York is one of England’s best-preserved medieval cities. The Gothic York Minster rises above the rooftops, 3.4 kilometres of city walls wrap around the centre, and in narrow streets such as The Shambles, the timber-framed houses lean out over the pavement. The city’s small enough to explore on foot, and the train from London only takes about two hours.
Even so, the area you choose makes a difference. Inside the walls, you’ll be staying right among the sights, while the neighbourhoods just outside are quieter and often cheaper. Here are six good areas in York and hotels in several price ranges.
Contents
The Best Areas in York
- Inside the city walls near York Minster - best area for first-time visitors
- Near York Station - best area for rail travellers and day trips
- Micklegate - best area for pubs and nightlife
- Bishopthorpe Road - best area for local life and families
- Walmgate and Fishergate - best area for food and history near Clifford’s Tower
- Bootham and Clifton - best area for guesthouses and parking
Below, I’ll take you through the six areas one by one, with hotels in several price ranges, so you can choose the base that suits your trip to York best.
1. Inside the City Walls near York Minster - best area for first-time visitors ⛪
- 📍 Distance from the centre: You’ll be staying right in the centre. From York Minster, it’s about a five-minute walk to The Shambles.
- 🚶 Transport: Much of the historic core is pedestrianised, so you’ll walk everywhere. From York Station, it’s about a 15-minute walk to York Minster.
- ✈️ Time from Leeds Bradford Airport: Allow around an hour and a half as a rough guide by bus to Leeds and train on to York, plus the walk from the station.
- 💰 Price range: ££ to £££. The three hotels below cost roughly £185 to £315 a night when I searched for a weekend in May.
- 👮 Safety: The area is safe and full of visitors all day. Keep an eye on your bag and phone in the crowds around The Shambles.
If you stay inside the walls between York Minster and The Shambles, the city’s biggest sights are right on your doorstep. It’s my first choice if it’s your first time in York and you’ve only got a weekend, because you can walk to everything and spend your time on the city instead of on transport.
York Minster is one of the largest Gothic cathedrals in Northern Europe, and you can buy a ticket that also gives you access to the central tower, with views over the whole city. From the cathedral, you can walk along Low Petergate and Goodramgate, lined with medieval houses, and on to The Shambles, which was originally the butchers’ street.
Early in the morning and late in the evening, the streets are almost empty, and that’s exactly when staying centrally pays off most. During the day, The Shambles is packed with people, so take a stroll before the shops open if you want the narrow street to yourself.
Inside the walls, you’ll also find Stonegate and Petergate with pubs, tearooms and small shops, and there are plenty of restaurants within a few minutes’ walk. That means you won’t need a taxi or a bus from the moment you check in until you check out.
See hotels near York Minster here.
You can also climb up onto the city walls at Bootham Bar near the cathedral. The full circuit is 3.4 kilometres and takes about two hours, and the stretch between Bootham Bar and Monk Bar gives you some of the best views of York Minster.
The downsides are the price and the space. Many hotels are in old buildings without a lift and with small rooms, and parking is both expensive and awkward. If you’re coming by car, it’s better to choose a hotel with parking just outside the walls.
Places to Stay Inside the City Walls
The Dean Court - best hotel with views of York Minster
The Dean Court is on Duncombe Place, directly opposite York Minster, and breakfast is served with a view of the cathedral. It’s my pick if you want to stay as close to the sights as possible and don’t mind paying for it. The smallest rooms are small, and some guests mention noise from the street, so ask for a room with a view if that matters to you.
One guest writes on Booking.com: “Everything about our stay was fantastic. The staff were very accommodating and friendly, and nothing was too much trouble.”
See photos and book The Dean Court here.
Judge’s Lodging - best historic hotel with a bar and restaurant
Judge’s Lodging is on Lendal, about a six-minute walk from York Minster, in a listed historic building. Guests praise the decor and the large rooms, breakfast is included, and there’s both a restaurant and a bar. The building has no lift and steep stairs, so the hotel isn’t a good fit if you have difficulty walking.
One guest describes the hotel like this on Booking.com: “Fantastic decor. A good-sized room. Everything you could want.”
See photos and book Judge’s Lodging here.
Galtres Lodge Hotel & Forest Restaurant - cheapest of my three picks near the cathedral
Galtres Lodge is on Low Petergate, a stone’s throw from York Minster, in a Georgian house with its own restaurant. The rooms are small, typically 15 to 18 m², and there’s no lift. In return, you get the same location as the expensive hotels, and some rooms look out towards the cathedral.
One guest highlights the location on Booking.com: “The location was perfect, and from my bedroom window I could look out at York Minster.”
See photos and book Galtres Lodge here.
2. Near York Station - best area for rail travellers and day trips 🚆
- 📍 Distance from the centre: The station is just outside the city walls. It’s about a 15-minute walk to York Minster over Lendal Bridge.
- 🚆 Transport: LNER runs direct trains to London King’s Cross and Edinburgh, and there are also trains from here towards Leeds, Manchester and Newcastle.
- ✈️ Time from Leeds Bradford Airport: Around an hour and a half as a rough guide by bus to Leeds and train to York. The hotels are a few minutes from the platform.
- 💰 Price range: ££ to ££££. The three hotels below cost roughly £220 to £370 a night when I searched for a weekend in May.
- 👮 Safety: The area is safe and well lit. As at other big stations, it gets busy, so keep an eye on your luggage.
The area around York Station is the most practical place to stay if you’re arriving by train and want to take day trips. The LNER train from London King's Cross takes about two hours, so York pairs nicely with a few days in London.
Heading north, the train to Edinburgh takes about two and a half hours, and lots of people make York a stop on the way. My guide to where to stay in Edinburgh will help you plan the next leg if you’re carrying on to Scotland.
Just behind the station is the National Railway Museum, which is free to visit, and it’s one of the best places in York with children. You’ll find old steam locomotives and royal carriages here, so the museum’s worth a visit even if you’re not interested in trains.
See hotels near York Station here.
The hotels here are generally bigger and more modern than those inside the walls, and several of them have a lift, a restaurant and parking. That makes the area easier for families and for anyone travelling with heavy luggage.
On the other hand, you won’t be staying in the narrow medieval streets, and in the evening there’s more traffic than atmosphere right by the station. It only takes a quarter of an hour to walk to York Minster, so for most people it’s a small price to pay for the easy arrival.
If you’d like to see more of Yorkshire, trains also run from the station to Scarborough on the coast and to Harrogate, so the area makes a good base for day trips. Several of the hotels offer luggage storage, so you can make the most of your last day in the city before catching the train onwards.
Places to Stay near York Station
The Grand, York - best luxury hotel with a spa and pool
The Grand is a few minutes’ walk from the station in the former headquarters of the railway company, and it was the most expensive hotel in my search. The rooms are large, from about 33 m², and there’s a spa with an indoor pool and a restaurant. Some guests mention slow service in the restaurant, but the hotel has the highest guest rating in this guide.
One guest sums up their stay on Booking.com: “It’s the best hotel in the area. Luxury, the staff are amazing, and every little detail is perfect.”
See photos and book The Grand, York here.
Malmaison York - best mid-range hotel with a restaurant
Malmaison is on Rougier Street, about a five-minute walk from the station and close to Lendal Bridge, which leads you into the centre. The hotel has a restaurant and a bar, and the Club rooms look out towards York Minster. Some guests find the lighting in the rooms too dim.
One guest writes on Booking.com: “The hotel was extremely clean and well kept. All the staff were very helpful and couldn’t do enough for you.”
See photos and book Malmaison York here.
Hampton by Hilton York - good budget choice with breakfast included
Hampton by Hilton is on Toft Green inside the city walls, about a five-minute walk from the station, and breakfast is included in the price. The rooms are around 18 m² and simple but modern. The breakfast room can get busy at weekends, so go down in good time.
One guest praises the hotel on Booking.com: “The hotel was spotlessly clean. A lovely room and a good choice at breakfast.”
See photos and book Hampton by Hilton York here.
3. Micklegate - best area for pubs and nightlife 🍺
- 📍 Distance from the centre: Micklegate runs from Micklegate Bar down towards the River Ouse. It’s about a ten-minute walk to The Shambles.
- 🚆 Transport: It’s around a five to ten-minute walk to York Station, so you can easily walk with your suitcase.
- ✈️ Time from Leeds Bradford Airport: Allow about an hour and a half by bus and train as a rough guide, plus a short walk from the station.
- 💰 Price range: ££ to £££. The three hotels below cost roughly £190 to £225 a night when I searched for a weekend in May.
- 👮 Safety: The street is safe, but on Friday and Saturday nights there are lots of groups out partying. Choose a room at the back if you’re a light sleeper.
Micklegate was once the main road into York from the south, and the old city gate, Micklegate Bar, still stands at the end of the street. Today, it’s the city’s best-known street for pubs and bars, and it’s also home to some of the best aparthotels in the centre.
I’d choose Micklegate for a trip with friends or as a couple if the evenings are an important part of your trip. You can go from pub to pub down the hill and carry on over Ouse Bridge to the restaurants in the rest of the centre.
See hotels in Micklegate here.
Just outside Micklegate Bar are Blossom Street and The Mount, with large Georgian houses, and things quickly get quieter here. The hotels at that end often have more space and slightly lower prices than inside the walls, and you’re still a short walk from both the station and the city walls.
The side streets towards Bishophill are some of the quietest in the centre, with small churches and terraced houses. It’s a good compromise if you want to be close to the nightlife without staying right on top of it, and from here you can easily walk on towards Bishopthorpe Road.
At Micklegate Bar, you can climb up onto the city walls and follow them towards the station, with views over the rooftops and York Minster in the background. It’s a great way to start the day before the streets fill up.
The downside is the partying itself. At weekends, there can be noise until late at night, and lots of stag and hen parties head for Micklegate. If you’re travelling with children, I’d rather stay in Bootham or near Bishopthorpe Road and only come here to eat.
Places to Stay in and near Micklegate
Hotel Du Vin & Bistro York - best boutique hotel just outside Micklegate Bar
Hotel du Vin is on The Mount, about a five-minute walk from Micklegate Bar, in a listed 19th-century building. There’s a bistro, a bar and a few paid parking spaces. Several guests mention that the smallest rooms are small, so choose a bigger category if you’re staying several nights.
One guest writes on Booking.com: “The staff were amazing, and the place was spotlessly clean.”
See photos and book Hotel du Vin here.
The Lawrance Luxury Aparthotel - best aparthotel in the middle of Micklegate
The Lawrance is on Micklegate and has apartments ranging from studios to three bedrooms, all with a fully equipped kitchen. It’s a good fit for groups and families who want to make their own breakfast and stay right in the thick of it. There’s no lift, and parking has to be arranged in advance.
One guest describes their stay on Booking.com: “We loved it. Very comfortable and well equipped. We wish we could have stayed longer.”
See photos and book The Lawrance here.
The Bar Convent Guest House - best budget choice in a historic building
The Bar Convent is on Blossom Street, just outside Micklegate Bar, in a listed convent building with a garden and a shared guest kitchen. It was the cheapest of my three picks here, and the guest rating is high. Some rooms are up narrow stairs, and there’s no private parking.
One guest praises the staff on Booking.com: “Excellent hotel. The staff were absolutely wonderful. So helpful.”
See photos and book The Bar Convent here.
4. Bishopthorpe Road - best area for local life and families ☕
- 📍 Distance from the centre: About a 20 to 25-minute walk to York Minster along the river or through Micklegate.
- 🚶 Transport: Most people walk into town. The street is south of the city walls, between the River Ouse and the Knavesmire racecourse.
- ✈️ Time from Leeds Bradford Airport: Around an hour and a half to York Station as a rough guide, then a 15 to 20-minute walk or a short taxi ride.
- 💰 Price range: £ to £££. The three places below cost roughly £120 to £285 a night when I searched for a weekend in May, and the most expensive is a whole house.
- 👮 Safety: It’s a quiet residential and shopping area. Stick to the well-lit streets if you’re coming back late from the centre.
Bishopthorpe Road, which locals call Bishy Road, is a charming shopping street just south of the city walls, with independent shops, cafés, bakeries and pubs. You’ll meet more locals than tourists here, and it’s the place for you if you’d like to stay in a real neighbourhood and still walk to the sights.
Right next door is Rowntree Park, with a playground, a pond and a café, and the path along the River Ouse takes you into the centre in about 20 minutes. That makes the area ideal for families and for anyone staying a week or more.
In the morning, the cafés are full of locals, and in the evening there are several good pubs and small restaurants, so you don’t have to walk into the centre to eat. The riverside walk into town takes you past the Millennium Bridge and on towards Skeldergate and Clifford’s Tower, and with children it’s nice to have the playground and green spaces just around the corner after a long day in the city.
To the south is York Racecourse on the wide open grassland of the Knavesmire. On race days, the area fills up with visitors and prices go up, so check the racing calendar before you book.
See places to stay near Bishopthorpe Road here.
Many of the places to stay here are apartments and whole houses in Victorian terraces, and several have free parking. That’s a big advantage in York, where parking inside the walls is expensive and hard to find.
The downside is the distance. If you’ve only got one night in York, you’ll save time by staying in the centre. The choice of actual hotels is also small, so you’ll usually be staying in an apartment or a guesthouse.
Places to Stay near Bishopthorpe Road
The Knavesmire - Quaint Victorian Home - best choice for families with a car
The Knavesmire is a two-bedroom Victorian terraced house on Queen Victoria Street, less than a ten-minute walk from the shops on Bishopthorpe Road. You get a kitchen and free parking, and pets are allowed. The stairs are steep, and the price is for the whole house, so it’s best value when there are several of you.
One guest highlights the walk into town on Booking.com: “The location was good. It was a 15 to 20-minute walk into York, which was good because you could get your bearings on the way and see what was there, or take an easy bus ride.”
See photos and book The Knavesmire here.
Roomzzz York City - best aparthotel by the river
Roomzzz is on Terry Avenue by the River Ouse, close to Rowntree Park, and all the apartments have a kitchenette. There’s a gym, paid parking and free croissants in the morning. Some guests mention that the kitchen appliances don’t always work.
One guest praises the staff on Booking.com: “The receptionist and staff were excellent, professional and very helpful.”
See photos and book Roomzzz York City here.
Diamonds Guest House - cheapest choice right on Bishopthorpe Road
Diamonds Guest House is in the middle of Bishopthorpe Road, and it was the cheapest place in the whole guide when I searched. Breakfast isn’t served, reception has limited opening hours, and guests mention thin walls. The rating is a little lower than the others, but the location between the cafés and the city walls is good.
One guest highlights the location on Booking.com: “Good location and not too far to walk into town, around the walls and through The Shambles.”
See photos and book Diamonds Guest House here.
5. Walmgate and Fishergate - best area for food and history near Clifford’s Tower 🏰
- 📍 Distance from the centre: About a 5 to 10-minute walk to The Shambles and around a quarter of an hour to York Minster.
- 🚶 Transport: You can walk to most places. It’s about a 20-minute walk from York Station, so take a taxi if you’ve got heavy luggage.
- ✈️ Time from Leeds Bradford Airport: Around an hour and a half to York Station as a rough guide, then a short taxi ride.
- 💰 Price range: ££ to £££. The three hotels below cost roughly £165 to £245 a night when I searched for a weekend in May.
- 👮 Safety: Safe and quiet. There are fewer people on the streets in the evening than in the centre, so stick to the well-lit streets.
Walmgate and Fishergate are in the south-eastern part of the centre, where the streets are quieter than around the cathedral. Walmgate Bar is the only one of York’s city gates that still has its barbican, an extra defensive structure in front of the gate, and you can climb up onto the city walls at the gate.
Between Walmgate and the centre is Fossgate, which is one of the best streets in York for restaurants and cafés. You’re also a short walk from Clifford's Tower, where the roof gives you views over the whole city, and from JORVIK Viking Centre on Coppergate, where you ride through a recreated Viking city.
The area suits couples and families who want to stay close to everything without having the party right under their window. Several of the hotels are newer and have a lift, and the Novotel has an indoor pool, which children appreciate after a day on the cobbles.
The downside is that the area doesn’t have the same charm as the streets around The Shambles. Walmgate and Fishergate are busy roads with traffic, and quite a few of the buildings are modern. On the plus side, prices are often a little lower, and it’s easier to find a hotel with parking.
Just behind The Shambles is Shambles Market, with stalls and street food, only a few minutes’ walk from Walmgate, and it’s a great spot for a quick lunch between the sights. In the evening, the restaurants on Fossgate are a good alternative to the busy streets around the cathedral.
I’d choose this area if you’re staying three or four nights and want a quiet base with good restaurants nearby, but don’t need a view of the cathedral.
Places to Stay in Walmgate and Fishergate
Hotel Indigo York - best boutique hotel on Walmgate
Hotel Indigo is on Walmgate near Walmgate Bar, about a 12-minute walk from York Minster. The hotel is decorated in a boutique style and has a bar and a lift. Some guests feel the rooms are small for the price, and the parking is in a different location with limited spaces.
One guest writes on Booking.com: “A fantastic hotel, beautifully decorated with lots of lovely details.”
See photos and book Hotel Indigo York here.
Novotel York Centre - best choice for families with an indoor pool
Novotel York Centre is on Fishergate, just outside the city walls, and has family rooms, a restaurant and an indoor pool, which has to be booked in advance. On-site parking costs extra. Guests praise the spacious rooms, while some find the breakfast a bit dull.
One guest describes their stay on Booking.com: “The staff were friendly, the room was spacious and comfortable, and the whole experience went smoothly.”
See photos and book Novotel York Centre here.
Barbican House - best guesthouse with parking
Barbican House is a Victorian guesthouse on Barbican Road, close to the city walls at Fishergate. There’s free parking, but spaces are limited, and the full English breakfast costs extra. It has one of the highest ratings in the area and is a good fit for couples travelling by car.
One guest sums up their stay on Booking.com: “The room was comfortable and clean. The staff were excellent, and the breakfast was delicious.”
See photos and book Barbican House here.
6. Bootham and Clifton - best area for guesthouses and parking 🏡
- 📍 Distance from the centre: From Bootham Bar, it’s only a couple of minutes’ walk to York Minster. Further out in Clifton, it’s 15 to 20 minutes.
- 🚶 Transport: You walk in through Bootham Bar. From York Station, it’s about a 15-minute walk over Lendal Bridge.
- ✈️ Time from Leeds Bradford Airport: Around an hour and a half to York Station as a rough guide, then a short walk or taxi ride.
- 💰 Price range: £ to ££. The three places below cost roughly £135 to £200 a night when I searched for a weekend in May.
- 👮 Safety: A quiet and safe residential area with lots of guesthouses and families.
Bootham is the road that leads north from Bootham Bar, and it’s lined with Georgian and Victorian houses, many of which are now guesthouses and bed and breakfasts. It’s my pick if you want to stay somewhere quiet and cheaper than inside the walls, but still be able to walk to York Minster in a few minutes.
Right next door are Marygate and Museum Gardens, with the ruins of St Mary’s Abbey and the Yorkshire Museum. The gardens are one of the best places in the city for a break, and the riverside path takes you on towards the centre.
By Bootham Bar is Exhibition Square with York Art Gallery, and right by the gate you can get up onto the city walls. Many of the guesthouses in the area are family-run and only have a few rooms, so book well ahead if you’re travelling at a weekend or in summer.
Many guesthouses here serve a classic full English breakfast, and several have their own parking, which is rare closer to the centre. That makes Bootham and Clifton a good choice if you’re driving around the North of England or carrying on to the Lake District.
Clifton, further out, is a more ordinary residential area, and this is where you’ll find the city’s youth hostel, YHA York, by the river. Prices drop the further you get from the walls, but you’ll also have further to walk each day.
The downside is that Bootham is a busy main road into the city, and some rooms facing the street can be noisy. There are also fewer restaurants than in the centre, but you’re quickly at Bootham Bar, where there’s plenty to choose from.
Places to Stay in Bootham and Clifton
The Churchill Hotel - best hotel in a Georgian villa
The Churchill Hotel is on Bootham, less than a ten-minute walk from York Minster, in a Georgian villa with a garden and a beer garden. There’s a lift, a restaurant and paid parking. Some guests find the bathrooms small, but the rooms get good reviews.
One guest writes on Booking.com: “The rooms were of exceptional quality, and the team were wonderful.”
See photos and book The Churchill Hotel here.
Minster Walk Guesthouse - best guesthouse near Museum Gardens
Minster Walk Guesthouse is on Marygate, about a five-minute walk from York Minster, in an inn that’s around 300 years old. Breakfast is included and served in a basket, and it has one of the highest guest ratings in this guide. Parking spaces are few and cost extra, and the old floors creak.
One guest describes their stay on Booking.com: “We absolutely loved our stay. The room was beautiful and clean and had everything you needed.”
See photos and book Minster Walk Guesthouse here.
Number 34 Bed and Breakfast York - good budget choice with a full English breakfast
Number 34 is a small bed and breakfast in a Victorian house on Bootham Crescent, about a 12-minute walk from York Minster. A full English breakfast is served, and you can park for a small fee. There’s no lift, and some guests mention a bit of traffic noise.
One guest highlights the location on Booking.com: “Good location, quiet street and easy parking. The room was warm, comfortable and clean, with a nice private bathroom.”
See photos and book Number 34 here.
Where should you avoid staying in York?
I’d avoid the chain and motorway hotels by the ring road outside the city unless you’re driving. From there, you’ll have to take the car or a bus in every day, and then you lose the best thing about York, which is that you can walk everywhere.
If you’re driving, it’s better to stay in Bootham or near Bishopthorpe Road with parking, or to use one of the city’s six Park & Ride sites, where you park for free and take the bus in.
It also doesn’t make sense to stay in Leeds to save money. The train’s quick, but you’ll spend time and money on tickets every day, and the evenings in York are a big part of the experience. If you’re a light sleeper, avoid rooms facing Micklegate at weekends.
If it’s your first time in York and you’ve got a weekend, I’d stay inside the city walls near York Minster. If you’re arriving by train and want to take day trips, the area around the station is the most practical, while Micklegate is the place if pubs and nightlife are part of the plan.
Families and travellers on a longer trip get more space and peace near Bishopthorpe Road or in Walmgate and Fishergate, and Bootham is the best choice if you want to stay in a classic guesthouse with parking.
If you’re flying into Manchester, some trains run direct from the airport to York, otherwise you change at Manchester Piccadilly, and Visit York has an overview of how to get to the city. If you’d like to spend a couple of nights on the way, I’ve written a guide to where to stay in Manchester, and Liverpool also fits nicely into a tour of the North of England.
Travel ressources & websites I use all the time 👇
• Booking.com has the best offers on hotels and unique places to stay
• GetYourGuide is the best place to book tours & activities with free cancellation
• Welcome Pickups is the best & safest place to pre-book airport transfers
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