What to do in Scarborough

Activities, attractions and tours

South Bay Beach showing a coastal town and a sandy beach
South Bay Beach showing a coastal town and a sandy beach
South Bay Beach featuring a beach and a coastal town
North Bay Beach showing a sandy beach and general coastal views as well as a couple
North Bay Beach featuring landscape views, general coastal views and a coastal town

Scarborough Attractions

Let Expedia help you to experience the best that Scarborough has to offer! If you’re planning a trip to Scarborough, 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 to Scarborough 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.

Places of interest in Scarborough

Scarborough is crammed with must-see places to visit and things to do. We can help you decide where to stay in Scarborough, and make it a breeze to explore Scarborough and 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 holiday 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 to Scarborough, 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 in Scarborough.

Scarborough attractions

Scarborough 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 in Scarborough to keep you entertained. Expedia makes it easy to book your flight, hotel and rental car in advance, making for hassle-free travel and freeing you up to explore the sights of Scarborough.

Looking for things to do in Scarborough 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 of Scarborough or catch up with the vibrant local culture, our guides to Scarborough attractions ensure that you’ll have a successful trip, whatever the season. Happy trails!

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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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Scarborough Open Air Theatre

2. 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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Scarborough Spa which includes general coastal views, music and theatre scenes

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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North Bay Beach featuring a coastal town and a beach as well as a large group of people

4. 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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South Bay Beach featuring a coastal town and a bay or harbour

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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Peasholm Park showing a river or creek, water sports and flowers

6. 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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alpamare

7. 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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Scarborough Castle featuring château or palace, heritage elements and building ruins

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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Scarborough Cricket Club

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What to do in Scarborough

Popular places to visit

Scarborough Open Air Theatre

Scarborough Open Air Theatre

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.

Scarborough Open Air Theatre
Scarborough Spa which includes theatre scenes, general coastal views and performance art

Scarborough Spa

Stroll through the majestic rooms of this Victorian venue for dances and orchestras and learn about its origins as a spa in the 1600s.

Scarborough Spa
North Bay Beach featuring a coastal town and a beach as well as a large group of people

North Bay Beach

Enjoy the tranquil setting of this spacious sandy haven flanked by a miniature railway and an aquarium with Humboldt penguins.

North Bay Beach
South Bay Beach featuring a coastal town and a bay or harbour

South Bay Beach

Marvel at the dynamic setting of this traditional British coastal resort, where you will find arcade games, a harbor and boutiques.

South Bay Beach
Peasholm Park showing a river or creek and a park

Peasholm Park

Ascend to the top of the island pagoda for excellent views of a park full of attractions and nature paths.

Peasholm Park
alpamare

alpamare

Ride thrilling waterslides, swim in rolling waves, relax in an infinity pool and stroll around a scenic garden at this alpine-themed amusement park.

alpamare
Scarborough Castle showing a sandy beach, a sunset and heritage elements

Scarborough Castle

Delve through 3,000 years of history at the ruins of this headland castle with panoramic views of the North Sea.

Scarborough Castle
Scarborough Cricket Club

Scarborough Cricket Club

This charming ground hosts matches throughout the summer but is best known for its annual cricket festival, which has taken place almost every summer since 1876.

Scarborough Cricket Club
South Cliff Italian Gardens

South Cliff Italian Gardens

Explore the great outdoors at South Cliff Italian Gardens, a lovely green space in South Cliff. Discover the entertainment choices and spas in this family-friendly area.

South Cliff Italian Gardens

Explore areas of Scarborough

This is the famous Tramway down to the beach in Scarborough North Yorkshire, behind the building you will also see the black tower of what was once the largest hotel in Europe "The Grand Hotel"

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

 

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

Rear view of ancient, now converted warehouses, and canal head. Driffield, UK.

Driffield

#castle #medieval #yorkshire #Englishheritage #Mark_and_Travel

Pickering

Beautiful waterfall in the heart of the North Yorkshire moors, love this shot of the autumn colours coming through on the leafs, #Trovember

Goathland

Whitby Harbour

Whitby

Royal Oak
Photo by Nigelcoates (Creative Commons Attribution-Share Alike 3.0)

Hunmanby

On the way to Malton

Malton

The Ravenhall hotel in snowy Ravenscar #BeachTips #LikeALocal #ravenscar #seaside #seaview #coast #whitby #scarborough #robinhoodsbay

Ravenscar

The Wolds Way above Ganton. Apparently on the line of an old sunken lane
Photo by Oliver Dixon (Creative Commons Attribution-Share Alike 2.0)

Ganton

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 kms (1 mile) from central Scarborough is South Cliff and Scarborough City Centre is 0.16 kms (0.10 miles) 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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