Best Things To Do in York

York is a small medieval city in the north of England, where you'll find stunning places to discover and endless things to do. Its winding cobbled streets are home to over 2,000 years of history, which you can discover through its medieval buildings, museums, monuments, natural spaces and more.

Join a guided walking or cycling tour and see the must-see sights, indulge your taste buds with local cuisine, see some of the streets and buildings that inspired locations in the Harry Potter universe. You can also visit York Minster, watch the sunset from the River Ouse, explore the Jorvik Viking Museum and more.

If you don't know where to start exploring York, you can join a guided tour of the city. Whether on foot or by bike, you'll have the opportunity to discover the must-see destinations in this walled city. Here are some details on both options.

Walking tour

The walking tour will allow you to take a look around the city to identify the most emblematic places. As you walk, a local guide will tell you the history and secrets of each destination as you pass by. These might include York Minster, the Theatre Royal, the area around Clifford's Tower, Shambles Street, famous for its medieval houses, and so on. Please note that when booking a guided tour of York you can tell the operator your preferences, so that the itinerary can be tailored to suit them.

• Price: starts from €28 per person.
• Duration: approximately 1 hour and 30 minutes.

Cycling tour

If you choose to book a bike tour in York, you'll ride with a guide through the city centre and the Old Town on two wheels , taking in a different perspective of the surrounding buildings, monuments and natural spaces. Although the route varies depending on the operator and your interests, there are some must-see sights: York Walls, the walk around the River Ouse, Rowntree Park, outside York City Museum, and more.

• Price: about €34 per person.
• Duration: about 2 hours and 30 minutes.

York has authentic landscapes and locations, which inspired some of the magical atmosphere of the Harry Potter saga . Embark on a guided tour of these locations and witness how the architecture and natural spaces of this walled city are reflected in a fantasy world that lives on in the imaginations of millions.

Among the sights you'll see are the famous medieval Shambles Street, which will immediately remind you of Diagon Alley from the saga . You'll also see the tranquil York Museum Gardens, whose scene will transport you to the gardens around Hogwarts. You can also visit Waterstones bookshop, where there is a special Harry Potter area.

Throughout this activity you will be accompanied by an expert guide in the universe of the young wizard, who will tell you some interesting facts about the locations and interact with you by solving fun trivia from the film. And, if you wish, he will provide you with a cape and a hat so that you can fully immerse yourself in the experience. There's no doubt that booking a Harry Potter location tour in York will give you a unique and fun time.

Useful information

• Price: The average cost of the experience is €19 per person.
• Duration: usually a couple of hours.
• Benefit: You'll get a close-up look at some of York's locations that are reflected in the Harry Potter universe.

If you're a lover of the paranormal and you're in York, you should know that this city is considered the most haunted city in England. Its streets are said to be home to more than 1,000 ghosts. During your stay, join a popular ghost bus tour and discover all the stories and mysteries of this ancient walled city.

With this experience you'll get to know the darker side of the city. From the comfort of a ghostly bus, you'll travel through the streets of York as an expert guide tells you chilling tales of murder, plagues, executions and ghosts that haunt the city's major historical sites.

If you decide to book a ghost bus tour of York, you'll experience an unforgettable adventure that will take you through a series of supernatural stories. You will discover the ghosts that have haunted this city and its inhabitants over the centuries.

Useful information

• Price: about €28 per person.
• Duration: approximately 60-75 minutes.
• Benefit: you will learn about the supernatural mysteries hidden in the buildings and corners of the city, revealing the dark side of York.

York has a rich culinary heritage to explore during your time in the city. From traditional Yorkshire pudding to a variety of local cheeses, every dish tells a story. Embark on a culinary tour of York and treat your taste buds to a feast of flavours.

For this experience, head to the city centre and explore some of the city's main shopping streets: Coney Street, Goodramgate and Fossgate. Here you'll find a number of restaurants and cafes where you can sample authentic local cuisine with its medieval roots and internationally influenced dishes.

You can also opt to book a food tour of York with a culinary guide and tastings. This way, you'll learn about the history behind each dish and drink, as well as the places visited. You won't have to worry about anything but enjoying the experience.

Useful information

• Price: The guided tour usually costs an average of €80 per person. If you go on your own, you will have to pay what you consume at each place.
• Duration: On your own there is no time limit. The guided tour lasts about 3 hours.
• Advantage: You will delight your palate with local flavours and learn about York's culinary history.

St Peter's Cathedral and Metropolitan Church of St Peter, better known as York Minster, is an Anglican place of worship, which stands out in the city for its impressive Gothic architecture. Although you will repeatedly come across this majestic building while touring the city, it is ideal to take the time to explore its interior and discover all the treasures it hides.

In the cathedral you will have the opportunity to appreciate the vaults, arches, the dome, among other architectural details of this monumental building. You will also see some biblical scenes represented in the old stained glass windows, many of them preserved from the 12th century; the chapels and side altars, with important examples of sacred art.

If you wish, during your tour of the cathedral you can access the crypt, which houses medieval elements and an exhibition room in which you will learn about the history of York Minster. There are also the towers, which offer a fascinating view from the vantage point.

Useful Information

• Admission: free up to the main aisle of the cathedral. If you want to explore the whole building including the towers, you have to pay about €24 per person.
• Opening hours: daily from 9:00 am to 4:00 pm or 5:00 pm.
• Advantage: you will discover a monumental display of gothic architecture and enjoy impressive sacred art.

The Clifford Tower is another must-see in York. This iconic 11th century structure offers stunning panoramic views and a rich narrative of York's past. Visiting the tower is a fascinating experience that combines history and beauty, revealing part of the essence of the city.

You can climb the tower's terraces and enjoy a 360º view of the whole city and its surroundings. You will get a privileged panoramic view: the medieval buildings, the river Ouse and the Foss winding through the city, and the great city wall. A perfect backdrop for some photographs.

You will also have the opportunity to learn a little about the history of this important tower, which over the centuries has served as a prison, seat of royal power, etc. A structure of great cultural importance, preserved as the main remnant of medieval York Castle.

Useful information

• Admission: approximately £12 per person.
• Hours: daily April-June and September-October 10am-5pm; July-August 10am-6pm; October-March 10am-4pm).
• Advantage: you will see a complete panoramic view of the city from the top of an emblematic tower of great cultural and historical importance.

In the centre of York you'll find the Jorvik Viking Centre, an interesting museum built on the remains of an ancient Viking city. It's not your typical showcase exhibits, but spaces that recreate Jorvik on a real scale: models, mannequins, archaeological finds, among others. You'll feel like you've travelled back to 975 AD.

This museum brings the past to life, giving you the unique opportunity to get up close and personal with the city's Viking heritage. You will see some excavated remains of houses and workshops in the exact spot where they were found. These are under a glass floor that you can walk around the room to see them.

You will also find a room that shows the city of Jorvik completely reconstructed to life-size, allowing you to fully immerse yourself in the Viking era, understanding its history and culture. And don't leave the museum without checking out the gallery area, which houses a number of unearthed Viking artefacts.

Useful information

• Admission: 17€ is the average price per person.
• Opening hours: daily from 10:00 to 17:00.
• Bonus: You'll get a closer look at the interesting Viking heritage of the city of York.

York has a number of traditional pubs with a particular charm and character, which you can visit during your time in the city. You'll find places with a laid-back atmosphere and others that are much livelier with live music. Take this tour and immerse yourself in the vibrant local culture and English hospitality. You'll feel like a local.

Some of the popular pubs in the city that you could incorporate into your route include the following:

• The Golden Fleece, known as the oldest pub in the city. There, you can drink a nice draught beer and sample the menu.
• The King's Arms, due to its location on the banks of the River Ouse, you can enjoy a drink on the terrace while taking in the picturesque scenery.
• The Three Legged Mare; this is a pub for dancing, listening to music, interacting with the locals and enjoying a good selection of beer.

Useful Info

• Admission: free (you pay for what you drink at each venue).
• Opening hours: Pubs in York are usually open from 11am to midnight. In some pubs, closing time is extended by a couple of hours.
• The bonus: you'll enjoy the vibrant local culture while feeling like a local.

Cruising along the River Ouse at sunset is a magical experience that invites you to relax while enjoying a privileged panoramic view. You'll watch the last rays of the sun reflect off the calm waters and, in turn, colour the cityscape of this charming medieval city with their warm tones.

The River Ouse meanders through the city of York, giving you a glimpse of some of the city's landmarks. For example, Skeldergate Bridge, the Clifford Tower, which sits beside the river. You'll also see the towers of the imposing gothic cathedral in the distance, towering on the skyline, historic buildings and many other attractions.

During this river trip, you'll also have the opportunity to learn a little about the city's rich medieval heritage and Viking legacy. As you stand on the deck of the boat watching the sunset and taking pictures, you'll enjoy some live commentary that will give you an insight into the local history and culture.

Useful information

• Price: from €20 per person.
• Duration: the river tour lasts approximately 1 hour.
• Where: the adventure starts from the quays of the River Ouse.

Another of the things to see and do in York is to take a scenic ride aboard the sightseeing bus. This tour will give you a different perspective of the city: the cobbled streets, historic buildings, landmarks such as the city's defensive wall and other attractions.

From the first floor of an open top bus you'll be able to see the whole city. You'll have the best views of the River Ouse and Foss, as well as York Minster in the Old Town, York Castle at Clifford Tower, the city's botanical gardens, the Jorvik Viking Centre and more. All this, while listening to a series of recorded commentaries about the history of each place as you pass by.

The best thing is that you have the option to hop on and off the bus as many times as you like at the 14 or so designated stops. This way, you can move around the city and stop at destinations of interest to explore them in detail and then hop back on another bus.

Useful information

• Price: around €20 per person.
• Duration: the full tour lasts approximately 1 hour. If you make a few stops to explore the attractions you will have up to 24 hours to use the bus.
• Opening hours: daily from 9:00 to 17:30. From November to December from 10:00 to 14:30.