9 Things to Do in York, England – Complete Guide to the City

York is one of the best destinations for a city break or a weekend getaway in England. It’s a super charming city full of many incredible things to see and do, as well as places to eat or grab a drink. In case you were looking for a complete city guide that includes all the top things to do in York, as well as the best tours, restaurants and more useful info, you’ll find everything in the article below! It includes everything you need to know before you visit York!

I was in York at the beginning of this year for a 4-day trip and I really loved it! York is super cute and walkable – you can see the entirety of inside the city walls in a day.

But my recommendation is to book a whole weekend away to York – this is kind of a perfect scenario for anyone that is looking for a relaxed getaway.

Okay, let’s dive right into it!

Quick info about York, UK

Is York worth visiting, really? My honest answer is: YES! Definitely! York is a place of rich history and culture where you will find charming streets, cute shops and eateries and interesting museums everywhere you look. Plus frequent festivals and events for those of you that are in for a bit of extra fun!

Trust me, there are so many things to do in York! From the impressive York Minster (which is, basically, one of the most well-known York attractions) to the entire stone wall that circles the city, tons of Harry Potter sites, chocolate tours, ghost walks, fine dining restaurants, historic homes and some cute parks, you can already understand that York caters to all types of travellers out there!

Where is York located?

York is located in North Yorkshire, in the northern part of England. It is only 35 km (22 miles) away from Leeds, another cute city that I really enjoyed.

Here’s a map of York so you can better understand its location:

9 Best things to do in York, UK

Below you will find my list of the best things to do in York – these are things that any first-time visitor should check out (if time allows) in order to completely understand the charm of this city.

TIP: One thing to know right from the start: if you’re planning to visit most of the popular attractions in York, a very good idea would be to buy a York Pass. It’s an excellent way to save on costs – it includes more than 45 things to visit in York and around. I’ll talk about it in more detail in this special section below.

1 – Take a York city tour

Whenever I land in a relatively small, walkable city, one of the first things I do is take a stroll around or book a city tour. I think it’s one of the best ideas if you’re eager to find out more about the city you’re going to spend the following days in right from the start!

This is especially true when it comes to a historic city such as York – the city was founded by the Romans after all! And the best part about it is that you have so many options to choose from – from the classic Hop On Hop Off buses to themed York walking tours on the gorgeous cobbled streets – ghost walks, chocolate tours, boat cruises, Harry Potter tours, a cat trail and many, many more.

I won’t get into detail about them here because you’ll find my complete list of recommended tours of York in this section down below.

NOTE: Alternatively, if you want to experience Leeds from a different perspective, I recommend taking a ride in one of the yellow water taxis. The price is only £1/person/journey and it takes you from Leeds Docks to Granary Wharf. More information on their website here. There is also a shorter, free taxi boat from Leeds Docks.

2 – Walk the city wall – The Bar Walls

One thing you will notice right after you set foot in York is its impressive stone walls. The Bar Walls is the official name for the thick stone walls that go all around the city. These were once Roman fortifications that protected York, now transformed into one of the most interesting “York things” to do and one of the best-preserved city walls in all of England.

Although incomplete, walking around the city on these walls is an excellent option for those in search of free things to do in York city centre – and it will only take around 2 hours (3.4 km). Plus, the view over the famous Minster from the walls is worth the effort.

The walls are free to visit and open from 8:00 AM ‘till sunset. Bad weather conditions or repairs might make them inaccessible to explore. You can check out a map of the trail here.

3 – Visit the impressive cathedral – York Minster

Except for being one of the best things to do in York, York Minster is also one of the most magnificent cathedrals in the entire world, towering over all the buildings in the city – heck, you can see it from literally everywhere you go! And continuing with the fun facts about the impressive building that is York Minster, I must also say that it is the second biggest Gothic cathedral in Northern Europe – how cool is that?

Construction began in 1230 and it “only” took 250 years to build, so you can rest assured that you’re walking inside a piece of history with its gorgeous stained glass windows and well-preserved artefacts.

Except for admiring it from the outside and a visit inside, you can also step into the crypt of York Minster or climb its central tower. One thing to note, though: there are 275 steps to the top in a narrow, steep spiral stairway, but the view is definitely worth it!

PRICE: £12.50/adult, free for kids under 16. Ticket is valid for a full year after your first visit. There is an extra fee if you want to go up to the tower (£18,50 for the cathedral + tower). Book your ticket in advance here.

TIP: If you’re into cathedral-related things, make sure you don’t miss the details on the Great East Window. It’s the biggest mediaeval stained glass in the world and it is definitely gorgeous.

4 – Shop on York’s most famous street – The Shambles

Ask any English person about York, and they will tell you about The Shambles. This is definitely one of the most famous streets in the city – it is actually a pedestrianised shopping street dating from medieval times and it is also one of the best-preserved ones in Europe!

I recommend at least a short stroll on this street to admire the cute storefronts and façades. And if you’re looking for a little bit of (grime) history, know that these streets were once scattered with slaughterhouses instead of shops… Just York things! But hey, at least it’s been transformed into something nice now!

In the event that you want to hang around for longer, you can enter one of the 85 shops, drink a coffee in one of the cute cafes or grab a beer at Ye Old Shambles Tavern. Except for the iconic shops, at the Shambles Market you can find lots of stalls selling goodies and fresh produce.

TIP: There are no less than four Harry Potter-themed shops to explore on The Shambles, as well as a “Ghost Shop”. More info in the Harry Potter section below!

FUN FACT: Although I’m not sure this is 100% true, it is said that The Shambles is the inspiration behind Diagon Alley in the Harry Potter books and movies. It’s just as narrow, wonky and wonderful!

5 – Admire the spectacular view from the top of Clifford’s Tower

Clifford’s Tower is located right in the city centre and, together with York Minster, it is considered one of the unmissable things to do in York.

Clifford’s Tower is a big piece of history in the city (part of the English Heritage) and it was a true symbol of power – it is one of the few remains of York Castle, which was built by William the Conqueror. Since then, it was burned down not once, but twice, and then rebuilt in the 13th century.

The tower also has a bit of a… sad history. Its name comes from Roger de Clifford, who was hanged for treason in 1322 right here. Hey, I told you that York has a gruesome history, right?

The truth is that there aren’t any very interesting things to see inside and most visitors just go there to climb to the top of the tower. The view from the top is pretty cool, you can see not only York Minster, but as far as North York Moors National Park!

PRICE: £9/adult. No need to book your ticket in advance, but you can do so here.

6 – See the ruins of St. Mary’s Abbey

St. Mary’s Abbey is part of the York Museum Gardens (which I am recommending in the “Free things to do in York” section below) and, for history lovers, it is a wonderful thing to see. You can only see the ruins now of what once was the wealthiest Benedictine monastery in the UK.

The original church was built in 1055 and you can still see its surrounding walls and the places where the monks used to pray, sing, wash their clothes and more.

PRICE: York Museum Gardens have a free entrance, including St. Mary’s Abbey

7 – Harry Potter everywhere

The Shop That Must Not Be Named in York England

York is an extra special place for all Harry Potter fans out there. There are many spots around the city that have inspired or have been inspired by the Harry Potter series.

In fact, one of the scenes from Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone was filmed here – at York Railway Station, where you can see the famous Platform 9 ¾ (yes, the original platform used in the first film is in York, not Kings Cross!).

Here are some magical HP activities and places to visit in York:

The Shambles – the famous shopping street mentioned above, which is said to be the inspiration behind Diagon Alley
The Shop That Must Not Be Named – shop on The Shambles
The Potions Cauldron – at no. 9¾ on The Shambles
York Railway Station – to see Platform 9 ¾
Hole in Wand – for golf fans
The Enchantment Chamber – a wizard-themed apartment if you’re looking for Harry Potter-esque places to stay in York
Wizard Walk of York – a wizard-themed walk in the city dedicated to kids. Price is £9/person and for an extra £5 you can also get a handcrafted Wizard Wand and instructions for magic tricks!
Rehab Bar – HP-themed escape room

8 – Weird/wonderful thing to do – Visit the Ghost Shop Merchant

The York Ghost Merchants — © Image: Yorkshire Wonders

I didn’t know what this was, but I kept seeing massive queues outside this shop. On day 3 I asked someone (because, actually, this massive queue was there all day, every day, preventing me from getting a cool photo of the Shambles! Haha – which I never got btw!). So – basically, this shop sells… souls. 👀 Weird? Yes. Bizarre? Completely. Intriguing? Tell me more!

To really understand the traditional process of creating these little handmade ghost figures (which are said to hold a ‘spirit’), well.. you need to go into the shop and see for yourself!

The shop is on the Shambles, at no. 6. Find the location on Google Maps here.

9 – York’s Chocolate Story

York's Chocolate Story experience — © Image: York’s Chocolate Story

I just left the best for last – an activity for all chocolate lovers out there! Did you know that York’s past is tightly connected with… chocolate? The city has a long, 3.000 years-long chocolate-making history and it is the place where Rowntree’s (known as Nestlé nowadays) and Terry’s were founded.

The York Chocolate Story is an interactive guided tour during which you will learn all about York’s chocolate-making history, as well as the origins of chocolate itself and how to properly taste a chocolate bar like a connaisseur.

Of course, you will also get to indulge in sweet samples at the end – the best part of any chocolate tour, right? I definitely recommend tasting the hot chocolate as well, it is said to be the best one in town!

PRICE: £15.95/adults and £13.50/kids. Book your guided tour here. If you’re looking for more, they also have a tour + truffle rolling workshop – more details here.

TIP: Alternatively, if you want to make your own chocolate bar, you can do so at York Cocoa Works. Price is £19.50 per participant. More details here.

FUN FACT: No less than six million Kit-Kats are produced in York each and every day!

BONUS #1: 4 More free things to do in York

Although I have mentioned a couple of free things to do in York above (the Shambles, the city wall and St. Mary’s Abbey), there are a couple more activities worth mentioning for all those of you looking to save a penny during your trip:

1 – The Museum Gardens

You may remember I mentioned the ruins of St. Mary’s Abbey before. These are part of a bigger museum complex called The Museum Gardens in York, all free to visit. There’s also the award-winning Yorkshire Museum to visit here for archeology fans and sometimes there are also events happening.

Even if you’re not planning on entering any of the sites here, the gardens are pretty vast and gorgeous by themselves (you can spot up to 40 species of birds!) and an excellent spot to have a picnic.

2 – National Railway Museum

The National Railway Museum in York is a very good spot for the entire family, regardless if you’re trainspotters or not! The museum offers plenty of things to see – more than 1 million pieces on display and more than 100 locomotives (including royal ones) and it is also the largest railway museum in England.

Don’t forget to take a ride on the mini-railway outside the National Railway Museum – the little ones will surely love it!

3 – Rowntree Park

For those looking for a couple of hours of peace and quiet and one of the best things to do in York for families, Rowntree Park is the perfect choice for those with kids. There are cute gardens here, as well as ducks and geese. For the little ones there’s also a dedicated playground and a skate park, and adults and older kids can enjoy the mini golf or basketball court.

TIP: If you’re an avid fan of mini golf, you can go to Puttstars Mini Golf as well!

4 – Yorkshire Lavender

If you don’t mind going a bit outside of York (24 km / 15 miles away), Yorkshire Lavender is the perfect place for flower lovers. You’ll find a lavender farm, a lavender maze and some beautiful gardens there that have received numerous awards over time.

There’s also some white deer there, as well as lambs and cattle – so cute! I also recommend going on the hill nearby for a gorgeous view over the Vale of York.

BONUS #2: 9 Extra things to do in York if you have more time

For those of you that are not on your first visit to the city, I have prepared a short list of extra things to do in York. Who knows, maybe this will be your perfect excuse to go and see York again!

York Castle Museum – this museum is perfect for all history lovers, as you’ll find a realistic Victorian street with shops here, as well as real prison cells and Kirkgate as well. York Castle Museum is the perfect spot to learn more about York’s long history!
York Dungeon – grim, funny and definitely interesting – this is how I’d characterise a visit to the famous York Dungeon. With live acts, realistic sets and talented actors performing for you, this is the place to go if you want to discover York’s gruesome past!
Jorvik Viking Centre – this is your chance to learn more about viking life and the times when York was ruled by the Danish – and also THE place to go for those looking for unusual things to do in York! During your visit to Jorvik Viking Centre you’ll get to see life-size dioramas, a 9th-century village and life-like animatronic characters. Very interactive and fun – and quite a popular activity, too! Btw, ‘Jorvik’ is the Viking name for ‘York’.
York Brewery – although it was only founded in 1996, York Brewery is the ideal place to go if you want to discover more about York’s signature beer – Yorkshire Terrier. Plus, it’s a fun activity to explore the entire brewing process and taste some goodies on the way as well!

Merchant Adventurers Hall – This beautiful timber-framed building is kind of unknown and underrated, but I’m recommending it if you want to see one of the finest medieval guilds – or simply drink a coffee in an unusual place!
Roman Bath House – I’ve told you that York is a Roman city, now it’s time to discover one of the most Roman things to do: visit a Roman bathhouse and museum!
Van Gogh Immersive Experience – I guess the title says it all, right? This truly is an immersive experience of the famous painter’s life and work. You can also join an optional VR experience for an extra fee.
York Art Gallery– if you’re a fan of galleries, this one should surely be on your itinerary for York. It hosts lots of important pieces, from the 14th up to the 20th century, including some David Hockney paintings as well!
Breezy Knees Garden – with such a cute name, it’s a real shame I left this place for last! Breezy Knees Garden is a stunning array of gardens that host more than 7.000 varieties of flowers and trees, including rare plants that you can buy!

My no. 1 tip: Buy a York Pass

I briefly mentioned the York Pass at the beginning of this article; now it’s time to get into the details. The York Pass is an excellent choice for all travellers that plan on visiting a substantial number of attractions in York, including the surrounding region of North Yorkshire.

I know some city passes out there are not worth the money, it has happened to me before. But, in my opinion, this is not the case with the York city pass.

It includes more than 45 attractions – most of the best things to do in York, actually, which means places that were on your list anyway! Plus additional discounts for restaurants, taxis and more. For me, one of the best things about this pass is that you can download it on your phone and easily use it as you go around and explore York.

The price for an adult York Pass is £55 for one day, £70 for two days and £85 for three days and it also has a 24-hour Hop On Hop Off bus included.

Let’s make a short calculation to see if it’s really worth it or not, shall we? Let’s say you want to buy the York Pass for one adult for two days. Your standard itinerary may include the following top attractions + prices:

York Minster – £12.50
Clifford’s Tower – £9.00
Hop On Hop Off bus – £16.00
River Ouse city cruise – £12.50
York Dungeon – £19.50
Jorvik Viking Centre – £13.50

The total for all these activities is £83. The pass is £70 for two days. Win! Also, the value increases if you buy it for 3 days and add more activities to your itinerary.

Buy your York Pass here

Best York tours

Ah, there are so many guided tours in York, and all of them are so different from each other! Below are some of my favourites:

1 – Guided walking tours – this is one of the best things to do in York and you have so many options here! My recommendation is this one that will take you to all the main attractions and tell you lots of info about York’s history.

2 – York Ghost Walk Tour – an iconic York tour if you want to find out the events of the city’s past! The Original Ghost Walk of York is £7.50 and you can book it here.

3 – The Bloody Tour of York – an alternative to the ghost walk, this one will help you explore York’s history of criminals, kings, queens and even Guy Fawkes. The tour is hosted by a girl called “mad Alice” and it’s a really unique experience. It has even won awards! Btw, they also have a ‘Bloody York Gin tour’ if you want to add some booze into your experience.

4 – Harry Potter Tour – unmissable for any HP fan out there. Book yours for £10 here (btw, this one sells out super fast, so make sure to reserve in advance!)

5 – York Cat Trail – free self-guided tour specifically tailored for cat lovers – soooo cute and great for kids!

6 – Hop On Hop Off bus – if you’re a fan of this activity (I know I am!), you can book a 24-hour bus pass for York for only £16 here.

7 – River Ouse city cruises York – River Ouse offers a picturesque way to discover the city on the water, including its most iconic attractions such as Clifford’s Tower. I recommend booking an early evening cruise, you will catch the beautiful sunset light! Book your city cruise for £12.50 here.

8 – Drive your own boat down the river – if you’re not a fan of my recommendation above and prefer to explore York’s river at your own pace, you can hire a little red boat for yourself! The price goes from £45 per group for 1h on the river and you can book yours here.

9 – The Wizard Walk of York – I mentioned the Wizard Walk of York before in the ‘Harry Potter’ section above, but I’ll mention it again. It’s perfect for kids!

10 – Invisible York – a very different type of walking experience, as this one is hosted by homeless people. Each tour is tailored differently in the centre of York and all money will help support the homeless people of York – such a nice initiative!

Find more York tours here

Where to stay in York, England

RELATED READ: Where to Stay in York, UK – Complete Guide

Luckily, York has tons of amazing options for accommodation for all budgets. And because I’ve made the search before going, I want to share my shortlist of great hotels in York with you below:

LUXURY. The Grand. If you’re looking for real luxury right in the centre of York, look no further than this hotel. This is where I stayed and I can surely recommend it for its location and service. They have a nice spa as well, but unfortunately I didn’t get to have any treatments as they were already completely booked up by the time I arrived. So book ahead of your stay if you want to indulge in that!

BOUTIQUE HOTEL. Gray’s Court – Amazing 4-star hotel with a super boutique feel. I stayed here too and I really liked it! They also have a Michelin-star restaurant worth checking out.

BOUTIQUE GUEST HOUSE. Judges Court – super cool design concept and excellent central location. This guest house is inside a Georgian grade II listed building.

MID-RANGE. The Bar Convent – simple and clean, only 15 minutes away by foot from the city centre.

APARTMENT. The Butler Suite – a very nice whole apartment with a nice balcony as well. It’s also a good family option!

BUDGET / HOSTEL. Safestay York. Good accommodation for a super accessible price. They have lots of social spaces for solo travellers, which I think is a nice plus!

Find more hotels in York

Where to eat in York, UK

During my long walks on the streets of York, I discovered some excellent places to eat and drink. Below are the ones that I really liked:

BREAKFAST:

Brew and Brownie

LUNCH:

DINNER:

DRINKS:

MY PERSONAL RECOMMENDATION: You simply can’t miss Betty’s Tea Room during your trip, it is iconic! As for food, my favourite was Star Inn the City, especially for dinner or an amazing Sunday lunch.

What to eat in York

One of the best things to do in York is, of course… eat! Although York doesn’t have traditional dishes itself, the region of Yorkshire has the following, which I definitely recommend you try:

YORKSHIRE PUDDING

A yummy, baked pudding made from a heavenly batter with eggs, flour and milk. The composition is very similar to a pancake, but the Yorkshire pudding is served as a savoury side, and usually with lots of gravy!

WENSLEYDALE CHEESE

Also called “Yorkshire Wensleydale”, this type of cheese originated in, you guessed it, Wensleydale, it’s crumbly and made from cow’s milk. There’s also a version of this cheese with cranberries in the mixture – yum!

You can buy it here.

YORKSHIRE CURD TART

This is basically a variation of a cheesecake, made with fresh curd and filled with currants and egg.

YORKSHIRE TEA

Of course this part of Britain had to have its own type of tea, right? And personally, I think it’s the very best! Yorkshire Tea is a blend a black tea that has been produced since 1977.

Day trips from York

If you’re looking for fun things to do around York, I might have quite some interesting options for you below:

Yorkshire Dales – this national park is huge, full of hills, waterfalls, valleys, bridges and villages – a real natural wonderland. And it’s only a short drive (1h) away!
Peak District – another charming national park full of hills, moorland, forests and meadows. Ironically, no peaks.
Lake District – yep, you guessed it, another national park! This one houses some of the country’s biggest lakes and tallest peaks.
Castle Howard – if you want to skip York Castle Museum, make sure you visit this place instead! It’s a superb historic house a bit outside of the centre. The landscaped gardens are a must-see!
North York Moors – a special national park that includes one of the biggest expanses of moorland in England
Whitby – in case you are on the search for a little bit of seaside, visit the small town-port called Whitby! It’s really charming, scattered with little white houses with orange roofs.
Harrogate – the Victorian era in all its glory! This fashionable town is located close to the Yorkshire Dales, so you might want to ‘tick’ both of them in one day trip?
Beningbrough Hall National Trust – relatively close to York (24 km / 15 miles away), Beningbrough Hall is a superb country house and one of the best things to do if you have enough time in the region! Btw, entrance is included in the York Pass and they also have a cute gift shop if you want to bring some memorabilia back home.

How to get to York

Good news! York is one of the easiest accessible cities in the country, with plenty of transportation options to choose from. If you’re planning to explore this city soon, here are your options of getting there:

BY PLANE

Although York doesn’t have its own airport, it’s in close distance to 4 other options: Leeds Airport, Manchester, Humberside and Sheffield. The closest option would be from Leeds Bradford International Airport – just take a bus to Leeds Train Station and take a train to York from there. Btw, if you want to hang around in Leeds for a bit, I recommend reading my complete guide to this city too!

BY TRAIN

Lots of trains available, including direct lines from Birmingham, Liverpool, Manchester, Newcastle and Edinburgh. Just so you can get an idea, if you take the train, York is only 1h 50m from London, 1h 30m from Manchester, 1h from Sheffield, 2h from Nottingham, 2h from Liverpool and 2h 30m from Edinburgh.

BY CAR

York is also easily accessible by car – a bit less than 4h from London, 1h 30 from Manchester, 4h from Glasgow, 2h from Newcastle, 2h from Liverpool. Up for a road trip?

BY FERRY

If you’re travelling to York by ferry from other parts of Europe, Hull Port is super close to York, only 1 hour away by car.

BY BUS AND COACH

In case you don’t have a driver’s licence or if you dislike travelling by train or plane, you can also get to York by bus or coach. There are many destinations across England connected to York and different bus operators such as First Bus or MegaBus.

This was my complete York travel guide! After my 4-day stay in the city, I decided I liked it so much, I just had to share everything I found out with you!

This is how I came up with this complete York tourist guide that includes the best things to do in York (both free and not), the best tours, places to stay and places to eat, plus lots of useful info. And my advice to buy the York Pass, of course!

This city in northern England is definitely worth a weekend getaway and, if you decide to visit York after reading this post, that would make me more than happy! From York Castle Museum to the famous York Minster, Yorkshire Museum, English Heritage sites, the biggest National Railway Museum, a gorgeous art gallery, the impressive Jorvik Viking Centre and lots more, there are so many things to do in York, I’m sure you’ll have a great time there!

In case you need more information and help with planning your trip around England, I recommend clicking here to find all my posts about my home country – lots of charming places to explore here!

xoxo,

Melissa

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7 Best Leeds Attractions + Restaurants, Hotels and More (England)

Leeds is the largest city in West Yorkshire, in the north of England that offers plenty of things to do for singles, couples and families alike. In case you’re looking for some of the most exciting Leeds attractions, you’re in the right place. Scroll down and you’ll find all my travel notes that I gathered throughout my 3 week-long visit to the city!

Leeds is a gorgeous destination where you’ll find stunningly preserved Victorian houses as well as modern structures, parks and nature, amazing gastronomy and cool cocktail bars. It’s a mix of many things, and the numerous tourists and students that go to Leeds each year consider it to be one of the true hidden gems of England.

Below you’ll find my complete Leeds travel guide that includes the 7 unmissable Leeds tourist attractions, as well as some free things to do, plus useful info about accommodation, my top restaurants and everything in-between. In short, enough suggestions to to set you up nicely for a weekend getaway!

Let’s begin!

Quick info about Leeds, West Yorkshire

Leeds is the largest city in West Yorkshire and the economic capital of the entire region of Yorkshire. In fact, it is one of the biggest cities in the UK and it has a vast and interesting history. For example, fizzy drinks were invented in Leeds, did you know that? That was in 1767! Plus, the first Marks & Spencer store was opened here and JRR Tolkien was a teacher at the University of Leeds.

Many big things happened in Leeds. Nowadays, there are still loads of things to see in Leeds and I can’t wait to share all of them with you!

Where is Leeds located?

As I mentioned before, Leeds is located in northern England, close to Sheffield, Bradford and York. In order to make things clearer for you, here’s a map of Leeds to see its exact location:

7 Unmissable things to do in Leeds

There is an abundance of activities to do in Leeds. So many, that I had to divide my list into three categories: top things to do in Leeds (for people who are visiting for the first time), free tourist attractions (for those on a budget) and a bonus list with more options for those that have seen the main attractions before and are now looking for some off-the-beaten path places to see in Leeds.

Let’s start with the first list:

1 – Leeds city tour

In my opinion, the best way to discover the true flavour of a city is by walking. This is especially true in Leeds, as the city is ram packed with fun things to do and see. Every walk is an opportunity to find a new spot to check out!

Here’s my short list of the main sites in the city that you should “tick” during your walking tour: Leeds Town Hall, Leeds Civic Hall, Leeds Central Library, Millennium Square, Kirkgate Market, Leeds Corn Exchange, Leeds City Market, Hunslet Road (to see Leeds’ own flatiron building).

As for tours per se, here are your options:

Guided walking tours – such as this 2-hour highlights walking tour during which you’ll learn a lot about the city’s history
Foodies tour of Leeds – for all my foodies out there that want to explore the city’s gastronomy and the best places to eat in Leeds centre! I have found this website – Leeds Food Tours – that is well-recommended and that offers anything from self-guided tours to street food tours.
Street art trail – this 100% free street art trail will take you through the streets of Leeds to find the most beautiful mural art.
Owl trail – The entire idea behind this Owl Trail tour is to discover Leeds’ impressive heritage by walking the streets and keeping your eyes wide open to the buildings in order to find the 25 hidden owls of the city. It’s so fun and I’d especially recommend doing this trail with kids too!

2 – See the ruins at Kirkstall Abbey House

In case you’re a fan of England’s history and charm, I definitely recommend a visit to Kirkstall Abbey to see its ruins and museum. This is one of the top attractions in Leeds and a must-do for every first time visitor!

Kirkstall Abbey is one of the most complex and well-preserved (almost completely) Cistercian abbeys in the UK. The abbey is almost 900 years old and it is located in a public park on the banks of River Aire. There are numerous routes you can take in order to see everything this place has to offer.

Abbey House Museum is made of sets that accurately resemble the buildings, shops and alleys of the Victorian era. There are also actors that wear traditional Victorian costumes on the set to make everything feel even more real – if you’re up for being immersed in the whole experience, you can even interact with them!

TIP: If the weather is nice, pack yourself a picnic lunch to enjoy on the grass near the abbey, it’s one of the most pleasant days out in Leeds!

PRICE: free. Entrance to the museum is £6/person.

By the way, you can find a lot more fun things to do in Leeds for free in this section down below.

3 – Spot wildlife at Rodley Nature Reserve

Rodley Nature Reserve is located in Kirkstall Valley as well and it’s THE place to go if you want to witness wildlife and wetlands in all its splendour! There are lots of things to do here, from spotting various species to feeding animals or even pond-dipping.

It’s a really nice getaway only 8 km (5 miles) from Leeds city center and I recommend it whenever you want to escape the bustling city life!

PRICE: free.

IMPORTANT NOTE: The reserve is currently closed everyday except Sundays due to works to the canal swing bridge. Usually, the schedule is Wednesday, Saturday and Sunday from 9 AM to 5 PM.

TIP: I recommend visiting the Rodley Nature Reserve right after you’re done with Kirkstall Abbey, as they’re pretty close and this itinerary is the most structured.

4 – Take a walk in Roundhay Park

Speaking of nature and taking some time to recharge our batteries… Here’s another green heaven for you! Although it’s not that easy to find beautiful portions of greenery in England’s cities, Leeds is a wonderful exception with this gorgeous park located only 5 km (3 miles) north of the city centre – in fact, it is one of the largest city parks in England!

Roundhay Park stretches over 700 acres / 2.8 square kilometres and it offers plenty of woodland, lakes and gardens and enough space to walk, run or have a picnic. Or, in case it’s summer and you’re getting tired of walking, you can always hop on the “train” and take a circuit of the entire park every 15 minutes.

FUN FACT: This is the only park in Leeds that hosts a family of meerkats. So cute!

By the way, while you’re here, make sure you visit Tropical World as well, which is right inside the park and it’s one of the most appreciated family-friendly places to visit in Leeds. This zoo hosts various species of butterflies (they have an entire butterfly house!) as well as monkeys, rare birds, bats, crocodiles and more.

PRICE: free. Admission to Tropical World is £5/adult. Children under 5 can enter for free.

5 – Do some Leeds shopping

Leeds’ central area is a real shopping paradise with lots of options to choose from for every budget! Here are some of the places I went to and that I can recommend:

Trio of Victorian arcades – Queens Arcade, Victoria Quarter and Thorntons Arcade – these art nouveau, elegantly covered shopping arcades are full of boutique and designer shops, as well as smaller indie stores. You can find luxury brands here such as Louis Vuitton or cool alt places such as the Weekend Skate Store.
Victoria Gate – This is a fourth arcade near the other three mentioned above, only this one is newer and not-vintage. This is a higher end place decorated with marble and, even if you don’t plan on buying anything, it’s worth taking a walk here just to admire the establishment.

The Corn Exchange – Apart from being an excellent shopping spot, the Corn Exchange in Leeds is an interesting attraction itself because it is hosted in a gorgeous Victorian building. No, really, it’s truly worth a visit and considered to be one of the most beautiful Victorian structures in the North of England! As for shops, you can find lots of independent stores here selling anything from vintage objects to clothes and jewellery. If you get hungry, head over to the lower ground level to find some street food vendors.
Leeds Trinity Shopping Centre – With plenty of shopping, food, entertainment and relaxation options, Trinity is the perfect spot to do some shopping and indulge in some good food as well.
Briggate – Briggate is different from all the shopping centres I mentioned above simply because this one is a pedestrian shopping street. It is also one of the oldest ones in the city. You’ll find lots of charming cafes, high street favourites, plus some of the best places to eat in Leeds city centre here.

6 – Sip a drink in one of the best cocktail bars in the country

Did you know that Leeds hosts some of THE best cocktail bars in the entire country? If you take a look at this list of 50 top cocktail bars in the UK, you’ll see that Leeds is home to 4 of them (by comparison, London has 5). So if you weren’t planning on exploring some deliciously ingenious drinks, now you should!

Here are the 4 cocktail bars from the top list above:

There are also rooftop bars to choose from such as Headrow House or The Alchemist (at Trinity Shopping Centre).

7 – Enjoy the nightlife on Call Lane

Because Leeds is a lively university city, you can expect the nightlife here to be the same – very, very young. The best spot to experience this is called “Call Lane” and most people compare it to the well-known Canal Street in Manchester – just so you can get an idea.

In short, Call Lane is a long street (pedestrianised during the weekends), scattered with bars and nightclubs.

Here are some of the most popular places to check out on Call Lane:

Call Lane Social
Cuckoo – rooftop bar
Roland’s
Neon Cactus
Wire – if you want to stay out ‘till the morning

If you’re looking to chase the night, or want to dance till closing, some clubs to add to your list are: Revolución de Cuba, The Backroom, Fibre.

NOTE: Most clubs in Leeds are open until 3 AM.

NOTE #2: Not a fan of Call Lane? You can also check out Millennium Square or Park Row.

BONUS #1: 7 Free things to do in Leeds

I know that some of my activity suggestions in this Leeds city guide are already free, such as the parks or the nature reserve, but guess what? There’s more! Which is why I have created this separate list of places to go in Leeds if you don’t want to spend a penny but still enjoy yourself (btw, most of them are indoor activities in Leeds):

1 – Leeds City Museum

If you’re a museum fan, I definitely recommend Leeds City Museum, especially if you’re travelling with children. This museum has no less than 6 different exhibitions and it’s the place to learn more about Leeds’ history. Plus, they have a dedicated Toddler Town inside the museum where you can leave your little one to do some arts and crafts – how amazing is that for a museum that has free entry?!

2 – Leeds Art Gallery

Although it has free entrance, this well-known art gallery hosts one of the most impressive collections of 20th century British art with authors such as James Tissot or Henry Moore. Except for this, the notable building is to be taken into consideration too (like for many other tourist attractions in Leeds, as I’ve said this numerous times before, haha!) with a stunning Victorian staircase that will surely impress you. If you love art, now you know where to go!

3 – The Craft Centre and Design Gallery

If you’re planning on visiting Leeds Art Gallery, make sure you add the Craft Centre to your list as well, as it’s right underneath. If the art gallery is for 20th century arts, this place showcases new generations of artists and designers from all around the country – glass, wood, ceramics and more.

4 – The Gallery at 164

Okay, I’m not done with the art galleries! This one’s an independent art gallery that opened in 2011, combined with a cafe – Cafe 164. Here you can admire an eclectic mix of art, ranging from photography to illustration and even printmaking, while also sipping on a cup of good coffee and indulging in a scone.

5 – Royal Armouries Museum

In case you’re a fan of war-related remnants and treasures, the Royal Armouries Museum is the place for you. Here you’ll find bullets, pistols, cannons, as well as Henry VIII’s tournament armour and lots more. And even if you’re not a history buff, this museum is still impressive, with more than 8.500 items on display divided into 6 different galleries, including oriental pieces or objects from the present day for comparison.

6 – The Tetley

If you like art galleries in general, know that The Tetley is… something else. This amazing, free entry place (and I cannot stress this enough!) hosts a masterfully curated selection of contemporary artists from all around the globe. Films, installations, sculptures, free talks and events – you can find everything here and then some. And if you’re travelling with kids, they also have child-friendly events.

7 – Meanwood Valley Trail

Last but not least, a walk in the park. Well, not really, as the Meanwood Valley Trail is 11 km (7 miles) long. Luckily, it is divided into 3 different sections in case you want to take a break. Why am I recommending it? Because it’s the perfect activity for people who want to explore Leeds’ woodland and paddocks, from Woodhouse Moor up to the Golden Acre Park.

BONUS #2: Extra things to do in Leeds if you have more time

In case it’s not your first visit to Leeds, you might find the list below to be super useful:

Hyde Park Picture House – this is one of the oldest cinemas in the UK and the only gas-lit one that survived, which is a strong reason to visit per se! Other than this, I recommend going there if you want to watch an arthouse or foreign film for a very accessible price.
Leeds Grand Theatre and Opera House – if you prefer theatrical performances, opera or ballet instead, this is the place to go – majestic architecture included!
Emmerdale Tour Leeds – also called the “Emmerdale Studio Experience”, this tour will take you through full-scale set reconstructions, props and costumes from one of the UK’s most beloved soap operas. Tickets are £35/adult and you can find more information here.
Marks in Time tour – this is the Marks & Spencer company archive, which was found in Leeds in 1884. The exhibition contains artefacts that tell the history of the company and how it has influenced British culture over time. Entrance is free. More info here.
Brewery tour – Brewtown Tours organises local craft beer tasting experiences for all those that want to learn more about Yorkshire’s independent pubs and breweries. Not a beer fan? No problem! They also organise gin tours – now we’re talking! More info here.
Sunday Roast Dinner Cruise – how about a canal cruise combined with a traditional meal? I’m in! The entire experience is organised from March to November, takes 3 hours and the price is £29 per person.
The Thackray Medical Museum – if you’re eager to find out more about the history of medicine without feeling like you’re in a museum, this place is for you. Fun and dark!

Best organised tours of Leeds, West Yorkshire

Short on time? Overwhelmed by all the things you want to squeeze into your itinerary? A good idea for any of these two options would be to book some organised tours through Leeds that will make your life easier. Why? You’ll be accompanied by a knowledgeable local guide that will take you to all the main tourist attractions in Leeds! Here are my recommendations:

More Leeds tours

Where to stay in Leeds

RELATED READ: Where to Stay in Leeds, UK – Complete Guide

Leeds offers lots of accommodation options for all budgets and preferences. Only one thing to know, though: my recommendation is to stay in the city centre to ensure that you’re close to all the main tourist attractions in Leeds, as well as the best places to eat and shop.

In order to help you out, I have put together this list of recommendations for the best hotels in Leeds:

LUXURY: Dakota Hotel Leeds – gorgeous, popular 5-star hotel in Leeds

LONG STAY: Quebecs – hotel and long stay serviced apartments – this is where we stayed and we quite enjoyed it!

MID-RANGE: Radisson Blu Hotel – comfy and dependable hotel chain

BUDGET: Art Hostel – simple and straight-forward hostel with double rooms as well

AIRBNB: Smart Balconied Apartment in Heart of City Centre – highly-rated Airbnb Plus apartment!

ENTIRE APARTMENT: Aire Apartments New York Styled – fully equipped luxury apartments close to River Aire

Find more hotels in Leeds

Best restaurants in Leeds

Now, this is my subject of expertise! I tried lots of eateries while in Leeds, so now I can present to you my personally curated list of the best Leeds restaurants divided by themes:

BREAKFAST

LUNCH

DINNER

DRINKS

Although all of them are very good, I can personally recommend two of them out of the bunch – Fazenda, which is literally all you can eat meat (boyfriend loved that) and Iberica (my choice), where the food was insanely good and really well presented. I’m getting hungry just by thinking about the place!