How To Spend A Weekend In York: The Perfect 2 Day York Itinerary

York is a small, picturesque and charming city that is brimming with history and lots of things to do. It is a top-rated UK destination for good reason and thanks to its compact size, is perfect for a weekend away.

However, with so many spots to explore, it can often be challenging to prioritise some of the very best things to do to spend a weekend in York and I believe that any trip should be packed with the coolest and best places to visit.

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Having recently enjoyed the perfect weekend in York, I’ve curated a suggested 2 day itinerary that I’m confident you’ll love..

Day One In York

Visit York Minster

Start your day off with a visit to the iconic York Minster; one of the largest Gothic cathedrals in Europe. Take in the stunning stained glass windows, impressive architecture and simply marvel at the beauty of the cathedral.

How To Spend A Weekend In York - York Minster

It’s definitely one of those spots in the city worth taking the time to properly explore and enjoy.

There is an entrance fee of £16 per adult and for an extra £6, you can climb the tower; a narrow 275 steps to the top, giving you the best view in York. It’s totally worth it!

You can also book a walking tour hear about the wicked history, led by a bewitching guide. This tour takes you to the famous sites in York; York Minster, theShambles, Stonegate and much more.

Explore The Shambles

No visit to York is complete without exploring the Shambles; a narrow, medieval cobbled street with timber-framed buildings that date back to the 14th century. It is one of the best-preserved medieval streets in the world and nearby York Minster.

Filled with little craft stalls, jewellery shops, tea shops and bookshops; make sure to spend a little time exploring.

This pretty street served as the main inspiration for Harry Potter’s Diagon Alley, so if you’re a HP fan, it’s one you’ll want to check this out.

Visit The Shambles Market

Don’t forget to wander through the Shambles market while you’re there. Home to plenty of independent traders, selling everything from artisan crafts to flowers and fruit and veg.

You’ll likely be hungry by now and might want to grab some lunch. York has oodles of foodie haunts all across the city, but make sure you check out my post on excellent vegan restaurants in York for some inspiration. The vegan döner eatery was my personal favourite and makes for a delicious lunch!

York Art Gallery

Located in a beautiful building on Exhibition Square in the city centre, the art gallery is a great place to see local and international artists in one place.

The art gallery is also only a short walk away from the döner restaurant I keep going on about and is a great place to visit, especially if it’s a rainy day.

One of the highlights is that the gallery houses the largest collection of British studio ceramics in the world. This includes works by famous ceramicists such as Bernard Leach, Lucie Rie and Grayson Perry.

Walk The City Walls At Sunset

Dating back to the Roman and medieval period, the majority of York’s ancient city walls still exist, lining the centre of the city.

You can walk the entire circuit, which offers incredible views of the city. I’d recommend taking a stroll along the city walls on both days, at different times of the day to make the most of the stunning views.

Plus, it’s one of the only cities in the UK that still has a standing wall with the original gateways to enter the ancient centre.

Follow The Ghost Trail Of York

York has a reputation of being one of the most haunted cities in Europe and the Ghost Trail takes you to some of the city’s most haunted spots. It’s a spooky and entertaining way to learn about York’s history.

There are tons of ghost tours and walks available. A guide will show you through the history and mystery of York. Especially after dark, when it gets pretty creepy!

Day Two In York

Walk The City Walls again

Walking the city walls first thing in the morning is a truly wonderful experience. Without the crowds of people, it’s so peaceful and it offers stunning, uninterrupted views of the city. For me, this is one of the best things to do in York and really takes you back to what medieval York must have been like.

If you’re eager to explore further, you can take a different route than the one the night before. The walls are approximately 2.5 miles long and are one of the longest and most complete sets of city walls in England.

There are five main gates, or ‘bars’ in the walls; Bootham Bar, Monk Bar, Walmgate Bar, Micklegate Bar, and Fishergate Bar. Each gate has its own unique character and history, and you can enter the walls through any of these.

Walking the full circuit of the walls takes around two hours at a leisurely pace, although it’s possible to shorten the walk by exiting at one of the gates along the way. It’s a great way to get a sense of the city’s history and layout, and is a must-do activity for anyone visiting York.

National Railway Museum

If you’re a train lover, you’ll find the National Railway Museum to be one of the best things to do in York! Home to over 100 locomotives, it tells the story of the development of the railways in Britain.

If trains aren’t your thing, you can have afternoon tea with a difference there, on a carriage that used to be part of the Orient Express. That’s more my vibe, but sadly it is currently closed (2023) for renovation for at least a year. One to remember for a future visit though!

Visit York’s Chocolate Story

If chocolate is more your thing than trains, then you won’t want to miss this popular interactive and immersive experience at York’s Chocolate Story.

The tour begins with a short presentation about the history of chocolate, followed by a guided tour of the attraction’s exhibits; including an interactive chocolate factory where you can learn how chocolate is made and have a go at making your own chocolate creations.

You get to have some tasty treats along the way too!

Drive A Boat

If your legs are tired out after all that walking, I’d highly recommend renting your own motor boat to explore York for an hour. This was my absolute favourite thing to do in the city!

Nishi driving a self hire boat on the River Ouse, York

These boats are very easy to operate (honestly easier than riding a bike) even if you have no previous boating experience – I mean, how many people would, really? They provide a great way to explore the River Ouse and see the city from a different perspective while having lots of fun!

You get a quick safety demonstration and then you’re free to explore on your own. The only thing I’d note is to book your York boat hire in advance – as they do sell out on the day. Not only is it cheaper online, but you’re also guaranteed a boat on the day if they have all been allocated.

In the event that you don’t fancy being your own captain, book this guided river cruise of York. You’ll learn all about the history of York while soaking up some of the city’s riverside views.

Nishi and Jass posing on a self hire boat on the River Ouse, York

Climb Clifford’s Tower

If your legs aren’t getting a little weary, you can climb Clifford’s Tower; a historic landmark in the heart of York, which is just a short walk away from the boat rental spot.

It is a large stone structure that stands on a raised mound overlooking the River Ouse. You can pay an admission fee to climb to the top of the tower for panoramic views of the city and the surrounding countryside.

Grab a drink at Guy Fawkes Inn

End your evening with a drink at the Guy Fawkes Inn. Named after Guy Fawkes; the guy that tried to blow up Parliament back in the 1600s and overthrow the government is possibly one of York’s most famous residents.

The inn is a beautifully preserved 16th-century timber-framed structure that has been converted into a cozy and atmospheric pub and hotel that offers visitors a taste of York’s rich history and heritage.

Whether you’re looking to enjoy a pint in a traditional pub, explore the city’s haunted past, or simply soak up the atmosphere of this historic building, the Guy Fawkes Inn is definitely worth a visit and a great way to end your weekend in York.

Things To Know Before Visiting York

Before spending a weekend in York, here are a few travel tips. Including the best times to visit the city, where to stay, how to get to York, and how to get around.

Me, Nishi reading a book outside an independent book store in York

Best Time Of The Year To Visit York

Spring and summer are the best times of year to visit York; ideally between April and September because of the mild temperatures and less chance of rain. This is England though, so no rain is unfortunately never guaranteed.

York is usually a very busy city, especially at the weekend as it is extremely popular with hen parties. If you want to avoid the huge crowds, it’s best to plan a two-day trip mid week.

Me, Nishi riding a pink bike outside a beautiful restaurant in York

How To Get To York

By train: York is well-served by the national rail network, with frequent trains running to and from London, Edinburgh, and other major cities in England. The journey time from London to York is around 2 hours.

By car: York is easy to reach by car from the UK. If you decide to drive, bear in mind that most of the city centre in York is a pedestrian zone and parking is quite limited in peak season as well as pricey.

By bus: Trains are quite pricey in the UK, so you may want to opt for travelling by coach for a more budget-friendly option. There are regular bus services to York from other major cities in the UK, including London, Manchester, and Leeds. Many of these services are operated by National Express or Megabus. While it’s cheaper, the journey does take a little longer.

By plane: York doesn’t have an airport, but you can fly to Leeds-Bradford or Manchester Airport instead, from which you can either get a bus or a train to York.

Where To Stay In York

The Malmaison York (4*) is perfectly situated in the heart of York within a short walk away from all the infamous attractions. Offering stunning views over the famous cathedral and city walls, the stylish and comfortable rooms give you everything you need for the perfect weekend in York.

Not even York Minster’s central tower can compete with the Malmaison’s rooftop bar and restaurant for views!

This hotel is perfect for those with a policy on stylish bedrooms, delicious dining and sassy cocktails.

How To Get Around York

York is such a small city that it’s really easy to get around on foot. Most of the city centre is pedestrianised zone – one of the largest pedestrian zones in Europe actually, so it’s best to walk everywhere.

Almost every attraction or restaurant we visited was around an 8-12 minutes walk between one another, which was really handy!

I hope that this 2 day York itinerary has helped you plan your own trip. If there are places you’d recommend, please leave them in the comments below. I’m always looking for new spots to visit.

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How To Spend A Weekend In York: The Perfect 2 Day Itinerary

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