Surrounded by two A-roads, the A64 and the A1237, York is accessible from any direction. The closest main road is the A1(M), which provides onward access to Doncaster and Newcastle in either direction.

The city centre is mainly pedestrianised, closed to vehicles between 10.30am and 5pm daily. Known as ‘the footstreets', you won't be able to pass through many of York's busiest areas with a car during the day. To see which streets are inaccessible, visit the iTravel York website.

There are almost 20 car parks in York, many of which are run by the city council, so finding somewhere to stow your car shouldn't be too difficult. Parking prices vary depending on the location.

Due to the historic layout of York, the city is very susceptible to congestion, most notably during the two rush hour periods of the day. York is also particularly prone to heavy traffic during the racing season. The City of York council recommends approaching via the A64 if you're thinking of experiencing a day at the races, while a one-way system tends to operate from Campleshon Road towards Tadcaster Road and The Mount.

As well as being somewhere you can reach with ease, York is within close proximity of Yorkshire's best-known cities. Travel south down the A64 to reach the city of Leeds – one of the country's biggest financial districts outside of London. From here, the M1 will bring you to Sheffield. Along the A59, to the west of York, is the historic spa town of Harrogate and down to the south-east, along the A1079, is Hull – home to the Humber Bridge.

With defensive walls that surround the medieval part of the city and the castle, York is any history buff's dream location. With the looming Minster, which looks across the city, and the dungeons providing an insight into the intrigue-filled lives of its former captives, York is a fascinating place to explore.

Learn of York's history

The Jorvik Viking Centre takes you back in time to when Vikings ruled the land – experience the sights, smells and sounds of York from 1,000 years ago. Along with its popular educational and entertainment benefits, the venue is also available for corporate and private hire, promising a feast for the senses with medieval banquets and sampling menus of Jorvik through the ages.

From haunting experiences to retail therapy

Said to be the most haunted city in the world, you can experience ghostly walks around York's streets that will surely keep you enthralled. With tours passing many of York's most famous sites, you'll be captivated by the stories – whether you believe them or not is up to you.

When it comes to shopping in York, the city offers something very unique when compared with other towns and cities. Here, you can walk down the 900-year-old street ‘The Shambles', which is the oldest in York, and the best-preserved medieval street in Europe – for any Harry Potter fans, you'll swear you just stepped into Diagon Alley.

At the races

Just south of the city walls, York Racecourse puts on some of the biggest events of the horse racing calendar in the warmer months. A favoured destination for corporate clients and group parties, the vibrant atmosphere and winning post tension add up to an exciting Yorkshire attraction.

York has more than its fair share of lively commerce, too – with the Science Park just off the A64 near the university. Here, more than 100 tech-focused and fast-growing companies are brimming with exciting talent, offering an open approach to collaboration and creativity. York Science Park also has excellent conference facilities, and its location near the A64 makes it an ideal meeting place.

If you'd like to sample the Yorkshire air outside of the busy York scenery, you can take the 27-mile journey north to the expansive views of North York Moors National Park. Drive along winding country roads and you'll be met with stunning heather-clad landscapes, remote villages and the rugged cliffs of the Yorkshire coastline.

With so many sights scattered across the city, you might find there is a bit too much to see on foot, so car hire in York can be a handy way of getting around to make sure you see everything.