Whitby is one of my favorite places in all of Yorkshire. I can’t count the number of times I’ve been here now! It’s somewhere I always take friends when they come visit – it’s the perfect combination of history, seaside fun, and coastal charm. Here are the best things to do in Whitby to have the perfect day out!

1) Admire the magnificent Whitby Abbey

Whitby Abbey is arguably the town’s main attraction. The abbey was first established in 657, and the ruins of the Norman monastery present today date back to around 1220. The site is run by English Heritage, and there’s a visitor center with an exhibit on the abbey’s history. The location of Whitby Abbey, perched dramatically on a cliff by the sea, is said to have inspired Bram Stoker’s Dracula! Book your tickets to Whitby Abbey below.

2) Visit St. Mary’s Church

This is a unique church, as the architecture is a mix of medieval and Georgian. The layout is also strange, as there’s no central nave, and the church has interesting box pews and a three-layered pulpit. There are fantastic views from the graveyard over the jetty and West Cliff.

3) Walk the 199 Steps

The upper level of Whitby, with the Abbey and St. Mary’s Church, is connected to Church Street and the main part of town by the 199 Steps. Use the markers on the left side of the steps to check your progress as you make your way up! This is one must-do activity in Whitby.

4) Explore Whitby’s museums

There are a number of small museums scattered around Whitby. My favorite is the Captain Cook Museum, dedicated to the famous ship captain. The museum is located in his former building – he lived in Whitby while doing an apprenticeship from 1746 to 1749. Other museums to check out are the Whitby Lifeboat Museum and the Whitby Museum.

5) Window shop on and around Church Street

Some of the best shops in Whitby are located along the pretty cobblestone Church Street. Whether you want to pick up books at Whitby Bookshop, Whitby jet at one of the jewelry stores, or candy from a sweet shop, there are a number of retailers on Church Street and the surrounding streets.

6) Walk out along Whitby Pier to Whitby Jetty

Stroll out along the harbor on the long stretch of pier before reaching Whitby Jetty. There are great views out to sea, along the beach, and back to town from here. You’ll also walk past the lighthouse!

7) Stroll across the swing bridge

This unique swing bridge crosses the River Esk near Whitby Marina, and was built in 1908. The bridge will swing open to allow vessels to pass through, shutting down pedestrian and vehicle traffic. You’ll almost certainly walk over the bridge at some point during your time in Whitby.

8) See the view from the Whalebone Arch

The Whalebone Arch is one of the major attractions in Whitby. An archway of whale bones was first built here in 1853, although the current bone replica is from 2003. It’s a nod to Whitby’s whaling industry and maritime history – there’s a great view across town to the Abbey here. You can also see the Captain Cook Statue next to the arch.

9) Relax at Whitby Beach

Whitby Beach has a glorious long stretch of sand at West Cliff, with a long row of pretty, multi-colored beach houses. The water is safe for swimming, and you might see surfers here, too – Whitby Surf School offers lessons from March to October.

10) Enjoy the seaside by the Marina

One part of Whitby that I always love visiting is the marina. Kids and families are set up for crabbing, fishermen are casting a line, and the view across the harbor to the buildings on the other side is particularly nice around golden hour.

11) Feast on fish and chips

You can’t visit Whitby without getting fish and chips! Magpie Cafe is probably the most popular spot in town, with a sit-in restaurant as well as a popular takeaway service. I’d recommend getting them to takeaway and walking along the pier – just keep an eye out for seagulls, as they’re ruthless in Whitby!

12) Sip a craft beer at Whitby Brewery

Whitby Brewery is located across the road from Whitby Abbey. Established in 2013 and operating from their current site since 2016, the brewery now has a fantastic taproom – my favorite beer is their Abbey Blonde. They also serve pizzas and offer brewery tours.

13) Explore Whitby’s other food and drink spots

There are a lot of great places to eat and drink around Whitby. For a laid-back cafe, I recommend the Coffee Shop on Grape Lane. For excellent breakfast and lunchtime eats, visit Sanders Yard Bistro on Church Street. Head to the Taproom Whitby to try YUZU Street Food. The Duke of York has great views across the water.

If you have more time, why not explore more of the Yorkshire Coast? The walk from Whitby to Robin Hood’s Bay is one of my favorite sections of the coastal path. Head further north to Sandsend, Runswick Bay, or Staithes. Whitby is a perfect place to base yourself for a weekend or longer holiday to explore the surrounding area.

Planning Your Trip to Whitby

Whitby is located on the coast, about 1 hour and 20 minutes from York. It has a train station, which is served by the Esk Valley line or the historic North Yorkshire Moors Railway. It’s well-connected by bus – it’s easy to get from Leeds or York to Whitby on the Coastliner 840 bus that runs through the North York Moors. The X93/X94 bus runs along the coast from Scarborough to Middlesbrough via Whitby. The closest airport is Teesside International Airport. I always use Skyscanner to find the best flight deals. Considering travel insurance for your trip? World Nomads offers coverage for more than 150 adventure activities as well as emergency medical, lost luggage, trip cancellation and more. Check out tours and activities in Whitby below!

Where to Stay in Whitby

I typically visit Whitby as a day trip from where I live in York. But I recently had my first overnight visit and really enjoyed it! Parking can be a bit tricky as Whitby has a very compact and busy city center. Staying somewhere with parking will really make a difference if you’re traveling by car. Here are a few recommendations on where to stay in Whitby.

• Budget: YHA Whitby – a fantastic hostel with dorms and private rooms located in a historic building with an unbeatable location right next to the abbey (free tickets to the abbey are a huge bonus!). There’s an on-site cafe/bar, huge communal kitchen, and a small but free car park (you need to drive through both sets of arches). I stayed here on my last trip and it is excellent value for money. Plus, my room had a view of Whitby Abbey!
• Mid-range: La Rosa Hotel – a boutique property with quirky style and great views
• Mid-range: The Resolution Hotel – modern, comfortable, and super-clean rooms in a great location; the historic building dates back to the 1770s and they offer on-street parking permits
• B&B: The Belfry Whitby – a charming guesthouse with bright, modern rooms and a delicious breakfast
• Luxury: Saltmoore – a luxurious escape just outside Whitby with stylish décor, a state-of-the-art spa (additional charge) and three on-site restaurants

Whitby is such a superb place to visit in Yorkshire. There is loads to see and do, but you can squeeze a lot into a single day! Whether you’re visiting on a day trip or as part of a longer stay, I hope this guide helps planning your trip to Whitby.

Have you visited Whitby before? What were your favorite things to do?

You might also like my posts:

The Best Places to Visit on the Yorkshire Coast

Walking From Whitby to Robin Hood’s Bay: One of My Favorite Walks in Yorkshire

The Best Views in Yorkshire

The Best Walks in Yorkshire

The Yorkshire Coast: Staithes and Runswick Bay

21 of the BEST Places to Visit in the North York Moors

All of my Yorkshire posts!

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