Places to visit in Whitby
There’s nowhere quite like Whitby. Perched on the North Yorkshire coast, this seaside town is equal amounts historic, eccentric and dramatic. Scratch the surface on a day out unveiling unique places to visit, shop and eat in a town layered with history and intrigue. The spooky ruins of Whitby Abbey that stand above the town are a gothic wonder and the inspiration behind vampire masterpiece Dracula. Find boutiques, tearooms and quirky museums in town, before watching the sunset over the bustling harbour whilst tucking into freshly fried fish and chips.
Whitby Abbey
- Sightseeing
- Suggested time at location: 2 hours
Sink your teeth into Bram Stoker’s Dracula in the very place where the story of the bloodthirsty vampire was born. Climb the famous 199 steps to the eerie ruins of Whitby Abbey and discover its connection to Bram Stoker's Dracula. Don’t miss the bats circling St Mary’s Church at dusk, an atmospheric sight that undoubtedly inspired Stoker whilst writing his gothic masterpiece.
Shop for Whitby Jet
- Shopping
- Suggested time at location: 1 hour
Whitby's shopping scene is also distinctly goth. You’ll find lots of jewellers selling Jet (a semi-precious black stone found along Whitby’s coastline), some of it bat-shaped! Whitby’s original jet jeweller, W. Hamond is the OG place for semi-precious souvenirs. It’s been making jewellery from its spot at the foot of the 199 Steps since 1860. Watch their jewellers in action, then pick a statement piece to show off back home. If black gems aren’t your thing, don’t fret, there’s a plethora of other local shops to explore.
Grab a bite at Bothams
- Eatery
- Suggested time at location: 1 hour
Need respite from the spooky sightseeing? Make a beeline for Bothams of Whitby. Famous for their biscuits, buns and brack (a rich fruit bread made for smothering with butter) Bothams have three tearooms and also sell themed hampers if you fancy taking a slice of the 150-year-old bakery home with you.
Face your fears at the Dracula Experience
- Sightseeing
- Suggested time at location: 1 hour
Brought to life by animatronics and live actors, this quirky attraction in Whitby is housed in a haunted building once owned by Isaac Newton will have you either crying or crying with laughter depending on how gutsy you are.
Listen to folklore and local legends
- Guided Tour
- Suggested time at location: 2 hours
Carry on your eerie tour of this charming seaside town with a lamp-lit evening tour of Whitby. The Ghost and Dracula Walk with the award-winning Whitby Storyteller covers it all, from local legends and folklore to fascinating tales of shipwrecks, superstitions and the supernatural.
Top Tip - Fortune's kippers
- Eatery
For a truly legendary lunch, Fortune's smoked kippers are a must. They were founded in 1872, 25 years before Dracula was first published. If you prefer your fish battered, check out local favourite, Magpie Café overlooking the harbour.
Travel between Whitby Abbey to Whitby Jet
Travel between Whitby Jet to Bothams of Whitby
Travel between Bothams of Whitby to Dracula Experience
Travel between Dracula Experience to Ghost & Dracula Walk
Travel between Ghost & Dracula Walk to Top Tip - Fortune's kippers
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FAQs
There are 199 steps leading from Whitby’s Old Town up to St Mary’s Church and Whitby Abbey on the East Cliff. Known locally as the Church Stairs or Jacob’s Ladder, the steps have been part of the town’s landscape for centuries and were first recorded in documents from the 14th century. Climbing the steps has become a popular tradition for visitors, with small numbered markers along the way to help people keep count. Platforms and benches partway up the staircase provide places to pause and enjoy the view over Whitby’s harbour and coastline. At the top, visitors are rewarded with dramatic scenery and the striking ruins of Whitby Abbey overlooking the North Sea.
Find out more about this historic route on the Visit Whitby 199 Whitby Abbey Steps page.
Whitby Goth Weekend will take place twice in 2026, bringing together an eclectic blend of musical acts, alternative fashion, and market vendors to the seaside town. The spring event runs from 1 to 3 May 2026, while the autumn event takes place from 30 October to 1 November 2026. These weekends have been highlights of the Whitby events calendar for decades, attracting visitors from across goth subcultures and around the world. Events usually include a mix of live music performances, costume gatherings, and an alternative market selling a range of clothing, jewellery, and artwork.
Learn more about what’s on at the Whitby Goth Weekend site.
Whitby Abbey dates back to the 7th century, while the headland it sits on has been inhabited since the Bronze Age. The original monastery was founded here in 657 AD by King Oswy of Northumbria, and quickly became an important religious centre, hosting the Synod of Whitby in 664. The dramatic ruins seen today mainly date from a later medieval Benedictine abbey, rebuilt after the Norman Conquest and expanded during the 13th century. Whitby Abbey has inspired artists, writers, and visitors for centuries and remains one of the most recognisable landmarks on the Yorkshire coast.
Learn more about this iconic site on the English Heritage History of Whitby Abbey page.
Yes, Whitby has a train station located near the town centre at Station Square, and it is one of the country’s oldest stations, having opened in 1836. Just a short walk from the bustling harbour and many of the town’s main attractions, it is a convenient arrival point for visitors. Whitby Station is the terminus of the Esk Valley Line, which connects Whitby with Middlesbrough and several smaller towns and villages along the route. Heritage trains from the North Yorkshire Moors Railway also run between Whitby and Pickering during the tourist season, offering a scenic way to travel through the surrounding countryside.
Find out more about planning your visit on the Visit North Yorkshire Whitby Railways Station page.
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