Top York Private Sightseeing Tours

Get your bearings and explore York like a local on this exclusive private walking tour, led by an expert guide. More than just a history lesson, this immersive experience brings the city’s rich past to life as you stroll through its cobbled streets, ancient walls, and hidden corners. Step back in time to Viking-age Jorvik, walk in the footsteps of Romans along the city’s famous walls, and uncover how York evolved from a medieval religious center to the vibrant, historic gem it is today. From grand landmarks to tucked-away treasures, your guide will share the stories that make York unique.

The historic city of York has many centuries of creepy and gruesome secrets. Learn more about the city’s dark past on a private walking tour that focuses on the area's ghost stories. This private tour can be customized to suit your needs and interests, so you're not tied to the rigid routes of standard tours. As you explore, see parts of York that many travelers miss out on, and come away with a completely new view of the city.

Uncover the medieval marvels of historic York on a bespoke walking tour with a private guide. Learn about York’s rich history as you walk around the centuries-old walls, pose for photos with a backdrop of the city or visit the wall museums (not included). Your private tour is yours to customize as you please, so you could also pay a visit to York Castle, stroll down the atmospheric The Shambles or take a peek inside the magnificent York Minster.

Most visitors choose between a highlights walk, a wall walk, or a ghost tour. This self-guided tour gives you the best of all three in a single route — from Roman ruins and Viking history to chilling tales told at the right moments, in the right places. With your phone as your guide, you'll walk atop the ancient city walls, squeeze through snickelways, and hear why the Golden Fleece pub claims over fifteen resident ghosts. This tour is ideal for those who are in York for a day and want to get a taste of everything that York has to offer while having the freedom to linger and dive deeper into the sites that capture their interest. Pause for a pint, duck into the Shambles for photos, or linger inside York Minster — then pick up right where you left off. No group to keep up with, no fixed start time. Available in 9 languages with offline access. Over 20,000 travellers have used our self-guided tours. If it's not for you, it comes with a full refund guarantee.

York has a fascinating Roman past and this private tour unpacks it more efficiently than you could likely do alone. View the city’s Roman relics, including its Roman Column, York Minster—built over a Roman basilica– and other points of interest, all with guided commentary for background. Along the way, hear about mad emperors and lost legions; and discover how a posting to York was considered dangerous in Roman times.

Explore York at your own pace with a self-guided walking tour on your phone. You get a clear map of all 9 stops, simple directions through Google Maps, and short audio stories you can play when you reach each location. The route covers the historic heart of York, from York Minster to Micklegate Bar, passing sites like The Shambles, Clifford's Tower, and Jorvik Viking Centre. Start anytime, pause whenever you like, and explore freely. No groups, no schedules. Audio and text available in 7 languages.

This Private Tour provides the opportunity for you to get out into the countryside to enjoy the fresh air and scenic beauty of the North York Moors National Park. We will pick you up from your hotel (or other location of your choice) at 10.00am and head out of the city for a circular tour of the National Park, with stops at Byland Abbey, Helmsley and the beautiful moorland village of Rosedale Abbey. There will also be photo stops along the way. You will be able to buy food and drinks en route, but feel free to bring your own food along and we will stop somewhere suitable for you to have a picnic away from any crowds. The itinerary for this tour is flexible, talk to your Driver when you set off and we can make adjustments to suit your personal preferences. Departs 10.00am and drops off 2.30pm.

The North York Moors National Park and Whitby make ideal day trips from York. On this private tour with hotel pickup, visit top attractions including 7th-century Whitby Abbey and enjoy England’s northern countryside with just your party.

Immerse yourself in the rich history of York Minster on this in-depth private guided tour. Explore the art, architecture, and grounds of the medieval cathedral—which still retains many original features—while avoiding crowded areas. You may meet the talented stone masons who maintain the historic building or chat with the cathedral's dedicated policing unit.

You don’t have to join a tour group to discover York. This self-guided audio walking tour lets you set the pace and pick up and drop the route when it suits you. Hit all the signature spots—York Minster, Stonegate, Mansion House, the Shambles, one of the best-preserved medieval streets in the world, and more. The app works online and offline, and includes geodata, so you don't need to waste money on roaming charges.

York is amazing. King George VI once said, 'The history of York is the history of England'. Well he wasn't wrong. The city has been home to Romans, Saxons, Vikings and Normans. It has been the 'capital' of the north and has been a centre for trade, commerce and power through the centuries. Today York is a vibrant, modern city with one of the best windows on the past that you will ever find. Join me on a tour of my fascinating home city to learn more about its history and what has made it the city it is today. Walk in the footsteps of Roman soldiers and marauding Vikings, pass through medieval streets, stand in the shadow of one of the world's great cathedrals and take in the view from the city walls.

This tour will take you across the historic centre of York and stop at a number of independent businesses, each one of which will provide you with generous examples of their fabulous food & drink. You'll get to enjoy Yorkshire Cheeses, Fish & Chips, Tacos, Chocolate and Pintxos with Sherry before choosing a sweet or savoury finale with a well earned Yorkshire ale! While walking between the venues you'll hear a bit about the history of York and pass by several of the cities major attractions such as York Minster, Cliffords Tower and the City Walls. Your guide is a York based food writer who knows the city and its hospitality scene intimately. He's been featured in the Lonely Planet guide, is a coordinating judge for the Guild of Fine Food and helps run York Food & Drink Festival....You can recognise him by the cutlery tattoos!

The tour begins inside The Guy Fawkes Inn (on High Petergate, opposite Michael Le Belfrey's church). From there you'll learn about the famous conspirators and the gun powder plot, in the very birthplace of Guy Fawkes himself! We'll then proceed to York Minster yard, where you'll learn all about the Minsters rich history. We'll also visit several other famous spots in York, including The Shambles, Museum Gardens, and many more! The important thing to remember when booking, is that no 2 tours are the same! Depending on how much time you have and what your interests are I'll make each tour as personalised as I'm able. The tour stops listed are just a few of many other places I can take you in York, so if you decide to come back for another tour, you can guarantee it will be very different from the previous excursion!

Dare to explore York's sinister side on this chilling self-guided ghost walk, venturing into the heart of England's most haunted city! With this tour, you can unleash York's eerie past at your own pace. You will explore over 12 of York's most haunted locations with the chance to encounter over 30 spirits. Peer down narrow snickleways where Mad Alice watches from the windows and pass by haunted pubs where ghostly regulars still sit at the bar. Hear about the real life incidents which leave even sceptics questioning their beliefs. You can put the tour on pause for some liquid courage at any of the famous haunted pubs along the tour. The tour can be experienced at any time of the day or night. But it is highly recommended to try it in the dark for the best experience and to increase your chances of encountering a spectre. This tour is perfect for adventurous travellers, couples, and small groups seeking a flexible experience.

Explore York with an award-winning, qualified historian guide! You'll travel back to the time of the romans, walk along medieval fortifications and experience the Victorian boom that all helped contribute to making York the UK's "Second City." There's no better way to squeeze 2,000 years of history into a single journey while you uncover hidden gems and city secrets you'd never find on your own.

Delve into the dark side of York, and see the city in a new light, on this evening ghost bus tour. Visit notorious local haunts of restless spirits and pass eerie sites such as York Minster, Clifford’s Tower, and the grave of Dick Turpin, the infamous highwayman and murderer. Throughout the tour, hear anecdotes and fascinating facts about York’s grisly past, and make key stops for a closer look at the city’s most haunted buildings.

Walk the streets of the real Jorvik. In 866 AD, the Great Heathen Army captured York, transforming an Anglo-Saxon settlement into a thriving, international Viking capital. On this deeply researched walking tour, we navigate the historic alleys to uncover the incredible 200-year legacy of Norse rule. Forget the horned helmets and Hollywood tropes. Your expert guide will bring the authentic Viking Age to life, sharing the stories of fierce kings, master craftsmen, global traders, and everyday families who built a commercial empire in the north of England. If you want a genuine, gripping, and fact-checked exploration of York's Viking heritage, this is your journey.

See the historic city of York from a different perspective during an Ouse River cruise. Setting off in the early evening when the light softens, sail past ancient landmarks and quaint riverside villages, all the while learning about the area’s Roman and Viking heritage. Keep warm in the heated saloon, where you can buy alcoholic drinks, warm beverages, and snacks.

Enjoy a fully flexible and independent way to discover York’s highlights and history with this self-led, smartphone audio tour. Upon booking, download the app to your smartphone, and use whenever suits your schedule. With the help of the included GPS map and directions, you’ll discover key landmarks like the York Minster, York City Walls, and the Shambles; will learn about the city’s Viking history; and much more.

Journey through the rolling landscape of the Yorkshire Dales National Park on this unique tour inspired by and focusing on the locations used in TV’s All Creatures Great And Small. Stopping in villages nestled throughout North Yorkshire, you will see filing locations as well as a trip to the World of James Herriot visitor center in Thirsk. Stop in several picturesque villages for photos and refreshments.

Discover Yorkshire with Greg – Your Personal Guide to the Heart of the Moors. Step aboard a truly personal, private tour of North Yorkshire with Greg, your guide for the day. Follow the itinerary or change it to your own. For between 1-7 guests, Greg offers a relaxed, friendly experience that you won’t find with larger tour operators, Greg brings the region's history and culture to life with fascinating stories and insider knowledge. The highlight of the day is a scenic heritage steam train ride from the village of Goathland—best known as Hogsmeade Station from the Harry Potter films. (included). Your day will be filled with stunning landscapes, charming villages and, of course, the breathtaking Whitby where you will enjoy some free time. Whether you're snapping photos of the rolling moors, or simply chatting with Greg about local life, you'll find this tour is as much about the journey as it is about the destination – a relaxed and engaging experience for your private group.

From plague to Vikings to butchery and murder, discover York’s dark history on this family-friendly tour led by a guide known for his dark sense of humor. See sights such as York Minster, the Shambles, and Bedern Hall, the silliest street in England, as you hear tales of bygone days, vile crimes, and things that go bump in the night.

See the historic city of York from a different perspective during a 45-minute or 1-hour cruise on the Ouse River. Relax during a leisurely sail, accompanied by commentary that details the history and culture of York, and enjoy unobstructed views of landmarks such as Clifford’s Tower and the York Museum and Gardens. Choose from several departure times to suit your schedule.