The Most Instagrammable Places In York – Top York Instagram Spots

Last Updated on 8th May 2024

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I may be slightly biased considering I’ve lived here for over 12 years now, but York really is one of the most Instagrammable places in the UK. From the abundance of shops and beautiful architecture to the archaic history that it’s known for, York has some incredible spots that make for the perfect Instagram backdrop.

In my quest of learning to be braver in front of the camera, I’ve scoured the city for the most photogenic Instagram spots I could find. York really is such a gorgeous city and if you ever find yourself here, whether it’s just for a couple of hours, or for the whole weekend, you’re sure to find some incredible things to see and do!

If you’re visiting York for the weekend and you want to take advantage of the best photography locations in the city, I’ve got you covered with this list of the best Instagram spots in York!

1. Museum Gardens – most Instagrammable places in York

The Museum Gardens are potentially my favourite place in the whole of York.

Regardless of the time of year, the Museum Gardens always look in pristine condition and there are ample places for you to get a good pic for the ‘gram. From St. Mary’s Abbey which provides an idyllic historic backdrop, to the plethora of trees, plants and flowers that are scattered all over the gardens, as well as the Yorkshire Museum, the Museum Gardens are an incredible place for taking pictures.

The Museum Gardens are definitely one of my favourite locations to take great pictures, and even though they’re often teeming with tourists and commuters, you can still find excellent picture-taking opportunities.

2. York Minster

A truly iconic statue in the city of York, the Minster is arguably one of the most beautiful cathedrals in Europe, if not the world. The towering masterpiece has been around since the 7th century so it’s definitely one of the oldest and most spectacular places in the city.

Both the interior and exterior of the Minster provide ample photo opportunities, and while you may struggle to get a good position in front of it due to the masses of tourists, once you get that perfect picture, you won’t regret it!

3. The train station

A train station may seem like an unusual location to describe as ‘Instagrammable’ but York train station is far from ordinary.

The beautiful building is home to some stunning pieces of architectural work, as well as modern film interest! The bridge that connects the platforms at York train station is actually the one that Harry and Hagrid walk over in the first Harry Potter film!

There are many adorable nooks and crannies for you to grab an Instagrammable picture in the train station, not to mention many ancient steam trains that pass through fairly regularly.

4. Along the river

The River Ouse is an idyllic place to snap some Insta shots. During the summer months, the riverside is absolutely bustling with tourists and locals enjoying the boat races, devouring ice creams or reading their books.

There are many benches situated along the river as well as a number of bridges connecting different sides of the city that provide stunning views of the river. You’ll also see many rowers and canoers as well as a number of different wildlife while taking your pictures along the river.

5. Heavenly Desserts

While it might seem strange to include a restaurant as one of the most beautiful places in York, Heavenly Desserts is truly an Instagrammer’s dream and it’s undoubtedly one of the most photogenic places in York! Not only that, but the sweet treats and decadent desserts at Heavenly Desserts make it a place worth visiting for the food alone!

6. City Walls – most Instagrammable places in York

The York City Walls are a great place for spotting some of the city’s most iconic sights, including the York Minster, the Railway Station and the river.

Dating back to Roman times, the City Walls are one of the most historic and iconic places in York and many visitors pay them a visit each year. They’re considered to be one of the most Instagrammable places in York, no matter what time of year you visit.

7. Cosy Club

Cosy Club is actually my favourite place to eat in the whole of York and for that reason alone, I think it deserves a place on this list. The outside seating area that resides on Fossgate is a beautiful place to people-watch while sipping a delicious fruity cocktail during the summer months. When the temperatures become cooler, however, Cosy Club opens itself up to the most gorgeous, cosy retreat.

The food here is perfectly picturesque (and insanely tasty) and absolutely makes Cosy Club sit highly on the list of the most Instagrammable places in York! The decor is suave, sophisticated and so beautiful. The dining area or the breathtaking staircase make for the perfect places to take lots of Instagram pictures.

8. The Shambles

Regarded as the inspiration behind Diagon Alley in the Harry Potter movies, (J.K. Rowling clearly got a lot of her inspiration from York…) the Shambles is one of the most famous streets in the whole of Britain. It definitely deserves a place on the list of the best Instagram spots in York!

The quaint little shops and winding streets offer the most lovely photo opportunities. You’ll be hard-pressed to find the Shambles empty at any given time though; it’s always absolutely teeming with visitors! If you really want to get the perfect shot without anyone in it, then I’d highly recommend heading there early in the morning before the shops even open.

9. Spark – best Instagrammable places in York

Spark is a relatively new addition to the city of York but it’s certainly one that’s been welcomed with open arms (at least by me).

Offering a vast selection of different cuisines, as well as gorgeous seating areas and unique shipping containers disguised as shops and food stalls, Spark is a great place to grab some pictures.

10. Clifford’s Tower

Clifford’s Tower (also known as York Castle) has been at the heart of York for many centuries now. It’s endured a fair few battles and what remains of the fortified complex that once consisted of prisons, castles and law courts, is now a ruinous castle.

You can climb to the top of the tower for a small fee, where you’ll see panoramic views of the Vale of York. It’s best to go up on a clear day otherwise you may really struggle to see too far in the distance.

If you visit the castle around Christmas time, you’re also likely to see it lit up regularly for the festive period.

11. St. Leonard’s Place – most Instagrammable places in York

This street sits just off Gillygate and is one of the main roads into the city centre. The Theatre Royal resides on St. Leonard’s Place, as well as a stunning row of luxury houses and apartments that were once used as council buildings.

The houses along St. Leonard’s Palace are another one of my favourite places in the town centre as the gorgeous white backdrop makes for an idyllic Instagram picture.

12. Rowntree’s Park

While it’s generally perceived to be more of a child’s haven rather than a suitable Instagram location, Rowntree’s Park does in fact have many cute places to grab the perfect shot.

During the summer, the park is positively heaving with families and children indulging in picnics and ice creams, and in the winter you’ll often find couples snuggled together, taking a romantic stroll around the park.

The little bridges that go over the river and lake in the park make great backdrops for Instagram opportunities, regardless of the time of year.

13. The Knavesmire

A large portion of the Knavesmire is now used as part of York Races, but it’s also home to dog-walking sites and many public events.

It’s a huge area of greenery that can provide a quiet haven away from the bustling city centre if you’d prefer a much quieter location to shoot your Instagram pictures.

14. Micklegate

I think many of my fellow York people would disagree with me somewhat in including Micklegate in this list of the most Instagrammable places in York.

Micklegate is a long stretch of a street that’s home to many shops, bars and businesses. It’s not necessarily the most glamorous street in York but if you have a keen eye, then there are a number of places to stop along the way to get a great picture (see the one just above!).

I’m so grateful and so proud to call York my home, and I’m even more thrilled that it really is an eclectic hub of Instagrammable spots!

15. Betty’s Tea Rooms – most Instagrammable places in York

Betty’s is arguably one of the most highly coveted places in York and not only does it serve delicious afternoon tea and an extensive food menu, but it’s also spectacularly ornately decorated inside, which means it’s the perfect place to bring your camera along when dining here.

Related posts:

• The Ultimate Guide Of Places To Eat & Drink In York
• 25+ Best Things To Do In York, England
• The Best Views Of York Minster
• Why York Is The Best City To Live In
• A Local’s Guide To York

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Have you ever been to York? Where would you consider the most Instagrammable places in York to be? Let me know in the comments or on Twitter at @imjustagirl_16.