Leeds travel guide

Leeds Tourism | Leeds Guide

You're Going to Love Leeds

Leeds is the cultural, economic, sporting, shopping, and artistic center of northern England. Powered by its huge student population, ambitious regeneration plans in old industrial districts, and a heritage of gorgeous shopping arcades and pedestrianized streets, Leeds attracts more and more visitors every year.

Part of the appeal is the atmosphere. Leeds is a fun city, a place where bars and clubs are open every night until late. It's a city that blends a love of fine art and ballet with all-night clubbing and massive live music events, like Leeds Festival.

Leeds has some stunning buildings, and it uses them well. From the gardens at Temple Newsam to the breweries and restaurants along the waterfront and stunning shopping arcades like Thorntons, Leeds shows off its past in style.

All of this makes it one of Europe's most exciting and dynamic tourist destinations, so don't miss out.

Top 5 Reasons to Visit Leeds

1. Some of England's Best Nightlife

Leeds has a youthful feel thanks to the more than 30,000 students at the city's university. This has translated into some of the UK's most vibrant clubs and music venues. Whether you want to enjoy cocktails at the Oracle Bar, or dance to funk, R&B and house at the HiFi Club, Leeds will have a venue for you.

2. Classically English Sporting Occasions

If you enjoy sports, you'll love Leeds. From exciting soccer matches featuring Leeds United at Elland Road to rugby matches featuring the Leeds Rhinos or Test Cricket at Headingley, Leeds is very much a sporting city and there's something going on all the time.

3. Plays, Art, and Ballet All Year Round

Culture is another Leeds specialty. For art lovers, there's the Henry Moore Institute and Leeds City Gallery, which contains masterpieces by big names like Turner and Constable. The West Yorkshire Playhouse is one of the UK's best theaters, while the Northern Ballet at the Leeds Grand Theatre is not to be missed if you have an interest in dance.

4. Beautiful Architecture and a Glorious History

Leeds is full of architectural highlights, from the iron and glass of Kirkgate Market and the exquisite gardens at Temple Newsam House to the splendor of Harewood Hall. For decades, the city was one of the world's most prosperous industrial cities, leaving a legacy of stunning buildings. Joining one of Goor's Guided Walks is a good way to see it all.

5. The Yorkshire Countryside is a Short Drive Away

Yorkshire is a beautiful place, and when you stay in Leeds you'll be under an hour away from the grandeur of the Dales, gorgeous coastal ports like Whitby, and spots like Janet's Foss waterfalls. Rent a car and you can see it all with ease.

1. Some of England's Best Nightlife

Leeds has a youthful feel thanks to the more than 30,000 students at the city's university. This has translated into some of the UK's most vibrant clubs and music venues. Whether you want to enjoy cocktails at the Oracle Bar, or dance to funk, R&B and house at the HiFi Club, Leeds will have a venue for you.

2. Classically English Sporting Occasions

If you enjoy sports, you'll love Leeds. From exciting soccer matches featuring Leeds United at Elland Road to rugby matches featuring the Leeds Rhinos or Test Cricket at Headingley, Leeds is very much a sporting city and there's something going on all the time.

3. Plays, Art, and Ballet All Year Round

Culture is another Leeds specialty. For art lovers, there's the Henry Moore Institute and Leeds City Gallery, which contains masterpieces by big names like Turner and Constable. The West Yorkshire Playhouse is one of the UK's best theaters, while the Northern Ballet at the Leeds Grand Theatre is not to be missed if you have an interest in dance.

4. Beautiful Architecture and a Glorious History

Leeds is full of architectural highlights, from the iron and glass of Kirkgate Market and the exquisite gardens at Temple Newsam House to the splendor of Harewood Hall. For decades, the city was one of the world's most prosperous industrial cities, leaving a legacy of stunning buildings. Joining one of Goor's Guided Walks is a good way to see it all.

5. The Yorkshire Countryside is a Short Drive Away

Yorkshire is a beautiful place, and when you stay in Leeds you'll be under an hour away from the grandeur of the Dales, gorgeous coastal ports like Whitby, and spots like Janet's Foss waterfalls. Rent a car and you can see it all with ease.

What to do in Leeds

1. Royal Armouries Museum: War and Peace

Britain's National collection of arms and armor finds its home at this free museum. Nearly as varied and flexible as fashion trends through the ages, the armor on display here comes in many shapes and forms. Galleries, split into the categories of War, Peace, Hunting, Oriental, Tournament, Self Defence and Arena, all bear strikingly varied collections. Flags, which were always essential to warfare, are also given a special hall. The exhibitions will have your imagination running wild.

2. Kirkstall Abbey: A Trip into the Past

This Cistercian Monastery is in ruins, yet it remains one of the most comprehensive and atmospheric places to learn about the lives of monks from the 12th century through present times. A complete set of historical photographs chronicle the state of the building since the 1700s, and visitors can imagine the political and social changes that led to the state of this site today. The medieval world comes alive with a walk through these monastic grounds.

3. Victoria Square: The Heart of Leeds

The cultural center of Leeds is concentrated around Victoria Square, marked by the imposing and ornate Town Hall. Leeds Central Library across the street is an elegant building from the same time, and both are worth stepping inside to bask in the glorious design of centuries past. You can then step back into the present with the Leeds Art Gallery, where an extensive collection of modern and contemporary British Art awaits. Don't miss the peaceful Leeds Cathedral either.

4. Roundhay Park: Wandering through Wonderland

One of the most expansive city parks in Europe, Roundhay is full of attractions. Stroll through the well-kept grounds, past lakes and from one luscious garden to the next, each themed and perfectly planned. Hit one of the golf courses, or find The Mansion and Roundhay Castle to explore and snap atmospheric pictures. There is also a traditional restaurant right next to the greatest highlight - Tropical World. There, visitors will find greenhouses filled with exotic flora and fauna.

5. Victoria Quarter: Shop til you Drop

Leeds' luxury shopping quarter has expanded around its two main pedestrianized streets, Vicar Lane and Briggate. From the County Arcade to the Cross Arcade, traditional window displays with a contemporary flair are enticing left and right. With a fittingly regal situation along Queen Victoria and King Edwards Streets, the shopping malls are stunning. Shopping beneath the ornate, glass-roofed ceilings is an unforgettable experience.

1. Royal Armouries Museum: War and Peace

Britain's National collection of arms and armor finds its home at this free museum. Nearly as varied and flexible as fashion trends through the ages, the armor on display here comes in many shapes and forms. Galleries, split into the categories of War, Peace, Hunting, Oriental, Tournament, Self Defence and Arena, all bear strikingly varied collections. Flags, which were always essential to warfare, are also given a special hall. The exhibitions will have your imagination running wild.

2. Kirkstall Abbey: A Trip into the Past

This Cistercian Monastery is in ruins, yet it remains one of the most comprehensive and atmospheric places to learn about the lives of monks from the 12th century through present times. A complete set of historical photographs chronicle the state of the building since the 1700s, and visitors can imagine the political and social changes that led to the state of this site today. The medieval world comes alive with a walk through these monastic grounds.

3. Victoria Square: The Heart of Leeds

The cultural center of Leeds is concentrated around Victoria Square, marked by the imposing and ornate Town Hall. Leeds Central Library across the street is an elegant building from the same time, and both are worth stepping inside to bask in the glorious design of centuries past. You can then step back into the present with the Leeds Art Gallery, where an extensive collection of modern and contemporary British Art awaits. Don't miss the peaceful Leeds Cathedral either.

4. Roundhay Park: Wandering through Wonderland

One of the most expansive city parks in Europe, Roundhay is full of attractions. Stroll through the well-kept grounds, past lakes and from one luscious garden to the next, each themed and perfectly planned. Hit one of the golf courses, or find The Mansion and Roundhay Castle to explore and snap atmospheric pictures. There is also a traditional restaurant right next to the greatest highlight - Tropical World. There, visitors will find greenhouses filled with exotic flora and fauna.

5. Victoria Quarter: Shop til you Drop

Leeds' luxury shopping quarter has expanded around its two main pedestrianized streets, Vicar Lane and Briggate. From the County Arcade to the Cross Arcade, traditional window displays with a contemporary flair are enticing left and right. With a fittingly regal situation along Queen Victoria and King Edwards Streets, the shopping malls are stunning. Shopping beneath the ornate, glass-roofed ceilings is an unforgettable experience.

1. Royal Armouries Museum: War and Peace

Britain's National collection of arms and armor finds its home at this free museum. Nearly as varied and flexible as fashion trends through the ages, the armor on display here comes in many shapes and forms. Galleries, split into the categories of War, Peace, Hunting, Oriental, Tournament, Self Defence and Arena, all bear strikingly varied collections. Flags, which were always essential to warfare, are also given a special hall. The exhibitions will have your imagination running wild.

2. Kirkstall Abbey: A Trip into the Past

This Cistercian Monastery is in ruins, yet it remains one of the most comprehensive and atmospheric places to learn about the lives of monks from the 12th century through present times. A complete set of historical photographs chronicle the state of the building since the 1700s, and visitors can imagine the political and social changes that led to the state of this site today. The medieval world comes alive with a walk through these monastic grounds.

3. Victoria Square: The Heart of Leeds

The cultural center of Leeds is concentrated around Victoria Square, marked by the imposing and ornate Town Hall. Leeds Central Library across the street is an elegant building from the same time, and both are worth stepping inside to bask in the glorious design of centuries past. You can then step back into the present with the Leeds Art Gallery, where an extensive collection of modern and contemporary British Art awaits. Don't miss the peaceful Leeds Cathedral either.

4. Roundhay Park: Wandering through Wonderland

One of the most expansive city parks in Europe, Roundhay is full of attractions. Stroll through the well-kept grounds, past lakes and from one luscious garden to the next, each themed and perfectly planned. Hit one of the golf courses, or find The Mansion and Roundhay Castle to explore and snap atmospheric pictures. There is also a traditional restaurant right next to the greatest highlight - Tropical World. There, visitors will find greenhouses filled with exotic flora and fauna.

5. Victoria Quarter: Shop til you Drop

Leeds' luxury shopping quarter has expanded around its two main pedestrianized streets, Vicar Lane and Briggate. From the County Arcade to the Cross Arcade, traditional window displays with a contemporary flair are enticing left and right. With a fittingly regal situation along Queen Victoria and King Edwards Streets, the shopping malls are stunning. Shopping beneath the ornate, glass-roofed ceilings is an unforgettable experience.

Where to Eat in Leeds

Leeds is blessed with some of northern England's finest restaurants. If you want to splurge, check out Michelin-recommended eateries like Crafthouse or the Ox Club, which specializes in wood-fired grilled meats. There are excellent Indian restaurants like Akbars and Tharavadu, authentic fish and chip shops like the Fisherman's Wife, and high-quality fast-food joints as well, such as the Flying Pizza in Roundhay. Expect to pay £5-8 for fish and chips, £10-15 for a good pub lunch, and £20 plus at the city's best restaurants.

When to visit Leeds

Leeds in December
Estimated hotel price
€49
1 night at 3-star hotel
Leeds in December
Estimated hotel price
€49
1 night at 3-star hotel

Leeds is at its best in the summer, when the weather is warm and events like Test Cricket and the Leeds Festival take place. The Yorkshire Dales will be at their most inviting, as will gardens and country houses in the area.

Data provided by weatherbase
Temperatures
Temperatures
Data provided by weatherbase

How to Get to Leeds

Plane

Leeds Bradford Airport (LBA) is the closest place to fly into, and it takes about 35 minutes to get from there to the center of town (via the 757 bus). However, visitors from the US will probably have to fly into London Heathrow, Birmingham, or Manchester, all of which are a couple of hours away by train.

Train

Leeds station links the city to others to the north, west, and south, and it's a popular way to enter the city. You can travel to Leeds from London with Virgin Trains East Coast, from Liverpool and Manchester with First TransPennine Express or Northern Rail, and there are hourly services to York as well. The station itself is in the center of town.

Car

If you are driving from London, take the A1 (M) to Pontefract and then change to the M62, or take the M1 all the way from London to Leeds. You can also take the M62 straight from Manchester to Leeds.

Bus

Leeds is well connected to the rest of England via National Express, GorillaBus, and Megabus coaches. The bus station is around one mile east of the city center but you can just hop on a Leeds CityBus service and be there in no time. A single ticket costs just £0.50.

Plane

Leeds Bradford Airport (LBA) is the closest place to fly into, and it takes about 35 minutes to get from there to the center of town (via the 757 bus). However, visitors from the US will probably have to fly into London Heathrow, Birmingham, or Manchester, all of which are a couple of hours away by train.

Train

Leeds station links the city to others to the north, west, and south, and it's a popular way to enter the city. You can travel to Leeds from London with Virgin Trains East Coast, from Liverpool and Manchester with First TransPennine Express or Northern Rail, and there are hourly services to York as well. The station itself is in the center of town.

Car

If you are driving from London, take the A1 (M) to Pontefract and then change to the M62, or take the M1 all the way from London to Leeds. You can also take the M62 straight from Manchester to Leeds.

Bus

Leeds is well connected to the rest of England via National Express, GorillaBus, and Megabus coaches. The bus station is around one mile east of the city center but you can just hop on a Leeds CityBus service and be there in no time. A single ticket costs just £0.50.

Airlines serving Leeds

Lufthansa
Good (4,490 reviews)
KLM
Good (824 reviews)
SWISS
Good (912 reviews)
British Airways
Good (4,284 reviews)
Delta
Good (4,611 reviews)
Turkish Airlines
Good (2,253 reviews)
Air France
Good (972 reviews)
Iberia
Good (1,533 reviews)
Austrian Airlines
Good (482 reviews)
United Airlines
Good (4,845 reviews)
Emirates
Excellent (2,112 reviews)
Qatar Airways
Good (2,469 reviews)
Air Canada
Good (5,460 reviews)
Brussels Airlines
Good (219 reviews)
Scandinavian Airlines
Good (801 reviews)
Finnair
Good (898 reviews)
LOT
Good (672 reviews)
TAP AIR PORTUGAL
Good (1,116 reviews)
Singapore Airlines
Excellent (889 reviews)
Etihad Airways
Good (811 reviews)
Show more

Where to stay in Leeds

Central Leeds - the center of town is the cultural, shopping, and nightlife hub of Leeds. Check out the Civic Quarter (home to Leeds Art Gallery) and the central shopping district, which is home to beautiful Victorian arcades like Queens and Thorntons.

Popular Neighborhoods in Leeds

Headingley - full of students and a sporting center, Headingley is a lively place to stay. There's top-quality sport all year round at Headingley Carnegie Stadium, some of Leeds' best pubs on Otley Road, and great places to eat like the Thai restaurant Sukhothai and the Fisherman's Wife fish and chip shop.

Roundhay - one of the city's most upmarket areas, Roundhay is green and prosperous. It's dominated by the vast Roundhay Park, the UK's largest inner-city park and a wonderful place to walk in the woods, picnic, tour the manicured gardens, and visit attractions like Tropical World, which houses animals from all over the globe.

Headingley - full of students and a sporting center, Headingley is a lively place to stay. There's top-quality sport all year round at Headingley Carnegie Stadium, some of Leeds' best pubs on Otley Road, and great places to eat like the Thai restaurant Sukhothai and the Fisherman's Wife fish and chip shop.
Roundhay - one of the city's most upmarket areas, Roundhay is green and prosperous. It's dominated by the vast Roundhay Park, the UK's largest inner-city park and a wonderful place to walk in the woods, picnic, tour the manicured gardens, and visit attractions like Tropical World, which houses animals from all over the globe.

Where to stay in popular areas of Leeds

Most booked hotels in Leeds

The Queens Hotel
4 stars
Excellent (8.8, Excellent reviews)
€105+
Novotel Leeds Centre
4 stars
Excellent (8.7, Excellent reviews)
€87+
Crowne Plaza Harrogate
4 stars
Excellent (8.4, Excellent reviews)
€79+
Oulton Hall Hotel
4 stars
Excellent (8.3, Excellent reviews)
€124+
The Crown Hotel
3 stars
Good (7.6, Good reviews)
€67+
DoubleTree by Hilton Harrogate Majestic Hotel & Spa
4 stars
Good (7.5, Good reviews)
€117+

How to Get Around Leeds

Public Transportation

The primary public transportation option in Leeds is the bus, and the city has an excellent network. Day tickets on Metro services cost £5.40, which provides unlimited travel, while the CityBus service covers most of the city center and costs just £0.50 per journey.

Taxi

With such cheap public transportation, taxis aren't really necessary for most daytime journeys in the center of town, but they can be very handy if you are staying in suburbs like Roundhay, or if you need to travel back from theaters or clubs. Expect to pay around £3 for the meter drop, then £2.50 per mile.

Car

Renting a car in Leeds is an excellent option. There are plenty of parking spaces in the center of town (at a cost of £15 for the whole day) and major rental companies like Avis, Hertz, and Thrifty have branches in the city. Rental costs should be reasonable, with some packages costing as little as £17 per day.

Public Transportation

The primary public transportation option in Leeds is the bus, and the city has an excellent network. Day tickets on Metro services cost £5.40, which provides unlimited travel, while the CityBus service covers most of the city center and costs just £0.50 per journey.

Taxi

With such cheap public transportation, taxis aren't really necessary for most daytime journeys in the center of town, but they can be very handy if you are staying in suburbs like Roundhay, or if you need to travel back from theaters or clubs. Expect to pay around £3 for the meter drop, then £2.50 per mile.

Car

Renting a car in Leeds is an excellent option. There are plenty of parking spaces in the center of town (at a cost of £15 for the whole day) and major rental companies like Avis, Hertz, and Thrifty have branches in the city. Rental costs should be reasonable, with some packages costing as little as £17 per day.

The Cost of Living in Leeds

Shopping Streets

Leeds is a fantastic city for shoppers. For one thing, there are gorgeous shopping arcades like Thorntons and Kirkgate Market to visit, which provide a jaw-dropping setting for bargain hunting. Then there are the stores themselves. Thorntons features shoe stores like Dune, chains like Ann Summers, and specialist stores like Skate Store. Then there's the stunning Victoria Quarter, which hosts luxury stores like Harvey Nichols and Louis Vuitton.

Groceries and Other

Leeds has a wide range of supermarkets in the center of town, including major chains like Sainsbury's, Morrisons, and Waitrose (and Marks and Spencer, which was founded in the city). So buying groceries shouldn't be a problem. Prices tend to be fairly affordable. Expect to pay around £3.30 for a gallon of milk and £2 for 12 eggs.

Cheap meal
€11.63
A pair of jeans
€55.75
Single public transport ticket
€2.97
Cappuccino
€3.12
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