There’s no doubt that Whitby is the most atmospheric of Yorkshire’s coastal towns. With it’s connection to Dracula, abbey ruins and quaint cobbled streets, it never fails to charm visitors. This includes my American friend who recently visited Yorkshire for the first time. Of all the places we took her in Yorkshire, Whitby was by far her favourite.
If you’d also like to experience the best Whitby has to offer, here’s an itinerary of things to do in Whitby to get the most out of your day, as well as a few surprises along the way.
Morning: start your day by heading up for the best views of Whitby
The 199 steps of Whitby are iconic, and getting there first will mean you’re more likely to experience them with fewer people. As you head up, keep looking back for incredible views of Whitby’s terracotta-coloured rooftops.
Once at the top, you can head to the iconic Whitby Abbey to explore the remains of the Abbey ruins. The English Heritage property is quite pricey (entry is £12.70 for an adult ticket bought on the day) but you can view it from outside without having to pay.
Another alternative is a wander round St Mary’s Church. The atmospheric church graveyard, with stunning cliff side views overlooking Whitby, was used as a setting in Dracula. The interior of the church is just as interesting, with eighteenth century box pews that indicate where you would once have sat – keep an eye out for those marked “For Strangers Only”. The church is awash with history and even includes a Saxon baby coffin. And of course, it’s free to look around.Screenshot
Lunch
It would be wrong to head to the Yorkshire coast and not have fish and chips. If you’re looking for something special, there’s the iconic Magpie Cafe on Pier Road in Whitby. For the best gluten free fish and chips, I recommend the Quayside, a little further down Pier Road.
Afternoon: Independent shops and a stroll on Whitby beach
Full up on fish and chips, now’s a great time for a walk along the pier and Whitby’s incredible sandy beach. After getting your fill of sea air, wander Whitby’s streets, browsing their great independent shops. Sandgate and Church Street are great for Whitby themed gifts and jewellery shops featuring jet, and head up Henrietta street to Fortune’s Kippers for their famous kippers! If mooching around antique shops is more your thing, head up Skinner Street to see what you can find.
Evening: Mini golf, cocktails or brewery
A day out at the seaside is always made better with a game of mini golf, and Pirate Adventure Golf is a fantastic pirate-themed game – keep an eye out for the pirate playing the Pirates of Caribbean theme tune on a piano!
For drinks, I love Cafe Montmartre on Market Place. It’s a French themed cocktail bar with the most eclectic interior and fabulous cocktails. Whitby Brewery is a much loved brewery with great beers and pizzas.
After a day in Whitby, you’ll fall in love with its magic: the mix of history, sea views and salty air. I’m sure you’ll soon be planning a return visit.
I’m YorkshireFi – a travel content creator and writer based in Yorkshire. You can find my videos on TikTok and Instagram, where I share the best days out and things to do in Yorkshire.