8 best York attractions to see in 2 days
Last updated on January 31st, 2026.
The best York attractions to see in a weekend can appear in different forms. You may find it in the many period buildings around the city, its lush green landscapes or its magnificent sights.
A city with Roman roots, and Saxon, Norman and Viking heritage, it merges its historic past with a sophisticated present.
How to get to York
York is perfectly placed between the capitals of London and Edinburgh. The London North Eastern Railway (LNER) has fast and frequent daily services between London and York, in under 2 hours. They also have trains going from York to other parts of north-east England (like the Lake District) and Scotland.
If you’re planning to hire a car, it takes around 20 minutes from the M1/M62 network. There are 3 main airports connected to York, with many flights in and around Europe and further afield. These include Leeds Bradford, Manchester and Doncaster.
Save money with the York Pass
Before I share the best York attractions to see in a weekend, I’d really encourage you to buy a York Pass. It gives free entry to over 30 York attractions and tours, along with restaurant and exclusive shopping deals. We took one, and not only saved a lot on entrance tickets, but we also skipped the lines too!
You can either buy your pass online, or at the Visit York Information Center on 1 Museum Street
8 best York attractions to see in a weekend
1. A world of trains
Start your York weekend bright and early at the National Rail Museum. The site was once York train station, dating back to 1877. It’s a fitting place then for one of the biggest — and best — rail museums in the world.
It’s free to enter, and once inside, I guarantee you’ll be amazed by the display on show. Even for a non-train enthusiast, I really enjoyed seeing historic train models, and learning about the railway’s importance.
Take your time
It has an impressive collection under its roof. Over 100 locomotives on show either ran on the railways or were built there. The 20-acre site is the home of historically significant railway vehicles, and many other items of historical interest.
We spent around 1 hour exploring the grand site, before taking some brief refreshment at the café. There’s good reason why I say to start at the museum. Outside the main entrance is a mini passenger steam train that takes you from the museum to York Minster.
There’s a small fee to pay, but it’s free with the York Pass. Trains run every 30 minutes, giving you sufficient time to plan your visit inside.
The center of York is also a perfect meeting point for booking a local tour. Your guide can tell you more entertaining tales that you won't find online or in the books.
2. The mother of all minsters
Once you disembark from the train, you arrive at York Minster. Its famous tall spires can be seen from many points around York. It’s the largest Gothic cathedral in northern Europe, containing some of the oldest and finest stained glass.
‘Minster’ refers to churches established in the Anglo-Saxon period as missionary teaching churches.
The beauty's in the detail
When inside, the cathedral’s famous stained-glass windows will blow you away. A lot of work goes into preserving them, which is evident from the way they gleam on first sight.
You do have to pay to enter either the minster, or the minster and tower (both free with the York Pass). There are 275 steps to reach the top, so make sure you can handle the climb before attempting it.
If you can make it to the top the views are spectacular. The money from ticket sales contribute to the cathedral upkeep, but it’s free to enter if you’re attending mass.
3. Explore York’s Viking past
The JORVIK Viking Center is the place to go to learn all about the Viking connection. Jorvik was the old Norse name the invaders, turned settlers, gave to the city.
After excavating an area of York in 1972, a team of archaeologists found a site with plenty of references to its Viking ancestors.
The tour’s interactive in nature, where you sit in a carriage and learn about the Viking ancestry of York. You learn all about the sounds and smells of Viking city living, which can be quite strong.
It takes around 45 minutes, and is a fun and different activity for the entire family. Take note that you’re not allowed to bring in large bags and luggage. Again, it was great to jump the line with the York Pass, and believe me, the lines build up quickly here.
4. Walk the walls
To walk in the steps of the Roman soldiers, and see a different perspective of York, visit the city walls. There are 4 main entryways, called ‘bars’ or ‘gateways’, with steps leading up to the walls. Measuring at 3.4km in length, they’re the longest, and well preserved, medieval walls in England.
I’d advise you to walk the entire length of the walls, which takes around 2 hours. If it sounds like too much, you can exit from one of the ‘bars’ and re-energize in a proper bar.
5. York’s Chocolate Story
Chocolate lovers rejoice, for there’s a York's Chocolate Story tour dedicated to the history of the sweet stuff in York. York’s in fact the home of the globally enjoyed Kit Kat, and Terry’s Chocolate Orange.
A sweet stop
Visitors to York's Chocolate Story will learn about the inside story of its chocolate history, and in immersive experience. One of the top York attractions, it’s a fun tour guaranteed to put a smile on your face.
6. City Cruises York
Sit back and relax on one of the excellent city cruises in York. The rivers Ouse and Foss are significant to York’s existence and development, which you learn more about on the cruise.
Book: York daytime cruise with live commentary
Naturally, make sure to check the weather before booking, as you’ll enjoy the cruise more when it’s dry! There are several boarding points, including Lendal Bridge and King’s Staith. We found the latter had far less people, but it all depends on the time and day.
Get the best seat
Take a seat on the top deck for the best views of the river, surrounding nature, and of York itself. Live commentary is provided, and our tour guide was informative and also highly entertaining. The boat cruise lasts around 1 hour, and will bring you back to your starting point.
7. Clifford’s Tower
A short walking distance from JORVIK Viking Center is Clifford’s Tower. It’s the last remains from what was once York Castle, and the tower atop the green mound’s hard to miss.
On first glance, it does appear slightly out of place, with a busy car park nearby. Still, once you climb the steps, you begin to see, and feel, its history come to life.
Holders of the York Pass can enter for free, but others will have to pay a small entrance charge.
Don't be late
The best tip I can give you is to come early. Clifford’s Tower has a limited enclosed space, and so gets busy very quickly.
Arriving in the morning means also having uninterrupted views to yourself, as well as photos.
Take caution on the staircase leading to the top level. It’s a very narrow passage with spiral steps that aren’t so wide. That said, hold onto the handrail as you climb and descend. Views at the top are far-reaching, and give an impressive birds’ eye view of the city, especially when sunny.
In close vicinity to Clifford’s Tower are 2 museums. One is the York Castle Museum, and the other, Fairfax House. The former's a recreation of historic York, with cobbled streets, costumed guides and period rooms. Fairfax House is a must for anyone curious to know more about how the Georgians used to live.
8. Impressive ruins
Don't miss out on seeing the stunning St Mary's Abbey. It's the ruins of a Benedictine abbey, and is also a Grade I listed building.
Surrounded by the picturesque York Museum Gardens, it was once the richest abbey in the north of England.
Sadly, the abbey was destroyed in 1539. However, even among the ruins, you can still marvel at its beauty and imagine what could have been.
Where to stay in York, UK
No.21 York is everything you’d want from a first-class B&B. It’s around a 5-minute walk from York train station, and around the same distance to the city center.
Its owners, Simon and Andrea, are incredibly accommodating, and with plenty of useful and local information about York.
For a B&B it’s quite boutique in feel. There are 9 individually designed rooms, complete with local brand, H2K of Harrogate products. Our room was a deluxe double on the second floor, with a view looking onto the center and beyond.
There are several personal touches that make you feel at home. Simon gives guests a bottle of fresh local milk for the room; something that goes well with the homemade biscuits.
A big B&B breakfast
Breakfast is a big deal at No. 21 York. Andrea bakes the bread and makes the homemade jams and marmalade. Simon’s in charge of the cooked breakfast, and trust me when I say, everything’s really good.
Whether you opt for the full Yorkshire, or the freshly baked croissants, you won’t be hungry for a long time after.
What do you think about these top York attractions? Does it look like a city you’d like to visit for a weekend? Let me know in the comments below.
Disclosure: This post is in collaboration with Visit York. It may contain affiliate links, which means I may receive a commission if you click a link and purchase something that I’ve recommended. Thank you for your support.
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York was the first city visited from Leeds, after moving to UK last year for my masters. And it was just amazing. I simply love the quaint vibes of York, theres so much to do, and its so beautiful.
We loved York! It has the perfect mix of history and contemporary and the people are so friendly too 🙂
What a lovely city. The city cruises and the Roman walls are exactly my kind of tours. Would like to visit there soon. Awesome guide
Thank you, appreciate the feedback!
I so love York. It's a peaceful and beautiful place to visit
It really is a wonderful place!
The ruins look so amazing. Didn't know that York has a Viking past. We are planning to do day trips from Dublin and seems like York is another destination we can add in. Hopefully, we can fly-in in the morning and fly out late in the night.
That would be a perfect idea! It's really a lovely city, and you'll get to see more of its Viking past
Did not know that York was this lovely. Those ruins of St. Mary's look so gorgeous. And I love the Minster. Those Gothic arches and the stained glasswork makes it look so stunning. Pity I never considered it when I went to UK. Good tips on how to get there - especially about the passes. Lovely pics as usual
Thanks Ami, I appreciate it. We loved York so much and would highly recommend others to visit 🙂
Thanks for introducing York, I personally love the Rail Museum as a train fan - the museum is so big and definitely national; besides, I think no visit to York is complete without having an English tea or taste the legendary scone @ the Betty's!
The rail museum is awesome, and that's coming from someone who's not a train nerd! And yes, Betty's Tea Rooms are every bit as good as they say it is!
never been and cannot wait to go York. love your images too
Thank you! It's such a great city to visit!
This is absolutely interesting. Thanks for the b&b suggestion, I going to try it during my trip to York
Perfect! I hope you enjoy it!
very interesting place, is there a special season when to visit for the best experience?
We went in September, but it really depends on what you want to see. There are events each month, so definitely check the Visit York website to see what's on 🙂
At first, I thought you were mentioning about York as in New York and then as I started the narration, I realized that there is a place called York in England! The captures are taken from a different perspective, the church looks splendid with its gothic architecture...Informative post!
Many people do, but this is actually the original York! It's a lovely city, with so much history to see
I love that the ticket sales go back into the upkeep of the cathedral. What a beautiful place that I hope to see one day!
It really does, and they work so hard to maintain it! I hope you visit one day too.
I feel like I'm visiting York with you. Or, I will walk your walked when I get a chance to visit York. I was thinking about how do they take care of the cathedral when I saw the picture, but then you explained it with how the stained-glass windows will blow the visitors away. 🙂
Great to read! Thanks for stopping by 🙂
I really wish I'd visited York when I had the chance when I was living up in Yorkshire - I was over in East Yorkshire, near Hull, so York was a bit of a trek, though even more of a trek from my home in Reading now! I love the look of the Minster, it's so beautiful x
Aw you should definitely aim to see it one day Becca. It's a lovely city, and even a great day trip too!
York has so much to see and the pass makes sense. It’s amazing that St. Mary’s Abbey was so elaborate though it was destroyed 500 years ago. No. 21 York is an inviting, centrally located place to stay. Thanks for sharing!
We loved No.21 York, it's so cosy and with such great little touches too 🙂
I guess York is one of the place for many urban art lovers, coz there are lots of places to visit and to experience. Like that National Rail Museum, beautiful architectures, foods, open spaces, they are all unique. Where is your next destination?
It really is! Hopefully to Krakow for the Christmas markets 🙂
I am heading to UK soon, and as I had mentioned earlier of my friend living in the North Yorkshire, I will surely be visiting York. This blogpost gave me a good idea about the places to see there. I am sure now that I am going to have a great time - checking out the Viking's past is something I am not going to miss!
Jorvik is so much fun! We had a memorable time there, and I'm sure you will too 🙂
Thanks for sharing all the attractions in York and it is good that it is between London and Edinburgh. I love railways and trains, so definitely my first stop would be at The world of trains to witness all those historic models and many information on ancient railway system. And the views from Clifford's point is great, though we pass through the narrow staircase.
The views are really worth it once you get to the top. It's a squeeze but a must see!
York looks like a really nice place to visit and it has a little bit for everyone, the minster, the chocolate history, the vikings, the trains, the beautiful views , I just don't think you can get to everything in just one weekend, you would at least need two 😀 😉
Lol you just may! But if you do have a limited amount of time, a weekend is ideal, or even a day trip if you start early 😉
Your post is so detailed and colorful. Excellent read and it keeps my focus. It makes me want to come visit York.
Thank you! I really appreciate your comments 🙂
What a lovely place York is! It has so much to see for a history buff like me. I would love to go here someday.
Definitely check it out if you're in the UK; it's a lovely place to visit
I loved York when I was there. It is so beautiful. But unfortunately, I could only do the rail museum. Next time I am going to stay a few days and tick off all these exciting places that you have added to my bucket list. Thanks for the post.
Aw I hope you do! The rail museum's fab, but so are the other great things to see on the list.
Great post Lisa! Looks like you had a nice time. I just got back from Brazil and was actually in York a couple of weeks ago! It can get very crowded on a Saturday but I don't let that put me off going, it's an Evergreen location so it's always heaving with tourists.
Thank you Daniel! We really loved our time there, and you're right about Saturdays, it was heaving with people.
You’ve created a great list of things to do in York. This will come in handy for my visit next month. I absolutely loved the title “mother of all minsters and that's one place I'll certainly visit! Thank you for sharing all these useful tips
Perfect, I'm so glad it's given you some inspiration. I hope you enjoy it!
The castles and churches are gorgeous! You found some great places to wander. I can just imagine all the "everyday life" that has taken place surrounded by such historic beauty. It's quite different to visit a place vs. live there and call it home.
I totally agree. York's really a place full of history yet modern at the same time!
I would definitely want to visit York! Looks like there is so much to see and so much history. I love learning about new places that are not in every blog (like Paris etc.) and see if that could be my next destination. It would be great to explore York and walk on the steps of Roman soldiers.
I completely agree, and it's so nice to read that I've inspired you to visit other places. There are so many beautiful less traveled places, and we should turn the spotlight on those destinations as well as the popular ones 😀
What a great destination! I didn't know much about it, but I'd love to see the ruins and the cathedral. It's a quaint, lovely setting!
It is! And there's so many great things to see and do there 🙂
York is on my bucket list! This will be so helpful when we finally make our trip!!!
Perfect! I hope you enjoy it when you visit!
The photos and description of the Abbey look and sound amazing. I'd love to explore that for a bit. I also love the sound of that breakfast! I have been to England a number of times but haven't made it out to York yet. I'll have to change that!
Aww you must, it's such a lovely city! We had an amazing weekend there
I've never been in York before, this post made me plan to go and spend a nice weekend on those amazing places you named. The one I loved the most is the York’s Chocolate! it looks so yummy!!
Good choice! It's a very delicious place to visit, and you get to try the chocolate too 😀
Fantastic guide for a quick trip, I remember being awed by the beauty of York Minster, an amazing cathedral! I haven't been up in years!
Aw it's so nice you've been before! It's really a wonderful minster!
I am not a train enthusiast myself but the National Rail Museum sounds so interesting especially since it dates back to1877. That's a ton of history! I also had no idea that Kit Kat's home was in York. For some reason, I thought it was somewhere in the US.
Actually so did I! It's such a great city and the rail museum is really really good!
York is beautiful! I know there are some possibilities to go on a mini cruise from the Netherlands (my home country) to York for a very reasonable price and I still would love to do this ones. It's such a nice and easy way to explore the city. I would love to pay a visit to the city walls and the St. Mary's Abbey. Besides, York's Chocolate Story.... Who wouldn't love that?! I will definitely pay a visit as a chocolate lover. 🙂
Oh wow, that'd be such a great idea! I never knew you could take a cruise! York's Chocolate Story is very good 😉
Living in London I have never travelled to York but this post has made me think about it. Never knew this city with Roman roots, and Saxon, Norman and Viking heritage had so much to offer. Love the views from the Clifford tower. A great city indeed and so close to London. Thanks for sharing.
It's just under 2 hours to visit from London! And you get so much from even just a day trip
I'm convinced that York is worth the visit. I like climbing places, like the Clifford's Tower, that gives an overlooking view of a town. I easily get stunned with amazing architecture and the Gothic cathedral definitely interests me.
Then you'll surely love it here! We had an excellent time, and know you will too.
York sounds like the perfect little getaway from London! I love walled cities and I had no idea York was one. I am not sure where I have heard of York Minster Abbey (it sounds like I heard about it in some English movie long back) so I am excited to read you have also mentioned York Mister, I believe it has to be amazing considering it's been a popular place to have been written about. I'd definitely go for the York pass, it always makes it convenient to roam about and explore places.
It's good you'd heard of the Minster before! It was my first time, and honestly, it's so impressive inside. Definitely consider visiting if you ever come back to London!
Looks like a great place to visit. I'll definitely go here one day with my family. This is truly a bucket lists material.
It really is! I hope you get to visit one day 🙂
York looks so beautiful and so many things to do and see! The Bed and breakfast looks so cute too 🙂 I would love to visit here someday!
You must! It's a wonderful city to see, and with so much history too
Thanks for sharing your York experience. I like your B&B room, looks cosy and just nice for solo traveler. I'm hopeful that I can visit London one day, I would probably go to York, especially the trail museum.
The rail museum is excellent and even if you're not into trains!
I've never been to York, but am planning a trip back to the UK in 2019. I'm going to add York to my list!
Perfect! Let me know how you get on 😀
Some fantastic ideas for a trip to York! I will definitely have to keep them in mind when I travel here next year. Thank you for sharing!
You're welcome! We loved it, and know others will too
Appreciate the lovely recommendations! I've never been to York, but have been to the UK several times to visit the in-laws. Would like to visit perhaps in the new year.
Aw you must! It's such a pretty city, and a nice place to visit with the in-laws 🙂
Great guide for travelers who want to explore ruins. We've never been to York but this makes us want to go. What's your favorite part of your trip?
Definitely the river cruise and the Minster. It's so beautiful and you see the best of the city.
I've never been to York but one day I will make the journey from Cornwall. I love the look of York Minster and the old Abbey.
Aw you must; it's a bit of a distance from Cornwall, but so worth it!
I wish I visited York when I was in England! I'm hoping to visit again soon so I'll have to keep all this in mind. York sounds like the perfect break from London!
Definitely include it in the itinerary the next time you're back; you won't regret it 🙂
I am so interested to visit York after reading this. I'd definitely take the cruise ride and explore the ruins. I loved your full-screen photographs.
Thank you! You'll have such a great time I'm sure
Wow York looks like such a pretty place to visit. I love all the ruins particularly. What is the best time to visit?
It's so pretty, and really worth visiting. I like September, as it's still warm enough to see everything sufficiently, and not too busy either.
You've picked a great selection of things to do in York, plus I few I haven't heard of. I love the title "mother of all minsters!" It's so true too. Such an impressive spectacular building. Last time I was there they had just unveiled the stained glass window which had been under restoration work for years.
Lol thank you! It's so stunning inside, and I don't think my photos did it any justice 🙂
The place is awesome! The attractions you featured are perfect for a weekend trip. I'd like to see the Gothic cathedral and walk the city walls!
It really is! I love the ruins, and the Gothic cathedral is a must see 🙂