1. York Minster

York Minster is the largest Gothic cathedral in Northern Europe, a masterpiece of medieval craftsmanship that took 250 years to build (1220–1472). The Great East Window, the size of a tennis court, is the largest expanse of medieval stained glass in the world. The Undercroft reveals the site’s Roman and Viking roots. The Central Tower climb (275 steps, 230 of which are a spiral staircase) rewards with panoramic views across York and the Yorkshire Dales. The chapter house, with its fan-vaulted ceiling and collection of carved wooden misericords, is not to be missed.

Entry: £16 (Undercroft included). Tower climb £6 extra.

2. The Shambles & Medieval Streets

The Shambles is York’s most famous street and Europe’s best-preserved medieval shopping thoroughfare. The timber-framed buildings lean so far toward each other that the roofs almost touch overhead — the narrowest section is barely 4 metres wide. Originally a street of butchers (the name comes from “fleshammels,” the shelves on which meat was displayed), it’s now a labyrinth of independent shops, cafés, and Harry Potter-themed stores (Diagon Alley enthusiasts will recognise the inspiration). The side alleys — called snickelways — are equally atmospheric.

3. York City Walls Walk

York’s medieval city walls are the longest and most complete in England — 3.4 kilometres of continuous elevated walkway circumnavigating the old town. The walk takes about 1.5 hours at a leisurely pace and offers changing perspectives of the Minster, the River Ouse, the old town rooftops, and the green parks beyond. There are four main gateways (bars) to climb: Bootham Bar, Monk Bar, Walmgate Bar, and Micklegate Bar. The original Roman walls were built in 71 AD — the current medieval walls date from the 12th–14th centuries.

Entry: Free.

4. JORVIK Viking Centre

JORVIK is built on the actual site of a Viking-age settlement discovered in 1976 during construction work. The centre recreates the year 975 AD with incredible detail — you ride a “time car” through the reconstructed Viking streets, complete with sounds, smells (including genuine Viking-era fish and leather), and life-sized animatronic figures showing daily life. The archaeological finds — shoes, tools, jewellery, and even Viking toilets — are exhibited in the gallery. It’s one of Britain’s best historical attractions.

Entry: £13.50. Book online for best price.

5. York’s Snickelways & Ghost Tours

York’s snickelways (narrow pedestrian alleys) are the city’s secret network of medieval shortcuts. The term was coined in 1983 by local author Mark Jones, who identified 40+ snickelways in a book. Walking them is the best way to discover hidden courtyards, ancient churches, and tucked-away pubs. York is also claimed to be the most haunted city in Europe (365 ghost sightings in one count, one for each day of the year). Evening ghost tours are a delightfully spooky way to explore after dark.

6. National Railway Museum

The National Railway Museum in York is the largest railway museum in the world, home to over 300 rolling stock items including the Mallard (the world’s fastest steam locomotive at 126 mph), the Shinkansen bullet train, and Queen Victoria’s royal carriage. The museum is completely free and huge — you could easily spend 3 hours exploring the two massive halls. The collection covers the history of rail from 1800 to the present day, with interactive exhibits and a working turntable.

Entry: Free. Donations welcome.