Last Updated on 19/10/2026
Whitby in North Yorkshire is arguably England’s spookiest town, believed to have inspired Bram Stoker’s Dracula novel and more recently known for its popular Whitby Goth Weekend. But, planning a short break in Whitby needn’t be scary! In this post, I’m sharing all the fun things to do in Whitby in a day!
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Whitby Short Breaks & What to Do if you only have one day in Whitby North Yorkshire
Whitby is the perfect North Yorkshire seaside getaway and it is certainly a unique UK beach break at the very least. Steeped in history, Whitby has become a Gothic Graceland inspiring Bram Stoker’s Dracula with its dramatic abbey and spooky St Mary’s Church. The quaint harbour and beautiful blue flag beach in Whitby are overlooked by the intriguing romantic ruins of the Abbey and St Mary’s Church, aptly painting a vivid picture of Whitby’s past.
If you only have one day in Whitby, personally, I would recommend checking out unique things to do in Whitby that set it apart from the other North Yorkshire coastal towns, such as its Dracula connection or jet-black jewellery.
Whitby is certainly unlike any other British seaside town I’ve visited and here you will uncover treasures that will either give you a trick or treat!
Whether you are looking to uncover the Dracula and Whitby connection or simply want to enjoy a seaside break in Whitby – you’ll find plenty of fun things to do in Whitby in this post!
Fun Things to Do in Whitby in a Day!
Ready to sink your teeth into this Whitby day trip guide? I’ll be sharing Dracula hotspots in Whitby, where to eat and how to enjoy a perfect seaside Whitby short break. With plenty of free things to do in Whitby too!
Visit Whitby Abbey
“IT IS A MOST NOBLE RUIN, OF IMMENSE SIZE, AND FULL OF BEAUTIFUL AND ROMANTIC BITS. THERE IS A LEGEND THAT A WHITE LADY IS SEEN IN ONE OF THE WINDOWS… THIS IS TO MY MIND THE NICEST SPOT IN WHITBY…”
-Mina Harker’s diary, Chapter 6, Dracula by Bram Stoker
I have to agree with Mina Harker, Whitby Abbey is easily the nicest spot in Whitby. It certainly has an allure that you can’t quite put a finger on when you visit!
Whitby Abbey is a ruined Benedictine monastery, originally founded in the 11th Century and now part of the English Heritage properties. The Abbey still towers over the town of Whitby and is still one of the most popular tourist attractions in Whitby today.
The Abbey is free to English Heritage members and £7.50 for adults, £4.50 for children or £19 for a family ticket. You could easily spend a couple of hours at the Abbey, taking in the views over Whitby, exploring the monastery ruins or visiting the on-site museum which houses some interesting finds from the Abbey.
St Mary’s Church Whitby
Below Whitby Abbey, you will see the ancient parish church of St Mary perched upon the East Cliff.
If you’re intrigued about the Dracula and Whitby connection there’s a lot to be uncovered in Whitby’s St Mary’s Church graveyard as Bram Stoker reportedly noted down names and inscriptions from the weathered gravestones to use in his novel. Most notably, the name ‘Swales’ who became Dracula’s first victim in Whitby!
Although you can’t enter St Mary’s Church as it is still an active parish church, it is worth visiting the graveyard, especially if you are a fan of Gothic literature. The graveyard has some incredible views over Whitby Harbour too!
Just keep a lookout for a black dog that may be watching you while you’re there!
Don’t climb Whitby’s 199 steps, walk down them!
“But, strangest of all, the very instant the shore was touched, an immense dog sprang up on deck from below, as if shot up by the concussion, and running forward, jumped from the bow on the sand. Making straight for the steep cliff, where the churchyard hangs over the laneway to the East Pier so steeply that some of the flat tombstones, thruffsteans or through-stones, as they call them in Whitby vernacular, actually project over where the sustaining cliff has fallen away, it disappeared in the darkness, which seemed intensified just beyond the focus of the searchlight.”
-Dracula by Bram Stoker
If you spotted an ominous black dog on Whitby’s 199 steps these days, I’m sure many would think of Sirius Black as his black dog animagus “Padfoot”, rather than Dracula. However, a black dog was one of many forms that Dracula could transform himself into.
Whitby’s 199 steps are one of the most iconic things about Whitby, leading from the town centre up to the Abbey and St Mary’s Church on Whitby’s East Cliff. The steps were immortalised in Bram Stoker’s Dracula as they feature heavily in Chapter 9 when Lucy Westenra and Mina Harker explore the town at night and are watched by Dracula from the graveyard.
If you started your day in Whitby exploring the Abbey, then St Mary’s Church, you will find yourself at the top of Whitby’s notorious 199 steps, so enjoy the view and walk down them, not up them! You’ll know you made the right choice when you meet other tourists panting whilst they climb the 199 steps as you take a leisurely stroll down!
Follow in the footsteps of Bram Stoker and take a walk down the 199 steps (walk on the right-hand side as tradition dictates), and let’s hope you do not meet your fate there like Lucy Westenra!
Dip your toes in the sand at Whitby Harbour
It’s no Whitby seaside break without dipping your toes in the sand at Whitby Harbour. The small Sandy beach at Whitby Harbour is also the perfect spot to enjoy a drink or two watching the sun go down.
Whitby’s maritime heritage is still very evident at the harbour with Whitby’s world-famous fishing fleet moored there, as well as pleasure boats and charter boats offering trips out to sea.
Get some photos of the colourful Whitby beach chalets
I have to admit, I completely missed the colourful beach chalets in Whitby during my visit. I am impartial to a colourful beach hut or two, so I was sad to miss the addition to my colourful beach hut collection. However, I most certainly made up for it by snapping some pictures at the colourful Scarborough beach chalets.
Scarborough is a short drive along the North Yorkshire Coast from Whitby and definitely worth a visit – check out my guide for things to do in Scarborough.
Buy a Whitby Jet Jewellery Souvenir
Intrigued by the quirky jet-black jewellery in Whitby? You will certainly see lots of Whitby Jet, which is a semi-precious stone whilst you’re wandering around Whitby.
if you are looking for something unique to buy, Whitby’s jet jewellery will make a lovely gift and is a popular souvenir for tourists.
Whitby Jet is made from the fossilised wood of monkey puzzle and other similar trees that grew in the Jurassic period around 180 million years ago. Whitby Jet is exposed by the eroding cliffs of the North Yorkshire coastline and washed up along the Whitby seashore before being polished and made into jewellery.
Queen Victoria was particularly fond of Whitby Jet jewellery and wore the stone as part of her mourning dress for several years, which added to its popularity during the Victorian era.
Why not purchase your own ornately carved Whitby Jet jewellery, there’s a variety on offer in the Jet shops, including pendants, bracelets, rings, brooches and earrings.
Explore Dracula’s Whitby & Discover the Bram Stoker & Whitby Connection
The seaside town of Whitby in North Yorkshire was the inspiration behind Bram Stoker’s Dracula after Bram Stoker visited Whitby on holiday In 1897 and apparently fell in love with the place, using it as a backdrop for his novel.
There are many things to do in Whitby that are connected to Dracula and Bram Stoker – there’s apparently even Dracula-themed mini golf! Might have to go back to Whitby just to play this alone!
Bram Stoker and Whitby go hand in hand so there’s something quite special about doing a Dracula experience in Whitby.
Sink your teeth into the Whitby Dracula Experience
Whitby has embraced its dark side and you can now sink your teeth into the Whitby Dracula experience, which includes a tour of some of the most haunted places in Whitby.
As with all tours of this type, they can be rather amusing and cheesy rather than scary, but that’s a good thing in my opinion! Look out for the cape worn by Christopher Lee in the 1958 adaptation!
Uncover more about the Dracula and Whitby connection until your (blood) thirsty for more!
Get Spooked Out with a Whitby Ghost Tour
If you are looking for something really spooky to do during your Whitby short break, then why not go on a ghost tour? Whitby is said to be one of the most haunted towns in England so why not find out for yourself?!! There are a number of different ghost tours available, so you can choose the one that best suits your interests.
If the Whitby Dracula connection is already terrifying enough, don’t worry…! I’ll also be sharing what to do in Whitby if Dracula and ghost tours aren’t your thing!
See The Hand of Glory at Whitby Museum
Whitby Museum is an independent Victorian museum home to a large collection of artefacts from the Whitby area, including costumes, maritime items and fossils. Whitby Museum is also a great place to visit if you want to learn more about the history and culture of Whitby.
This Whitby museum exhibit is a place where you can see a rather unique artefact. The Hand of Glory is a hand that has been severed from a corpse and is said to have magical powers. If you are looking for something creepy to see during your Whitby break, then this is definitely it!
This creepy hand reminds of the one that grips Harry Potter in Borgin & Burkes on Nocturn Alley. I’m not sure I’d want to get that close, but there’s something quite intriguing about The Hand of Glory at Whitby Museum that you can’t seem to shake…
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It costs £7 per adult to visit Whitby Museum and children under 18 go free. Whitby Museum is open Tuesday – Sunday and the last entry is at 4pm.
The Captain Cook Experience Whitby
Forget Captain Jack (ok, I can’t either)…it’s all about Captain Cook in Whitby, who was the first European explorer to discover Australia.
There are a plethora of ways to uncover more about Captain Cook in Whitby, including the Captain Cook Memorial Museum, which is full of exhibits about Captain Cook’s life and work, as well as the history of Whitby. Visiting the Captain Cook Museum is also a great thing to do in Whitby when it rains!
Fancy getting out on the water yourself? The Bark Endeavour is a replica of the ship that Captain James Cook sailed from Whitby on his first voyage to the Pacific and enlightens visitors on Whitby’s maritime history. This Whitby boat ride will take you on a journey back in time to when Whitby was the busiest port in England.
During your Whitby boat ride, you will also get to see some of the most stunning scenery on the Yorkshire coast.
Enjoy a Whitby lemon-top Ice Cream
It wasn’t until I returned from our short break in Whitby that I realised how iconic a lemon-top ice cream in North Yorkshire really is!
Whilst my favourite chocolate, Terry’s Chocolate Orange has a long-standing history in York, just as iconic, but in the ice cream world is the lemon-top ice cream. That didn’t stop me from being totally seduced by Terry’s chocolate orange sundae that I didn’t actually try a Whitby lemon-top ice cream! This must mean I’ve got to go back to Whitby to eat a lemon-top ice cream right?!!
Spend your pennies in Whitby Amusement Arcades
Love them or hate them, amusement arcades are a great way to get rid of some loose change and win a teddy or two! If you’re wondering what to do in Whitby if it rains or are seeking family things to do in Yorkshire, the amusement arcades are always a winner.
Spend your time doing a classic seaside activity by playing some games in Whitby’s amusement arcades.
Watch the Sunset on the benches near Whitby’s Whalebone Statue
Whilst thankfully, whaling is no longer prohibited off the Yorkshire Coast, the whalebone statue in Whitby has become a landmark on the Yorkshire Coast. The whalebone statue commemorates the whaling industry that was once prevalent in Whitby.
The sunset in Whitby is really quite spectacular from the benches near the whalebone statue, which provides the most picturesque outlook over Whitby Harbour.
Easily my favourite of the free things to do in Whitby, I only wished I’d brought a picnic and a couple of drinks to enjoy whilst I sat on the bench and admired the beautiful colours in the sky.
Whitby Goth Weekend
If you are looking for something unique to Whitby, then Whitby Goth Weekend is definitely the event for you. This annual festival celebrates Goth culture and it is a great opportunity to see some amazing costumes, listen to music and watch Whitby come alive. This is one of the most renowned things to do in Yorkshire and sees Whitby taken over by goths from all over the world.
Where to Eat in Whitby
Whether you want to enjoy seaside favourites of fish n chips, seafood or other popular dishes, you’ll find plenty of places to eat in Whitby.
Tuck into some traditional Whitby Fish and Chips
You can’t beat the seaside staple of fish n chips; us Brits love fish n chips at the best of times, but it’s a non-negotiable during a visit to the seaside.
There are plenty of great fish and chip shops to choose from in Whitby, but one of the most popular is Magpie Cafe. This no-frills cafe on the harbourfront is often voted as one of the best fish and chip restaurants in the UK. The lobster dish also comes highly recommended, though be warned Whitby’s Magpie Cafe is so popular you may need to queue!
Whitby is also home to a number of seafood restaurants, so you can enjoy a more formal dining experience if you prefer.
Enjoy a Traditional Yorkshire Roast Dinner
Yorkshire puddings; it’s in the name! As someone who has to have a roast dinner every Sunday (it’s the law in England, don’t you know), I knew I had to have a traditional Yorkshire roast dinner.
I highly recommend popping into The White Horse & Griffin for a Sunday roast dinner in Whitby. We visited Whitby on a Sunday so, of course, we had to enjoy a roast!
Take a ride on the North Yorkshire Moors Railway
Looking to explore Whitby and beyond?
Quite possibly, Britain’s most scenic railway tour, the North Yorkshire Moors Railway provides the most breathtaking views over the Yorkshire Moors and picturesque Yorkshire Coast.
Visiting in September you will be able to see purple Heather on the Yorkshire Moors too!
Don’t miss the train to Hogwarts at Goathland Station, a place familiar to all Harry Potter fans when Hagrid greets Harry on the station platform. Unfortunately, I missed my Hogwarts train during my visit, which is yet another reason to visit North Yorkshire again!
If you want to see the Hogwarts train at Goathland Station and don’t have a car, you can visit Goathland Station on the Heartbeat Aidensfield Tour.
See the Beautiful Falling Foss Waterfall and enjoy the view from the Falling Foss Tea Rooms
If like me, any excuse to admire a beautiful waterfall, check out Falling Foss Waterfall, located a few miles south of Whitby. Aptly named, it cascades over the edge of a cliff into a picturesque valley below. Enjoy a cup of tea or coffee in the adjacent Falling Foss Tea Rooms and take in the peaceful surroundings.
Exploring waterfalls followed by a cream tea are among some of my favourite things to do. Don’t believe me check out the posts below:
South Wales Four Falls Trail Guide Brecon Beacons
Cornish cream tea at The Cornwall Hotel
Chasing waterfalls in Southern Iceland
How to spend a week in Madeira
How to Get to Whitby
There are numerous ways to get to Whitby to suit every traveller.
Short Breaks to Whitby by Train
The train journey from London to Whitby is a long one, at just over 5 hours. However, the scenic route along the Yorkshire Coast makes it well worth the journey. Take the train from London Kings Cross, changing once at York to Whitby.
In fact, why not enjoy the weekend in York and extend your stay with a day in Whitby!
Choose a seat on the right-hand side of the train as you approach Whitby, so you get the best views of the coast as you enter Whitby.
You can book your train tickets in advance via the Trainline website, which I would recommend to secure the best price.
Short Breaks to Whitby by Air
The nearest airport to Whitby is Durham Tees Valley Airport, located just over an hour away by car. However, there are only a limited number of flights from UK airports. The majority of visitors travelling to Whitby by air will fly into Leeds Bradford Airport, Manchester Airport or Newcastle Airport and then rent a car for the journey.
Short Breaks to Whitby by Car
If you are travelling to Whitby by car from the UK, the journey will take around 5 hours from London and just over 3 hours from Manchester.
To get to Whitby by car take the M1 northbound, then A1 North from London and follow signs for the A64 to Scarborough. From Manchester, take the M62 East towards Hull and then the A614 signposted to Pickering. Join the A169 signposted Whitby.
Once in Whitby, follow signs for the town centre, where you will find plenty of parking.
Whitby Parking
There are a number of car parks located in Whitby town centre, as well as on-street parking. However, during peak season parking can be difficult to find, especially on weekends. I would recommend arriving early to secure a parking space. There is also a Park and Ride service available from the car park at Whitby Leisure Centre.
During my day trip to Whitby, I parked in the Whitby Abbey car park to explore the Abbey before wandering around the town.
Short Breaks to Whitby by Coach
Of course, if you don’t fancy driving yourself to Whitby and finding a parking space you can travel to Whitby by coach.
National Express operates regular coach services from across the UK to Scarborough, located around 30 minutes drive from Whitby.
Once in Scarborough, you can either take a local bus service or a taxi to Whitby. Alternatively, if you are feeling active, it is possible to walk from Scarborough to Whitby along the Yorkshire Coast in around 3 hours.
Alternatively, check out Whitby coach holidays that visit Whitby specifically.
How to Get Around Whitby
Whitby is a small town and very easy to get around on foot. However, if you want to explore further afield there are a number of tour operators offering guided tours from Whitby.
Alternatively, you can hire a car for the day and explore the Yorkshire Moors and Coast at your own pace, which is also a great option if you want to explore other North Yorkshire seaside towns.
The Best Time to Visit Whitby
The best time to visit Whitby really depends on what you want to do during your stay. If you’re hoping to spend time hiking around the Yorkshire Moors or taking a ride on the North Yorkshire Moors Railway, then Spring and Autumn are ideal as the weather is cooler.
If you’re hoping to enjoy some of Whitby’s beaches, then Summer is the best time to visit. Though, like anywhere in England, the sun is not guaranteed! Whitby can get very busy during peak season, so if you’re looking for a more relaxed break, I would recommend visiting during the shoulder seasons.
I visited Whitby in September and the weather was perfect. Not too hot and not too cold, with fewer tourists than in the Summer and glorious bright purple heather along the Moors.
What to do in Whitby on a short break
Whilst I do like to be beside the seaside, it’s the unique history of Whitby that really made me fall in love with this quaint British seaside town.
There’s more to Whitby than your average British seaside town, with lots to do in Whitby to intrigue the most frequent of travellers.
I hope this post has been beneficial to help you plan your own Whitby short break, whether you’re planning a weekend trip or a day in Whitby.
Happy travels!
Jaz
Check out these other things to do on the Yorkshire Coast & beyond
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