The 15 Best York & Yorkshire Tours

The Deathly Dark Tour of York: Experience of the Year 2024 - Meet-up point at Quacks Printers: start strong, then follow the group

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 3,609 reviews · 1 hour 30 minutes (approx.) · from $19Our pick

A funny, theatrical York ghost walk through Snickleways, Stonegate, Coppergate, and the Shambles, ending near Clifford’s Tower.

“This is a fun, lighthearted and informative walking tour of some of the city's key attractions but with a deadly twist, delivered with theatrical perfection by the eloquent guide Dante Deadly, who frankly, wouldn't be put of place as lead role in Shakespeare. Not for kids though, I think it would scare them.”

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Mad Alice’s The Bloody Tour of York -Best Tour Award Europe

2.Mad Alice’s The Bloody Tour of York -Best Tour Award Europe

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 2,749 reviews · 1 hour 30 minutes (approx.) · from $20

Join Mad Alice’s Bloody Tour of York, a 90-minute dark-history walk with laughs, medieval landmarks, Romans, Vikings, and Clifford’s Tower.

“Mad Alice is an amazing raconteur! She had an unbelievable memory, remembers the guests names (around 30 of us), involves us all in her performance, all the time whilst telling us the gruesome history of York. Her stories of ghosts, murders etc (I am not going to give anything away) are vivid and brought to life in a truly theatrical way. If you want to learn about a different side to York, over a very pleasurable 90 minutes, then do this tour. You will not regret it.”

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Ghost Bus Tour of York

3.Ghost Bus Tour of York

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 2,404 reviews · 1 hour to 1 hour 15 minutes (approx.) · from $27

York’s Ghost Bus Tour on a classic Routemaster, with spooky tales, dark-history stops, and a pub stop after.

“This tour as fun, informative, interactive, interesting and different. Ghost stories and a few special effects were used, but also local sites and history was incorporated. It was a great way to spend the evening and highly recommend.”

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Shadows of York: Ghost Walk and Horrible History.

4.Shadows of York: Ghost Walk and Horrible History.

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 1,403 reviews · 1 hour 30 minutes (approx.) · from $18

A 90-minute York ghost walk with entertaining Horrible History-style storytelling, led by local guides, ending near the Shambles.

“We had a great evening on our ghost walk. Our guide Josh was very knowledgable and entertaining. We saw lots of sites around York and learned a lot of its history. We would definitely do it again if visiting York in the future.”

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Private Historical Walking Tour of York

5.Private Historical Walking Tour of York

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 1,324 reviews · 2 to 3 hours (approx.) · from $195

Private 2-3 hour York walk with your own guide, covering York Minster, abbeys, Shambles and Clifford’s Tower. Hotel pickup possible.

“Our private guide was Chris Kelly…an absolute delight! Incredibly knowledgeable, well spoken, with an innate sense of bravado and flair. HIGHLY recommended 🤩”

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Cruises & Boat Tours, Tour Reviews, York & Yorkshire Tours

Daytime Sightseeing Boat Cruise in York

6.Daytime Sightseeing Boat Cruise in York

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 1,256 reviews · 45 minutes (approx.) · from $20

A 45 to 60 minute daytime York river cruise from City Cruises King’s Staith, with live captain commentary, landmark views, and easy timing.

“Ehh…. The staff were friendly and it was pretty but honestly you could see almost all the same things from the shore and save the money. The captain only gave very little minimal info that could easily be found online with a quick google search. Definitely not worth the money. You see very little and it’s just not worth it. I wish I’d stayed on the shore and walked around and then spent the money on a good meal.”

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Theme Parks & Attractions, Tickets, Tour Reviews, York & Yorkshire Tours

York Dungeon Entry Ticket

7.York Dungeon Entry Ticket

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 1,108 reviews · 1 to 2 hours (approx.) · from $26

Prebooked York Dungeon tickets for fast entry, interactive rides, live shows, and Guy Fawkes stories in about 1 to 2 hours.

“Brilliant Great value for money Actors were excellent. Carriage ride was fun. Loved the prison scene”

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Wizard Walk of York – WINNER Best Tour & Best of York Award

8.Wizard Walk of York – WINNER Best Tour & Best of York Award

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 918 reviews · 1 hour 15 minutes (approx.) · from $16Best value

A wizard-led walk around York for ages 5 to 10, with magic tricks, comedy stops, and classic sights like York Minster.

“Hilarious and fun experience for kids and adults. Our wizard Phoenix was a top entertainer, witty, engaging, and we couldn't ask for more. As adults we couldn't stop laughing and kids are still talking about it a few days later! Fantastic way to see the city of York ❤️ P.s. make sure you get a magic wand for your little ones!”

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The Best of York on Foot in a Small Group

9.The Best of York on Foot in a Small Group

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 783 reviews · 1 hour 30 minutes (approx.) · from $27

Small-group walking tour of York in 90 minutes, from Roman ruins to York Minster and Shambles, with iPad visuals.

“Our tour guide, Alfred, was wonderful. Very informative and very engaging. We thoroughly enjoyed the tour.”

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North York Moors and Whitby Day Tour from York

10.North York Moors and Whitby Day Tour from York

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 624 reviews · 8 hours (approx.) · from $77

Small-group day trip from York to the North York Moors and Whitby, with Byland Abbey ruins, Helmsley, and fish and chips.

“The tour was educational as well as scenic. Ben A, our driver, made this tour. He had so much knowledge.”

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Guided Bike Tour in York

11.Guided Bike Tour in York

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 592 reviews · 2 hours to 2 hours 30 minutes (approx.) · from $41

Guided bike tour in York with helmets, bike and stories of York Minster, Roman and Viking past, city walls, and stops inside the walls.

“Wonderful experience with our guide Cecil. Went at a leisurely pace on ride around York that captured the essence of York from past to present. Felt like I really got a sense of the city from Cecils entertaining stories. Highly recommend this tour!”

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City Sightseeing York Hop-On Hop-Off Bus Tour

12.City Sightseeing York Hop-On Hop-Off Bus Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 545 reviews · 1 hour (approx.) · from $23

Hop-on hop-off York bus with 24-hour pass, audio in 10 languages, and stops at Clifford's Tower and Monk Bar.

“Really nice to sit back and listen to the history which is done via a guide rather than the standard earplugs, so much better.”

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J & M York City Walking Tours

13.J & M York City Walking Tours

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 480 reviews · 2 hours (approx.) · from $18

A 2-hour local-guided walk through York’s Minster, Shambles, city walls, and Roman to Viking stories, starting at Minster Yard.

“Excellent informative Tour of York. Guide was very knowledgeable. Saw things that would normally be missed. Well worth doing.”

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Shared Walking Tour in York

14.Shared Walking Tour in York

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 480 reviews · 1 to 3 hours (approx.) · from $20

A small-group walking tour through York’s car-free historic center, with stops at Minster Yard, Shambles, and medieval landmarks.

“He was really good with his tour. He’s knowledgeable & fantastic. Would recommend him. Would recommend him to others.”

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Guided, Harry Potter Tours, Tour Reviews, Tours, York & Yorkshire Tours

Original Harry Potter Locations Tour : Guided Tour of York

15.Original Harry Potter Locations Tour : Guided Tour of York

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 479 reviews · 2 hours (approx.) · from $19

A 2-hour guided Harry Potter themed walk in York with York Minster and Shambles stops, plus quizzes and games. Great value at $19.41.

“Couldn’t find the meeting place as there was a ton of construction and their directions aren’t clear. Messaged them at the time of the beginning of the tour telling them I couldn’t find them. They never responded. Called Viator who put me through to them. Asked for a refund and they said no, it was my fault I couldn’t find them. Definitely do NOT recommend them.”

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