What to do in Scarborough

Activities, attractions and tours

A coastal town with historic buildings, a prominent church, and a beach with people and shops.
A coastal town with a sandy beach, a harbor with boats, and historic buildings.
A beach with two people walking along the shore.
A coastal town with a historic fort, a beach, and a clear view of the sea.
A historic stone tower with arched windows, overlooking a calm sea at sunset.

Scarborough Attractions

Let Expedia help you experience the best that Scarborough has to offer! If you’re looking for fun itinerary ideas, we can provide you with a list of the top sightseeing attractions, as well as helping you to find unmissable activities. Whether you’re travelling with your family, planning a romantic trip with your loved one, or visiting on business, we’ll make it easy to plan an unforgettable holiday that checks all the boxes.

Activities and Tours

Scarborough is crammed with must-see places to visit and things to do. We can help you decide where to stay, and make it a breeze to explore the surrounding areas with our guides on where to go, what to see and when to see it. No matter how long your stay, it’s easy to find places of interest in Scarborough to make sure that you enjoy your experience to the fullest and don’t miss a thing. Leave the local knowledge to us and leave the hassle behind.

If you’re planning a visit, why not check out our handy guides to places of interest in the area? You can browse lists of things to do, learn about the most popular attractions, and get help with planning the details of your trip. Expedia makes it easy for you to check out all the top sights.

Scarborough Attractions

Expedia has something for everyone, so whether you’re planning to get active on a summer holiday, put a spring in your step with a romantic rendezvous, or pamper yourself with a leisurely winter trip, you’ll find plenty of attractions to keep you entertained. In addition to scheduling local tours, booking reservations and scoring advance event tickets, Expedia makes it easy to book your flight, hotel and rental car in advance, all on one consolidated travel itinerary, making for hassle-free travel and freeing you up to explore the sights of Scarborough.

Looking for things to do can be time consuming, but we can take the hassle out of planning your holiday. Whether you’re looking to get active in the great outdoors, sample the cuisine or catch up with the vibrant local culture, our guides to Scarborough attractions ensure that you’ll have a successful trip, whatever the season.

Things to do

The Black Widow - Dark Tales around Scarborough

The Black Widow - Dark Tales of murder, crime and the paranormal

CA $19
per adult
The Black Widow - Dark Tales of murder, crime and the paranormal
North Yorkshire Forestry Trail eBike Adventure

North Yorkshire Forestry Trail eBike Adventure

CA $189
per adult
North Yorkshire Forestry Trail eBike Adventure
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Top places to visit

1. Scarborough Open Air Theatre

Scarborough Open Air Theatre is a mixed entertainment venue set on a lake in Scarborough’s Northstead Manor Gardens. Its stage is on an island in the middle of the water while the audience has seating on the eastern bank. Throughout the summer months Scarborough Open Air Theatre has a busy schedule of music, theater and sporting events.
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The entrance to Scarborough Open Air Theatre with a sign welcoming visitors.

2. South Bay Beach

South Bay Beach is the livelier of Scarborough’s main sandy stretches. The Castle Headland provides shelter from the northern winds, enabling excellent sunbathing conditions. Scarborough Castle stands at the northern part of the beach, while Scarborough Spa borders the south edge. Traverse the sandy bay in style with a traditional donkey ride.
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A harbor with boats, a lighthouse, and buildings along the waterfront.

3. North Bay Beach

North Bay Beach is a tranquil stretch of golden sand with restaurants, beach cabins and family activities. It is the quieter and wilder of Scarborough’s two main beaches, a little farther out from the town center. Trek with your family past the picturesque outcrops and rock pools to the main sandy area and headland.
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A beach with people, colorful buildings, and houses on a hillside.

4. Scarborough Spa

Scarborough Spa is a vast complex offering many events and activities in an impressive heritage-listed cliffside building. As its name suggests, the site was built around the region’s spa waters, although it is now known for its Jazz Festival, Spa Orchestra, dances and concerts. Move around the complex to appreciate its excellent views of the sea.
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A gazebo with a band performing, overlooking a beach with parked cars and people seated on chairs.

5. Peasholm Park

With its scenic lake, pretty gardens and fun activities, Peasholm Park is one of the most impressive of Scarborough’s central parks. It covers an area of 40 acres (16 hectares) with views of the North Sea. Stroll around the circumference of the lake, which runs around a picturesque island.
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A river with boats, a wooden bridge, and a flower bed.

6. Scarborough Castle

Scarborough Castle is a set of fascinating ruins that remain from a 12th-century royal fortress. Built atop a cliff, the medieval castle commands panoramic views of the North Sea and the coastal town of Scarborough. Learn about the rich history of this spot, where evidence of Iron Age, Roman and Scandinavian settlements lies beside the main castle.
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A stone tower with a staircase leading up to a higher level, overlooking a coastal landscape with a clear sky and the sea in the background.

7. alpamare

With activities that will get your heart pumping and areas to enjoy the picturesque coastline of Scarborough, Alpamare has attractions to suit all ages. Alpamare is a fun-filled waterpark that recreates typical alpine relaxation and recreation. Ride slides inspired by ski resorts, soothe the body in an iodine pool and look out over stunning views from a sun-soaked terrace.
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A yellow building with the Alpamare logo and multiple water slides.

8. Scarborough Cricket Club

Whether as an introduction to cricket or the culmination of a lifelong interest, Scarborough Cricket Club is a great place to watch a test match. Nestled in the midst of row houses, with a traditional pavilion built in 1895, the ground exudes the passion of its fans, who have played and celebrated the game of cricket here since its beginning. Take a break from the beach to participate in one of Britain’s most distinctive spectacles, the multi-day cricket test. Munch homemade pies and enjoy the atmosphere of the assembled crowd.
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A cricket stadium with empty stands, a pavilion, and a grassy field.

9. North Bay Railway

North Bay Railway is a complex with thrilling and innovative attractions alongside a historic miniature train network that chugs along Scarborough’s rugged coastline. Built over 80 years ago as a simple train line, the park now incorporates many other family activities.
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A green steam locomotive at a North Bay Railway station, surrounded by trees and a small building with a blue roof.

What to do in Scarborough

Stay near popular Scarborough attractions

The entrance to Scarborough Open Air Theatre with a sign welcoming visitors.

Scarborough Open Air Theatre

8.8/10 (285 reviews)
Watch productions and performances by world-famous music acts at one of the largest outdoor theaters in Europe, a venue with a stage in an unusual setting.
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Where to stay in Scarborough

Find the best Scarborough areas and neighborhoods for the activities you enjoy most. Learn more about Scarborough
Learn more about Scarborough
A coastal town with a castle on a hill, a sandy beach, and a mix of red and white buildings.

Scarborough City Centre

Scarborough City Centre is a destination visitors seek out for is 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 neighborhood.

 

Looking for fun things to do nearby? Check things to do near me to find and book the best things to do, fun activities, and top attractions wherever you happen to be.

 

 

Day trip destinations from Scarborough

A stone castle ruin with a flag on top, surrounded by green grass and trees.

Pickering

A waterfront town with red-tiled roofs, a stone wall, and a castle in the background.

Whitby

A grassy field with trees and a person walking.
Photo by Oliver Dixon (Creative Commons Attribution-Share Alike 2.0)

Ganton

A coastal promenade at dusk with a stone wall, street lamps, and buildings along the shore.

Filey

A stone church with a pointed arch and a bell tower.
Photo by JThomas (Creative Commons Attribution-Share Alike 2.0)

Cloughton

A coastal town with historic buildings, a stone wall, and a body of water reflecting the structures.

Robin Hood's Bay

A snow-covered town with red-roofed houses, a river, and surrounding fields.

Thornton Dale

A wheat field with a dirt path leading through it.
Photo by Peter Standing (Creative Commons Attribution-Share Alike 2.0)

Scalby

Frequently asked questions

Is Scarborough worth visiting?
Offering a blend of walking trails and fishing, there are plenty of things to do in Scarborough. When you're here, check out alpamare, a key attraction in the area.
How do I spend a day in Scarborough?
After you've visited leading attractions like alpamare and Scarborough Castle, spend some time experiencing the food and retail options in Scarborough.
What is the top tourist attraction in Scarborough?
Alpamare is one of the top tourist attractions in Scarborough and deserves a spot on every itinerary of the area.
Is three days enough to stay in Scarborough?
Three days in Scarborough is plenty of time to enjoy the city's major attractions. Many guests stay for two days on average. Alpamare, Scarborough Castle and SEA LIFE Scarborough are among the top-rated sights. Want to experience more? Hang around a little longer to visit nearby hotspots like Whitby.
Is Scarborough a walkable city?
Some leading sights in Scarborough, including alpamare and Scarborough Castle, are within walking distance. You can also experience several of the city's popular neighbourhoods on foot. Only 2 kilometres from central Scarborough is South Cliff and Scarborough City Centre is 0.16 kilometres away.
What are some activities to do in Scarborough with kids?
Planning what to do in Scarborough with kids has never been so easy. Whether you're taking a trip with teenagers or toddlers, there are many family-friendly tours and attractions to keep them busy here.

What to do in Scarborough for adults?
Whether you're a culture enthusiast, food lover or outdoor adventurer, there are plenty of things to do in Scarborough for adults including Dean Road & Manor Road Cemetery and Roman Signal Station.
Are there free things to do in Scarborough?
In Scarborough, Cayton Sands is a popular spot for anyone wanting to enjoy the city without taking their wallet out. Also, check out the parks and other neighbourhoods, and ask a local tour guide for ideas. It's a great way to learn about the best free things to do in Scarborough.

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