England · YORK TOURS

The 15 Best York Tours

24 tours  ·  ★★★★★★★★★★ 4.7 average  ·  from $11

Roman walls, a Viking street plan and the largest Gothic cathedral in northern Europe, all inside a twenty-minute walk. The 15 below split between daylight history and the ghost walks York does better than anywhere, each priced and timed.

Mad Alice’s The Bloody Tour of York -Best Tour Award Europe - The Snickleways and York’s narrow streets
Tour Reviews, Tours, York Tours

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

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

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

Explore York’s darker past on Mad Alice’s 90-minute walking tour, with gruesome tales, Gothic landmarks, humor, and family-friendly storytelling.

“Brilliant delivery of some interesting info of York – some we knew but some we didn't. It was pouring with rain but she did a good job of finding us cover which we all appreciated!”

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Ghost Bus Tour of York - Clifford’s Tower and York’s darker past
Ghost Tours, Tour Reviews, Tours, York Tours

Ghost Bus Tour of York

2.Ghost Bus Tour of York

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

Review of York’s Ghost Bus Tour, with haunted sights, dark history, comedy, practical tips, value, drawbacks, and booking advice.

“Good fun tour, and would be ideal for a family audience. Some good historical info, and the bus itself was a great concept with the use of TV and CCTV to ensure everyone enjoyed the hosts stories no matter if upstairs or down on the bus.”

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Shadows of York: Ghost Walk and Horrible History. - York’s darker stories, with gallows humor
Ghost Tours, Historical Tours, History Tours in York, Tour Reviews, Walking Tours, Walking Tours in York, York Tours

Shadows of York: Ghost Walk and Horrible History.

Private Historical Walking Tour of York - York Minster, from foundation to today
Historical Tours, History Tours in York, Private, Tour Reviews, Tours, Walking Tours, Walking Tours in York, York Tours

Private Historical Walking Tour of York

4.Private Historical Walking Tour of York

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

See York Minster, the Shambles, St Mary’s Abbey, and Clifford’s Tower with a private guide who shapes the walk around your interests.

“Karen was very knowledgeable. Her love for and pride in York and its history made for an engaging time.. The tour was a perfect introduction to the city, setting the stage for the rest of our visit. Highly recommended! Thank you, Karen!”

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Daytime Sightseeing Boat Cruise in York - King’s Staith: A Handy Starting Point
Cruises & Boat Tours, Tour Reviews, York Tours

Daytime Sightseeing Boat Cruise in York

5.Daytime Sightseeing Boat Cruise in York

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

Review of York’s daytime River Ouse cruise, with landmark views, live commentary, prices, practical tips, and honest advice on value.

“Stress free, for all ages, easy to find, clear commentary and value for money. Clean and well organized.”

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York Dungeon Entry Ticket - The actors make or break the visit
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York Dungeon Entry Ticket

6.York Dungeon Entry Ticket

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

Explore York Dungeon’s live shows, dark history, jump scares, and interactive rides with a flexible ticket for a fun 1 to 2 hour visit.

“Visiting the York Dungeon is a thrilling and immersive dive into the city’s dark past, blending education with spine-tingling entertainment. Each area of the dungeon walks you through a different grim chapter of history, from the Viking invasions to the infamous Guy Fawkes plot, all delivered with a chillingly humorous twist. The actors are exceptional—committed, engaging, and often hilarious—bringing historical characters to life with vivid storytelling and interactive performances. Expect plenty of well-timed jump scares and atmospheric effects that keep your heart racing without being over-the-top. Despite the fear factor, the experience is impressively informative. You’ll leave having le...”

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Wizard Walk of York - WINNER Best Tour & Best of York Award - Wandering up the Shambles
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Wizard Walk of York – WINNER Best Tour & Best of York Award

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

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

Review of York’s family-friendly Wizard Walk, with magic, comedy, city sights, practical tips, pricing, and who will enjoy it most.

“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 - Museum Gardens: where Roman York comes into view
Tour Reviews, York Tours

The Best of York on Foot in a Small Group

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

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

Explore York’s Roman, medieval, and Gothic landmarks on a lively 90-minute small-group walk with local guides and visual aids.

“Excellent tour. Very knowledgeable about the history. She had pictures to help with older buildings and landmarks. Enjoyed the tour.”

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North York Moors and Whitby Day Tour from York - Byland Abbey, a dramatic first stop
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North York Moors and Whitby Day Tour from York

9.North York Moors and Whitby Day Tour from York

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

Explore Byland Abbey, Helmsley, the North York Moors, and Whitby on an informative small-group day tour from York.

“The tour was excellent but I almost missed it (and I hold Viator responsible). I booked the tour months in advance and on Jan 15th (9 months before the date of the excursion) the tour operator emailed me directly to advise of the change in pick up location and the next day another email arrived to advise an earlier pick up time. Nine months pass and on the day of the excursion I check the Viator app (old location and pick up time) because who the heck remembers an email 9 months old. I went to the original pick up point 30 minutes early and thankfully another tour operator going…”

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City Sightseeing York Hop-On Hop-Off Bus Tour - Starting at Exhibition Square
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City Sightseeing York Hop-On Hop-Off Bus Tour

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

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

Review of York’s hop-on hop-off bus tour, with route details, audio commentary, prices, schedules, stops, value, and practical booking advice.

“Very boring route. Only use this is you want transportation around the walls of York as the city is very walkable. There is lots of construction about and they play the commentary over speakers no earphones and only on English. I would not purchase unless have bad walking ability cause you miss 85% of York”

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J & M York City Walking Tours - Castle earthworks and York’s darker tales
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J & M York City Walking Tours

11.J & M York City Walking Tours

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

Explore York’s walls, Minster, Shambles, guilds, Roman roots, and local stories on this well-paced two-hour walking tour.

“Interesting tour with a lot of historical facts presented in an entertaining manner covering the essential sights of York”

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Shared Walking Tour in York - Museum Gardens and the ruins of St. Mary’s Abbey
Tour Reviews, Tours, Walking Tours, Walking Tours in York, York Tours

Shared Walking Tour in York

12.Shared Walking Tour in York

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

Review of York’s shared walking tour, covering York Minster, Museum Gardens, the Shambles, Clifford’s Tower, price, pace, and practical tips.

“Great tour of York Minster, Dave was a wonderful storyteller. Highly recommend doing a tour with him!”

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Original Harry Potter Locations Tour : Guided Tour of York - York Minster and the first city stories
Guided, Harry Potter Tours, Tour Reviews, Tours, York Tours

Original Harry Potter Locations Tour : Guided Tour of York

Golden Tours York Hop-on Hop-off Open Top Bus Tour with Audio Guide - How the 20-stop route works in real life
Audio Tours, Guided, Hop-On Hop-Off Bus Tours, Self-Guided Tours, Self-Guided Tours in York, Tour Reviews, Tours, York Tours

Golden Tours York Hop-on Hop-off Open Top Bus Tour with Audio Guide

York Forbidden Chronicles - Tales for the dark souls. - Clifford’s Tower begins the journey into York’s darker side
Tour Reviews, York Tours

York Forbidden Chronicles – Tales for the dark souls.

15.York Forbidden Chronicles – Tales for the dark souls.

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 450 reviews · 1 hour 30 minutes (approx.) · from $17

Explore York’s darker past on a 90-minute walking tour of castles, city walls, plague, executions, and true historical horrors.

“Maybe a little bland, informative but less than inspiring, was good to be informed of Yorks dark history but was left a little less impressed by the delivery of our guide”

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