Holiday in York
City in the United Kingdom — tips, highlights & best time to visit 🇬🇧
Country
United Kingdom
Type
City
Best time to travel
May to September (14-21 °C, long days). December for the York Christmas Market (St Nicholas Fair). October for Ghost Walks at dusk.
Budget/day
95-210 €
Getting there from Germany
Flight to Manchester (MAN, 1.5-2 h) or Leeds-Bradford (LBA, 1.5 h), then train to York (1-1.5 h). London King's Cross to York via LNER in 2 h.
Deals for York:
What makes York special as a destination?
York is England's most historic city — a living history book where Roman walls, Viking relics, medieval streets, and a Gothic cathedral coexist in close quarters. The walkable city wall from the 14th century encloses an old town that has been continuously inhabited for 2,000 years. York Minster is the largest Gothic cathedral in Northern Europe: 158 meters long, featuring the largest medieval stained glass window in the world (Great East Window, as large as a tennis court) and a crypt that reveals Roman foundations from the 4th century. Climbing the tower (275 steps) offers a 360-degree view over York and the Yorkshire Moors. The Shambles is England's best-preserved medieval street: The overhanging timber-framed houses from the 14th century lean so far towards each other that you can almost reach out and shake hands. The street inspired Diagon Alley in Harry Potter and is now lined with tea shops, fudge stores, and a Harry Potter shop. The Jorvik Viking Centre brings York's Viking history to life: On the site of the largest Viking find in Britain (1976-1981), you travel through a reconstructed Viking village from the 10th century via time machine — complete with authentic smells (including the Viking latrine). York was once known as Jórvík and was the capital of the Viking kingdom in England.
What are the top highlights in York?
The top highlights in York include York Minster, The Shambles, Jorvik Viking Centre, Walkable City Wall (3.4 km), National Railway Museum.
The places you absolutely must not miss.
York Minster
Largest Gothic cathedral in Northern Europe: largest medieval stained glass window in the world, Roman crypt, and 360° panorama from the tower (275 steps).
The Shambles
England's best-preserved medieval street: overhanging timber-framed houses from the 14th century, inspiration for Harry Potter's Diagon Alley.
Jorvik Viking Centre
Time machine through a 10th-century Viking village: authentic reconstruction with genuine smells at the largest excavation in Britain.
Walkable City Wall (3.4 km)
Best-preserved medieval city wall in England: 3.4 km circular walk with views of the Minster, the old town, and the four historic city gates (Bars).
National Railway Museum
Largest railway museum in the world: Flying Scotsman, Mallard (fastest steam locomotive), royal carriages, and Japanese Shinkansen — free entry.
Clifford's Tower
Norman keep on an artificial hill: 360° panorama over York, tragic site of the Jewish massacre of 1190.
Hotels in York
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Reise-SIM für York
Günstig surfen im Urlaub mit travSIM
Pauschalreisen & Rundreisen
Berge & Meer – 170 Tage Cookie
When is the best time to visit York?
The best time to visit York is May to September (14-21 °C, long days). December for the York Christmas Market (St Nicholas Fair). October for Ghost Walks at dusk.. 14-22 °C, pleasant with occasional showers, Yorkshire is green In winter: 2-7 °C, cold and damp, occasional frost, atmospheric foggy days over the Minster
Recommended travel time
May to September (14-21 °C, long days). December for the York Christmas Market (St Nicholas Fair). October for Ghost Walks at dusk.
Summer
14-22 °C, pleasant with occasional showers, Yorkshire is green
Winter
2-7 °C, cold and damp, occasional frost, atmospheric foggy days over the Minster
How much does a holiday in York cost?
Budget travellers: 45-85 €/day, mid-range: 95-210 €/day, luxury: 240-500 €/day.
Average costs per person per day
Budget
45-85 €
Hostel, Street food, Public transport
Mid-range
95-210 €
Hotel, Restaurant, Excursions
Luxury
240-500 €
Boutique hotel, Fine dining
How do I get from Germany to York?
Flight to Manchester (MAN, 1.5-2 h) or Leeds-Bradford (LBA, 1.5 h), then train to York (1-1.5 h). London King's Cross to York via LNER in 2 h.
Book a package holiday to York
Compare thousands of package holidays to York and find the best deals with flight & hotel.
Compare package holidays nowWhat travel tips are there for York?
Insider knowledge that makes your holiday better.
Walk the entire city wall — 3.4 km in about 2 hours, free. Start at Bootham Bar near the Minster, counterclockwise for the best views.
York Pass — 1-3 days (from 59 GBP) for over 30 attractions including York Minster, Jorvik, Clifford's Tower, and boat ride. Worth it from 3 attractions per day.
Betty's Tea Room — since 1936 York's most famous cafe: plan for a queue (30-60 min). The Fat Rascal (fruit scone) is legendary. Alternatively, Betty's branch in Stonegate.
Ghost Walks in the evening — York is considered the most haunted city in England. Guided ghost walks from 6 PM, spooky and entertaining.
National Railway Museum free — one of the best free museums in England. Flying Scotsman, Mallard, and Japanese Shinkansen under one roof.
What should you eat in York?
Typical specialities in York: Fat Rascal at Betty's — large, fruit-laden scone with almonds and cherries as a face: York's most famous pastry since 1936, only at Betty's Tea Room., Yorkshire Pudding — airy, crispy batter cup made from eggs, flour, and milk: filled with gravy for Sunday roast, Yorkshire's culinary landmark., Yorkshire Curd Tart — cake made from curd, eggs, and rose water: traditional recipe from the 17th century, found in York's bakeries and tea rooms., Parkin — sticky oat cake with ginger and syrup: Yorkshire specialty, traditionally around Bonfire Night (November 5), moist and spicy., Theakston Old Peculier — strong, dark ale from Theakston Brewery in Masham, Yorkshire: malty-sweet with fruity notes..
These specialties you must try!
