York Tourism

York is an ancient city at the converging point of River Foss and River Ouse. The city developed through the ages as primarily a river port. But one look at this gorgeous walled city and you are compelled to dig deeper into the tale of its birth and growth.

York was founded by the Romans in 71 AD and named ‘Eboracum’. The city was a prized possession during the reign of Constantine. In fact, the great Roman Empower was first proclaimed thus in the city of York. In 866 AD, the region was captured by Vikings and renamed ‘Jorvik’. Each settlement that took control of York painted it over with its unique culture and left behind an array of monuments that adorn the city even today.

With the arrival of railways in early 19th century, York became a prominent economic centre in the country. Visitors with a sweet tooth will be happy to know that confectionary happens to be a major industry in York.

Today, tourism has become a defining feature of the city. Any York travel guide will tell you that the city is considered to be one of the safest places to visit. The York Minster defines the city skyline, being the most famous attraction. York holidays have something to interest all guests. There is a wide variety of historical monuments, guided tours around the city, gardens and farms. The city has a good theatre scene – Theatre Royal, Grand Opera and Joseph Theatre pull in crowds from all over the world. The recent revival of 16th century York Mystery Plays has been hugely popular. Visitors will also find themselves being mesmerized by very talented street performers. The York University students make a commendable contribution to the arts too. With many media houses and active sports scene, the city is pretty much an all-rounder tourist attraction.

The people of York don’t just eat their food, they celebrate it. Countless restaurants and cafes offer you traditional delicacies and quirky local snacks. York also has a vibrant nightlight – whether you’re in the mood for a pensive evening by the river or a full blown party experience, the clubs and bars of York will not disappoint. Although shops in York carry numerous designer labels and well-known brands, do check out the amazing range of independent designers, antique shops, and vintage stores.

Get your hands on the York Pass. It gives you free access to over 30 top York attractions including the York Minster, Castle Museum, Jorvik Viking Centre and Castle Howard. You also get a colour guidebook and tons of discount coupons with your York pass. There are different types of York Pass deals available. An adult pass costs £ 36.

Essential travel information and York tips for your visit

  • Buy your rail and bus tickets in advance if possible. Some intercity trains tend to be very expensive. 

York Trip Planner

Plan your customized day by day trip plan for York. Choose from various experinces categories as adventure, romantic and family and kids friendly for your trip using using York trip planner.

The best tours and activities in the city, guided by experts to give you a local insight to the best of York