

A 1-Day York Itinerary

Here’s how I’d spend one day in York, all on foot:

• 9am: Walk the Shambles before the crowds, then walk the walls from Bootham Bar to Monk Bar.
• 10am: York Minster (allow 1.5 to 2 hours, more if you climb the tower).
• 12.30pm: Lunch at Shambles Market.
• 1.30pm: Jorvik Viking Centre (booked in advance), then Clifford’s Tower.
• 4pm: Tea at Bettys, or a river cruise from King’s Staith.
• 8pm: The Original Ghost Walk, then a drink in an old pub.

With a second day, add the National Railway Museum, the Castle Museum and the Merchant Adventurers’ Hall, or take a day trip to Castle Howard or Harrogate. Want the full plan with timings, plus a second and third day? See my York itinerary.

Getting to and Around York

• From London: direct trains from King’s Cross take about 2 hours (the fastest under 1 hour 50 minutes), with several departures an hour. York station is a 10-minute walk from the Minster. See my guide to getting from London to York.
• From Edinburgh: about 2.5 hours by direct train.
• From Harrogate or Leeds: 38 minutes from Harrogate and about 25 minutes from Leeds by train.
• Nearest big airport: Manchester, about 2 hours by direct train.
• Getting around: walk. The centre is compact and many streets are pedestrianised. If you drive, use one of the Park & Ride car parks on the edge of the city; parking in the centre is expensive and scarce. Heading into the countryside afterwards? Pick up a hire car on the day you leave York; you can compare car hire on Booking.com.

Where to Stay in York

For a first visit, stay inside or just outside the city walls, so you can walk everywhere and see the Shambles early or late without the crowds. Hotels near the Minster and around Bootham are the most atmospheric; the area by the station is handy if you’re arriving by train. My guide to where to stay in York covers the best areas and hotels. If York’s prices put you off, Harrogate is 38 minutes away by train and makes a calmer base: see my guide to where to stay in Harrogate.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is York worth visiting?

Yes. York packs Roman, Viking and medieval history, one of Europe’s great cathedrals and some of England’s best-preserved streets into a small, walkable centre. It gets busy, but it’s popular for good reason.

How many days do you need in York?

One full day covers the highlights: the Minster, the walls, the Shambles and one museum. Two days let you add the National Railway Museum, more museums and a slower pace. Add a third if you want a day trip. My York itinerary plans out 1, 2 and 3 days.

Can you visit York as a day trip from London?

Yes. With trains taking about 2 hours each way, you can leave London early and be back the same evening. It makes for a long day, though, so stay at least one night if you can.

Is York walkable?

Very. Most sights are within a 15-minute walk of each other and of the station, and many central streets are pedestrianised. You won’t need a car or public transport inside the city.

When is the best time to visit York?

May, June and September have the best balance of weather and crowds. Late November and December are magical for the Christmas market but very busy at weekends. Weekdays are always quieter than weekends.

Should I visit York or Harrogate?

Ideally both: they’re 38 minutes apart by train. York has the big historic sights; Harrogate is calmer, greener and a better base for the Dales and Fountains Abbey.

Plan the Rest of Your Trip

• See all my York guides in my York travel guide.
• Exploring further? Read my picks of the best things to do in Yorkshire and the best places to visit in Yorkshire.
• Building a longer trip? Start with Plan your Yorkshire trip and my Yorkshire itineraries and road trips.