Weekend In York Itinerary – How To Spend 2 Days In York

Last Updated on 18th October 2023

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I think I’ve made it pretty clear by now just how much I adore my home city of York. Having lived there (on and off) since I was eight years old, it’s a place that will always feel like home to me and it’s a city that I’ll recommend to pretty much everyone I meet.

I’m not entirely convinced that just 48 hours in York is quite enough time to soak up every inch of beauty that this ancient city offers, but it’s a pretty good place to start for first-time visitors to York.

In this guide, I’ll take you through everything you need to know about how to make the most out of a weekend in York, from where to stay, top things to see and do in York, plus the best places to eat that simply can’t be missed!

Day 1 evening – weekend in York itinerary

Once you’ve checked in to your accommodation of choice (more info on the best places to stay in York below), it’s time to kick off your 48 hours in York and head out into the city for a bite to eat.

There are dozens of incredible dinner places in York that I could recommend to you guys, so much so, that I actually wrote an extensive guide of over 70 places to eat and drink in York, but for your first evening in the city, my top recommendations would be Cut and Craft, Cosy Club or Ambiente.

Let’s say you’ve picked Cut and Craft; here you’ll find the famous £12 flat iron steak which is actually some of the most delicious steak I’ve ever had, accompanied by side dishes such as skin-on fries, truffle and parmesan chips and of course, lashings of thick, creamy peppercorn sauce!

Once you’ve stuffed your face with some of the best steak in the city, I’d recommend taking a late-night stroll around the city, hitting spots such as the York Minster to see it lit up at night.

Read more: The Best Views Of York Minster – Where To Take Great Photos In The City

Day 2 – morning

Breakfast at Brew and Brownie

Fresh from a good night’s sleep, spend the first full day of your weekend in York at Brew and Brownie before the crowds arrive for a smorgasbord of wonderful breakfast and brunch dishes.

Tuck into the indulgent Eggs Benny or something a little sweeter like the hearty American pancake stacks and don’t leave without grabbing a takeaway brownie to fill your mid-morning snack cravings!

York City Walls

With a full tummy, you’ll like want to enjoy some fresh air (if it’s a nice day) and one of the best ways to see many parts of the city is to walk around the City Bar Walls.

These 2-mile stretches of archaic walls are teeming with historic tales and they’re the perfect way to stretch your legs, soak up some of the city’s fascinating history and see some of the best sights in York.

Day 2 afternoon – weekend in York itinerary

By now, you’ll likely have worked up quite a thirst, so make a stop off at one of the best beer garden pubs in York for a pint of the good stuff.

Lamb and Lion Inn

From the Lamb and Lion Inn’s beer garden, you’ll be treated to awesome views of York Minster and on a hot summer’s day, the garden will be full of locals and visitors, all fighting for a sun-kissed seat.

York Minster

Dating back almost 1400 years, the York Minster is one of the largest cathedrals in Northern Europe and it’s also one of the city’s best attractions.

You can climb all the way to the top of the Minster to enjoy breathtaking views of the city, but be prepared for a steep way to the top!

From the outside, the York Minster is arguably just as impressive and it’s undoubtedly one of the most photogenic buildings in the UK.

York’s Chocolate Story

Once you’ve enjoyed the beautiful views over York, it’s time to head to one of the sweetest (pun intended) places in the city; York’s Chocolate Story.

Here, you can take a tour of the history of chocolate in York, plus sample a good few tasty treats along the way and even make your own chocolatey creation!

JORVIK Centre – weekend in York

Next up, pay a visit to the JORVIK Centre to step back in time to York’s Viking past and learn more about the vibrant history of the city. It’s a great place to visit with or without kids and the immersive experiences are a delight for everyone.

Day 2 evening – how to spend a weekend in York

Cosy Club York

Saturday night in York is an awesome place to be, with plenty of incredible places to eat, including my favourite Cosy Club. While Cosy Club isn’t entirely exclusive to York, it is one of my absolute favourite places to eat in the city and it’s arguably the most beautiful place to eat as well, with the building set inside an old cinema, giving it a truly authentic, gorgeous vibe.

The food here is also utterly divine and it’s hard to recommend just one thing to eat, so if I had to narrow it down somewhat, I’d say go for either the tapas dishes, slow-roasted pork belly or the buttermilk chicken, complete with a yummy cocktail or the alcohol-free, but still refreshingly delicious pink lemonade.

If you’re looking for a bit of a “night out” during your trip to York, there are so many great places to head to on a night out in the city. I’d highly recommend places like Evil Eye, House of the Trembling Madness and Valhalla for a quirky vibe, fab (albeit pretty pricey) drinks and a great atmosphere.

Day 3 morning – weekend in York itinerary

Museum Gardens & St Mary’s Abbey

A leisurely Sunday morning calls for a stroll through the stunning Museum Gardens and St Mary’s Abbey; one of my favourite places in the city. Here you’ll also find the Yorkshire Museum, which is worth a visit if you’re a history buff.

Lunch at Betty’s

If you can brave the queues, then it’s time to head to Betty’s for a spot of breakfast, brunch or afternoon tea. Betty’s is yet another one of my favourite places to eat in York, with its gorgeous interiors, remarkably friendly staff and not to mention yummy food and exquisite cakes.

Cruise on the River Ouse

Later on, head to the river and take a cruise along the River Ouse; the city looks truly beautiful from the water and you’ll also get the chance to learn about more of York’s history from a local tour guide.

Day 3 afternoon – weekend in York itinerary

The National Railway Museum

In the afternoon, pay a visit to the National Railway Museum; yet another place in York that’s fab for both kids and adults. Here you’ll see some of the most famous trains that royals have travelled in, as well as some of the coolest and most unique trains from different countries all over the world.

The Shambles – weekend in York

Before you head home, be sure to take a stroll down the Shambles – one of the most famous streets in the country – and then for a bite to eat at one of the Shambles Market food stalls.

My personal favourite is Stam and Maria’s Greek street food, but there are always so many incredible food options at this outdoor market.

Where to stay during a weekend in York

York has an abundance of incredible places to stay, from affordable hostels to state-of-the-art fancy hotels, there’s an accommodation option to suit everyone and their budget in York.

For a fantastically affordable place to stay, Safestay Hostel is my absolute favourite. We stayed there last year for the first time as part of a collaboration and with gorgeous interiors, its own bar and restaurant area, plus friendly staff to boot, it’s a great place to stay in the centre of town.

For a more mid-range place to stay in York, Hotel Indigo is a great choice as it’s centrally located, has its own on-site bar and restaurant and the rooms are simple but elegant.

If you want to go all out with your stay in York and really splash out on a fancy hotel, then I’d recommend either The Grand Hotel & Spa or Principal York; both are idyllic, albeit pretty pricey places to stay.

They’ve both got their own unique charm and appeal and I honestly couldn’t recommend them enough if you’re looking for a plush place to stay in York.

Read more: The Best Places To Stay In York – Top Hotels & Hostels

Bonus things to do on a weekend in York:

• Go on a spooky Ghost Tour
• Visit the York Dungeon
• Climb up Clifford’s Tower

Conclusion – how to spend a weekend in York

As I mentioned above, you could easily spend much longer than a weekend in York and I’m sure after your first visit, you’ll be desperate to head back again, but hopefully, this post has given you plenty of inspiration for the best things to do in York in 48 hours!

Related posts:

• 25+ Best Things To Do In York, England
• The Ultimate Guide Of Places To Eat & Drink In York
• The Most Instagrammable Places In York
• The Best Places To Stay In York – Top Hotels & Hostels
• 20 Best UK City Breaks For Couples

Pin for later – how to spend a weekend in York

Would you like to spend a weekend in York? What top things are on your York bucket list? Let me know in the comments or on Instagram at @imjustagirl_16.