Jorvik Viking Centre Tours

Set on the site of a major Viking settlement, Jorvik Viking Centre whisks visitors back in time to ninth-century England. Glass floors reveal remnants of the original village uncovered by archaeologists in the 1970s, while a train ride takes passengers past detailed diorama-style displays that recreate typical scenes from Viking life—complete with animatronic figures, a soundtrack, and more.
The Basics
The Jorvik Viking Centre offers an engaging experiential history lesson for visitors of all ages, bringing the Viking story to life through immersive and interactive exhibits that allow travelers to try their hand at virtual excavations of their own. Visitors take self-guided tours of the center, with interactive displays, commentary, and live guides in Viking dress, providing information along the way. The center can be reached via hop-on hop-off tour buses of York. Some York sightseeing passes include free entry to the attraction.
Things to Know Before You Go
- Allow at least one hour to properly explore the Jorvik Viking Centre.
- Tickets are available at the door, but it’s worth booking in advance to avoid lines during peak times.
How to Get There
The Jorvik Viking Centre is located inside Coppergate Shopping Centre in York’s city center. Lots of local bus routes (10, 10a, 16, 24, 25, 26, 36, 42, 45, 46, X46, X47, 412, and 415) run to Piccadilly, which is just a short 2-minute walk away from the attraction.
When to Get There
Lines form at the Jorvik Viking Centre, especially on summer weekends and during school vacations. Arrive early in the morning or later in the day to avoid the crowds.
The Sounds, Sights, and Smells of Viking-Age York
Among the Jorvik Viking Centre’s most famous artifacts is the Lloyds Bank coprolite, a fully intact 7-inch (18-centimeter) fossilized Viking excrement. Not only does the center showcase objects unearthed in the dig, but it also presents a multisensory reimagining of Viking life. Listen carefully and you will hear the animatronic characters at Jorvik speaking Old Norse. Smells, designed to resemble those that would have been present in ninth-century Jorvik, waft through the air.
Address: JORVIK Viking Centre, Coppergate, York, North Yorkshire YO1 9WT, England
Hours: Apr - Oct: 10am - 5pm; Nov - Mar: 10am - 4pm
Admission: Varies
8 Tours and Activities to Experience Jorvik Viking Centre
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The Bloody Tour of York - Tourism Award Winner 2020
Skip the standard group tours and enjoy an alternative history of York during this award-winning, immersive guided tour of the city. Pass by top attractions—such as the Shambles and Jorvik Viking Centre—as you listen to your guide tell tales of witches, queens, and murderers that you wouldn’t hear on most other tours.
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From
$16.74
From
$16.74
Taking safety measures

Private Viking Walk of York
Learn about York's history and legends on a 2-hour Viking walking tour with a private guide, Sigwulf. You'll walk through town to see historical landmarks and listen to stories from the Viking days. Departure time is flexible to suit your preferences.
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From
$76.72
Price varies by group size
From
$76.72
Price varies by group size
Social distancing enforced throughout experience

York Pass
Ideal for travelers looking for the flexibility to determine their own itinerary, the York Pass provides access to a number of the region’s top attractions, including The Deep, Beningbrough Hall, and more. Don’t worry about buying individual admission tickets; instead, use the convenient and hassle-free York Pass to save time on the day, allowing you more time to enjoy the sights.
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From
$66.96
From
$66.96
Face masks required for travelers in public areas
Face masks required for guides in public areas
Hand sanitizer available to travelers and staff

York Walls Private Walking Tour
Uncover the medieval marvels of historic York on a bespoke walking tour with a private guide. Learn about York’s rich history as you walk around the centuries-old walls, pose for photos with a backdrop of the city or visit the wall museums (not included). Your private tour is yours to customize as you please, so you could also pay a visit to York Castle, stroll down the atmospheric The Shambles or take a peek inside the magnificent York Minster.
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From
$76.72
Price varies by group size
From
$76.72
Price varies by group size

Private Ghost Tour of York
Designed for travelers with a historical interest in the supernatural, this private 2-hour ghost tour of York — one of the most haunted cities in the world — allows you to customize your itinerary to suit you. Choose to visit sites with countless reports of ghost sightings, including York Minster, The Shambles, and The York Dungeon, and listen to frightening tales rooted in York’s 2,000-year-old history. The start time and location of your tour is up to you.
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From
$76.72
Price varies by group size
From
$76.72
Price varies by group size
Social distancing enforced throughout experience

Private York Christmas Walking Tour
During the festive season, the historic city of York is undoubtedly at its most magical. Enhance your expereince of York at Christmas time on a private 2-hour walking tour, ideal for families and first-time visitors. Alongside your personal guide, you’ll visit top York attractions such as York Minster and The Shambles, and learn about the city’s 2,000-year-old history. Being a private tour, the itinerary and start time can be customized according to your interests.
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From
$76.72
Price varies by group size
From
$76.72
Price varies by group size

York Hop-on Hop-off Open Top Bus Tour with 1 Extra Day FREE
Reconnect with your favourite York landmarks with this hop-on, hop-off open-top bus tour around the towns best loved sites, with a live guide. Sit back and relax as our experienced guide regales you with fascinating information about York Minster, Micklegate Bar, Clifford’s Tower and much more.
You can hop-on and hop-off at any of the 20 stops. A great break from online learning for the kids, with a chance to have a more interactive experience. It’s been a very long time since we’ve been able to see the iconic monuments of this great city, so join us and revisit the best of York! We will be providing single-use masks and gloves on this tour, although customers are welcome to provide their own.
The first tour of the day starts at 10:15am from Exhibition Square.
*1 day extra free applies when booking a 1 and/or 2 day hop-on, hop-off York ticket, travelling before 28 Feb 2021 on days when the tour operates daily (1 extra day free- not applicable when the tour does not run every day).
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From
$20.92
From
$20.92
Face masks required for travelers in public areas
Face masks required for guides in public areas
Face masks provided for travelers

Private Walking Tour: York City Highlights and York Minster
With rich Roman and Viking history, and beautiful architecture, York is widely considered among England’s must-see cities—but exploring independently means you may miss its hidden secrets. On this tour, follow your private guide through historic York and find out what makes the city special. Explore top attractions like Clifford's Tower, the Jorvik Viking Centre, the Roman walls, and St Mary’s Abbey, and enjoy sweeping views along the River Ouse.
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From
$254.82
Price varies by group size
From
$254.82
Price varies by group size
Hand sanitizer available to travelers and staff
Social distancing enforced throughout experience
Guides required to regularly wash hands
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