There’s something about York that just feels right. It’s not a city that overwhelms you with must-see attractions or jaw-dropping landmarks. Instead, it wins you over in a more subtle way - with its charm, its rhythm, and the way all of its parts come together to create something truly special.
For me, York is a city where the whole is greater than the sum of its parts. In that way, it actually reminds me of The Beatles. I’ve always enjoyed their solo work after they split, but no matter how talented they were individually, there was something magical about the four of them together. York has that same kind of magic.
If you break it down into its individual pieces - the architecture, the narrow medieval streets, the river, the ancient walls - none of them alone are as breathtaking as the grandeur of Paris or the dramatic skyline of Prague. But put it all together, and York has a unique charm and energy that makes it unforgettable.
There’s a comfort to York, a warmth in its old stone and timber-framed buildings, and a friendliness in its streets. It’s an incredibly walkable city, which means you can take it all in at the perfect pace - surrounded by a mix of history and everyday life. One moment, you’re standing beneath the towering York Minster, and the next, you’re sipping coffee in a cozy little café tucked down a snickelway (which is the local word for a tiny alleyway). The city is full of these contrasts, where the past and present blend together effortlessly.
York doesn’t try too hard to impress - and maybe that’s why it does. It’s not flashy. It doesn’t hit you over the head with its grandeur. Instead, it sneaks up on you in the best way possible. It’s in the small details - the way the buildings lean into each other, the sound of buskers playing on the street corners, the glow of shop windows at dusk.
It’s easy to be in York. It welcomes you without trying. And just like the best music, the best books, and the best places - it stays with you long after you leave.
York is full of unexpected delights. It doesn’t overwhelm you at first glance, but the longer you spend here, the more it reveals its personality. Of course, history is everywhere, but there’s also a playfulness and warmth that makes this place truly special.
Here are just a few of the things that won me over:
York’s Love Affair with Chocolate
I wasn’t expecting York to be a chocolate lover’s dream, but wow - this city takes its chocolate seriously. York has a rich history of chocolate-making, once home to companies like Rowntree’s (which gave us KitKats and Smarties) and Terry’s (the makers of the famous Chocolate Orange). Today, that legacy lives on, and the city is packed with incredible chocolatiers and cafés serving some of the best hot chocolate I’ve ever had.
I’ll admit - I went on a bit of a chocolate crawl while we were here. And honestly? Each stop was better than the last. There’s just something about sipping a rich, velvety hot chocolate while wandering York’s medieval streets that feels absolutely perfect.
The Harry Potter Vibes
If you’re a Harry Potter fan, York feels like stepping straight into the pages of the books. The Shambles, one of the city’s most famous streets, is said to have inspired Diagon Alley - and it’s easy to see why. With its crooked, timber-framed buildings, narrow cobbled lanes, and magical-looking shopfronts, it feels straight out of the Wizarding World.
The Harry Potter influence is everywhere here, from wizard-themed stores to immersive magical experiences. Whether you’re a die-hard fan or just someone who enjoys a bit of whimsy, York embraces its connection to the books in the best way possible.
Yorkshire’s Stunning Countryside
As much as I loved the city itself, one of the best parts about visiting York was its location in the heart of Yorkshire - one of the most stunning regions in England.
We found renting a car and driving through the Yorkshire Dales to be an absolute highlight of our trip. The rolling green hills, stone walls, and picturesque villages made for some of the most stunning landscapes I’ve ever seen.
Even in winter, there was something peaceful about the vast, open spaces and winding country roads. It’s the kind of place where you want to pull over every five minutes just to take in the view.
York’s Viking Past
Throughout our travels, we’ve seen Roman ruins, Moorish castles, and Minoan palaces. But York was the first place where we were introduced to the Viking influence.
The Vikings arrived in York in 866 AD, renaming it Jorvik and making it one of their most important trading and political centers. Their influence still runs deep here.
The city celebrates its Norse heritage with places like the Jorvik Viking Centre, and we were lucky enough to be in town for the Jorvik Viking Festival, an event filled with reenactments, storytelling, and immersive experiences honoring York’s Viking past.
Every day, we found something new to love about this city. Whether it was indulging in yet another cup of hot chocolate, feeling the magic of The Shambles, or exploring the stunning countryside, York charmed us in unexpected ways.
During our four-week stay, we had only about five sunny days - so few that we could easily count each one. But even with the cold, the gray skies, and the occasional rain - all expected in England during winter - our time in York was absolutely wonderful.
I can only imagine how incredible it must be in spring or summer, with warmer weather and the city in full bloom. If that had been the case, we might never have left.
Such a lovely town.
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