If you decide to visit Whitby Abbey, you’ll first be obliged to pass by another place of curiosity: the famous 199 steps, also known as the “Church Stairs.” Climbing these old steps may be a (tiny) challenge, but believe me, the view from the top is well worth the effort. Each step offers you an amazing view over the red rooftops, the winding streets of Whitby, and the beautiful North Sea waters.

One of the most iconic views in Whitby is its half-ruined abbey. Majestic and mysterious, the silhouette of Whitby Abbey is visible even before you arrive in town. Like many abbeys, it was partly demolished in the 16th century by order of Henry VIII during the Dissolution of the Monasteries. Today it’s a museum , picturesque and peaceful, and if you happen to pass by Whitby in autumn, you might also see the night illumination of the whole Abbey. This mysterious atmosphere suits Whitby’s Gothic reputation, as it was Bram Stoker who made it famous in his classic novel Dracula (we’ll come to that later!).

Entry to the abbey costs £10.95 (updated in 2024) , though it’s free with the English Heritage membership, which we, naturally, got ages ago!

Welcome to Yorkshire, baby! Here, nearly every other village will proudly claim its own essential role in the life of Captain Cook. Whitby, of course, is no exception. At the Captain Cook Memorial, who proudly stands on the top of the hill, people take their time to relax on one of many benches while taking in gorgeous views over the town and harbor. My favourite part of our ritual – a salted caramel ice-cream to accompany us to the hill.

The best is saved for last! Did you know that the setting for the early chapters of Bram Stoker’s Dracula is actually in Whitby? This is one of the most thrilling things about the town — Dracula and Stoker himself are inseparable from Whitby’ identity, and the book has become a local bestseller year-round. Halloween celebration in Whitby is a-ma-zing, every year it draws fans of Gothic horror and Stem Punk from far and wide. There is also a guided tour that follows Dracula steps through the town, reliving the eerie moments from the novel. And here’s the best part (for us) — it’s just 20 miles from where we used to live!