Best Things To Do in York

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

Join a guided walking or cycling tour and check out the must-see places, delight your palate with the local cuisine, know some streets and buildings that inspired places in the Harry Potter universe . You can also visit York Minster, watch the sunset from the River Ouse, explore the Jorvik Viking Museum, among other things.

If you don't know where to start exploring York, you can join a guided tour of the city. Either on foot or by bike, you will have the opportunity to discover the must-see destinations of this walled city. Here are some details about 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. Some of them may be York Minster, the Theatre Royal, the surroundings of Clifford's Tower, Shambles Street, famous for its medieval houses, etc. Keep in mind that when booking a guided tour of York you can tell the operator your preferences, so that the itinerary is adjusted to them.

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

Bicycle tour

If you decide to hire a bike tour in York, you will move on two wheels with a guide through the city center and the old town, seeing a different perspective of the surrounding buildings, monuments and natural areas. Although the route varies according to the operator and your interests, there are some must-see places in this type of activity: the Walls of York, the promenade around the River Ouse, Rowntree Park, the outskirts of the York City Museum, etc.

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

York has authentic landscapes and locations that inspired part 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 imagination of millions of people.

Among the places you will see is the famous medieval Shambles Street, which will immediately remind you of Diagon Alley from the saga. Also, the quiet York Museum Gardens, whose scene will transport you to the gardens around Hogwarts. You can also approach the Waterstones bookstore, where there is an area dedicated especially to Harry Potter.

Throughout this activity you will be accompanied by an expert guide in the universe of the young wizard, who will tell you some curiosities of the locations and interact with you solving fun trivia from the movie. And, if you wish, he will provide you with a cape and a hat so that you can fully immerse yourself in the experience. Without a doubt, hiring a tour of the Harry Potter locations in York will allow you to have a unique and fun time.

Useful information

• Price: the experience has an average cost of 19€ per person.
• Duration: it usually takes a couple of hours.
• Advantage: you will see up close some of York's locations that are reflected in the Harry Potter universe.

If you are a lover of the paranormal and you are in York, you should know that this city is considered the most haunted in England. It is said that its streets are 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 will get to know the darker side of the city. From the comfort of a spooky bus you will travel through the streets of York while an expert guide tells you chilling tales of murders, plagues, executions and ghosts that hide the main historical sites of the city.

If you decide to book a ghost bus tour of York, you will live 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: between 60 and 75 minutes, approximately.
• Advantage: 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 that you can explore during your time in the city. From the traditional Yorkshire pudding to the variety of local cheeses, every dish tells a story. Embark on a gastronomic tour of York and delight your palate with a feast of flavors.

To carry out this experience you should approach the city center and walk along some of its main shopping streets: Coney Street, Goodramgate and Fossgate. Here you will find a large number of restaurants and cafes where you will taste an authentic sample of the local cuisine with its medieval roots and internationally influenced dishes.

You can also choose to book a culinary tour of York with a culinary guide and tastings. This way, you will 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 has an average cost of 80€ per person. If you go on your own you will have to pay what you consume in 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 flavors and learn about the culinary history of York.

The 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. While touring the city you will repeatedly come across this majestic building, the ideal is to take some 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. Also, you will see some biblical scenes represented in the old stained glass windows, many of them preserved from the twelfth century; the chapels and side altars, with important samples of sacred art.

If you wish, during the tour of the cathedral you can access the crypt, which houses medieval elements and an exhibition hall where you will learn about the history of York Minster. There are also the towers, from which you will have a fascinating view.

Useful Information

• Admission: free up to the main aisle of the cathedral. If you want to explore the entire building including the towers, you have to pay about €24 per person.
• 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 breathtaking panoramic views and a rich narrative about York's past. Visiting it will give you a fascinating experience that combines history and beauty, discovering part of the essence of the city.

You can climb the terraces of the tower and, from there, enjoy a 360º view of the entire city and its surroundings. You will get a privileged panoramic view: the medieval buildings, the river Ouse and the Foss that meander through the city, and the great wall. A perfect backdrop to take some pictures.

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

Useful information

• Admission: approximately €12 per person.
• Hours: daily from April to June and from September to October, from 10:00 am to 5:00 pm; from July to August, from 10:00 am to 6:00 pm; and from October to March, from 10:00 am to 4:00 pm).
• 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 center of York you will find the Jorvik Viking Centre, a very interesting museum built on the remains of an ancient Viking city. It is not the typical exhibits in showcases, but spaces that recreate Jorvik in real scale: models, mannequins, archaeological finds, among others. You will feel like you have traveled back to the year 975 A.D.

This museum brings the past to life, giving you the unique opportunity to get close to the Viking legacy of the city. You will see some excavated remains of houses and workshops in the exact place where they were found. And these are under a glass floor through which you can walk through the room to contemplate them.

Also, you will find a room that shows the city of Jorvik completely reconstructed to full scale, which will allow you to 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 artifacts.

Useful information

• Admission: 17€ is the average price per person.
• Hours: daily from 10:00 am to 5:00 pm.
• Benefit: you will get a closer look at the interesting Viking legacy of the city of York.

York has several traditional pubs with a particular charm and character, which you can visit during your stay in the city. You will find places that stand out for their quiet atmosphere and others much more lively with live music. Embark on this tour and immerse yourself in the vibrant local culture and enjoy the English hospitality. You will feel like a local.

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

• The Golden Fleece, known as the oldest pub in the city. There, you can drink a nice draught beer and try the menu.
• The King's Arms, due to its location on the banks of the River Ouse you can enjoy a drink on its terrace while contemplating the picturesque panorama.
• The Three Legged Mare; this is a pub to dance, listen to music, interact with the locals and enjoy a good selection of beer.

Useful information

• Admission: free (you pay for what you consume at each location).
• Opening hours: pubs in York are usually open from 11:00 am to midnight. In some of them, closing time is extended by a couple of hours.
• Advantage: you will enjoy the vibrant local culture feeling like a local.

Sailing the River Ouse at sunset is a magical experience that invites you to relax while enjoying a privileged panoramic view. You will see how the last rays of the sun reflect on the calm waters and, in turn, color with their warm tones the urban landscape of this charming medieval city.

The Ouse River meanders through the city of York, allowing you to see some of the city's landmarks. For example, the Skeldergate Bridge, the Clifford Tower, which is located next to the river. You will also see in the distance the towers of the imposing Gothic cathedral, which rises on the horizon; historic buildings, among many other attractions.

During this river tour, you will also have the opportunity to learn a little about the city's rich medieval heritage and Viking legacy. And while you are on the deck of the boat watching the sunset and taking some pictures, you will enjoy some live commentary that will allow you to delve into the local history and culture.

Useful information

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

Another of the things to see and do in York is to take a scenic ride aboard the sightseeing bus. This tour will allow you to enjoy a different perspective of the city: the cobblestone streets, historic buildings, monuments representative of the city as its defensive wall and other attractions.

From the second floor of an open top bus you can discover the whole city. You will have the best views of the River Ouse and Foss, as well as the York Minster (Cathedral) in the old town, York Castle in the Clifford Tower, the botanical gardens of the city, the Jorvik Viking Centre, among others. 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 get on and off the bus as many times as you wish at the approximately 14 assigned stops. This way, you can move around the city and stop at the destinations of your interest to explore them in detail and then hop back on another bus.

Useful information

• Price: about 20€ per person.
• Duration: the complete tour lasts about 1 hour. If you make some stops to explore the attractions you will have up to 24 hours to use the bus.
• Hours: daily from 9:00 am to 5:30 pm. From November to December from 10:00 to 14:30 hours.