Sight guide · York · United Kingdom
Visiting JORVIK Viking Centre
Built on the site of excavations that uncovered Viking-age houses and workshops at Coppergate in the 1970s and 80s, JORVIK takes visitors on a ride through a reconstruction of the 10th-century street, complete with sounds and smells, followed by galleries of the finds.
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Quick answer
JORVIK Viking Centre is a museum in Coppergate, York. Allow 1.5 hours; it is mid-priced. Timed-entry tickets bought online help avoid long queues in summer and at half-term.
Key facts
- Type
- Museum
- Area
- Coppergate
- Time needed
- 1.5 hours
- Cost
- Mid-priced
- Book ahead
- Recommended
- Good for
- kids, history and rainy day
- Best months
- January and October–November
About JORVIK Viking Centre
Built on the site of excavations that uncovered Viking-age houses and workshops at Coppergate in the 1970s and 80s, JORVIK takes visitors on a ride through a reconstruction of the 10th-century street, complete with sounds and smells, followed by galleries of the finds.
Tip: Book a timed ticket online; walk-up queues can be long, especially in school holidays.
Plan your visit
- Time needed: 1.5 hours.
- Cost: Mid-priced.
- Book ahead: Timed-entry tickets bought online help avoid long queues in summer and at half-term.
- Where: Coppergate.
Best time to visit JORVIK Viking Centre
JORVIK Viking Centre is indoors, which makes it a good plan for the wettest months:
- January: 7°C (45°F) highs, about 11 rainy days, very quiet crowds.
- October: 14°C (57°F) highs, about 11 rainy days, moderate crowds.
- November: 10°C (50°F) highs, about 11 rainy days, busy crowds.
When to visit York has the full month-by-month picture.
Fit it into your trip
Our 3-day York itinerary visits JORVIK Viking Centre on day 2, together with York City Walls and National Railway Museum.
- No. 4 of the 15 sights in our York things-to-do list.
- Day 2 of the 2-day plan.
- One of the picks in museums in York.
- One of the picks in york on a rainy day.
- One of the picks in historic sites in York.
- A family favourite in York with kids.
If you like JORVIK Viking Centre
- York Minster — Minster Quarter, 2–3 hours with the tower
- National Railway Museum — Leeman Road, 2–3 hours
- Clifford's Tower — Castle Area, 45 minutes
- York Castle Museum — Castle Area, 2 hours
Staying near JORVIK Viking Centre
Where to stay in York compares every area by price and who it suits.
Questions travellers ask
+How long do you need at JORVIK Viking Centre?
Plan 1.5 hours.
+Is JORVIK Viking Centre free?
No, it is mid-priced. Booking ahead is advised.
+When is the best time to visit JORVIK Viking Centre?
January and October–November, the wettest months, when an indoor sight is most welcome. Book a timed ticket online; walk-up queues can be long, especially in school holidays.
+Do I need to book JORVIK Viking Centre in advance?
Timed-entry tickets bought online help avoid long queues in summer and at half-term.
+Is JORVIK Viking Centre good for kids?
Yes, it is one of our family picks in York. York is one of England's best small cities for children: the free National Railway Museum, JORVIK's Viking ride, Clifford's Tower, ghost walks and the walls themselves turn history into an adventure, and the centre is compact and flat.