Whitby is an intimate North Sea resort surrounded by the North York Moors National Park. It is famous for good conditions for relaxation and the production of jewelery made of jets.
The origins of Whitby are related to the founding of the monastery by the king of Northumbria in 656. For several centuries it was an important center of culture and science in this part of the country. Today, only the Ruins of Whitby Abbey can be seen. The monastery was destroyed during the re-formation and was never rebuilt.
Whitby's main attraction are the sandy beaches nestled beneath the sloping cliffs. The city is a popular summer resort and has a well-developed accommodation base consisting mainly of small hotels and guesthouses. For hikers, there are many beautiful trails across the moors in the North York Moors National Park.
Above the main buildings of the city and the harbor, there is the medieval Whitby Castle which is now open to the public. Its walls are home to the Gothic Festival every year, inspired by Bram Stoker, the author of the novel Dracula, who came up with the idea of writing it during his vacation in Whitby.
Since medieval times, jet black semi-precious stones used to make jewelery have been mined in the Whitby area. There are over a dozen jewelery shops in the city, and visitors can not only buy ready-made products, but also admire artists at work.
