Top York Sightseeing Tours in 2026

York Beyond the Walls packs the character of Yorkshire into one unforgettable half-day. This is not a coach tour or a rushed whistle-stop — it is completely private for your group of up to four guests, with York pick-up and return included. In just four hours you’ll experience a Georgian market town, a hilltop village and historic church, the haunting ruins of Byland Abbey and the spectacular Kilburn White Horse, all with a local driver-guide and the freedom to enjoy the journey your way.

You’ll find the country’s most complete city walls encircling York, and this self-guided walking tour takes you on a complete circuit of them. Along the way, you’ll hear the extraordinary history of this magical city, and find out about the Romans, Vikings, Normans and medieval citizens of York who built, defended, attacked and sometimes died here, on and around these ancient walls. On this tour, you’ll see and hear about: • The magnificent cathedral of York Minster • The four impressive city gates, each with its own story • The dominating remains of York Castle • The last remains of the Roman occupation of York

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.

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 stop at key sites for a closer look at the city’s most haunted buildings.

Discover the enchanting beauty of the Yorkshire Dales National Park on this one-day tour from York. Experience picturesque villages like Pateley Bridge and Grassington, known for their charming cobbled streets and traditional pubs. Enjoy a visit to Hawes, famous for Wensleydale Cheese, and take in the stunning Aysgarth Falls. End the day at the serene Jervaulx Abbey, a historical gem. With expert commentary and ample free time to explore, this small group tour offers a personal touch to your adventure in the Dales. - Full-day guided tour departing from York - Explore storybook villages and enjoy local delicacies - Visit iconic sites including Aysgarth Falls and Jervaulx Abbey - Return to York by approximately 5:30 PM, with a small group for a more intimate experience

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.

Skip the busy ghost tours, and see the spooky side of York on a self-guided ghost tour. You’ll download a cellphone App, then listen to an audio tour to track down the ghouls and spirits that haunt the city of York. Linger where and when you want, or complete the tour within an hour; the experience is independent so you have the freedom to enjoy it on your own terms.

Learn about York's history and legends on a 2-hour Viking walking tour with a private guide, Sigwulf. You'll walk through town to see historical landmarks and listen to stories from the Viking days. Departure time is flexible to suit your preferences.

Join an exciting 60-minute walking journey through York. Learn all the key facts about the city, dive into the local lifestyle, and feel its unique culture. From York Minster to Shambles, get to discover the city's most defining landmarks. Your Local will also share insider tips on the best cafes, restaurants, and lively bars in York to ensure you get the most out of your stay. • See York through a local's eyes, uncovering the city's true essence. • Discover York's medieval architecture and charming old streets. • Get top local tips on the best bars, cafes, and restaurants to visit. • Maximize your time, discovering more of York in less time. • Enjoy the intimacy of a small group, with a maximum of 8 travellers.

Any tourist can visit York and enjoy its historic buildings and picturesque cobbled streets, but what about learning about its past as Jorvik, as the Vikings called it hundreds of years ago? This private tour takes you through a side of the city’s story that most visitors miss out on.

Discover the rugged beauty of rural Northern England on a full-day tour from York—no need to rent a car or tackle the area's country roads yourself. Explore traditional English moorland villages, Hutton-le-Hole and Goathland, famed filming locations for the Harry Potter™ movies. Head into the North York Moors National Park for panoramic views over the rolling countryside, then wander Whitby at your leisure, with options to visit Whitby Abbey, the port, or the Captain Cook Museum. Return via the Hole of Horcum.

York’s streets have been witness to countless stories. On this lighthearted walking tour, you’ll discover York’s fascinating past through humorous storytelling, historical anecdotes, and playful character encounters. From Roman legionaries to medieval monks and Victorian innovators, the city’s 2,000 years of history will vividly come to life. The tour starts at Clifford’s Tower, a historic Norman fortification with a turbulent past. You’ll weave through York’s atmospheric streets and ginnels, encountering historical figures like William the Conqueror, Constantine the Great, and Guy Fawkes along the way. The Silly History Boys narrate stories of Viking invasions, Roman settlements, religious persecution, and medieval commerce through comedic sketches and entertaining dialogue.

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.

Unlock centuries of secrets, sieges, and hidden history on a walk along England’s most complete medieval city walls! Led by a local expert, this tour bypasses standard textbook timelines to reveal the gritty, chaotic, and bizarre reality of life on York’s defensive perimeter. From imperial Roman foundations to the brutal battlegrounds of the Civil War, you’ll discover the physical scars left by centuries of conflict. What you’ll discover: The Gates of Power: Explore famous "Bars" and hidden posterns where guards dropped heavy portcullises in a race against time. The Scarred Battlements: See where furious rebels burned gates to ash and enemy soldiers dug explosive wartime mines. Gritty Micro-Histories: Hear the laugh-out-loud true stories of watchmen chasing rogue pigs off the ramparts and a 15th-century trade-war murder. Myth-Busting: Debunk the famous "Scotsman and the longbow" urban legend. Secure your spot today and walk the walls like a true medieval watchman!

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!

York is known for its medieval streets, ancient city walls, and beautifully-preserved buildings; and this private tour is the perfect way to make the most of your visit. Instead of studying a map, look up and admire the sights as a private guide shows you the city’s must-see sights. Places passed on the route include the York Minster, the building where Guy Fawkes was born, Clifford’s Tower, and the Shambles.

See the historic buildings and monuments of York through a lens on this unique walking photography tour. Take photos with the guidance of your professional photographer guide, and learn about the history of the ancient city as you go. Learn how to take photographs of landscapes, buildings and street portraits on your own camera, whether you have a state-of-the-art machine or you’re using your smartphone.

The audio guide is a convenient mobile companion for a self-guided walk around York. The tour is designed specifically for getting to know the city in a short time (1.5–2 hours). Follow the route on the map in the app to walk from the railway station to Lendal Bridge, passing the city’s main sights. You will definitely see: York Minster, Clifford's Tower, City walls, Micklegate Bar, The shortest street in England, Ancient Roman ruins. The tour includes 23 interesting stops. All stories are written by professional journalists and historians with a touch of humor and a love of travel. After downloading the tour, the app works offline. You can always hear the audio guide clearly through your headphones. Enjoy fascinating stories and legends as you move at your own pace, without needing to follow a tour group. At any moment, you can stop to rest in a café or turn down a picturesque alley, then continue your walk around the city.

Set sail on a romantic evening cruise along the Ouse River and see York’s historic landmarks away from the land-based crowds. Glide past the illuminated city skyline, and admire the riverside parks and buildings when they look most dramatic. Choose from two options: a tranquil Ouse River cruise with an included drink, or the upgraded cruise with the quintessentially English combo of strawberries and cream, plus a drink.

If you’re looking for a fun alternative to predictable sightseeing tours, then this is it. Set off with a private guide on a tour that reveals stories about York’s criminal history—including takes of the Yorkshire Ripper, Dick Turpin, and William the Conqueror. Along the way, break up your walk with stops at key landmarks, such as Clifford’s Tower, St. George’s Field, and the Guy Fawkes Inn.

With rich Roman and Viking history and beautiful architecture, York is among England’s must-see cities—but exploring independently means you may miss its hidden secrets. On this private walking tour, follow your guide through historic York and find out what makes the city special. Explore top attractions like Clifford's Tower, the Jorvik Viking Centre, the Roman walls, and St Mary’s Abbey, and enjoy skip-the-line access and sweeping views along the River Ouse.

With a colorful history dating back thousands of years, York ranks among England’s oldest cities—but exploring independently means you risk missing its hidden secrets. On this walking tour, begin with pickup at your central York hotel and explore the city’s narrow streets with your private guide. Capture the city on camera from vantage points around town, and delve into 2,000 years of Viking history and heritage.

This is a great choice for first-time visitors to York. Enjoy the personalized experience of a private tour that helps you uncover York’s famous sights—such as the York Minster and St. Mary’s Abbey—as well as secret corners of the city that you likely wouldn’t uncover if exploring alone. As it’s a private tour, you can also make requests if there are any particular places you’d like to see.

Includes an exclusive FREE book written by your guide! Step into the world of Westeros on our Winterfell: A Game of Thrones Fan Tour of York, our latest tour following over 15 years of award winning history tours of York. Explore York’s dramatic history through the lens of Game of Thrones, from the freezing edge of the Roman Empire — the real “Winterfell” — to the Wars of the Roses, the true inspiration for the clash of rival houses. Discover the echoes of Britain’s bloodiest battle in the “Battle of the Bastards,” and see how York’s towers, walls, and snickelways shaped the world of Jon Snow, Cersei, and Tyrion. Along the way, your guide brings York’s history to life with vivid parallels between fact and fantasy. Please note young children under 5 are free, just let us know at time of booking