Scarborough Travel Guide

Tourist Guide
South Bay Beach featuring a beach and a coastal town
Gaze up at the iconic limestone cliffs rising from the North Sea in this lively town with a history of explorers.

Scarborough is a coastal town full of traditions, family activities and historic landmarks. It has pleasant beaches with amusement arcades and pubs that attract visitors during summer. Learn about the apprenticeship of one of Europe’s foremost explorers in this port commune.

Among the town’s most historic attractions is the North Bay Railway, which has been running for almost a century. Take the kids on a ride on the miniature railway and learn to control the train yourself. Discover the complex’s range of fun activities, allowing you to walk on water in a hamster ball and balance as you cross elevated ropes and beams.

Rent a boat for a serene trip around the lake in Peasholm Park. It features a hilltop pagoda on an island in the lake. Gather around the lake for a concert or naval warfare battle.

Several beaches surround the town the main two are North Bay Beach and South Bay Beach. Relish the tranquility around the wild terrain of North Bay. Near South Bay, visit the pubs, bars and boutiques facing the sea.

Spend hours looking around the fascinating exhibits in the Captain Cook Memorial Museum. Learn about James Cook and his adventures into a world unknown to Europeans. The museum is based in the house where he served as an apprentice.

Try local specialties, such as fish and chips and other seafood at a restaurant overlooking the town’s limestone cliffs and the North Sea. The locals are known as Scarborians. Enjoy the warm summers with a trip to the beach. Wrap up warm in the windy winter.

The town in Yorkshire County is on the North Sea coast in northeastern England. It is near the cities of York, Leeds, Newcastle-upon-Tyne and Hull. Drive north for 4 or 5 hours from London to reach the coastal town.

Scarborough is a place of thrilling family adventure based around the traditions of the seafaring explorers from the past.

Where to stay in Scarborough

Scarborough which includes a luxury hotel or resort and a coastal town

Scarborough City Centre

4/5(184 area reviews)

Scarborough City Centre is a destination visitors seek out for its beaches, lively bars and seaside views. You might want to check out attractions like South Bay Beach or Mecca Bingo while you're exploring the neighbourhood.

Scarborough City Centre
Britannia Grand Hotel Scarborough
Britannia Grand Hotel Scarborough
3 out of 5
St. Nicholas Cliff, Scarborough, England
The price is £39 per night from 16 Jun to 17 Jun
£39
per night
16 Jun - 17 Jun
Stay at this 3-star beach hotel in Scarborough. Enjoy 2 restaurants, a beach locale and 2 bars/lounges. Our guests praise the helpful staff and the clean rooms ...
5.6/10 (1,861 reviews)
Comfortable stay
"We hadn't stayed here before and it had been a long time since we'd been in Scarborough so didn't really have any expectations. We were 'upgraded' to a sea view room on the 4th floor but this is a 19th Century building so don't expect palatial. Everything was clean but tired but this is reflected ..."

Reviewed on 24 May 2024

Britannia Grand Hotel Scarborough
Crown Spa Hotel Scarborough by Compass Hospitality
Crown Spa Hotel Scarborough by Compass Hospitality
4 out of 5
The Esplanade, Scarborough, England
The price is £90 per night from 9 Jun to 10 Jun
£90
per night
9 Jun - 10 Jun
Stay at this 4-star beach hotel in Scarborough. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, a full-service spa and a beach locale. Our guests praise the pool and the helpful staff in ...
8.2/10 Very Good! (1,003 reviews)
"I liked it all"

Reviewed on 19 May 2024

Crown Spa Hotel Scarborough by Compass Hospitality
The Royal Hotel
The Royal Hotel
3.5 out of 5
St Nicholas Street, Scarborough, England
The price is £62 per night from 3 Jun to 4 Jun
£62
per night
3 Jun - 4 Jun
Stay at this 3.5-star beach hotel in Scarborough. Enjoy a rooftop terrace, breakfast (surcharge) and room service. Our guests praise the breakfast and the bar ...
7/10 Good! (1,001 reviews)
"Everything was fine, nice breakfast and friendly staff. Room was very warm but unable to keep window open"

Reviewed on 18 May 2024

The Royal Hotel
Lowest nightly price found within the past 24 hours based on a 1 night stay for 2 adults. Prices and availability subject to change. Additional terms may apply.
Five Star Stays
Five Star Stays
4 out of 5
10-11 Main Street Seamer, Seamer, Scarborough, England
Stay at this 4-star cottage in Scarborough. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, free parking and a 24-hour front desk. Popular attractions Scarborough Spa and Scarborough Open ...
9.6/10 Exceptional! (93 reviews)
Great accommodation
"It was great location, outskirts of popular beach attractions"

Reviewed on 15 Feb 2024

Five Star Stays
The Sands - Sea Front Apartments
The Sands - Sea Front Apartments
5 out of 5
Unit 6, Kepwick House, Peasholm Gap, Scarborough, England
Enjoy free Wi-Fi, free parking and a beach locale.
9.6/10 Exceptional! (120 reviews)
"We enjoyed our stay at the Sands apartment. It was a nice area with lovely views looking out to north beach. We stayed in a duplex apartment on the ground floor and felt the bedrooms were a bit small and cramped. Not enough storage space eg. No chest of drawers in the main bedroom and only 10 hangers ..."

Reviewed on 22 May 2024

The Sands - Sea Front Apartments
40ft x 20ft luxury holiday lodge near Scarborough; 3 bed, sleeps 6, hot tub
40ft x 20ft luxury holiday lodge near Scarborough; 3 bed, sleeps 6, hot tub
Burniston, England
Stay at this holiday home in Scarborough. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, a water park and balconies. Our guests praise the clean rooms in their reviews. Popular attractions ...
9.8/10 Exceptional! (207 reviews)
Fab time
"Had the most wonderful time at Diane’s den! Couldn’t fault it! Will be coming back"

Reviewed on 17 May 2024

40ft x 20ft luxury holiday lodge near Scarborough; 3 bed, sleeps 6, hot tub
Lowest nightly price found within the past 24 hours based on a 1 night stay for 2 adults. Prices and availability subject to change. Additional terms may apply.

Popular places to visit

Reviews of Scarborough

4.3
Top destination
5 - Excellent
250
" "5 - Excellent 43.78283712784589%
4 - Good
239
" "4 - Good 41.85639229422067%
3 - Okay
65
" "3 - Okay 11.38353765323993%
2 - Disappointing
14
" "2 - Disappointing 2.4518388791593697%
1 - Terrible
3
" "1 - Terrible 0.5253940455341506%

5/5 - Excellent

Verified traveller
23 Mar 2020

Great place for all ages

3/5 - Okay

Verified traveller
11 Mar 2020

Quiet shopping poor

3/5 - Okay

Verified traveller
9 Mar 2020

Out of season, so public transport terrible.

5/5 - Excellent

Peterwatson
3 Mar 2020

Just went for a few days, to see the opera , everything went to plan not far to walk to the theatre and easy to get back to the cavendish,

5/5 - Excellent

Verified traveller
4 Feb 2020

Lots of places in and around Scarborough

5/5 - Excellent

Verified traveller
31 Jan 2020

Love Scarborough will be back but will stay at the grand hotel

Read travel guides and advice on visiting Scarborough

Cities near Scarborough