Where to stay · York · United Kingdom
Where to stay in York
6 neighbourhoods compared, with the trade-offs hotel listings don't tell you.
Updated By the AMZBooking editorial team
Photo: Mramoeba, CC BY-SA 4.0
Quick answer
For a first visit, stay in Minster Quarter. Medieval lanes around York Minster, the Shambles and Stonegate. Best alternatives — families: Bootham and Clifton; budget: Fossgate and Walmgate; nightlife: Micklegate.
Key facts
- First visit
- Minster Quarter
- Families
- Bootham and Clifton
- Budget
- Fossgate and Walmgate
- Nightlife
- Micklegate
Best area for each kind of trip
| Trip type | Area | Why |
|---|---|---|
| First-timers | Minster Quarter | Medieval lanes around York Minster, the Shambles and Stonegate |
| Families | Bootham and Clifton | Victorian terraces and guesthouses just outside the walls near the Minster |
| Couples | Minster Quarter | Medieval lanes around York Minster, the Shambles and Stonegate |
| Budget | Fossgate and Walmgate | Independent restaurants and bars on the quieter eastern side of the centre |
| Nightlife | Micklegate | A historic street of Georgian houses and bars running down from Micklegate Bar |
| Food lovers | Fossgate and Walmgate | Independent restaurants and bars on the quieter eastern side of the centre |
| Solo travellers | Micklegate | A historic street of Georgian houses and bars running down from Micklegate Bar |
| Shopping | Minster Quarter | Medieval lanes around York Minster, the Shambles and Stonegate |
| Quiet stays | Bootham and Clifton | Victorian terraces and guesthouses just outside the walls near the Minster |
York neighbourhoods in detail
$$$$ · Best for first-timers, couples, culture and shopping
Minster Quarter
The heart of old York inside the walls runs from the Minster down Petergate and Stonegate to the Shambles and King's Square. Timber-framed shops, tearooms and pubs line the streets, the Treasurer's House and Holy Trinity Goodramgate are a few steps away, and most sights are within 10 minutes' walk. Hotels here are mostly small and characterful.
- Good
- Steps from every major sight; Atmospheric streets at night; Plenty of cafés and pubs
- Watch out
- Expensive and quickly booked up; Crowded with day-trippers at weekends
- Nearby
- York Minster, The Shambles, Stonegate, Treasurer's House
$$$ · Best for nightlife, first-timers and solo travellers
Micklegate
Micklegate, the old royal approach into the city through Micklegate Bar, slopes down from the walls to Ouse Bridge. It mixes Georgian townhouses and independent shops with one of the city's main bar strips, and it is the closest part of the old city to the railway station.
- Good
- Closest historic area to the station; Lively bars; Walkable to the Minster
- Watch out
- Noisy late at weekends and on race days; Busy with hen and stag groups
- Nearby
- Micklegate Bar, York station, Ouse Bridge, Bar Convent
$$ · Best for food lovers, couples and budget
Fossgate and Walmgate
Fossgate and Walmgate run south-east from the Shambles over the River Foss towards Walmgate Bar, the only gateway that still has its barbican. The streets have some of York's most interesting independent restaurants, cafés and bars, and the medieval Merchant Adventurers' Hall is at the top of Fossgate.
- Good
- Excellent independent food; Five minutes' walk to the Shambles; More local feel
- Watch out
- Fewer hotels; Twenty minutes' walk from the station
- Nearby
- Merchant Adventurers' Hall, Walmgate Bar, Shambles Market, The Shambles
$$ · Best for quiet stays, budget and families
Bootham and Clifton
North-west of Bootham Bar, a short walk from the Minster, the streets of Bootham, Clifton and the Marygate area are lined with Victorian guesthouses and B&Bs. York Art Gallery, the Museum Gardens and St Mary's Abbey ruins are nearby, and the Ouse riverside paths lead back into the centre.
- Good
- Good-value guesthouses; Ten minutes' walk to the Minster; Quiet at night
- Watch out
- Busy main road on Bootham; Fewer restaurants on the doorstep
- Nearby
- Bootham Bar, York Art Gallery, Museum Gardens, York Minster
$$ · Best for food lovers, families and quiet stays
Bishopthorpe Road
Just outside the walls beyond Skeldergate Bridge, Bishopthorpe Road is a lively residential high street with independent delis, bakeries, cafés and pubs. Rowntree Park and the riverside path are close, and the city centre is a 15-minute walk away.
- Good
- Local village atmosphere; Independent food shops; Riverside walks and a park
- Watch out
- Mostly holiday lets rather than hotels; Fifteen minutes' walk to the centre
- Nearby
- Rowntree Park, Terry's former chocolate works, York Racecourse
$$$ · Best for quiet stays, couples and first-timers
The Mount
The Mount and Blossom Street climb from Micklegate Bar towards the Knavesmire, home of York Racecourse. Many large Georgian and Victorian houses here are now guesthouses and small hotels, about 10 minutes' walk from the station and the old city.
- Good
- Handsome guesthouses with parking; Walk to the station and walls; Close to the racecourse
- Watch out
- Main-road traffic; Prices spike on race days
- Nearby
- Micklegate Bar, York Racecourse, York station
Areas compared
| Area | Price | Nearby |
|---|---|---|
| Minster Quarter | $$$$ | York Minster, The Shambles, Stonegate, Treasurer's House |
| Micklegate | $$$ | Micklegate Bar, York station, Ouse Bridge, Bar Convent |
| Fossgate and Walmgate | $$ | Merchant Adventurers' Hall, Walmgate Bar, Shambles Market, The Shambles |
| Bootham and Clifton | $$ | Bootham Bar, York Art Gallery, Museum Gardens, York Minster |
| Bishopthorpe Road | $$ | Rowntree Park, Terry's former chocolate works, York Racecourse |
| The Mount | $$$ | Micklegate Bar, York Racecourse, York station |
Getting to your hotel
Leeds Bradford Airport is about 50 km south-west; there is no rail link, so take a bus to Leeds and a train to York, or a taxi, allowing about 1 hour 15 minutes to 1 hour 45 minutes. Manchester Airport has direct trains to York in about 1 hour 50 minutes to 2 hours and far more international flights.
Questions travellers ask
+What is the best area to stay in York for first-time visitors?
Minster Quarter. The heart of old York inside the walls runs from the Minster down Petergate and Stonegate to the Shambles and King's Square.
+Where should families stay in York?
Bootham and Clifton: Good-value guesthouses.
+Which area of York is best for a budget stay?
Fossgate and Walmgate ($$): Independent restaurants and bars on the quieter eastern side of the centre.