
The moors meet the sea at Scarborough, the UK’s first seaside resort and one of North Yorkshire's most popular holiday spots. If you are looking to experience a traditional English holiday, then you won’t find many other places that fit the bill quite as snugly as Scarborough. The town’s Victorian seafront houses characterise Scarborough, as well as its charming mixture of cafes, arcades and the eye-catching open-air theatre.
There are lots of things to do in Scarborough, whether you are planning a relaxing retreat to the beach, a walking holiday, an outdoor activity getaway or a history-based break. There is no shortage of attractions in Scarborough like Scarborough Castle, Peasholm Park, the Rotunda Museum, the Spa, and Sealife Scarborough to name a few. For more inspiration for places to visit in the area, why not look at our North Yorkshire guide too?
Hoping to spend time in Scarborough soon? Then why not treat your family to a holiday in Scarborough? We have a great selection of holiday homes for families, couples and groups for you to choose from. Click on the button below to find your ideal Scarborough holiday accommodation.
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Best free activity for families | North and South Bay
One of the best things to do in Scarborough for families is to head to one of its beaches. Scarborough isn’t known as the ‘Queen of the Yorkshire coast’ for nothing. The town has two beautiful beaches, North Bay is Scarborough’s Blue Flag beach offering a state-of-the-art Beach Centre near the shore with incredible facilities. South Bay Beach offers a traditional bucket and spade experience, ideal for families looking for relaxation and activities for the kids. Explore the rock pools at low tide or splash around in the shallows. You can also enjoy boat trips, donkey rides and Scarborough’s mini theme park, Luna Park, which provides excitement and fun for the whole family.

Best for views | Scarborough Castle
One of the most unusual things to do in Scarborough is climb up to the castle for the awesome views. Up above the seafront, the town (which also has a rich heritage) is dominated by the iconic Scarborough Castle, which stands on the rocky headland overlooking the golden sands. This popular feature standing majestically on the Scarborough skyline gives you panoramic views of Yorkshire’s dramatic coastline whilst offering you an insight into the area’s history, dating back over 2,500 years. Enjoy an audio tour throughout the castle and grounds then stop for tea in the grand Master Gunner’s House offering a pleasant exhibition whilst you enjoy a delicious treat.

Best for history buffs and kids | The Rotunda and the Dinosaur Coast
Scarborough is on the Dinosaur Coast, so-called because of the sheer number of fossils that have been found along its length. The William Smith Gallery of Geology at the Rotunda Museum is a good place to start, as it houses a vast collection of dinosaur fossils and information about the area’s archaeological heritage and interesting geology. You can also see a reconstruction of a Megalosaurus, which is a major draw for visitors. If you fancy a bit of fossil hunting, head to nearby Hayburn Wyke (6.5 miles), where you can search the seashore and rocks. You may also find some specimens at Scalby Ness (2.25 miles) and Saltwick Bay (18 miles).

Best for culture | Scarborough Spa Sun Court and more
Scarborough is renowned for a plentiful mix of culture, art and entertainment. Scarborough Spa Sun Court is home to the last remaining seaside orchestra and a range of other cultural spots; you’ll enjoy a fabulous array of musical acts, creative productions and entertainment events. Or pop to The Scarborough Art Gallery housing works of contemporary and historic art in a beautiful Italianate villa. Why not see a new film at the Hollywood Plaza Cinema, which is one of the best things to do in Scarborough at night?

Best for rainy days | Sealife Scarborough
One of the best things to do in the rain in Scarborough is pay a visit to the creatures of the deep that live at Sealife Scarborough. One of the very best visitor attractions in town, this aquarium is chock full of tanks and interactive displays full of colourful fish and marine life. This popular visitor attraction is a great place to head to when it rains for everybody, especially families with kids. The aquarium is split into zones such as Seal Hospital, Rainforest Adventure, Otter River, and Penguin Island, and there’s even pirate-themed mini-golf! See the programme for talks and feeding times too.

Best for dog owners | Peasholm Park
If you have brought your beloved pet on holiday, one of the best things to do in Scarborough with a dog is a trip to Peasholm Park. The park has a Far Eastern theme to it, with ornamental pavilions, pagodas, waterfalls and a large lake where you can go boating. Situated close to North Bay, it is one of the most distinctive public town parks in Europe, and it is a delight to wander around with your dog. During the summer months, a mini sea battle with remote-controlled warships takes place on the lake. There is also a series of ‘champion trees’ which are the tallest or widest of their kind in the UK. If you love trees, this park is a true gem.

Best for outdoor activities | Alpamare
Alpamare is one of the best fun things to do in Scarborough. It is a gigantic waterpark with something to wow everyone. There are pools, both indoor and outdoor, that include a wave pool, a garden pool, an infinity pool, and shallow splash areas for small children. On top of this, there are enough waterslides at Alpamare to drive you wild. For a change of pace, there is also an on-site wellness spa. If you love spas and pampering yourself, then this is the place to be. Please note that Alpamere is closed for business during the winter months.

Best for live entertainment | Scarborough Spa Entertainment Venue
For popular live entertainment, Scarborough Spa Entertainment Venue hosts a diverse and deep choice of large-scale events that include comedy, music and festivals. Most of the live acts appear on stage at the Grand Hall. There’s also a programme of conventions throughout the year, some of which are public events. Book ahead to see what coincides with your holiday to Scarborough.

Best for walks | Cleveland Way: Scarborough to Filey walk
Are you looking for a long walk by the sea? Then the 8.25-mile-long hike between Scarborough and Filey is one of the best around. A good way to tackle the journey would be to take a bus into Filey and walk back towards Scarborough. The walk is a reasonable challenge and takes most wayfarers 3 hours to complete. Filey Brigg is particularly popular with birdwatchers and if you are lucky, you may see some dolphins out to sea. You can read our guide to Filey too to find more things to do in the Scarborough area.
Stay at a self-catering holiday cottage in Scarborough
After reading all about the best places to stay in Scarborough on the North Yorkshire coast, we hope you’ll be coming to visit sometime soon! Scarborough offers something for everyone, from the adventurous to those simply looking to relax and unwind. Take a look at our entire collection of Scarborough cottages by clicking the button below.
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