North Yorkshire, United Kingdom

York

York is ringed by medieval walls you can walk along, with York Minster, the Shambles and timber-framed streets packed inside them.

York: The Best of York on Foot in a Small Group
Featured walk: The Best of York on Foot in a Small Group · Photo supplied by Viator

The city on foot

York was founded by the Romans and later ruled by the Vikings. Its medieval walls survive almost complete, and York Minster is one of the largest Gothic cathedrals in northern Europe.

The walled city is small and largely pedestrianised, making York one of England's best cities to explore on foot.

What makes York distinctive

  • The medieval city walls
  • York Minster
  • The Shambles and its overhanging houses
  • Viking and Roman history

Walking tours in York

Hand-picked guided walks in York, each rated highly by travellers. Ratings and photos are from Viator; select a tour to see dates, prices and full details, and to book.

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Prices are Viator's lowest "from" price per person, converted to pounds and checked on 29 October 2026. The booking page shows the current price in your currency.

By theme: History walks in York · Night and ghost tours in York

Compare with other cities: History walks · Night and ghost tours

More walking tours on GetYourGuide

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Main sights

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Neighbourhoods worth wandering

  • Within the walls

    The medieval core around the Minster.

  • Micklegate

    A historic street of pubs and shops.

  • Bishophill

    Quiet streets inside the south-west walls.

Free self-guided walk

York's walls and the Shambles

A free self-guided walk in York, from Bootham Bar along the city walls to York Minster, then through the Shambles to Clifford's Tower.

2.8 km · 5 stops · map and directions

See the walk

Best areas to explore on foot

  1. City walls

    A circuit of the walls, with gates called 'bars'.

  2. Museum Gardens

    Gardens with ruins of St Mary's Abbey.

  3. River Ouse

    Riverside paths through the centre.

Practical walking notes

  • Terrain

    Flat, with steps up to the walls.

  • Distances

    The walled city is about 1 km across.

  • Crowds

    The Shambles is busiest at midday and weekends.

When to visit

  • Spring and summer

    Long days and the busiest time.

  • Autumn

    Quieter, with ghost walks around Halloween.

  • Winter

    Christmas markets in late November and December.

Getting there and getting around

Arriving

  • By rail

    Trains reach London King's Cross in about two hours and Edinburgh in two and a half.

  • By air

    Leeds Bradford and Manchester airports are the nearest.

Local transport

  • On foot

    The centre is best walked.

  • Park and ride

    Buses link car parks outside the city to the centre.

Questions travellers ask about York

Can I walk the whole city walls?

Most of the circuit, about 3.4 km, can be walked; it takes around two hours.

How many days do I need?

One or two days.

Is York good for a day trip?

Yes. It is about two hours from London by train.

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Country overview

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Royal parks, old closes and a long tradition of the guided walk

Explore destinations

Sources and review date

This guide was last updated on 2026-10-28. Opening hours, fares and services change; please confirm details with official sources before travelling.