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Whitby is a historic seaside town on the east coast of North Yorkshire, England, sitting where the River Esk meets the North Sea. With its working harbour, dramatic clifftop abbey, cobbled streets and literary legends, Whitby is one of the most atmospheric coastal destinations in the UK.
Tourism in Whitby dates back to the Georgian era and grew rapidly with the arrival of the railway in 1839. Today, visitors come for coastal walks, traditional fish and chips, fossil hunting, gothic history and easy access to the North York Moors National Park. Whitby is also forever linked to Bram Stoker’s Dracula and has appeared in popular British television shows such as Heartbeat.
Most of the places below are free to visit, with Whitby Abbey being the main paid attraction.
View of the River Esk from Bridge St
Visit Whitby Harbour and the Lighthouses
Whitby’s harbour is the heart of the town. Since the early fourteenth century, it has welcomed trading vessels, fishing boats and whaling ships. Today, it remains lively with pleasure boats, seafood stalls and scenic viewpoints.
You can walk along both piers and spot Whitby’s famous lighthouses. West Pier Lighthouse, built in 1831 from local sandstone, stands tall at the harbor entrance. East Pier Lighthouse, built in 1855, sits opposite. Further along the coast is Whitby High Lighthouse, which has guided ships since 1858.
This area is ideal for sunrise photography, harbor walks and boat watching. It is also where many coastal boat tours depart.
The West Pier Lighthouse stands to the left, with the East Pier Lighthouse to the right
Walk Along Sandgate Street and the Market Place
Sandgate Street is one of the best places to experience Whitby’s shopping scene. This street is well known for Whitby jet shops, where visitors can browse traditional jewelry made from fossilized jet.
At the end of Sandgate Street lies the Market Place, which has been a trading area since the mid seventeenth century. Today you will still find local stalls and small shops selling everything from sweets to handmade crafts. You can even find nearby hotels and guesthouses close to the harbor by clicking here in Booking.com.
Wander Through Church Street
Church Street, originally known as Kirkgate, is one of Whitby’s oldest streets. It is lined with shops, cafés, and historic cottages, some dating back to the fifteenth century.
The street sits at the base of the famous 199 Steps and is a lively place to stop for lunch or dinner. (Mister Chips is a popular spot!)
Check out this beautiful holiday cottage on Church St!
The shops at Church St
Discover Blackburn’s Yard
Whitby’s historic yards are hidden rows of cottages tucked behind the main streets. Blackburn’s Yard, just off Church Street, is one of the prettiest and best preserved.
This small courtyard has won awards for its gardens and is home to the Wash House Pottery, where you can browse handmade ceramics. It is a peaceful place to pause and soak in the quieter side of Whitby.
View of Blackburn’s Yard in early spring
Spot the Crooked Cottage
Located near the base of the 199 Steps, the Crooked Cottage is over four hundred years old and instantly recognizable for its sloping lines and bold colors.
The cottage is available as a holiday rental here and offers harbor views from the upper floors.
The Crooked Cottage with its beautiful blue-painted windows and door
Wander Along Grape Lane
Grape Lane is a charming pedestrian street packed with small independent shops. Here you will find gift stores, jet shops, cafés and the Captain Cook Memorial Museum, dedicated to the famous explorer who once lived in Whitby.
The museum is one of the town’s most popular attractions and can easily be included in a self guided walking route.
View of Grape Lane with some of its shops
Walk Along Henrietta Street
Henrietta Street was once considered one of the most desirable addresses in Whitby, especially among fishermen, due to its sea access and elevated views.
From here, you get beautiful sightlines across the harbor and up toward Whitby Abbey. It is a fantastic photography stop and a quieter alternative to the busier streets below.
To book a cottage on Henrietta St, check out the Captain’s Cottage and Honeyz Hideaway
Partial view of Henrietta Street
Climb the 199 Steps
The 199 Steps have been part of Whitby since at least 1370. Originally wooden, they were later rebuilt in stone. Climbing them is almost a rite of passage for visitors.
The steps are famously featured in Bram Stoker’s Dracula, when the vampire arrives in Whitby during a storm. Halfway up, you will find benches and viewpoints that offer lovely harbor views.
View of the coast from the 199 steps
Relax on Whitby Beach
Whitby has two main beaches, Tate Hill Beach near the harbor and West Cliff Beach stretching north toward Sandsend.
These beaches are popular for fossil hunting, especially after storms. They are also ideal for coastal walks, family outings and sunset photography.
Explore St Mary’s Church
At the top of the 199 Steps stands St Mary’s Church, a beautiful clifftop church dating back to the twelfth century. Its graveyard, leaning headstones and windswept location add to Whitby’s gothic reputation.
This is one of the most atmospheric places in town and pairs perfectly with a visit to Whitby Abbey.
St Mary’s Church and Churchyard
Visit Whitby Abbey
Whitby Abbey is the most iconic landmark in the town. Founded in 657 AD, the abbey played a major role in early English Christianity and later inspired Bram Stoker’s Dracula.
Today, the dramatic ruins overlook the sea and town below. Entry is paid, but the site is well worth visiting for both history lovers and photographers.
You can book your ticket to Whitby Abbey here
Walk Down to the Village via Donkey Road
The steep, cobbled Donkey Road runs parallel to the famous 199 Steps and leads up toward Whitby Abbey. Historically, this was the route used by donkeys as they traveled between the beach and the town to carry out heavy work along the shore. Today, the donkeys are transported by small vehicles to and from their field on the Abbey Plain, but the road still offers a fascinating glimpse into Whitby’s working past.
Walking along Donkey Road is a quieter alternative to the 199 Steps and provides beautiful views over the rooftops and harbor. It is a wonderful route for photographers and anyone wanting to experience a more traditional side of Whitby.
Descending from the steep Donkey Road
Walk Along Pier Road
Located in West Whitby, Pier Road is one of the liveliest streets in town and leads directly to the main beach. This is where you will find amusement arcades, ice cream stalls, souvenir shops, and some of Whitby’s best known fish and chip restaurants. There is also a small fish market in this area where fresh catches are often sold.
Pier Road is especially popular with families and is a great place to soak in Whitby’s classic seaside atmosphere before heading onto the pier or down to the beach.
Visit the Whitby Whalebone Arch
The original Whalebone Arch was erected on Whitby’s West Cliff in 1853. It was later replaced in 1963 with a replica from Norway, and again in 2003. Today’s arch perfectly frames the distant ruins of Whitby Abbey, making it one of the most photographed viewpoints in town.
The arch is a powerful reminder of Whitby’s whaling history. During the eighteenth and nineteenth centuries, Whitby was a major whaling port. Ships regularly sailed to Greenland in search of whales for their valuable oil. Many never returned. The Whalebone Arch stands as both a landmark and a memorial to that era.
Whitby’s Whalebone Arch. From here, you can see Whitby Abbey standing in the background
Explore the Whitby Museum and Pannett Park
Whitby Museum, located in Pannett Park, showcases local fossils, jet jewelry, whaling history and rotating exhibitions. Pannett Park itself is a peaceful place to walk, especially in spring and summer.
Walk Along Cliff Street
Cliff Street offers lovely views over the coastline and down toward the harbor. It is a beautiful street to wander, lined with characterful buildings and holiday rentals. Staying here puts you within minutes of the town centre, the pier, the beach, and Whitby’s main attractions.
This area is ideal for travelers who want central accommodation with coastal views. This cottage is a beautiful option!
The cottages of Cliff St
Spot the Robert Lennard House
The Robert Lennard House stands on narrow Cliff Street and is one of Whitby’s most distinctive buildings. It was built in 1888 by Robert Lennard as the headquarters for his work as an architect, builder, and antique dealer. A blue plaque on the exterior marks the date of construction.
Take a moment to admire the intricate architectural details, especially around the striking corner bay window, which makes this building stand out among its neighbors.
The Robert Lennard House with its impressive bay windows
Visit the Alice in Wonderland Garden
Created by the Whitby in Bloom group, this small but charming garden is located on Cliff Street next to the car park. It is a peaceful place to rest, enjoy the sea air, and take in the views.
The Alice themed garden features oversized playing cards engraved with quotes from the novel, a decorative archway, and a giant stopwatch seat. It forms part of the White Rabbit Trail that runs through town, which can be purchased at the Whitby Tourist Information Centre.
This is a lovely stop for families and anyone looking for something a little different from Whitby’s gothic reputation.
Suggested Whitby Day Itinerary
Morning
Harbor walk and lighthouse views
Sandgate Street and Church Street
Climb the 199 Steps and visit St Mary’s Church
Midday
Whitby Abbey
Lunch on Church Street or near the harbor
Afternoon
Grape Lane and Captain Cook Museum
Blackburn’s Yard and West Cliff walk
Where to Stay and How to Get There
Whitby offers everything from boutique guesthouses to sea view hotels and historic cottages. Accommodation can be easily compared through Booking.com, Expedia and Vrbo.
Travelers flying in can search flights to nearby airports through Aviasales and arrange transfers from Leeds, Manchester or Teesside using Welcome Pickups or Kiwitaxi.
Final Thoughts
Whitby is a town where history, legend and coastal beauty come together. Whether you visit for the abbey, the beaches, the literary connections or the seafood, Whitby offers far more than most seaside towns its size.
If you are planning a trip to North Yorkshire in 2026, Whitby deserves a central place in your itinerary!
Architect at Heart 