Things to Do in York
Prices, opening hours, best times to visit and the stuff nobody tells you, everything you need for a first trip to York, England, plus one pigeon's opinions on all of it.
Right, York. Watch for ghosts, this city takes them seriously, a medieval street famous enough to lend its name to a global bookshop chain, one of the largest Gothic cathedrals in Northern Europe, and city walls still tracing the outline of a Roman settlement nearly two thousand years old. This is the proper, no-nonsense guide to things to do in York: what things actually cost, when to go, what to skip, and which bits are worth the walk. Three main stops below, plus a quiz elsewhere on this site to see if you were paying attention.
The Shambles
A medieval street, one of York's oldest and most famous, lent its name to a global fantasy bookshop chain, The Shambles, crooked old timber buildings leaning in so close overhead you can barely see the sky, my kind of street, worth a proper unhurried wander, this street's remarkably well-preserved medieval character, overhanging upper storeys and narrow cobbled paving, makes it one of the most atmospheric single streets in England.
It gets busy, particularly midday, an early morning visit gives you a calmer version of the same view, and several small independent shops line the street, worth a browse regardless of the crowds.
Best time Early morning for fewer crowds
Address The Shambles, York
York Minster
An enormous Gothic cathedral, one of the largest of its kind in Northern Europe, dominates York's skyline, York Minster, took over two hundred and fifty years to build, I don't have the attention span, personally, allow a proper couple of hours given the cathedral's scale, the interior's stained glass, including the Great East Window, one of the largest expanses of medieval stained glass in the world, rewards a close look.
The central tower, climbable via a proper narrow spiral staircase, offers sweeping views over the city, worth the climb if you're up for the steps, one of the best vantage points in York for seeing how the city's medieval layout has survived.
Hours Daily, roughly 9am–5pm, shorter on Sundays
Address York Minster, York
York's Roman Origins
York's well-preserved city walls largely follow the layout of an earlier Roman settlement called Eboracum, Romans, then Vikings, then everyone else, this city has had more owners than a secondhand bicycle, worth appreciating this layered history as you walk the city walls, one of the most complete sets of medieval walls anywhere in England, largely following the original Roman fortification lines.
The Jorvik Viking Centre, covering York's Viking-era history specifically, covers the middle chapter of this layered story nicely, and pairs well with a walk along the walls for a fuller sense of just how many distinct periods this city has passed through.
Hours Jorvik daily, roughly 10am–5pm
Address York City Walls
Best time to visit York
April through June and September through October give the most comfortable weather for the amount of walking this list involves, mild without summer's peak crowds. For the full month-by-month breakdown, see our Best Time to Visit York guide.
York's museums and Minster work well year-round, worth visiting even outside the shoulder seasons if the weather isn't your priority.
Getting around York
Central York, including The Shambles and York Minster, is entirely walkable, a compact, easy city to cover on foot. If you're mapping out exactly how to spend your time, our 24 Hours in York and 2 Day York Itinerary guides lay out an hour-by-hour and day-by-day plan.
Keeping an eye on costs? York on a Budget covers what's free and where the tourist markup actually is. Travelling as a couple? York for Couples covers the City Walls at dusk and a River Ouse cruise. And once your dates are set, Where to Stay & Eat in York breaks down the neighbourhoods.
Frequently asked questions
- Is York worth visiting?
- Yes, easily, few English cities pack this much layered history into such a compact space, The Shambles, York Minster, and the Roman-founded city walls together make it one of the country's most rewarding stops.
- How many days do you need in York?
- Two days covers The Shambles, York Minster, and the city walls comfortably.
- Is York expensive?
- No, generally affordable, comparable to or cheaper than London for dining and accommodation.
- What is York famous for?
- The Shambles, a medieval street that inspired a global bookshop chain's branding, York Minster, one of the largest Gothic cathedrals in Northern Europe, and its city walls tracing the outline of Roman Eboracum.
That's everything I've got.
A note before you plan around this: prices, opening hours, booking requirements and admission details in this guide were correct at the time of writing, but venues change these often and sometimes without notice. Always check directly with the attraction or its official website before you travel or build a schedule around a specific time or price.
Before travelling to any destination featured on this site, please also check your government's latest travel advice, as safety situations, entry requirements and travel warnings can change. UK travellers can check the FCDO foreign travel advice; if you're travelling from elsewhere, check the equivalent service run by your own country's government.
