York · England
York Tours & Things to Do
Discover the best York tours and things to do in England’s finest medieval city: marvel at the soaring Gothic York Minster, wander the cobbled Shambles, walk the ancient city walls, join a spine-tingling ghost tour, step back in time at the Viking Jorvik centre, and day-trip to the Yorkshire Dales, Moors and Whitby. Compare top-rated experiences and plan the perfect trip.
185 experiences Free cancellation Top-rated tours Instant booking
Sunset tours in York
Departures that are under way when the sun sets in the coming weeks — start times checked against the local sunset.
Good for families in York
Children can join from a young age and pay less than adults — taken from each operator’s price list.
Browse
Explore York by interest
Whatever brings you to York — world-class museums, the river, or a long lunch — start with the experiences travellers love most.
What to see
Top attractions in York
The landmarks that define the city — and the tickets and tours that get you in, often skipping the line.
York Minster
Gothic cathedral.
20 toursView tours
The Shambles
Medieval street.
20 toursView tours
City Walls
Medieval ramparts.
15 toursView tours
Viking Jorvik
Norse past.
15 toursView tours
Yorkshire Dales
Green valleys.
15 toursView tours
Whitby Abbey
Clifftop ruin.
10 toursView tours
River Ouse
City cruises.
10 toursView tours
Castle Howard
Stately home.
10 toursView tours
1 hr awayYorkshire Dales
Green valleys.
from €81View trips
1.5 hr awayWhitby
Clifftop abbey.
from €75View trips
45 min awayCastle Howard
Stately home.
from €45View trips
City awayYork Minster
Gothic cathedral.
from €20View trips
City awayJorvik Centre
Viking York.
from €15View trips
City awayRiver Ouse
City cruises.
from €18View trips
Practical guide
Know before you go
Short, straight answers to the questions every York visitor asks before booking.
Spring (Apr–Jun)
Mild and blossoming — a lovely time to visit.
Summer (Jul–Aug)
Warm and busy, ideal for the Dales and coast.
Autumn (Sep–Oct)
Crisp and golden, with fewer crowds.
Winter (Nov–Feb)
Cold and festive, with Christmas markets.
For festivals
York hosts festivals through the year.
Best overall
May, June and September for fine weather.
One day
The Minster, walls and a ghost walk.
Two days
Add Jorvik and a river cruise.
Three days
Add the Dales, Whitby or Castle Howard.
For history
The Minster, Jorvik and city walls.
For nature
The Yorkshire Dales and Moors.
For fun
Ghost walks and the Shambles.
On foot
The old city is small and easily walkable.
By river
Cruises glide along the River Ouse.
Tours & transfers
Day tours reach the Dales, Moors and Whitby.
By train
York is a major rail hub across England.
Where to stay
Stay within the city walls near the Minster.
Pound sterling
The UK uses the pound; cards widely accepted.
York Minster
Book ahead and climb the tower for views.
City walls
Walk the ramparts early for quiet views.
Ghost walks
Join an evening walk for the best atmosphere.
Jorvik
Pre-book to skip the queue at busy times.
River cruise
A relaxing way to see the city from the water.
Comfortable shoes
The cobbles and walls call for good shoes.
Minster tours
Guided Minster tours fill up — book ahead.
Ghost walks
Popular evening walks fill up — reserve early.
Dales trips
Day trips to the Dales fill up — book ahead.
Whitby trips
Coast day trips fill up — reserve early.
Jorvik
The Viking centre gets busy — pre-book.
Summer & Christmas
These are busiest — book well ahead.
Minster tour
Around £15–30 for a York Minster tour.
Ghost walk
About £14–20 for an evening ghost walk.
Jorvik
Roughly £15–25 for the Viking centre.
Dales trip
Around £75–110 for a Yorkshire Dales day trip.
River cruise
About £15–25 for a river cruise.
How to save
Join group day trips to save over private ones.
When to visit
York through the seasons
What's best, how busy it gets, and one booking tip for each time of year.
Spring (Apr–Jun)
Apr–Jun
- Best for
- City & Dales.
- Crowds
- Booking tip
- Lovely.
Summer (Jul–Aug)
Jul–Aug
- Best for
- Countryside.
- Crowds
- Booking tip
- Busy.
Autumn (Sep–Oct)
Sep–Oct
- Best for
- Quieter city.
- Crowds
- Booking tip
- Crisp.
Winter (Nov–Feb)
Nov–Feb
- Best for
- Christmas markets.
- Crowds
- Booking tip
- Festive.
People also ask
York travel FAQ
What are the best tours in York?
The highest-rated experiences are York Minster, a ghost walk, the Viking Jorvik centre, and a walk along the city walls.
What should I book in advance in York?
Reserve Minster tours, ghost walks and Dales day trips ahead, especially in summer.
How many days do I need in York?
One day covers the city, and two to three let you add the Dales, Whitby and Jorvik.
Is York worth visiting?
Yes — its Minster, medieval streets and walls make it one of England’s finest cities.
When is the best time to visit York?
May, June and September for the best weather.
Can you walk York’s city walls?
Yes — you can walk almost the full medieval circuit.
Is York good for families?
Yes — Jorvik, ghost walks and river cruises suit all ages.
185 York experiencesfrom £15 · free cancellation
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