The Complete Guide to the Best Instagram Spots in York

I’ve lived in York for nearly three years now, and I finally feel like I can call myself something of an expert on this beautiful city! York is so photogenic and full of gorgeous, historic buildings at every turn. Whether you visit a popular tourist attraction or stumble upon a hidden gem, you’ll be wowed. The city is an Instagrammers dream, with the snickelways (small, narrow passageways) tucked around places that date back hundreds of years. So here you are, all you Instagrammers: a full and complete guide for the best Instagram spots and most Instagrammable places in York!

Interested in a FREE 10-page York Mini Guide?

Included in this York Mini Guide are:

The top experiences and things to do in the city
Where to eat & drink (cafes, restaurants, pubs)
The best daytrips outside the city
An itinerary for how to spend 3 days in York

Click here to get your free copy!

City Walls (Bootham Bar to Monk Bar)

This is without a doubt one of my favorite places to view York Minster. The City Walls in York are some of the best-preserved medieval city walls in Europe, and the Minster truly is York’s crowning jewel. The best stretch of the walls is from Bootham Bar to Monk Bar. This shot is a classic, and one you simply cannot miss in York. Tip: the best lighting will be in the morning—if you go in the afternoon, you’ll be shooting into the sun!

Looking for hostels? Book here!

City Walls (Station Road)

My other favorite part of the City Walls is this viewpoint from Station Road. There’s an entrance to the wall walk from the intersection of Station Rise and Station Road. You can really appreciate the magnitude of York Minster, as it looms over the city around it. It’s such a popular Instagram spot, but definitely worth it.

York Minster (Interior)

Of course, no Instagrammers guide to York would be complete without a mention of the Minster. What can I even say—the building is stunning. It’s one of the largest gothic cathedrals in Northern Europe, and the main tourist attraction in York. The interior is a delight to photograph though—from the nave, the line of kings, the quire, to the hilarious carvings in the Chapter House. There is an entry fee to visit York Minster (residents can visit for free), but it is well worth it in my opinion, and the ticket is valid for a year. Better yet, add on a tour to the tower to see York from above!

York Minster (Exterior)

Of course, York Minster beckons Instagrammers from the outside as well. I even wrote a whole blog post on the best photo locations of York Minster! But my favorite would definitely be Minster Yard, on the intersection with Stonegate. The view of the towers from King’s Square and Low Petergate is also a good one. And if you want to lose the crowds, head past the Treasurer’s House down Chapter House Street for a more unique angle for your Instagram shots.

St. William’s College

For the best classic black-and-white Tudor architecture in York, look no further than St. William’s College. It’s right behind the back of the Minster, and dates all the way back to 1465. It’s unique and historic buildings like this that really give York that feeling like you’ve stepped back in time.

The Shambles

You can’t miss the Shambles on a post about the best Instagram spots in York. This historic street is one of the oldest shopping streets in Europe, and even dates back to the Domesday Book with a mention in 1086. The cobblestone street with the overhanging, timber-framed buildings really make you feel like you’ve been transported to a different era. Rumor has it that it was the inspiration for Diagon Alley in Harry Potter! Tip: it’s notoriously difficult to get an empty shot of the Shambles. Try to get there before 9:00am, or in the early evening.

Lady Peckett’s Yard

My favorite snickelway in York is definitely Lady Peckett’s Yard. Located off a busy street (Pavement), this path is a dead-end. But the black-and-white Tudor architecture is gorgeous, and so is the old lamp that lights it up in the evening. This has frequently been used as a filming location for various period movies through the years. This is one Instagram spot you can’t miss in York!

Sir Thomas Herbert’s House

Also located on Pavement is one of York’s most beautiful Tudor buildings. Sir Thomas Herbert was born in the house in 1606. A traveler and adventurer, he eventually was appointed to the Governorship of the Merchant Adventurers’ Company. The building has gone through some changes during my time living in York. The first photo is from 2016, when it was home to Jones, and the premises sat empty for some time. But now the building is home to the York Gin shop!

Precentor’s Court

As you walk down High Petergate, you’ll notice a small entrance next to the appropriately-named Hole in the Wall pub. Follow it through, and you’ll be treated to this stunning view of York Minster. It still manages to take my breath away, every single time.

Coffee Yard

This is the longest snickelway in York, cutting from Grape Lane to Stonegate. The best part is that it takes you through Barley Hall, the medieval house (now a museum), and you can even see inside! Warning: if you’re tall, you might have to duck to get in!

Norman Court

I’d only ever been through here for drinks in the evening, so I was a bit surprised to see just how cute this courtyard is! It’s located right off Grape Lane, and home to a few independent shops and businesses. This will be an Instagram hotspot soon enough, I’m sure!

York Medical Society Gardens

It took me two years of living in York to finally visit the beauty that is the York Medical Society Gardens. Tucked away off Stonegate is a quiet, peaceful oasis—the gardens are just beautiful. Even better, you have the tiniest bit of a view of the Minster! The gardens are only open when there’s an event on for the York Medical Society—which is rare. If they are open, any Instagrammer worth their while needs to stop here!

Museum Gardens

York’s Museum Gardens are definitely one of my favorite places in the city—I always take visitors here! There’s just so much to see: the ruins of St. Leonard’s Crypt near the library, the Multangular Tower, the beautiful ruins of St. Mary’s Abbey, the Yorkshire Museum, the Hospitium… I could go on. But take my word for it, and get yourself here to take some photos. The gardens really come alive in springtime with all the flowers blooming!

St. Olave’s Church

Now, normally I wouldn’t put a simple door on a list of places to see in York. But this door is my favorite door in the city, and since it’s my blog post I can do what I like! Around the back of Museum Gardens is St. Olave’s Church on Marygate. This door is what Instagram dreams are made of—so when you’re in Museum Gardens, definitely make a detour to photograph this one!

Merchant Adventurer’s Hall

The interior of the Merchant Adventurer’s Hall is jaw-dropping—such large timber beams in this medieval guildhall. But there’s so much more to this place than just the interior. This is one of my top hidden gems to see in York. The entrance on Fossgate surprises most people, tucked away between normal shops! The gardens are also beautiful, especially in springtime. For historic architecture, every Instagrammer needs to make a stop here.

Clifford’s Tower

To be totally honest, I wouldn’t say that this is necessarily the best view in York. But looking out over the city, it’s a pretty damn good one. After climbing 55 steps to get up to the tower, you’ll venture up a spiral staircase to check out the views from the top. The Minster is the most prominent thing you can see, but you can see all over the city from here. Be aware there is an admission fee to get into the tower!

Gatehouse Coffee (Walmgate)

Can you get any more Instagrammable than a coffee shop in the middle of a medieval barbican on York’s city walls? I don’t think so. Not only is Gatehouse Coffee a great place to stop for a coffee or a cake, but you can actually eat it out on the barbican. This is my favorite coffee shop in York, so it’s not to be missed! Note that they’re closed on Sundays. You can check out the best cafes and coffee shops in York here!

Botanic

Instagrammers love plants, and they love plant shops. That’s just a fact! And York is home to a gorgeous little plant shop on Walmgate, called Botanic. It’s small (just two rooms) but will take care of all of your botanical needs. It’s also one of my favorite small businesses in York, so give them some love! They’re closed on Mondays and also on most Sundays.

Fossgate Books

This bookshop is covered floor to ceiling in shelves and shelves of books. It’s one of my favorite bookshops in York! But while it’s a book-lovers delight, it’s also a lot of fun to photograph—both the exterior and the interior. Note that it is closed on Sundays.

Bettys

Bettys is an institution in Yorkshire, and especially in York. On busy days, the queue will wrap around the entire establishment. But the cakes and chocolates are definitely worthy of the ‘gram, and even the shop at the front is beautiful! It’s also housed in a gorgeous building, which always helps the Instagrammable-ness. Tip: they have a second, much smaller location on Stonegate with a gorgeous shopfront!

Partisan

How many places can you not only eat brunch, but also buy antique furniture?? Well, you can in Partisian. This is a fabulous (relatively new) place on Micklegate, and the food is delicious. The interior is gorgeous, the food is perfect for ‘gramming, and a lot of the furniture and art is actually for sale. It’s an Instagrammer’s heaven. Make sure to pay them a visit.

Cosy Club

While Cosy Club is a popular chain with locations all over the country, the York location is something special. The building is an old movie theater—one of the first cinemas in York, the Electric Theater! The magnificent exterior sets it apart from the other buildings on Fossgate. The interior is gorgeous too, done in a 1920s theme with plush seats and fun lighting. Inside or outside, it’ll look great on Instagram! The venue makes it one of my favorite bars in York, and also one of my favorite restaurants in York!

King’s Square

Finishing off the post with one of my favorite places: King’s Square. This is located in the center of York, with plenty of wonky, timber-framed buildings and bunting galore. You’ll nearly always catch one of the amazing street performers in York here, and it’s a great place for people watching. It’s surrounded by pubs and shops and perfect for all sorts of different shots for the ‘gram!

York is such a beautiful city and I absolutely love living here. There’s so much history in this city, and so much to see and discover. I’m still discovering new places I haven’t visited before, even after 2+ years! I hope you’ve enjoyed these best Instagram spots in York!

York is just two hours away from London by train, and well-connected to the rest of the North, which makes it an easy daytrip or long weekend away. I always use Trainline to find the best deals for train tickets. Planning on staying overnight in York to search out all these Instagrammable locations? I’d recommend the following places: