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A guide to Manchester, the UK's northern powerhouse with an eye for creativity

A spirit of rebellious creativity infuses the northern city, with old factories turned into artists’ studios and a unique sense of style on display throughout.

“It’s fantastically therapeutic,” says Bhaggie Patel, ceramic artist and co-founder of Manchester’s Imprints of Earth ceramics studio. “Sometimes I’ll be sitting at the wheel and I’m so engrossed in what I’m doing, I don’t realise it’s turned dark outside.” Bhaggie is leading me in a one-to-one throwing class, teaching me how to turn an amorphous lump of clay into something useful, maybe even beautiful: a pot, perhaps, or a mug or bowl.

As I look down, though — at my hands caked in clay, my shoe twitching unassuredly on the foot pedal, and the gloopy grey mess spinning sadly before me on the wheel   — ‘therapeutic’ is not the word that immediately comes to mind. Bhaggie is patient with me, however, and I soon begin to understand what she means. I stop overthinking, and the minutes melt away along with the worries of the day, replaced by a state of flow: complete immersion in an act at once wholesome, practical and creative.

“Any creative hobby can have huge physical and mental health benefits,” Bhaggie says. “It reduces stress and anxiety, increases positive emotions, and helps with problem solving. It gives you a sense of control and pride in whatever it is you’re making.”

Bhaggie understands more than most the healing power of arts and crafts. A former social worker, she set up Imprints of Earth with her daughter Shakti after the sudden death of her husband, Nitin, in 2018. The shelves around us are stacked with her creations: smoke-fired vases, mottled in red, black and grey; Japanese-style raku teapots, their surfaces swirled with horsehair and feathers which create unique, ethereal patterns during the firing process. “Making ceramics is an amazing metaphor for life: learning when to let go, knowing what you can and can’t control, and celebrating the beauty of imperfection,” she says.

Imprints of Earth is one of 20 shop-studios housed within the Manchester Craft and Design Centre, in the city’s artsy Northern Quarter. Bhaggie holds classes and workshops on request; other upcoming classes, advertised on a wall poster, promise visitors the opportunity to make the perfect souvenir: a leather purse, a glass sun catcher, or a silver bangle. Classes are also advertised at The Cyan Studio, a few doors down from Bhaggie’s workshop, where artist Victoria Glover teaches visitors the art of cyanotype, laying foraged twigs and leaves on chemically treated paper to create gorgeous blue and white photographic patterns.

The centre sits in the impressive surrounds of the former Smithfield Market, a handsome building dating back to 1873. As I step out of Bhaggie’s studio into the atrium, sunlight beams through the glass roof, catching the window display of a jewellery studio and spilling a gem box of rainbowed light onto the terracotta-tiled floor.  

The same colour palette adorns the shopfront opposite Bhaggie’s, belonging to Nicole Broad, aka The Fruit Moth — a fashion designer whose vibrant, upcycled vintage designs have won her a collaboration with high-street giants Uniqlo. Nicole’s native Manchester has always inspired her work, beginning with the floral bucket hats that were her early trademark. “People here are so confident in what they wear,” she says.

Nicole also thinks it’s an unbeatable place to be creative. “It’s one of the best cities for an artist or designer. It’s a big city but feels like a tiny community,” she says. Like all of the units in the Craft and Design Centre, Nicole’s space is both workshop and shop, with everyone welcome to walk in, watch her at work, and chat to her about her designs. “Being able to go into a studio and see someone making something — that absolutely adds value,” she says.  

Nicole is a relative newcomer to the centre, having started her business during the lockdowns of the pandemic. I want to get a feel for how the scene and the city have changed over the years, so I head downstairs to meet the longest-serving resident, ceramicist Lee Page Hanson, who’s been working here for 24 years.  

“I used to work from a studio in Ancoats, an old industrial area of cotton mills not far from here,” says Lee. “Back then, in the 1990s, it was pretty rough and ready; I’d get out of the studio and onto the safety of a bus as soon as possible. It couldn’t be more different now — those old cotton mills are bars, art galleries and luxury apartments.”

“There are loads of classes around Manchester now, too. I often see people in their 20s and 30s doing pottery classes and the like, instead of just going out drinking or sitting around watching TV.”  

The table in Lee’s studio bears the earthbound signs of work and craft: rows of brushes and knives, and decades’ worth of dry streaked clay and paint. All around us, the walls are hung with the end result: vases and bowls ornamented with colourful geometric patterns, and ceramic tiles depicting vibrantly painted toucans and sparrows.

“We see plenty of famous faces too,” Lee adds. “Lemn Sissay [poet, broadcaster and Pinter Prize-winning playwright] came in the other day and bought a fridge magnet.” This is typical of Manchester, a place at once glittery and down-to-earth, gritty and creative; a big city with the intimacy of a small town, where everyone knows everyone and half of them are reaching for the stars. I experienced an unexpected brush with celebrity myself that very morning, when Smiths guitarist Johnny Marr wandered across my field of vision as I admired a statue of suffragette Emmeline Pankhurst in St Peter’s Square.

New beginnings

The creativity and craftsmanship of Manchester’s designers and makers infuse all parts of the city’s life. Leaving the Craft and Design Centre behind, I explore the surrounding Northern Quarter, long known as Manchester’s most alternative neighbourhood. Vibrant murals light up every square and street corner. The outer walls of Affleck’s, a legendary indoor fashion and music market, are adorned with mosaics by artist Mark Kennedy depicting local icons as diverse as Joy Division’s Unknown Pleasures album cover, footballer Eric Cantona and Warburtons Toastie bread.  

Even the street signs are unique: blue and white and in a stylised typeface. The font is called Cypher, and was designed especially for the Northern Quarter by local artist Tim Rushton. One such sign announces Tib Street, where, on cast iron tablets beneath my feet, set into the pavement, the same font spells out a poem by Lemn Sissay entitled ‘Flags’. “Pavement cracks are the places where poets pack warrior words,” reads one line. Up above, terracotta parrots roost on the second-storey window sills of the redbrick Victorian buildings — a nod to the street’s former life as a hub for pet shops.  

As I wander, I see evidence everywhere for Nicole’s claim that Mancunians have a distinctive sense of style, too — there are as many mod haircuts, paisley scarves and neon bucket hats to be seen today as in the city’s ‘Madchester’ heyday of the 1980s and 1990s. But more than anything, it’s about the attitude; anything looks great when worn with cast-iron confidence. Consider Liam Gallagher, who has attained fashion-icon status by dressing like a Norwegian trawler fisherman for the last 30 years. The prevalence of Gallagher’s beloved parka in Mancunian fashion has a practical element, of course — Manchester is famously rainy — but it has been elevated to a fashion form by brands like Private White VC, which still uses traditional manufacturing techniques and local materials in its original 19th-century factory on the banks of the River Irwell. Visits to the factory to meet the highly trained makers can be arranged on request.  

Mancunian craftspeople are also making their mark on the city’s blooming culinary scene. My walking tour has made me hungry, so I head south of the Northern Quarter to bistro Higher Ground for a bite to eat. The interior is typical Manchester — modern and stylish but with nods to the industrial past including polished concrete floors and bare light bulbs hanging from the ceiling. I order a burnt honey tart — the honey courtesy of beekeepers in the Manchester suburb of Chorlton — and it arrives on a beautiful plate created by Frida Cooper, a ceramicist working in Pollard Yard, a hub of converted shipping containers in Ancoats. Even the table I’m sitting at was made by local artisans — Easy Peel, who carved it from a London plane tree salvaged from the entrance of a Stockport shopping centre.  

By the time I emerge from the restaurant, the sun’s going down but Manchester’s art and design scene shows no sign of winding down with it. In the Northern Quarter, poetry and philosophy bookshop Anywhere Out of the World holds evening life drawing classes, while nearby bar Foundry Project hosts art evenings where you can learn to paint while enjoying a drink under the tutelage of a professional artist. Meanwhile, Islington Mill, a six-storey Georgian redbrick building close to the River Irwell in Salford, is a collection of makers’ studios by day and a venue for music, theatre and performance by night.  

This new role given to Manchester’s historic mill buildings, relics of a time when this was the first industrial city in the world, is a neat symbol of the city’s modern character. Neglected for decades, these former furnaces of industry now house artisan workshops and designers’ studios — erstwhile cathedrals of mass production repurposed as homes for the boutique and one-of-a-kind. George Orwell once described Manchester as “the belly and guts of the nation”. That visceral quality still abides, but modern Manchester demands a more delicate analogy: the painter’s eye, perhaps, the potter’s wheel, or the jeweller’s hands.

( How to spend a day in Manchester, the UK's northern powerhouse. )

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Best Time to Visit

Weather & Climate

Manchester Airport Guide

Best Hotels

Public Transportation

48-Hour Itinerary

Day Trips From Manchester

Top Things to Do

Best Museums

How to See a Soccer Match

Food to Try

Best Restaurants

Nightlife Guide

Your Trip to Manchester: The Complete Guide

Although London is the obvious destination for many travelers coming to the U.K., its northern cousin of Manchester offers a similar dose of culture, good food, and excitement. Known for its soccer team, Manchester United, the city has been the U.K.'s third-most-popular destination   for the past several years. It's easy to navigate thanks to a robust public transportation system (and a primary language of English). It's a great gateway destination to popular tourist spots like the Lake District and Liverpool.

Whether you're coming to experience Manchester or want to include the city as part of a longer itinerary, there are few things to keep in mind as you plan.

Planning Your Trip

Best Time to Visit: The weather is moderate most of the year in Manchester, but the summer and early fall are the best times to enjoy the outdoors. Visit in the late fall to avoid the crowds and take advantage of shorter lines at the popular attractions. Bring an umbrella and a jacket, although it rains far less than you'd assume.

Language: English, although numerous other languages, including Spanish, French, and Arabic, are spoken around the U.K.

Currency: England's official currency is the pound sterling (GBP), which is more commonly called "the pound."

Getting Around: Transport for Greater Manchester (TfGM) is the city's expansive public transportation system, connecting the city center with various suburbs via bus, tram, and local train. There are also taxis and Uber, as well as places to rent a car or bicycle.

Travel Tip:  Give yourself at least three days to see all of Manchester. The city has various neighborhoods and suburbs that are well worth exploring, and you'll want enough time to try all of the different cuisines and restaurants available in the city. Those interested in museums will have a lot of ground to cover, so do some research in advance and prioritize your itinerary. It's also a good idea to bring along an extra bag or suitcase as Manchester is known for its shopping, both at large department stores and smaller, local boutiques and vintage shops.

Things to Do

Like London, Manchester is a diverse and vibrant city, with lots to see and do, all depending on your preferences and interests. The city is known for its museums, including the National Football Museum and the Imperial War Museum North, and its lively soccer culture. It's also close to many nature destinations, including the Peak District and the Lake District, so many travelers will include Manchester in a longer itinerary. There are also numerous day trips possible from Manchester, many of which can be taken via train or bus.

• Tour the National Football Museum before heading to a Manchester United match at Old Trafford stadium.
• Dine at The Old Wellington , a historic pub that dates back to 1552. It has a traditional and rustic menu, with classic options like fish and chips and burgers, and lots of beer.
• Visit the Pankhurst Centre , which celebrates the Suffragettes' first meeting and is the former home of Emmeline Pankhurst. Entry is free.

For more, explore the top 10 things to do in Manchester.

What to Eat and Drink

London often gets credit as England's best city for food, but Manchester comes in a close second, with many different types of eateries and bars to pick from. The city has an expansive food scene that continues to grow every year, and most global cuisines are represented in its many neighborhoods. Whether you're interested in Indian, Middle Eastern, Japanese, Italian, or some classic British dishes, there's something for every taste.

Manchester also has a thriving pub and bar scene, with many historic pubs and sports bars and smaller, independent cocktail bars. Don't miss grabbing a pint at the corner pub, a quintessential experience while in England, but don't forget to explore areas outside the city center like Stockport, which is known for its innovative restaurants and bars.

The local delicacies   are a bit off-center (don't try black pudding unless you learn what it is first), but there are a few treats to seek out, including the Manchester Tart. The traditional English baked tart, which features raspberry jam, can be hard to find, but check the dessert menus at the local British restaurants. Otherwise, be sure to try a Sunday roast, a traditional lunch that features roast meat, vegetables, and a Yorkshire pudding.

Where to Stay

Most travelers will opt to book a hotel or an Airbnb in the city center of Manchester, which itself is fairly vast. Look for places to stay in the Northern Quarter, a hip area with plenty of dining and shopping options, as well as the Central Retail District and NOMA. Staying in the center makes it easy to walk to many museums, but look closer to Manchester Piccadilly station if you're on a budget. Some favorite downtown hotels include The Cow Hollow Hotel, The Midland, and the Stock Exchange Hotel.

Those who want to be closer to Old Trafford stadium should look for accommodations near the Quays, which is a bit farther out (although usually cheaper) than what's available downtown. Salford, located west of the city center, is another good option for cheaper hotels or Airbnbs, although it's a drive or bus ride away from many attractions.

Getting There

Travelers can arrive in Manchester via Manchester Airport, an international hub that mainly serves Europe and the Middle East, or via London . Those flying into London can take a two-hour train journey north from Euston Station to Manchester Piccadilly. Trains run frequently, and it's easy to access Euston from Heathrow Airport via taxi or Uber. There are also National Express buses that connect London and Manchester, although those may be slower and less frequent than the train. More adventurous travelers may want to rent a car and drive to Manchester from one of the U.K.'s airports. Be sure to opt for a GPS in your rental car to help navigate the roads and highways around England.

Culture and Customs

Manchester has a similar culture to London, although the North of England can feel slightly different than the South. There are also a few differences between U.K. and U.S. culture, particularly when it comes to tipping. Restaurants and bars will include a service charge (usually 12.5 percent) on the bill, so there's no need to leave extra cash, although you can drop a few extra pounds if the service was particularly great. When grabbing a drink at a pub, leave a pound or two tip for each round you buy.

Be mindful that British culture is fairly reserved, especially compared with how we behave in public in America. When using public transportation or visiting museums, keep your voice low and be polite. Brits also appreciate a good queue, so never skip the line or push your way to the front, even if you're at a rowdy soccer match.

Money Saving Tips

• Manchester has a free bus system that operates around the city center  . There are three routes, 1, 2, and 3, which run throughout the main areas, including the Northern Quarter, NOMA, and Chinatown. Two of the buses run daily, including holidays, while one is not available on Sundays. Check the timetables and routes online to plan a journey.
• Several of Manchester's museums are free to enter  , including Manchester Museum, Manchester Art Gallery, and the Manchester Airport Runway Visitor Park.
• Take advantage of nearby walks and parks, including Heaton Park and Arley Hall and Gardens. Bring along a picnic during the warmer months to save some money on lunch.
• Grab a bite to eat at one of Manchester's hip food halls, which have casual, inexpensive breakfast, lunch, and dinner offerings. Mackie Mayor is one of the city's most popular.
• Save money on public transportation by walking as much as possible. Central Manchester is very walkable, especially when visiting attractions like museums and theaters, and it's a good way to keep your budget low. For those who need to take public transportation, consider one of the tram and bus passes that are good for multiple journeys.

Visit Britain. "Inbound Town Data." 2019.

Visit Manchester. "Greater Manchester Local Delicacies."

TfGM. "Free Bus - Free Travel Around Manchester City Centre." July 20, 2020.

Visit Manchester. "Free Things To Do in Manchester."

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The Ultimate Travel Guide to Manchester, England (Things to Do)

I couldn’t wait to write this first-timer’s guide to Manchester, England after my return.

Spending five days in this city was one of those trips that put a smile on my face — mostly because the city took me by surprise, showing me just how many incredible things there are to do in Manchester.

My knowledge is limited when it comes to England. In fact, the last time I spent a proper amount of time was in 2014 in London, so when the opportunity to visit a city that is widely known for its diversity and history, as well as its immersive opportunities for travelers, I was smitten.

Upon arrival, I hit the ground running. Manchester’s towering buildings offer homes to incredible spaces like cafes, historic libraries dating back to medieval times, and plenty of street art blended into the brick walls.

The energy of the city was buzzing — it was the semifinal of the World Cup and England was playing Croatia during the trip. Watching the city come alive, come together, and cheer on their team was one of those moments I’ll never forget.

The days in Manchester were spent wandering through the Northern Quarter, with walks along the river whilst discovering the deep roots in history that have forever shaped the city.

Did you know that this is where the first atom was split? Or that the modern computer was invented here? Neither did I. That is how surprising Manchester was.

Combining this with an art scene unlike anywhere else I’ve been, world-class food , and incredible design, it is no wonder that Manchester is a top destination in the UK.

Short on Time? Here Are My Top Picks for the Best Hotels in Manchester:

• The Lowry Hotel , for the best overall hotel
• The Principal Manchester , for the best luxury hotel stay in the city center
• The King Street Townhouse , for the best boutique design hotel

The First-Timer’s Guide to Manchester, England

Getting to manchester, england.

As a hub for direct flights from across the world, getting to Manchester has never been easier. Virgin Atlantic offers flights with one stop from major hubs like San Francisco and Boston. I’d recommend upgrading yourself and getting access to the Virgin Atlantic Clubhouse at SFO as it’s an incredible lounge to kick-start your journey.

Craft cocktails with a full restaurant menu mean you’ll be set for your journey across the pond. For arrival, I’d recommend pre-purchasing FastTrack  to pass the lines at Passport Control and purchasing it for departure to be in an expedited security line — the £5 (a little over $6) is worth it. *It is good to note that you will need extra time upon departure for security to get through.

Getting to and from Manchester Airport, there are direct trains to Manchester Piccadilly Station in the heart of the city, which takes around 20 minutes. Alternatively, you could pre-book a transfer but public transport is really handy and quite efficient.

On the ground, the city is easy to explore by foot. There are trams available to get around, and, for a quick ride, an Uber is available as well. For any day trips to nearby cities, the extensive train system is a great option.

Where to Stay in Manchester, England

The lowry hotel.

I spent my nights in Manchester at The Lowry Hotel . Well located along River Irwell, the hotel is clean and modern, offering a contemporary, luxurious space for guests. The rooms are well-appointed and the beds are ever so comfortable. In the morning, I would go down for breakfast, enjoying the scenic views and good food to start the day. Book the best rates here .

Other Hotels to Consider Booking in Manchester:

• Dakota Manchester , for the best-understated luxury hotel
• Whitworth Locke , for the best hotel to stay with friends
• Kimpton Clocktower Hotel , for the best new hotel

Best Restaurants in Manchester, England

Manchester has a bustling food scene. I’ve outlined some of my favorites below. For a deeper dive into where to eat in Manchester, check out my guide to the best restaurants in Manchester !

Albert’s Schloss

This was one of my favorite meals in Manchester as the food was incredible and the space was stunning. It has traditional German-style food and serves beer on tap. This place is great for brunch, midweek lunch, or dinner!

If you’re looking to work your way through one spot in Manchester, this is definitely it. With multiple spaces — from a bar to a winter garden to a restaurant — you could easily spend an entire evening here. I’d recommend dinner and sharing multiple plates, like the cured salmon, burrata, and chorizo, with friends.

Foundation Coffee House

I would head here for a great coffee and a light breakfast. They also serve a wonderful espresso soft serve, which is so refreshing on a summer afternoon.

The Washhouse

One of the nights we stopped into this hidden bar behind a laundromat. You’ll need to reserve in advance to get a password to get in, but, once inside, expect incredible cocktails served in the most wonderful way. Think of a drink served in its own terrarium.

Mackie Mayor

For food hall lovers, this beautiful space hosts a multitude of restaurants to choose from. It’s a good spot to go with friends as everyone can grab something here.

Cottonopolis Food & Liquor

I didn’t make it to this spot, but it came highly recommended by a local for good Asian-inspired dishes in a modern space.

Hawksmoor Manchester

We stopped in to see the space and, unfortunately, didn’t have the chance to eat here but another one of those highly recommended restaurants for dinner or lunch.

Evelyn’s Cafe Bar

Though the line can be long, this famous brunch spot is a classic for Manchester.

Fig & Sparrow

Another spot to check out for breakfast and coffee.

Things to Do in Manchester, England

Explore the northern quarter.

One of my favorite neighborhoods was certainly the Northern Quarter because of the amount of eateries and fun shops. I loved the Fred Aldous store for art/photography, and a stop into the Deadstock General Store .

Visit a Harry Potter-like Library

If you’re a history lover or want to be amazed by stunning architecture, I couldn’t recommend the John Rylands Library more. It’s like a scene out of a movie and this library from 1900, is worth a visit!

Enjoy Afternoon Tea

Always a classic, afternoon tea at The Midland is a great way to spend the afternoon. I’d recommend booking in advance for this.

Go on a street art tour

You’ll start to notice as you walk around the city that there is an extensive street art collection. One of the most enlightening experiences during the trip was a morning street art tour with Hayley Flynn of Skyliner to understand more of the history of each piece and how they each came about.

Take an Overnight Trip to York

One of my favorite excursions was an overnight trip to York. A short 1.5-hour train ride to this cobblestone town was beautiful. Here is how to spend 24 hours in York.

Tour Through the Many Museums

There are plenty of museums to work your way through in Manchester. The most recommended are The Whitworth , HOME , and the Manchester Museum . Nearly all of the museums in Manchester have free entry, including these three.

Visit the Manchester Cathedral

I spent an early morning at the Manchester Cathedral and loved walking through this stunning space.

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PS — Are You Booking a Trip Soon? Use My Booking Checklist!

These are the sites I use most to book my own trips. Using the links below is a great way to support Bon Traveler’s travel journalism at no extra cost to you . If you need help organizing your itinerary, get my free travel itinerary template here .

1. Book Your Flights

Use Skyscanner to find the best flights. It searches 100s of airlines and websites across the globe to ensure you’re not missing out on any route options or deals.

2. Book Your Accommodations

Use Booking.com for hotels and guest houses. They have the biggest inventory and consistently offer the best rates.

3. Book Your Tours & Experiences

Use Viator or Get Your Guide to find the best tours and experiences. They are my favorite tour search engines. I always check both as their inventory varies depending on the destination.

4. Book Your Car

Use Discover Cars or Rentalcars.com to find the best car rental deals. I recommend comparing rental agency reviews on Google to ensure you are booking with the best company in that destination, as the reviews are often more accurate than the car rental search engines.

5. Don’t Forget Airport Lounge Access

Get a Priority Pass membership to gain access to 1,400+ VIP lounges and airport experiences worldwide. The Priority Pass app is the first thing I check when I have a layover. I’ve been a member for over a decade, and having a comfortable place to relax before and between flights makes air travel so much more enjoyable.

6. Don’t Forget Travel Insurance

I never leave the country without travel insurance. It provides comprehensive protection in case anything goes wrong (ie. illness, injury, theft, and cancelations, etc.). I use it frequently for my travels to stay protected.

My favorite companies that offer the best coverage and rates are:

• World Nomads (best for all-around)
• Safety Wing (best for frequent travelers)

Xx, Jessica

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The ultimate guide to Manchester

By Rick Jordan

It’s no Florentine oil painting, but there are moments of beauty in Manchester . A grapheneblack cormorant breaking the surface of the Irwell, the thick terracotta tiles of the Refuge building that you want to break off like toffee and eat. Earlier this year, I found a fresh view, from the Castlefield Viaduct: a miniature High Line where clematis and ferns sprout amid the girders. Looking across, I could see both the ruins of the Roman fort and the four towers of Deansgate Square, flashing sunlight like beacons marking out new territory. Manchester’s a little greener these days, a little softer. In Mayfield Park, conjured from rail-yard dereliction, I walk over cast-iron beams, half-buried in the grass like fossils.

The River Medlock has been uncovered, kingfishers have returned. People, too. Hard to believe that in the late 1980s, when I was a teenager going to clubs and gigs (an era the city’s self-mythology is far too reliant on; I don’t need to hear “Fools Gold” ever again), only a few hundred lived in the centre. “The shutters slammed down at 5pm; you couldn’t buy a pint of milk,” says Tom Bloxham of architecture studio Urban Splash, which has played a part in the city’s regeneration, most recently with the marina and townhouses of New Islington. “Joined-up thinking has really reinvented Manchester." Right now, it's brimful of confidence: the ambitious new Aviva studios, which opened in October, is an emblem of this – but so is the evolving food and drink scene.

How to get to Manchester

Manchester has the UK's third busiest airport, with flights to 199 destinations. Trains into the city centre run every 10 minutes, seven days a week and take around 20 minutes. Manchester Piccadilly is the city's main train station, with connections from most main train stations throughout the UK. The city has good bus, train and tram services.

The best hotels in Manchester

There are so many empty warehouses to fill… Peacock-coloured Forty-Seven opened in a Peter Street one, while Malmaison Manchester Deansgate has bagged the best views over the refurbished Town Hall. Soho House will land later in 2024 in the former Granada Studios, with motel rooms below the club and its optimistic rooftop pool (would a young Ken Barlow have been allowed in?). Opening in the summer of 2024 is  Treehouse Manchester , a sequel to the London debut that’s just as playful (stepping stones in the lobby) but more locally minded: Bury-born chef Mary-Ellen McTague brings a zero-waste approach to the ground-floor restaurant; Belzan chef Sam Grainger will head up the 14th-floor restaurant with a South-East Asian menu, while DJ-restaurateurs Justin Crawford and Luke Cowdrey are fiddling the knobs on the music and live acts. Of recent-ish arrivals, I like The Alan : nudging Chinatown, it’s an exercise in upcycling, with bare plaster walls in the bedrooms and an ethereal, mosaic-floored lobby that appears almost Balearic, linking workspaces, bar and dining room (with Cumbrae oysters and crab cavatelli on the menu, it’s a rare Manchester hotel for eating in at). Leven , meanwhile, may feel familiar to Posh and Becks, who came here when the building housed Mash & Air, the 1990s restaurant where Jason Atherton cut his teeth. Different vibes now, with an art-filled cocktail bar (Black Forest martinis, rhubarb sours) that’s a little pocket of calm amid the Canal Street head rush, and loft-style suites with huge crittall windows. Manchester has a fair few frictionless, hit-the-ground-running hotels, but this is one of the best.

By Rachel Everett

What to do in Manchester

Last summer, I went daytime raving with mummies in New Century Hall ; well, actually lace-wrapped performers cavorting to hypnotic techno: a dance piece called “R.O.S.E”. The hall was a new one on me, a black-framed mid-century survivor that hosted Hendrix and acid house, now restored with the original sprung dance floor. Unlike in other cities, there has been a boom in live-music venues, from the intimate Blues Kitchen (head upstairs for an eclectic line-up) to the incoming Co-Op Live arena. Most hyped, though, is the £242-million Aviva Studios , metal origami home to Factory International , the outfit behind the biennial festival. Unlovely on the outside, but inside is a hangar-like space that can be adapted to accommodate any artistic vision. Last summer it was filled with Yayoi Kusama’s giant polka-dot inflatables; in October it saw Danny Boyle’s Matrix reboot, Free Your Mind, a dance spectacular with giant rabbits and lots of PVC. The remit is to bring experimental works to as large an audience as possible – thus continuing a rich Mancunian tradition of culture for all. Over at Manchester Museum , meanwhile, a new gallery showcases the South Asian diaspora, curated by the community and giving a voice to historically marginalised cultures. It’s full of vivid storytelling, none less so than the strikingly witty 55-foot mural by The Singh Twins, which recasts Britannia as an Indian woman, trident held aloft while surveying her Anglo-Asian “Greater Britain”.

By Jahnavi Bhatt

By Paul Richardson

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By Harry McKinley

The best street food in Manchester

At some point, Manchester swapped disco biscuits for tacos, and now it seems as if nomadic bands of carpenter-gatherers roam the streets, throwing up food-hall shanty towns amid the bones of industrial hulks. Freight Island sprawls across the Mayfield railway depot next to the new park, midway between fairground and festival, with lazy Sunday sessions where parents reminisce about nights at Sankeys over IPAs. But lo, like a steampunk Godzilla, Diecast has risen in a metalworks nearby, with glitching, avant-garde dancers on walkways, daiquiri machines and rum caravans for hire. Who will win the battle of the giant food halls? See also the smaller, sleeker Society and Kargo MKT , just opened on Salford Quays.

The best restaurants in Manchester

Simon Martin’s Mana may have won the city its only Michelin star , but Erst won the hearts of northern food lovers when it opened in 2018 – a neighbourhood restaurant in the best New York sense. It’s still my favourite place to eat – sit at the counter with a beef-fat flatbread and glass of orange moscatel, and everything feels right in the world. But there’s competition. Higher Ground opened in 2023, from a trio who met at Stone Barns in New York State, testing the terroir with pop-ups and their Flawd wine bar. The Brit-bistro flavour combinations are compelling – pork loin cured in cuttlefish ink, celeriac paired with salted blueberries – with many ingredients grown on its Nantwich market garden. There’s a real sense of an ecosystem taking root here: the farm supplies other restaurants, including the wine-forward Climat from Chester’s Covino team. Speakeasy-elusive at the top of an office block, it serves painstakingly prepped small plates that include hash browns topped with twirls of taramasalata and vol-au-vents sporting quiffs of duck-liver parfait. Elsewhere, lockdown hit 3hands Deli has flexed into Another Hand – caff by day, sharing plates by night – with picks including lion’s mane mushroom in a chocolate mole. Just off Albert Square, meanwhile, Maray is an example of the sort of indie hangout Manchester does really well: punchy street food (in this case Middle Eastern – try the king prawns with white-bean messabecha) with a strong vegan line-up and a free-flowing cocktail list. For a coffee and bhaji buttie, my insider tip is SeeSaw , a coworking space and café down a cobbled alley off Princess Street.

By Ben Arnold and Cathy Toogood

The best bars in Manchester

As soon as you arrive in Manchester, head straight to Schofield’s Bar , sit at the counter and order a Tuxedo No 2. Gin, dry vermouth, maraschino and bitters. It’ll set you up for the day but also introduce you to one of the best cocktail bars in the UK, sat behind a lovely ironwork deco frontispiece. Bury-born Daniel and Joe Schofield may well be there,  wearing white aprons and the sort of faces that peer out of sepia photos from the 1920s. The brothers bring a wealth of experience, picked up at Little Red Door in  Paris  and Singapore’s Tippling Club; no gimmicks here but classic cocktails, making this part of a new generation of grown-up bars along with Speak in Code (closed-loop, new-wave tiki), Red Light (LGBTQ+) and Sterling , the Schofields’ basement bar in the Stock Exchange Hotel. The margaritas, meanwhile, are excellent at Public on Stevenson Square, the latest from Rusholme curry scion Sax Arshad (Gooey, his NY-styled doughnut joint, inspired Lizzo to post “Manchester got the good good” after sniffling its tofu sando).

There’s a statue of Vimto in Manchester, an oak-carved bottle and berries, but maybe one should be sculpted of a bottle of pét-nat: the city’s awash with natural wine. A bar-hopping tour might start at Flawd for an Austrian rosé before an English Sov’ran Ortega at The Jane Eyre on Cutting Room Square, moving onto Ad Hoc . Out in Levenshulme is Isca , co-owned by Caroline Dubois, sommelier at Where the Light Gets In. “There’s a real feeling of possibility right now,” she says. “Manchester’s food and drink reputation is a recent thing – but it’s drawing in people from around the world with serious experience.”

By Ben Arnold

Manchester   Travel Guide

Why Go To Manchester

If you could see what Manchester was like a couple of centuries ago, you would've viewed an industrial city as it churned out cotton. In fact, it was the world's first industrialized city. Sure, Manchester pays homage to its roots with a handful of museums and the preservation of some historic buildings, but Manchester hardly dwells in the past. Rather than cotton, these days, Manchester is cranking out a contagious energy. Today, the Capital of the North is defined by music – bands like The Smiths, Blossoms and Oasis all got their starts here. The city is also fervent about its soccer (or football, in the U.K.): In fact, Manchester United might well be one of the world's most revered teams. And when it comes to food, you'll find that Manchester's restaurant scene is experiencing new energy. It's known for its vegan and vegetarian cuisine, as well as halal.

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• # 4 in Best Day Trips from London

Best of Manchester

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Best Things to Do in Manchester

• # 1 in John Rylands Library
• # 2 in Manchester Art Gallery
• # 3 in Old Trafford

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Manchester Travel Tips

Best months to visit.

The best time to visit Manchester is between June and August when the weather is warm and the city's events calendar is packed. The months between September and December act as a sweet spot before the rather dreary low season of January and February. March through May is another shoulder season when temperatures begin to rise. 

Weather in Manchester

Data sourced from the National Climatic Data Center

What You Need to Know

Manchester is an ancient city Its history dates to A.D. 79 when the Romans built the Mamucium fort. But that doesn't mean Manchester is stuck in the past.

It rains a lot Be sure to bring an umbrella and be prepared for wet weather.

It's known for music and football Live music and football (or soccer) matches are Manchester mainstays. Try to experience both.

How to Save Money in Manchester

Steer clear of football season Anytime there's a football match in Manchester, you can bet hotel prices will be high.

See free attractions Many of Manchester's top attractions cost nothing to enter.

Hop on the bus The Manchester free bus provides complimentary transportation around the city center, making it easy to access top attractions like John Rylands Library , the National Football Museum and the Manchester Art Gallery , among others.

Culture & Customs

Don't even think about criticizing the beloved Manchester United or Manchester City football teams. Even though locals are known for their hospitality, they're also very loyal to their football teams.

Although the official language in the U.K. is English, you might be surprised that some locals are hard to understand, as Manchester has its own unique dialect. They also use a number of words in different contexts. For example, "scran" is another word for "food." Or to say, "That's great," a local might say, "That's mint" or “It's top!"

When it comes to currency, you'll be using the British pound sterling. Since the pound to U.S. dollar exchange rate fluctuates, be sure to check what the current exchange rate is before you go. Major credit cards are accepted at most restaurants and shops. And in case you're wondering about tipping, here are the rules: In sit-down restaurants, it has become customary to tip about 10%. In a taxi, rounding the fare to the nearest 1 pound (about $1.30) should be sufficient. No tip is expected in bars and pubs.

The British are generally reserved and polite and generally don't do a lot of touching. You'll want to be sure to shake hands, with a light touch (unlike Americans who prefer a firm handshake), and keep your hands (not elbows) on the table during meals. The British also like their personal space, so don't stand too closely.

What to Eat

Manchester has a vibrant restaurant scene. Check out its food halls and food markets at establishments like the Altrincham Market food hall where you can choose from multiple purveyors, or nosh on street food and craft beer at GRUB Food Fair open every Friday and Saturday. Don't miss The Corn Exchange , which houses multiple restaurants inside a beautiful building. We also recommend trying some Indian food on Curry Mile in Manchester, which has the highest concentration of Asian restaurants in the U.K. 

When it comes to drinks, grab a pint or two at The Oakfield , a British pub in Chester Zoo or The Eagle Inn in Salford close to Victoria train station. For an upscale bar, Cloud 23 at the Hilton Manchester Deansgate has the city's highest views (on the 23rd floor of the hotel) with floor-to-ceiling windows. It offers light bites and desserts. And this city is especially known for its beer, boasting more than 30 breweries within striking distance. You can even tour some like Dunham Massey Brewing Company and Martland Mill Brewery , among others.

Manchester is a pretty safe place to visit, but as with all major cities, you should keep your valuables out of sight to protect against pickpockets, muggers or "snatch and grabs" of phones, bags and jewelry. The most violent crimes occur in the city's Gay Village neighborhood. Picadilly Gardens also sees a high number of crimes, so take extra precaution in these areas. If you're taking taxis, make sure they are the licensed black cabs from a taxi rank. Terrorist attacks in Europe have also been on the rise; in 2017, 23 people died following a bombing at a concert at Manchester Arena. The U.S. Department of State advises signing up for STEP (the Smart Traveler Enrollment Program) to stay updated on security threats.

Getting Around Manchester

The best way to get around Manchester is on foot due thanks to the city compact layout. It's also easy to get around by bike with many dedicated bicycle lanes. If you get tired, hop on a Metrolink tram, which can reach most places in the city quickly and efficiently. There's also a free bus network, covering most of the city center. If you need to get somewhere quickly, you can always rely on the city's regulated black taxis.

Manchester Airport (MAN) is the city's closest airport (located 10 miles south of the city center), and the U.K.'s third-largest airport. Direct flights are available from many U.S. cities. You can take a black taxi from the airport to the city center for around 22 to 28 pounds (roughly $29 to $37) to travel 10 miles. You can also take a train to Manchester's Piccadilly Station or a Metrolink tram; trains run between the airport and the city center roughly every 10 minutes with one-way trips costing approximately 3 pounds (about $4) online. Metrolink trams, which run every 12 to 15 minutes, take airport travelers to Cornbrook outside the city center, and you can take a variety of trams into the city center from there.

If you're coming from London , trains to Manchester leave from London's Euston station; the 200-mile trip takes around two to three hours. You can also get from London to Manchester by bus; a number of different coach companies offer the service, including Megabus and National Express.

Entry & Exit Requirements

United States citizens will need a valid passport valid for the duration of your stay in order to visit the U.K. Note that U.S. citizens do not need a visa unless they plan on staying in the U.K. longer than six months. Visit the U.S. State Department's website for more information.

The idyllic Shambles Square is home to four pubs and one of the only surviving Tudor buildings in Manchester city center.

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Things To Do

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One Day in Manchester, UK: Day Trip Itinerary, Map & Insider Tips

By Author Jurga

Posted on Last updated: January 15, 2024

Going on a day trip to Manchester and wondering what to see and do and how to plan your time? In this guide, we share a suggested Manchester itinerary for one day . This guide includes recommendations on what to see, plus a detailed 1-day itinerary as well as suggestions on where to eat, tips for getting around, and more. Take a look!

As the unofficial capital of the north of England and one of the UK’s biggest cities, Manchester is packed with cool things to see and do . It is also one of the most friendly and welcoming places to visit in England!

Its people are rightly proud of their city’s industrial history, along with its influence on the music scene. Manchester was where world-famous bands like Oasis, The Chemical Brothers, The Smiths, and Stone Roses all started out.

And as any sporting enthusiast will know, Manchester is also renowned for its contributions to football. Home to two world-class stadiums and some of the best football teams in Europe, it is where the world’s first professional football league was established in 1888.

If you only have one day in Manchester , you may be wondering just how to spend it in order to make the most of your time and see the very best the city has to offer.

In this guide, you’ll discover Manchester’s most popular attractions and which ones you should visit if you only have a day in the city. We also include practical tips and some insider recommendations , as well as a detailed 1-day itinerary and a map indicating all the sights mentioned in this article. Take a look!

Top Picks in Manchester:

• FUN TO DO: River cruise + walking tour + football stadium tour .
• HOTELS: £££ The Edwardian ££ Hotel Brooklyn £ ibis Styles .
• IF YOU HAVE MORE TIME: Day trip to Lake District NP .

• What to see
• Detailed 1-day itinerary
• Getting around
• Where to eat
• Where to stay

What to see in Manchester in One Day

Further below, you can find a detailed 1-day Manchester itinerary with our recommendations on how to plan your time.

But first, a bit more on the main sights and attractions you could visit in Manchester in a day:

Football Stadiums & Museums

If you are a big football fan and only have one day to spend in Manchester, you will need to choose between its 3 main football-related attractions . At best, you could visit two places – one stadium plus the museum in the city center.

First, pick one of the stadiums of the city’s two premier league football clubs – Manchester United (at Old Trafford) and Manchester City (at the Etihad Stadium) . Both allow you to do fun things like walk through the player’s tunnel, walk next to the pitch, visit the changing rooms, and have virtual conversations with the clubs’ managers. They also give you plenty of opportunities to learn more about their history, with trophy and kit displays.

Unless you have an allegiance to one particular club, you might prefer to visit the Etihad Stadium on a short visit to Manchester as it is closer to the city center. On the other hand, Old Trafford is closer to the Quays where river cruises run. So – depending on your overall interests – pick one of them, but be sure to do at least one stadium tour !

Good to know: Stadium tours last around 1.5-2 hours and have to be booked in advance. Here you can book a tour of the Etihad Stadium (Manchester City), and here – a tour of Old Trafford (Manchester United) .

Alternatively – or in addition – pay a visit to The National Football Museum , located right in the city center. Not just devoted to Manchester’s football clubs, the museum has exhibits from lots of different men’s and women’s teams, plus lots of interactive games for children to enjoy.

Good to know: You can visit The National Football Museum in about an hour, but if you want to see (and do) everything, you’d probably need 1.5 – 2 hours as well. Also here, prebook your tickets in advance.

Manchester’s Best Libraries

There are two beautiful libraries to visit in Manchester – Manchester Central Library and John Rylands Library . But if you only have time for one, then it has to be The John Rylands Library at Deansgate.

John Ryland made his fortune through the textile industry and was Manchester’s first multi-millionaire. After he died in 1888, his widow opened the library in his honor. One of the city’s most beautiful buildings , this library has high windows and an exquisite vaulted roof that make it look more like a cathedral than a library.

Part of the University of Manchester, John Rylands Library contains historically important items such as the 1476 William Caxton edition of Chaucer’s Canterbury Tales and the oldest known piece of the New Testament. You are welcome to read here for a while, or take a self-guided tour of the building and the exhibits describing its interesting history.

TIP: Be sure to check out the toilets during your visit – they date back to Victorian times and have not been altered since 1900.

If you get time to see Manchester’s Central Library , it’s also worth a visit – even if only to admire the building from the outside. This Grade II Listed Building is located in St Peter’s Square and is instantly recognizable by its unique domed architecture, a little reminiscent of Rome’s Pantheon. It has lots of interesting exhibits inside detailing the city’s history, plus a ‘Secret Garden’ for kids.

Manchester Cathedral

Manchester Cathedral may be one of England’s smaller cathedrals, but it is exceptionally beautiful! With impressive stained glass windows, ornate medieval woodwork, and the widest nave of any cathedral in England, it’s one of the must-sees in Manchester!

The Cathedral also happens to provide a little haven of tranquility, right in one of the city’s busiest areas close to Victoria Station.

The cathedral often hosts orchestral performances, ballets, and craft markets, so you may find something fun going on here during your visit!

Historic City Center

In addition to all the museums , libraries , and the Cathedral , there’s more to see in the city center, of course. And even if you have just a day in Manchester, be sure to take a walk through the historic city center , to get a better idea of what the city is all about.

Don’t miss Albert Square with the impressive City Hall building, and Albert Memorial. Check out Piccadilly Gardens and its fountains. Walk through Chinatown or explore Castlefield Conservation Area , go shopping at Afflecks indoor market, or spend some time at Arndale shopping center…

TIP: One of the best ways to see the best of Manchester in a short time is by taking a walking tour with a local. This popular afternoon walking tour of the city highlights is one of the very best options. Further below – in our detailed 1 day Manchester itinerary – you can see our suggestions on how to plan your day so that you could include this tour as well.

River Cruises

If you’re visiting Manchester between April and September, a river cruise is a lovely way to see the city from a whole new perspective! Cruises operate from Salford Quays , which you can get to by tram from the city center in just 15 minutes. It’s also close to Imperial War Museum North.

River cruises range in length and there are different options depending on the time of the year. The most popular option is this highly-rated 1-hour sightseeing cruise .

It’s also the best option if you are short on time. It’s a quick and enjoyable way to take in famous landmarks like the Victoria & Albert Hotel, George Stephenson’s 1830 Railway bridge, and the studios of BBC TV, plus the commentary is very informative.

Good to know: The top deck of the river cruise is open to enjoy the views. But there is also a fully enclosed lower deck to which you can retreat if the heavens decide to open!

Manchester Museums

There are several excellent museums in Manchester that are well worth a visit. However, if you only have one day then the very best two to visit are the Science and Industry Museum or the Imperial War Museum .

Both museums are free of charge and open from 10 AM to 5 PM, Wednesday to Sunday, plus during school holidays.

The Science and Industry Museum celebrates Manchester’s leading role in the Industrial Revolutions through a variety of exhibits, galleries, and hands-on activities. There are also fully operational vintage steam-powered machines that are regularly fired up to allow you to appreciate their scale and power. You also get the opportunity to get a feel for how life was for the residents of the city at that time.

The historic railway and transport exhibits are fascinating, but the highlight for children has to be the ‘Experiment’ gallery. Here they can learn all about science through a series of fun and interactive games.

TIP: This museum can get very busy at weekends, particularly in the afternoons. It’s usually at its quietest from 10 to 11 in the morning, or late in the afternoon. Plan to spend around 1 to 2 hours here.

The Imperial War Museum is located outside the city center at The Quays and contains more than 2,000 exhibits connected to the worldwide conflict. Not only does the building have a very contemporary, eye-catching design, but the way in which information is presented to visitors is both unique and effective. Immersive, 360-degree cinematic Big Picture Shows bring to life the stories of people who have either fought in – or been victims of – war, from WWI until the present day.

This is a large museum, so you need a few hours to fully appreciate it.

Good to know: The displays and shows here are aimed at children from around 10 years plus. There are few interactive exhibits or activities for younger children.

As an alternative to either the Science and Industry or Imperial War Museums, you can also visit the People’s History Museum . It’s incredibly interesting for both adults and children. Concepts like racism and social justice are explored via engaging and thought-provoking exhibits that can lead to some very interesting family discussions. This museum is also free to visit and there is enough to see and do to keep you occupied for several hours.

Manchester is a mecca for shoppers and you’ll find everything here from independent stores to high street names.

One of the best shopping malls in Manchester is the Trafford Centre , outside the city center. However, with just a day in Manchester, it’s not the best option, especially if you are also interested in sightseeing.

If you don’t want to travel quite so far to shop, then check out the Arndale Centre right in the heart of the city center. The shops here are actually much bigger than those in the Trafford Centre – and it’s located right opposite Selfridge’s and Harvey Nichols. But it doesn’t have the restaurants and leisure facilities of the Trafford Centre, nor is it so beautifully designed.

For shopping of a completely different kind, try Afflecks indoor market in the Northern Quarter. Here, you’ll find an eclectic collection of everything from vintage clothing to pop art, plus quirky eateries and coffee shops. Even if you don’t want to buy anything, it’s a fascinating place to just wander around.

1-day Manchester Itinerary

Below are our suggestions for how you could spend a day in Manchester (with hours indicated just for your reference).

TIP: We recommend starting your day with a stadium tour since it’s easier to plan your itinerary that way. Also, the city center is livelier and more enjoyable in the afternoon.

Here’s how your 1-day Manchester itinerary could look like:

• 8.30 AM : Start the day with breakfast in the city center (see ‘Where to Eat’ section below).
• 9.15 AM: Make your way to one of the football stadiums . Old Trafford can be reached by the hop-on hop-off bus , which also allows you to see more of the city, but you can simply take a tram as well. Our itinerary below is planned around this stadium, but you can easily adapt it and visit Etihad Stadium instead. Etihad Stadium tours usually run daily, so it can also be a great alternative if the other stadium tour is not available on the day of your visit.
• 10 AM: Stadium tour of either Etihad Stadium (Manchester City F.C.) or Old Trafford (Manchester United F.C.). No matter which one you choose, be sure to book your tour in advance! Here you can book a tour of the Manchester City Etihad Stadium , and here – tickets for the Manchester United Museum & Stadium tour .
• Time permitting (and if interested), visit the Imperial War Museum (IWM) North which is located on the same side of the river as the Old Trafford Stadium. Keep in mind that it’s a very big museum so you need a few hours.
• Afterwards, take the pedestrian Millennium Bridge to the Quays, on the other side of the river. Here, you’ll find lots of nice restaurants for lunch. This is also where you’ll find river cruises (they usually have multiple departures every day, so it’s rather easy to add a cruise to any Manchester itinerary).

• Next, make your way back to the city center . If you take a tram, count about 20-30 minutes.
• 2 PM – walking tour (optional): If you don’t visit the IWM or take a river cruise, you could easily be back in the city center by this time. In that case, check out this highly-rated afternoon walking tour of the main attractions of Manchester city center . This tour starts at Manchester Central Library and covers all the best places in about 2.5 hours. If you don’t go with a tour, you can also get back to the city center a bit later. See our recommendations on what to see below.
• Visit St Peter’s Square and check out Central Library . From here, it’s an easy 10-minute walk on to the John Ryland’s Library . On the way, check out Albert Square and the City Hall .
• 3.30 PM: Visit either Science and Industry Museum OR National Football Museum . It can be busy here and these museums usually close at 5 PM. So if you want to visit, be sure to come here at least 1.5 hours before the closing time. For the Football Museum, you can book your tickets online ; Science & Industry Museum is free to enter. ALTERNATIVELY, you can also opt to visit the People’s History Museum . But – with just a day in Manchester – you’ll have time for just one of them at best (depends on your other choices, of course).
• Afterwards, pop in to see the Manchester Cathedral , which is practically next door to the National Football Museum. Just behind the cathedral, check out the picturesque Shambles Square . There are lots of restaurants and pubs in this area as well.
• 5.15 PM: Pop over to Afflecks indoor market and have a look around its independent stalls and boutiques.
• 5.45 PM: Take a walk to check out the fountains at Piccadilly Gardens . There’s a lively atmosphere here – locals come to hang out and there are often public speakers or street entertainers. It’s a great place to get a real feel for the city.
• 6 PM: Chinatown, shopping , etc.
• Evening: Dinner and drinks. See suggestions below.

Here you can see the map indicating all the places mentioned in this article . From the must-sees and alternative suggestions to recommended restaurants – this will give you a better idea of where everything is and help you plan your day trip to Manchester.

How to use this map:  Use your computer mouse (or fingers) to zoom in or out. Click on the icons to get more information about each place. Click the arrow on the top left corner for the index. Click the star next to the map’s title to add it to your Google Maps account. To view the saved map on your smartphone or PC, open Google Maps, click the menu and go to ‘Your Places’/’Maps’. If you want to print the map or see it in a bigger window, click on ‘View larger map’ in the top right corner.

Getting Around

Getting around Manchester is very easy and very inexpensive. Bright yellow trams of the Metrolink service connect the entire city, and there are also frequent, cheap buses. If you plan to use them throughout the day, then you can usually get a 24-hour pass to cut costs. You’ll find more details here .

Even better is the ‘ free bus ‘ – a service with 3 lines that links the main rail stations with the car parks, shopping areas and businesses. You can learn more about the routes and timetables here .

Manchester city is very bike-friendly too, with plenty of dedicated cycle routes and bike rental shops if you feel like going that route.

In addition, there’s also a very affordable hop-on hop-off bus too, but it’s probably a better option if you have at least 2 days in Manchester. On the other hand, it can be an excellent option for those who want to get a taste of what Manchester is like without having to walk much.

But the easiest option to see the main sights is to go on foot . Many of Manchester’s main attractions are clustered in its city center so you can walk from one to the other. This is something I recommend doing if you have the time – there always seems to be something going on in the city and lots of interesting sights to catch your eye during your journey!

Where to Eat

Manchester has to be one of the best cities in the UK for good food! No matter which type of international cuisine is your favorite, you’ll find it all here. Also, from street food to fine dining, the options for where to eat in Manchester are endless.

Below are just a few recommendations – more than you’ll be able to try in a day! We also indicated all these places on our map, so you can see what fits your itinerary best.

Good to know: In Manchester, lunch is commonly referred to as ‘dinner’. And dinner is known as ‘tea’. This can certainly be confusing for visitors, although many restaurants tend to stick with the more traditional usage of the words!

BREAKFAST or LUNCH in the city center:

• The Koffee Pot . This simple cafe has the tastiest – and best value – ‘fry ups’ in the city, plus American pancakes, the ‘Manc Muffin brekkie burger’, and veggie/vegan options.
• Bill’s at Spinningfields – a slightly more sophisticated vibe. Here you can enjoy a healthy breakfast served alongside nutritious smoothies and cold-pressed juices.
• Wilson’s Social is a great spot for lunch. Its menu is quite small but the food is absolutely delicious and very reasonably priced.
• Mr. Thomas’s Chop House . Set in a historic building that first opened as a pub in 1870, this is a gorgeous venue serving hearty and traditional British food , ranging from pub snacks to full meals. Don’t miss the rustic bread served with beef dripping – it might not be the healthiest option but it tastes incredible!

LUNCH at The Quays:

• The Alchemist MediaCity . If the weather is nice, don’t look any further. The views here are amazing, and they serve simple meals and great cocktails.
• Pier Eight Restaurant . Modern British cuisine with nice views.

There are so many options for a great dinner, from the excellent oriental restaurants scattered throughout Chinatown (just behind the town hall) to The Curry Mile on Wilmslow Road (South Manchester, quite far from the city center). Here, you’ll find the biggest concentration of south-Asian restaurants outside of Asia!

The area around Shambles Square, just next to the Cathedral, is another nice area with restaurants and pubs. Here, you’ll also find the Corn Exchange Manchester food court with lots of nice restaurants.

Alternatively, enjoy dinner (and potentially catch a movie) at the Printworks , just across the street from the National Football Museum. This old refurbished warehouse is home to numerous restaurants including the Hard Rock Cafe, Wagamama, and the sushi bar Wasabi, plus a cinema and mini-golf. For the Hard Rock Cafe , you can best reserve priority seating (+ a meal) in advance.

Don’t miss! Close to St Peter’s Square is The Temple , possibly Manchester’s quirkiest venue. This cool underground pub – which has its own jukebox and a great atmosphere – was actually built in an old Victorian toilet!

Where to Stay

For sightseeing, we recommend staying in the heart of the city center. That way – even with just 1 day in Manchester – you can make the most of your visit.

Ideally, you spend at least two nights in Manchester so that you can make the most of your day, and maybe also visit one or two places on the day of the arrival or before you leave.

Here are some of the best-rated hotels in this area for all budgets:

• £££££ The Edwardian – a very popular (and quite affordable) 5* hotel in the heart of the city center. Indoor pool.
• ££££ The Midland – the most popular 4* hotel in a great central location. Indoor pool.
• £££ Hotel Brooklyn – excellent-value 4* hotel. Top pick in the mid-range budget!
• ££ Holiday Inn Express Manchester City Centre Arena – a very nice 3* hotel, great value for your money.
• £ ibis Styles Manchester Portland – the best lower-budget choice in the city center.

TIP: If you like something a bit less traditional, check out the bright, colorful, and quirky YOTEL Manchester Deansgate . This highly-rated 4* hotel has an excellent location and that something bit extra to make your Manchester getaway a bit more special.

So, these are our suggestions for things to do on a day trip to Manchester.

I hope that this guide and the recommended Manchester 1-day itinerary helps you plan your time and decide on the things you want to see the most. And maybe it even inspires you to spend more time in the city!

READ ALSO: Best Things to Do in Manchester

Have a great trip!

More Travel Inspiration for the UK:

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• Isle of Skye Itinerary
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• Top Sights & Attractions in Edinburgh
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• …For more travel inspiration for these and other destinations, take a look at our UK travel guide .

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The 15 Best Things to do in Manchester, UK

Manchester is one of the best city break destinations in the United Kingdom. Located in Lancashire, in northern England, this is a city decked out with industrial history, buoyed by its revolutionary spirit, and fueled by its sporting prowess. 

Step off the train at Manchester Piccadilly Station, and you’ll be immersed in the city’s post-industrial landscapes. Red brick chimneys, a remnant of Manchester’s role in the Industrial Revolution, rise high above the repurposed warehouses and mercantile buildings that line the streets. Take a walking tour to learn more about the city’s working-class history, or join a black cab taxi tour to explore Manchester in style. 

From the People’s History Museum to the Manchester Museum, museums abound in Manchester. Learn about democracy and archeology, or pop into the National Football Museum to marvel at the legendary footballing memorabilia on display. Sports fans will never be disappointed in Manchester because you’ve got top Premier League football matches to watch at both Manchester United and Manchester City’s stadiums. 

And after a day of sightseeing, head to the Northern Quarter in search of Manchester’s best live music venues. This is the city that gave the world bands like Oasis, the Stone Roses, and Joy Division, and this musical legacy very much lives on.

With so many great things to see and do, you might not know where to begin. That’s why we’ve compiled our list of the absolute best things to do in Manchester for you. Keep to these fun and unique Manchester bucket list recommendations, and there’s no doubt you’ll have an amazing time exploring this wonderful English city!

Disclaimer: This post may contain affiliate links. If you make a purchase or booking through one of our links we may earn a small commission (don’t worry, it’s at no extra cost to you).

15 Fun and Unique Things to do in Manchester

1. start by joining a free walking tour of manchester.

A walking tour is one of the best things to do in Manchester, but it’s even better when that walking tour is free! 

Okay, so it’s not entirely “free,” but you can tip your local guide as much or as little as you’d like depending on how much you enjoy the experience, love their guiding style, or how much you learn about the city. 

Free walking tours are always led by local Mancunians, many of whom are knowledgeable history graduates and all of whom know their city inside and out. Tours depart every day at 11 am from the Alan Turing Memorial Statue in Sackville Gardens, and all you need to do is turn up (no booking required!).

The three-hour-long walking tour is a great introduction to the city, as you’ll be taken to many of the city’s major Manchester sightseeing attractions. You’ll visit Manchester Town Hall, stroll past the National Museum of Football , explore Chinatown, enjoy a jaunt along the Rochdale Canal, and much more.

At the same time, you’ll learn all about the people who made Manchester the city it is today. You’ll hear about the humble origins of the city, its population explosion during the Industrial Revolution, and what the future holds for England’s northern powerhouse. 

Book your Manchester Private Tour

2. Explore Manchester in the back of a black cab taxi

If you prefer to be chauffeured around your destination, then don’t fear because Manchester is home to a seriously unique tour opportunity. 

For 30 years, local Mancunian John Consterdine worked as a taxi driver in the city, driving locals and travelers alike to their destinations. Then he decided to turn his passion for guiding into a business, as he started the one-of-a-kind “ Manchester Taxi Tour .”

Easily one of the most unique things to do in Manchester, you’ll be picked up in one of the tour company’s signature black cabs (all are electric and wheelchair accessible) before embarking on a bespoke, two, three, or four-hour tour of Manchester. No two journeys are ever the same, and your trip can be tailored to include any of the Manchester attractions you’ve been waiting to see.

You’ll have detailed commentary from your driver, who’ll explain the history, culture, and local politics as you explore the city in comfort. You can even pick one of the tour company’s specialty tours, including a Manchester United-themed tour of the city or afternoon tea in the back of the black cab!

3. Love the ‘Beautiful Game’ with a visit to the National Football Museum

A trip to the National Football Museum is one of the top things to do in Manchester. The city is famous for its football history, and sports fans will love delving into the museum’s unique collection of football memorabilia!

The National Football Museum first opened in Manchester in 2012, after moving to the city from the nearby northern city of Preston, where it was founded in 2001. Manchester, home to Manchester United and Manchester City (two of football’s most successful teams), was the perfect home ground for a national museum dedicated to the “Beautiful Game.”

The museum is overseen by footballing legends like Sir Alex Ferguson (former manager of Manchester United) and Sir Bobby Charlton (a World Cup-winning player), so you know the exhibitions are in safe hands. Inside the National Football Museum, you’ll find thousands of exhibits charting the course of the sport’s often dramatic professional development from the 19th century onwards.

The list of notable items you’ll find on display includes Brazilian football hero Pele’s passport, the shirt worn by Sir Geoff Hurst in England’s 1966 World Cup final game against West Germany, and the football boots worn by Northern Ireland international and Manchester United player George Best. The National Football Museum hosts a multitude of events and temporary exhibitions, too, including World Cup displays, football debates (who’s the best player of all time?), and regular free tours with footballing historians. 

Get your Football Museum Admission Ticket

4. Watch a Premier League match in Manchester

Watching a Premier League match is one of the most fun things to do in Manchester, England. Even if you don’t follow football, then you’ll likely know that the city is home to two of the most successful and well-supported teams in the world: Manchester United and Manchester City.

The rivalry is fierce between these two top teams, who both play in the Premier League (the top tier of English football) and regularly compete on the European stage for titles and glory. The best players in the world aspire to play for either of the Manchester-based teams, so any game you see here in the city is guaranteed to be top quality.

Manchester United play their games at Old Trafford, a classic football ground where countless trophies have been won. Getting tickets will be difficult, but you can always take a guided tour of the stadium and the Manchester United Museum to learn more about the club. 

The same can be said for Manchester City, who play their home games in the new Etihad Stadium. Matchday tickets will be hard to find, but you can still take a stadium tour and visit the Manchester City FC Museum to find out about the city’s fierce football rivalry. 

5. Learn how ideas change the world at the Science and Industry Museum

One of the best things to see in Manchester is the Science and Industry Museum , a fun and fascinating museum that shows how ideas can change the world. 

This inspirational museum charts the sometimes steady and oftentimes abrupt pace of change that’s shaken Manchester over the last 250 years. The museum starts by exploring the origins of the Industrial Revolution before delving into the multitude of scientific and industrial advances that have been developed in Manchester since. 

The museum portrays this history through wide-ranging exhibits, many of which offer hands-on opportunities to delve into science and machinery. In the Textiles Gallery, for example, you’ll learn how new technologies allowed Manchester to become the center of a cotton weaving industry in the Victorian era, while in the Power of Music section, you can try out the instruments that made Manchester a musical powerhouse in the modern era.

The museum itself is located in historic surroundings. You’ll find it inside the old Grade I listed Liverpool Road Station, a Victorian-built railway station that connected Manchester’s industries to the rest of the country and the rest of the world. The museum hosts a packed calendar of events, including the popular Manchester Science Festival, which aims to promote the city’s scientific heritage to both locals and visitors alike.

6. Step back in time with a visit to the Manchester Museum

One of the most popular Manchester attractions is the Manchester Museum , which has just undergone a multi-million pound, multi-year renovation that’s slated to bring this Mancunian institution flying into the 21st century.

The Manchester Museum first opened in 1867, and its collection has since grown into the millions. Rather uniquely, it’s the largest university-run museum anywhere in the world, which is more than appropriate for a city that prides itself on putting its people’s education first.

The museum was intended to emulate the wonders of the Natural History Museum in London (the same architect designed both), and it quickly became home to Manchester University’s ever-expanding collection of fossils and ancient relics collected from across the world. 

In the Ancient Worlds section, you can see Egyptian and Sudanese mummies preserved in the flesh. In the Living Worlds gallery, you can explore the human relationship with our planet, while in the Living Cultures exhibition, you can delve into anthropology. There are dinosaur skeletons, ancient corals, mollusks, and birds, and an exciting trove of other exhibits awaiting you in the Manchester Museum. 

7. Enjoy Mancunian art and culture at The Lowry

You’ll find The Lowry in the Salford Quays area, overlooking a repurposed and redefined area of Manchester that’s become a symbol of the city’s contemporary status as a cultural hub. Opened in 2000, The Lowry is an art gallery and theater complex that showcases the city’s most exciting cultural talents, past and present.

The Lowry is named for Lancashire painter L. S. Lowry, who was famed for creating visually striking scenes of industrial life in the 19th and 20th centuries. His “working class” paintings portray the industrial world in unique detail, and many are now on display at the permanent Lowry Exhibition.

The center also hosts other art exhibitions and a packed calendar of theater performances throughout the year, making this one of the best places to visit in Manchester. 

8. Learn all about democracy at the People’s History Museum

During the 19th century, Manchester’s working-class population boomed. But despite providing the labor for Britain’s Industrial Revolution, the working class found they had to fight for their right to vote (it wasn’t until 1918 that all men aged 21 or older were allowed to vote, and women weren’t allowed to vote until 1928!).

Manchester was always a center for working-class activism in the United Kingdom, and the city is now proud to host the People’s History Museum , which is also known as The National Museum of Democracy. Step inside, and you’ll find thousands of democracy-related objects on display (there are 60,000 in the entire collection), telling the story of the development of democracy across Britain and what the future holds for this unique form of government. 

The museum focuses on sharing the stories of activists and revolutionaries who fought for the rights that we so often take for granted. There are trade union banners carried during marches, political posters stickered across the city during elections, and the personal items of many leading politicians who stuck up for Mancunian workers’ rights.  

9. Cruise along the Manchester Ship Canal and the River Irwell

Manchester is built along the River Irwell, a waterway that flows toward the Irish Sea some 30 miles away from the city. 

During the Industrial Revolution, the River Irwell cemented Manchester’s place in history by enabling the flow of goods from the city to ports in Liverpool, where they were shipped across the globe. The waterway was altered forever, too, when large stretches were transformed into the Manchester Ship Canal.

Today, there’s little in the way of industrial traffic along the River Irwell, but there are sightseeing tours. Cruises regularly depart from the revitalized Salford Quays, providing tourists with a wonderful opportunity to enjoy the city’s waterside skyline from a unique angle. The classic cruising option is just under an hour long and takes you past the most important sights along the River Irwell and among the Salford Quays.

Intrepid travelers might wish to join the much longer “Ellesmere Port Expedition” in the summer months. This 4.5-hour-long journey takes you from Salford Quays and along the entire length of the Manchester Ship Canal to Ellesmere Port on the River Mersey, where you can then visit the National Waterways Museum.

Experience a Manchester City Center Canal Cruise

10. Delve into Britain’s military history at the Imperial War Museum North

A trip to the Imperial War Museum North is one of the most fascinating things to do in Manchester. This unique museum is the northern branch of the Imperial War Museum, a national museum that aims to preserve military history across the United Kingdom. 

The Imperial War Museum North has hundreds of thousands of military history objects within its collection, and you can spend hours just browsing through weapons, uniforms, vehicles, and photographs focused on 20th-century history. You start by exploring the timeline of the First World War (1914-1918) before learning about the many conflicts Britain has been involved in up to the present day.

But the goal of the museum isn’t simply to regurgitate historical facts and figures. The Imperial War Museum North is so interesting because the exhibitions tell the real-life stories of locals who fought in the wars, with tales of the First World War being particularly moving. The museum also has a temporary exhibition showcasing the war in Ukraine and highlighting the stories of those fighting in the conflict.

11. Take a stroll through Chinatown

Did you know that Manchester is home to the second-largest Chinatown in the United Kingdom? You’ll soon realize that Manchester’s diversity is staggering, and there’s no better way to discover more than by taking a stroll through Chinatown. 

Start at Faulkner Street, where a traditional Chinese archway (built in 1987) marks the unmistakable entrance to this colorful part of Manchester. The first Chinese immigrants arrived in Manchester at the start of the 20th century, and immigration continued for decades while Hong Kong remained a British colony.

Today, Chinatown is packed with authentic Chinese restaurants and shops selling Chinese food, produce, and specialties, while the area hosts one of the best Chinese New Year celebrations in the country. If you’re looking for fun things to do in Manchester, Chinatown is always a good idea.

12. Escape the city by exploring the RHS Bridgewater Gardens

One of the best sights in Manchester is the RHS Bridgewater Gardens , where you’ll find beautifully landscaped public gardens in a majestic setting. 

The gardens are meticulously cared for by the RHS (Royal Horticultural Society), and given their location on the edge of the city, they make for a great escape from the industrial scenery of Manchester.

The gardens are on the site of the Duke of Bridgewater’s 16th-century estate. The RHS recently transformed the dilapidated estate into a modern garden, utilizing the area’s history and the existing flora, but embellishing them through contemporary conservation and restoration techniques to create a unique mix of the horticultural old and new.

Get your RHS Garden Bridgewater Entry Ticket

13. Embrace diversity at Manchester Pride Festival

Manchester has always been known for its forward-thinking views, and the city embraces its LQBTQ+ history and contemporary culture by hosting one of the world’s largest Pride Festivals every year.

Manchester Pride Festival has taken place since the 1980s. It started as a form of protest in Manchester’s “Gay Village,” a vibrant city center district that’s the focus of the LGBTQ+ community, and has since grown to encompass three days of music, parades, and educational events every August. 

The highlight of the event is, of course, the carnival, when Mancunians come out in force to celebrate the diversity of their city’s community. There’s a moving tribute at the Alan Turing Memorial Statue (Alan Turning, the famed mathematician, was prosecuted for being gay in the 1950s), a Candlelit Vigil is held in honor of those members of the community who’ve suffered from discrimination, and then in the evenings, the party-goers emerge and take over the bars.

14. Join the festivities at Manchester’s Christmas Market

Manchester loves throwing festive parties throughout the Christmas season. Starting in November, over 200 different market stalls and pop-up shops take over the city center, where revelers drink mulled wine in the street while listening to impromptu carol singers!

Manchester’s Christmas Market has been running since 1998, and they’ve taken inspiration from the German-style Christmas markets that are so popular in Europe. The main event takes place at Piccadilly Gardens, which are transformed into the “Winter Gardens” for the holidays.

You can take part in the holiday season fun by tracing the Manchester Christmas Lights Trail through the city, as festive lighting keeps the darkness at bay during winter. There are Christmas trees and light shows, and in Cathedral Gardens, you’ll even find a pop-up ice skating rink. 

15. Brave a wild night out in the Northern Quarter

Manchester is one of the UK’s most vibrant cities, and if you love a good night out on the town, then you won’t be disappointed by a visit to the Northern Quarter.

The Northern Quarter is well known for its bars, late-night clubs, and fantastic music venues. The area offers a real mix of traditional English pubs alongside quirky speakeasy-style cocktail bars, retro gaming bars (where you can play old-school video games), and fun drinking venues packed with ping pong and snooker tables.

Many of the pubs and bars also host live music events throughout the week. A few local favorites, where you can catch everything from jazz to rock, include the Band on the Wall , Matt & Phreds , and Night and Day Cafe . 

The Northern Quarter is also home to great cafes and restaurants –  including Liquor and Burn , Street Urchin , and TNQ: The Northern Quarter Restaurant & Bar – where you can fuel up in the day for your sightseeing tours or prepare yourself in the afternoon and evenings for a wild night out in Manchester!

There you have it! The 15 best things to do in Manchester. What’s your favorite thing to do in Manchester?

Planning a trip to England? Check out our favorite books and travel guides!

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Richard is an award-winning travel writer based in Southwest England who’s addicted to traveling off the beaten track. He’s traveled to 75 countries and counting in search of intriguing stories, unusual destinations, and cultural curiosities. Richard loves traveling the long way round over land and sea, and you’ll find him visiting quirky micronations and breakaway territories as often as he’s found lounging on a beach (which is a lot). When he’s not writing for BBC Travel, National Geographic, or Lonely Planet, you can find Richard writing for the Wandering Wheatleys or updating his off-beat travel blog, Travel Tramp.

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21 Top Attractions & Places to Visit in Manchester, England

Written by Bryan Dearsley Updated Dec 26, 2023 We may earn a commission from affiliate links ( )

Author Bryan Dearsley traveled to England in the spring of 2022 where he spent eight weeks exploring towns and cities, including Manchester.

The city of Manchester is a celebrated center for the arts, media, and higher education. Like the neighboring city of Liverpool, Manchester has undergone something of a renaissance in recent years. Spearheading the city's transformation have been the introduction of initiatives such as the Castlefield project, with its many canals and restored warehouses, and the city's vibrant museum complex on Liverpool Road .

The extension of the city's entertainment and sports facilities has also considerably enhanced its appeal for tourists. Things to do like attending the excellent Opera House, with its roster of theatrical and music performances, and the thrilling Chill Factore , Britain's longest and widest indoor ski slope, have made it one of the best places to visit in northern England.

Manchester has also become a favorite for shoppers with an enormous range of retail opportunities. Some of the best include the elegant shops of St. Anne's Square , King Street, and the Royal Exchange , as well as the large covered market halls of Bolton Arcade .

To learn more, be sure to read through our list of fun things to do in Manchester.

See also: Where to Stay in Manchester

1. Explore the Canals of Castlefield

2. get technical at the science and industry museum, 3. visit imperial war museum north, 4. take a tour of manchester cathedral, 5. john rylands library & manchester central library, 6. get your game on at the national football museum, 7. go back in time at the manchester museum, 8. pop inside st. mary's catholic church, 9. visit britain's oldest public library: chetham's library, 10. see the paintings at manchester art gallery, 11. the whitworth art gallery, 12. take a wander through chinatown, 13. visit manchester town hall & st. peter's square, 14. visit the people's history museum, 15. explore salford quays, 16. take a trip to heaton park, 17. enjoy the blooms at fletcher moss park, 18. platt hall: gallery of costume, 19. university of manchester, 20. tour manchester's historic victoria baths, 21. museum of transport, greater manchester, where to stay in manchester for sightseeing, manchester - climate chart.

Designated an Urban Heritage Park, Castlefield is an excellent place to visit to begin exploring Manchester. A walk among the carefully restored Victorian homes, storehouses, and former factories along the old canals or through the reconstructed Roman Fort is time well spent.

Be sure to explore the Bridgewater Canal . It was constructed in 1761 to transport coal from the mines at Worsley to Manchester. The many old warehouses that line the canal have been restored and turned into offices, shops, hotels, and restaurants. A trip on one of the Bridgewater tour boats is highly recommended.

Other interesting tourist attractions include the Castlefield Art Gallery , with its exhibitions of contemporary art, and Bridgewater Hall , home to the Hallé Orchestra and first-class concerts. The Castlefield Bowl hosts regular pop and classical concerts and is also worth a visit.

Location: Castlefield Basin, Manchester

The Science and Industry Museum is situated on the site of the world's oldest railroad station. Its 12 galleries include the Power Hall, with water and steam-driven machines from the golden age of the textile industry, as well as vintage made-in-Manchester cars, including a rare 1904 Rolls Royce.

The history of the city from Roman times through the Industrial Revolution to the present day is documented in the Station Building. The Air and Space Gallery is another must-see. Here, you'll see numerous historic aircraft, including a replica of Triplane 1 by A. V. Roe, the first British plane to successfully fly.

Address: Liverpool Road, Manchester

Imperial War Museum North (IWM North) is also worth visiting, especially if you have an interest in the history of warfare. Opened in 2002, this branch of the Imperial War Museum is a popular attraction for its collections of fighting vehicles and aircrafts.

Highlights of a visit include audiovisual presentations and exhibits dealing with the history of warfare and its role in shaping civilization. There are also numerous static displays of large machines such as tanks, aircraft, artillery, and handheld weaponry. A shop and café are located on the premises.

Address: Trafford Wharf Road, Trafford Park, Stretford, Manchester

Located close to the city center and the River Irwell, Manchester Cathedral dates mostly from 1422 to 1506 and was raised to cathedral status in 1847. Known officially as the Cathedral and Collegiate Church of St. Mary, St. Denys, and St. George, it's particularly popular among visitors for its attractive chapels on both sides of the nave and choir.

The cathedral was built between 1486 and 1508, and further additions and alterations were undertaken in almost every subsequent century. Of particular note are the choir stalls, which boast some of the most richly decorated misericords in the country.

St. John's Chapel is the chapel of the Manchester Regiment, and the little Lady Chapel has a wooden screen dating from 1440. The octagonal chapterhouse, built in 1465, has murals that include a figure of Christ in modern dress.

Address: Victoria Street, Manchester

Literary buffs and lovers of the printed word are spoiled for choice when it comes to historic libraries in Manchester. In addition to being the home of Britain's oldest public library, Manchester is also home to two of the country's other most important libraries: the John Rylands Library and Manchester Central Library.

Founded in 1888, the John Rylands Research Institute and Library was established to further the cause of research in humanities, using as its foundation the broad collections of manuscripts and archival material belonging to the University of Manchester Library. Rated one of the top free things to do in Manchester , a visit to this spectacular neo-Gothic building is certainly worthwhile.

While not as old (it opened in 1934), Manchester Central Library is every bit as architecturally pleasing. Set overlooking St. Peter's Square, the design of this impressive domed structure, with its large columns, is reputedly based on the Pantheon in Rome. Grab some photos of its exterior before popping in for a look inside. Highlights include a number of attractive stained-glass windows, the ornate ceiling of the dome, as well as a number of interesting statues.

Address: 150 Deansgate, Manchester

Home to two of Europe's top football teams – Man City and Man United – Manchester is a great place to pay homage to the country's favorite sport. Your first stop should be the National Football Museum . This football shrine features fascinating memorabilia related to the sport, including such gems as the very first rulebook, as well as historic trophies and clothing.

A variety of great short movies show the history of the sport, while fun hands-on (and feet-on, for that matter) displays provide plenty of additional entertainment for youngsters. Check their website for details of special events and programs. It's also worth paying a visit to one (or both) of the Manchester teams' home stadiums.

Manchester City's Etihad Stadium offers a variety of fun tour options, including behind-the-scenes and deluxe dinner tours. Old Trafford , home to Manchester United, offers guided tours that allow access to private boxes and the chance to tread the field itself.

Address: Urbis Building Cathedral Gardens, Todd Street, Manchester

Manchester Museum is another of the city's excellent university museums to include on your itinerary. Established in 1888, the museum is notable for its displays relating to natural history, archaeology, and anthropology, with its oldest collections dating back to 1821.

Notable as the largest university museum in the UK , its sizable collection of over 4.5 million artifacts includes examples from all over the world. It's also well known for its large Chinese cultural collections.

Editor's note: The Manchester Museum is closed for major renovations until February 2023.

Address: Oxford Road, Manchester

Another religious site worth visiting, St. Mary's Catholic Church is something of a well-kept secret in Manchester. Built in 1794 and located next to the historic Market Hall, it's also known locally as "The Hidden Gem." But don't let the structure's rather plain exterior stop you from popping in for a look inside.

St. Mary's is one of the city's newer churches, built during the Industrial Revolution, and the interior reveals numerous fine Victorian carvings. Highlights include the marble high altar, statues of saints, and a unique Expressionist-style stations of the cross. Guided tours are available.

Address: 17 Mulberry Street, Manchester

Chetham's Hospital, just north of Manchester Cathedral, dates in part to 1422. Originally a residence for priests, it's now home to a music school and Chetham Library , the oldest public library in England.

In continuous use since 1653, the library has more than 100,000 books , more than half of them printed before 1850. Chetham's is also famous as the meeting place of Karl Marx and Friedrich Engels during Marx's visit to Manchester. Guided tours are available.

Other libraries of note are the Manchester Central Library located next door to the Town Hall , and the Portico Library, which houses the literary collection of Dalton and Joule, founders of the Manchester Literary and Philosophical Society.

The Victorian John Rylands Library , now part of Manchester University, is also worth seeing. Among its many important collections are medieval texts, a Gutenberg Bible, and collection of early printing by William Caxton.

Location: Long Millgate, Manchester

The Manchester Art Gallery possesses one of the largest art collections in Britain outside of London. The gallery includes works by the pre-Raphaelites; Flemish masters of the 17th century; French impressionists, including Gauguin, Manet, and Monet; and German artists such as Max Ernst.

There are also pieces from well-known English artists, including Stubbs, Constable, and Turner. The gallery's impressive sculpture collection includes works by Rodin, Maillol, Jacob Epstein, and Henry Moore.

For more arts and culture tourist attractions, check out HOME , Manchester's international center for contemporary visual arts and independent film. Located at 70 Oxford Street, the venue is noted for its regular performances of everything from musicals to comedies.

Address: Mosley Street, Manchester

Fresh from a major redevelopment, The Whitworth Art Gallery features over 55,000 artworks in its vast collection. Named after the surrounding park, the gallery's very modern facilities are housed in a mix of old and new buildings overlooking a very pleasant green space.

The oldest collections themselves date back to 1889, and its stellar collections of sculptures and mostly modern artworks have seen it consistently ranking in lists of top attractions in Manchester. Other notable collections include watercolours, textiles, and even wallpapers. Works by the likes of Francis Bacon, Van Gogh, and Picasso can all be enjoyed, along with a sizable collection of outdoor art.

A café and shop are located on the premises, and a variety of fun events and activities for individuals as well as families are available.

The colorful home of one of the largest Chinese communities in Britain, Chinatown is only a stone's throw from the Manchester Art Gallery and is fun to explore on foot. The richly decorated arched gateway leading into the district is especially striking.

The many shops and restaurants here offer a wide range of culinary delicacies from Hong Kong and Beijing. Interested in shopping? Unique Chinese handicrafts and artworks can be found at the Centre for Contemporary Chinese Art (CFCCA).

Address: 13 Thomas Street, Manchester

The imposing façade of the neo-Gothic Town Hall (1877) graces pedestrianized Albert Square , and the tower offers excellent panoramic views of the city. Inside, the Council Chamber merits special attention, along with the cycle of Ford Madox Brown murals that depict the history of the city.

While there, visit the Free Trade Hall, opened in 1951. Editor's note: Manchester Town Hall is currently undergoing major interior and exterior renovations due for completion in 2024.

Allocate some time to also explore St. Peter's Square. This large public square is where you'll find the Manchester Cenotaph commemorating the city's war dead, as well as plenty of great opportunities to get in some people watching.

Also worth a visit, the centrally located Manchester Central Convention Complex , one of the largest such sites in England, hosts many musical performances throughout the year. The building is unique in that it was constructed amid the former Victorian railroad station on Windmill Street.

Location: Albert Square, Manchester

The People's History Museum is the national center for the collection, conservation, interpretation, and study of material relating to the history of working people in Britain.

Located in a former pumping station, the museum showcases the history of British democracy and its impact on the population. Also of interest are the extensive collections of artifacts relating to trade unions and women's suffrage.

Another museum that's close by and worth visiting is the Manchester Jewish Museum . This interesting attraction features a unique collection dealing with the city's Jewish community.

Location: Left Bank, Manchester

While there are enough fun things to do in Salford for those wanting to make a day trip out of it , those crunched for time would do well to visit one or two attractions in this pleasant university town. The Salford Quays, usually referred to simply as "The Quays," should definitely top your list.

An easy 25-minute, five-kilometer ride away from Manchester city center by public transit, this much revitalized area straddles the banks of the city's ship canal and is a delight to explore on foot.

In addition to such popular attractions as the Imperial War Museum North and Old Trafford, home to Manchester United Football Club, you'll find the Lowry Arts Centre. Dedicated to the life and work of local artist L.S. Lowry, it contains numerous unique pieces, as well as a performing arts center.

Covering some 600 acres, Heaton Park is the biggest park in Greater Manchester and one of the largest municipal parks in Europe. Heaton Hall , built in 1772, lies in the very heart of the park and although not all of it is open to the public, it remains an impressive sight.

Some buildings, such as the charming Orangery, are open seasonly to the public, so check the official website for closures. The park has been extensively restored and retains many of its original buildings and vistas.

Sports enthusiasts will enjoy its 18-hole golf course, driving range, mini putt, and tennis courts, while families can explore the boating lake, animal farm, woodlands, ornamental gardens, observatory, and adventure playground. There's even a volunteer-run tramway and museum.

Address: Middleton Road, Manchester

Also worth visiting is Fletcher Moss Park . Founded in 1917, this large green space, part botanical garden and part wildlife habitat, is an engaging contrast to the busy city center. There are numerous walking trails on the property, as well as regular guided "health" walks.

Popular things to do here include enjoying a stroll or picnic, or opting for more strenuous activities, such as tennis, rugby, or football. There's also a pleasant café located within the grounds. Dogs are welcome.

Address: 18 Stenner Lane, Didsbury, Manchester

Platt Hall , an elegant Georgian house built in 1764 and now part of the Manchester Art Gallery, presents an excellent overview of English fashion and costume from 1600 to the present day. It is perhaps the only collection to rival London's Victoria and Albert Museum .

Strengths of the museum include its many examples of everyday dress, with the Gallery of Costume containing one of the largest collections of costumes and accessories in Britain.

Location: Platt Hall, Fallowfiield, Manchester

Manchester's educational precinct, encompassing the University of Manchester , includes a variety of institutes and halls of residence.

Opened in 1851, the university can claim three Nobel prizewinners: Ernest Rutherford (1871-1939), who laid the foundations of modern atomic physics; physician James Chadwick, who in 1932 proved the existence of the neutron; and Sir John Cockcroft (1897-1967), one of the leading physicists in British and Canadian atomic research.

Housed in the university, the Whitworth Art Gallery is famous for its collections of British watercolors, drawings, prints, modern art, and sculpture, along with the largest textile and wallpaper collections outside London. Also close by is the Manchester Museum, with its extensive scientific collections and Egyptian exhibits.

Known to locals as Manchester's "Water Palace," the Victoria Baths are well worth a visit. The building is a perfectly preserved example of a Victorian-era bath, a feature once relatively common in many large urban areas in bygone days.

Although not unlike modern public swimming pools, it was built in 1986 and is unique for the change facilities that line the pool's perimeter. Also noteworthy is the ornate steelwork that holds the structure up.

Open seasonally from April through to November, it can be toured and makes for a pleasant outing. Be sure to check the official website for dates and availability. The facility also serves as a venue for concerts and movies, as well as special family events. A tea shop and gift shop are located on-site.

Address: Hathersage Road, Manchester

A visit to the Museum of Transport, Greater Manchester is a fun activity for all ages. Located in the city's Cheetham Hill area, this impressive collection of vintage transportation consists of over 80 buses, many of them still working. Other historic modes of transport housed here include an original city tram dating from 1901, as well as old trolleybuses.

Displays describe not just the vehicles, but also deal with the development and evolution of public transit in Manchester. A quaint tearoom is located on the premises, as is a gift shop.

Address: Boyle Street, Cheetham Hill, Manchester

As in any big city, it's hard to find a hotel that is near all the main attractions. But many of Manchester's points of interest at least cluster in three areas: the Urban Heritage Park and museum complex on Liverpool Road in the Castlefield neighborhood; the shopping district between King Street and the cathedral; and Chinatown to the south, where you'll find the Manchester Art Gallery. These highly rated hotels in Manchester are convenient for sightseeing:

Luxury Hotels :

• With a good-sized pool and a spa, The Edwardian Manchester sits between Chinatown, the Liverpool Road museums, and the smart shopping district north of King Street.
• Another great accommodation option that's close to Chinatown and the Manchester Art Gallery is The Alan . This hip 4-star design hotel features industrial-chic rooms and suites set in a historic red brick building.
• The chic and charming Great John Street Hotel , in the new museum district, has a hot tub on the roof.
• The Midland , opposite the library and well located for visiting museums and the City Hall, has a gym and spa with a small pool, Jacuzzi, and steam room.

Mid-Range Hotels:

• Beautifully furnished rooms, thoughtful amenities, and superior service make Velvet Hotel a luxury choice with a mid-range price. It's located between Chinatown and Piccadilly rail station, where trains arrive from London.
• Right next to Chinatown, Roomzzz Aparthotel Manchester City has stylish, well-designed rooms with rain showers and good soundproofing.
• DoubleTree by Hilton Manchester Piccadilly is directly across the street from Piccadilly Station, a 10-minute walk to the central attractions, and near the free shuttle bus stop.

Budget Hotels:

• Premier Inn Manchester City Centre (Piccadilly) Hotel is excellent value, with well-furnished rooms less than a five-minute walk from Piccadilly Station.
• Travelodge Manchester Central has plain but comfortable rooms just across the bridge from the cathedral and shopping district.
• At the edge of Chinatown with plenty of restaurants nearby, Ibis Manchester Centre Princess Street Hotel offers comfortable rooms with few frills.

More on England

Manchester Travel Guide

Last Updated: September 1, 2023

Manchester is one of England’s underrated cities, often overlooked by international tourists in favor of cosmopolitan London . However, the city punches well above its weight when it comes to things to see and do and is worth spending a few days exploring.

Manchester boomed in the 19th century during the Industrial Revolution, becoming the world’s first industrialized city and home to the world’s first inter-city passenger railway station. Many writers of the time wrote important works here about industrialization and its effect on daily life, leading Manchester to become a UNESCO City of Literature.

As manufacturing eventually disappeared overseas, Manchester faced a steep decline.

Fortunately, Manchester today has been revitalized. It’s home to picturesque historic streets, some of the trendiest restaurants outside London, and a thriving business district. The city is most famous for its football (soccer) teams (it has two — Manchester United and Man City — and there’s a big rivalry between the two sides).

Manchester is a city that should not be overlooked. You can easily spend 2-3 days here and not be bored.

This Manchester travel guide can help you plan your trip, save money, and make the most out of your time here.

Table of Contents

• Things to See and Do
• Typical Costs
• Suggested Budget
• Money-Saving Tips
• Where to Stay
• How to Get Around
• How to Stay Safe
• Best Places to Book Your Trip
• Related Blogs on Manchester

Top 5 Things to See and Do in Manchester

1. Visit the Manchester Art Gallery

This gallery has a sizable collection of Victorian works, including one of the UK’s main collections of Pre-Raphaelite paintings. The main building that houses the museum is 200 years old. Within the museum you can take in over 2,000 oil paintings, 3,000 drawings and watercolors, sculptures, and other decorative objects. There’s also an extensive collection of costumes from 1600 to the present day. Admission is free.

2. See the Godlee Observatory

Built in 1902, this observatory is one of Manchester’s most interesting attractions. The reflective telescope housed here is original, and still fully operational, having survived the bombing of the city during World War II. The observatory was gifted to the University of Manchester by Francis Godlee and the roof is actually made from papier-mâché. It sits high above Manchester University on the top of a gothic style tower. During the historic moon landing, scientists at the tiny observation dome viewed a dangerous crater and were able to warn the astronauts of the potential threat. The Manchester Astronomical Society hosts weekly educational talks.

3. Hang out in Albert Square

Albert Square is one of the best spots for people-watching in Manchester. It’s surrounded by impressive architecture, including the Victorian Gothic-style Manchester Town Hall with its iconic 87 meter (285 foot) clock tower. The square itself is full of historic monuments like the Albert Memorial, a marble statue of the Prince Consort erected in the 1860s after he died of typhoid. During the summer, the square hosts many big festivals and events. In winter, you’ll find the famous Manchester Christmas Market here.

4. See Manchester Cathedral

While there has been a church on the same spot since 700 CE, the current Gothic cathedral was heavily restored in the 20th century following damage from World War II. One of the most interesting religious artifacts housed within the cathedral is the Angel Stone, a carving of an angel with a scroll that was uncovered in the wall of the cathedral. Experts believe that the carving dates to the year 700 CE. Pay attention to the interior woodwork, with its hidden symbols and icons representing medieval tales and legends.

5. Catch a football match

Home to two of England’s top Premier League teams (Manchester United and Man City), you can’t come to Manchester and not see a football game. The two teams are rivals, and both have strong supporters, so catching a game is a lively experience. Old Trafford is a famous place to catch a game, and the home field for Manchester United, but on non-game days you can take behind the scenes tours. Buy your tickets early as they often sell out. Ticket prices vary but expect to pay at least 38 GBP.

Other Things to See and Do in Manchester

1. take a free walking tour.

One of the first things I do when I get to a new city is to take a free walking tour. They’re the best way to see the main sights and connect with an expert local guide who can answer all your questions. Free Manchester Walking Tours offers insightful daily tours to help you explore the city on a budget. Just be sure to tip your guide at the end!

2. Explore the University of Manchester

More than just a beautiful campus to walk through, the university is also the place where the first computer was built, where radio astronomy (the study of space using radio waves) was created, and where the atom was first split. Several buildings on campus (the Manchester Museum, Whitworth Art Gallery, John Rylands Library, and Jodrell Bank Observatory) comprise a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Be sure to visit the Manchester Museum as it’s free to enter and boasts a permanent collection of over four million objects, including dinosaur skeletons, mummies from Ancient Egypt, and scientific equipment from Charles Darwin and Alan Turning. The museum also hosts regular events and special exhibitions (check the website for details).

3. Walk along Curry Mile

Curry Mile gets its name from the many great Indian, Pakistani, Sri Lankan, and Bangladeshi eateries along this stretch of Wilmslow Road. In fact, it’s thought to be the largest concentration of South Asian restaurants outside of the Indian subcontinent. Take a stroll along the street lined not only with restaurants but other shops selling wares like saris and jewelry. If you are looking to grab a bite to eat, one of the most popular restaurants along Curry Mile is Mughli.

4. Stroll down Market Street

Partially a pedestrian-only zone, Market Street is one of Manchester’s main retail streets. At the northwest corner of Piccadilly Gardens, Market Street is a short stretch of bustling activity day and night. Between the Gardens and the nightlife-heavy Deansgate, you’ll find many retail shops, cheap eateries, and street performers. This section is especially popular with Manchester’s younger population. Come here to people-watch, browse, and get a feel for the city.

5. Visit Castlefield

The Castlefield neighborhood is filled with canals, green spaces, and millennia of history, leading to its designation as the UK’s first urban heritage park. History buffs will enjoy visiting the site of Mamucium, the original Roman settlement that gave Manchester its name. Now, the area is a favorite hangout for Manchester’s alternative scene, with popular venues like Rebellion in the bustling Deansgate Locks area. The famous Haçienda warehouse nightclub was located just further along the Rochdale Canal when it was open in the 1980s and 1990s. Its former location is part of the current Manchester LGBT Heritage Trail.

6. Walk the Manchester LGBT Heritage Trail

The LGBTQ scene in Manchester is one of the best in England. This self-guided trail, also known as the Out in the Past Trail, can be followed by keeping an eye out for rainbow tiles placed on the sidewalk in front of historical LGBTQ sites throughout Manchester. For a taste of the city’s gay nightlife, visit Canal Street, a pedestrian-heavy spot of LGBTQ bars, clubs, restaurants, and cafes. Manchester also hosts numerous LGBTQ festivals such as Sparkle (a transgender celebration week), the British Bear Bash, and Manchester Pride, which is one of the biggest pride events in the UK.

7. Experience the nightlife

Manchester’s club scene is one of the biggest in England. Many big names, such as The Chemical Brothers and Daft Punk, started out playing at Manchester venues like Sankey’s (now closed) and FAC 251. Visit the Deansgate Locks for a rowdy row of swanky clubs and sports bars set inside the railway arches. Nearby, Oxford Road is home to several cool nightlife spots, including the Gorilla Club, which regularly hosts live music. Visit the Gay Village, mostly along Canal Street, where you’ll find all the gay and lesbian clubs, including G.A.Y. (great for a cheap night out) or the lively gay pub The Thompson’s Arms. For more alternative and edgier bars and clubs, head out to the bohemian Northern Quarter. The former industrial area has been transformed into a cultural hub with bars, clubs, and secret underground parties.

8. Visit Sackville Gardens

Bordered on one side by the Gay Village’s Canal Street, the Sackville Gardens is a small park with a few important historical monuments, including the Alan Turing memorial. Turing, known as the “father of modern computing” and a gay icon, lived and worked in Manchester and had an instrumental role in cracking the famous Enigma code (the code used by the Nazis in World War II). Also in the garden is the Transgender Remembrance Memorial honoring transgender victims of violence. A third LGBTQ memorial, the Beacon of Home, is the UK’s only permanent memorial for people living with HIV or AIDS and lives lost to the disease.

9. Explore the People’s History Museum

Located in a former pumping station, the People’s History Museum showcases Britain’s battle for democracy over two centuries through historical displays of working-class life. This includes a fascinating interactive display that follows these historic events’ impact on five generations of the same family. Rotating exhibitions feature socially relevant themes such as climate protests, immigration, and worker rights. Admission is free, with a suggested donation of 5 GBP.

For more information on other cities in England, check out these guides:

• Bath Travel Guide
• Brighton Travel Guide
• Bristol Travel Guide
• Cambridge Travel Guide
• Liverpool Travel Guide
• London Travel Guide
• Oxford Travel Guide

Manchester Travel Costs

Hostel prices – Hostels are expensive here. A bed in a dorm with 6-8 beds costs around 50 GBP per night. A basic twin private room for two people with a shared bathroom costs around 100 GBP per night. Free Wi-Fi is standard and most hostels offer either free breakfast or self-catering facilities.

Campgrounds are plentiful outside the city, though you may need a vehicle to reach them. If you have a tent, they cost between 10-20 GBP per night for a basic plot without electricity.

Budget hotel prices – Budget two-star hotels start from 60-85 GBP per night. Expect basic amenities like free Wi-Fi, TV, and coffee/tea makers.

There are lots of Airbnb options in Manchester, with private rooms costing about 35-50 GBP per night. An entire home/apartment averages around 60-90 GBP per night. Expect prices to double if you don’t book early.

Food – While British cuisine has evolved in leaps and bounds due to immigration (and colonialism), it’s still very much a meat and potatoes country. Fish and chips remain a popular staple for both lunch and dinner while roasted and stewed meats, sausages, meat pies, and the quintessential Yorkshire pudding are all common options as well. Curry (and other Indian dishes, such as tikka masala), are super popular too.

To eat out as cheaply as possible, stick to the cafes and pubs, where you can eat a lunch of fish and chips for around 8 GBP. Fast food (think McDonald’s) costs around 6 GBP for a combo meal.

There are a lot of food stalls in and around Piccadilly Gardens, and if you walk north through the Northern Quarter you’ll be able to find lots of different cheap eateries. Try Northern Soul Grilled Cheese for artisanal grilled cheese sandwiches for around 7 GBP. Chinatown is another great spot to find good deals on food. Expect to pay around 10-12 GBP for a main dish.

A meal at a casual restaurant serving Indian or traditional cuisine costs around 15 GBP. If you want to splurge and get a three-course meal and a drink, expect to pay at least 30 GBP.

A pint of beer costs 4.50 GBP while a glass of wine is at least 6 GBP. A latte/cappuccino is around 3 GBP. Bottled water is around 1.30 GBP.

Manchester is filled with markets selling local and fresh meats, cheeses, wine, fruits, and vegetables. If you choose to cook and take advantage of these markets, a week’s worth of groceries costs 40-60 GBP. This gets you basic staples like pasta, rice, seasonal produce, and some meat.

Backpacking Manchester Suggested Budgets

If you’re backpacking Manchester, expect to spend about 70 GBP per day. This budget covers a private Airbnb room (which is cheaper than a hostel currently), taking public transit to get around, cooking most of your meals, limiting your drinking, and doing mostly free activities like free walking tours and free museum visits. If you plan on drinking, add 5-10 GBP to your budget per day.

A mid-range budget of about 150 GBP per day covers staying in a private Airbnb or private hostel room, eating out for most of your meals, taking the occasional taxi, having a drink or two, and doing more paid activities like watching a soccer game.

On a “luxury” budget of about 290 GBP or more per day, you can stay in a hotel, eat out anywhere you want, drink more, rent a car or take more taxis, and do as many tours and activities as you want. This is just the ground floor for luxury though. The sky is the limit!

You can use the chart below to get some idea of how much you need to budget daily, depending on your travel style. Keep in mind these are daily averages — some days you’ll spend more, some days you’ll spend less (you might spend less every day). We just want to give you a general idea of how to make your budget. Prices are in GBP.

Manchester Travel Guide: Money-Saving Tips

Manchester is a great destination for budget travelers. The free museums, numerous cheap eats, and plentiful budget accommodation make it easy to have a lot of fun on a small budget. Here are my top ways to save even more money when you visit Manchester:

• Eat out for lunch but in for dinner – If there’s one consistency in food prices in England, it’s that the best deals can be found by eating pub lunches. While dinners can cost upwards of 25 GBP, you can normally find lunch in a pub for 10-15 GBP or less. Because of the big university population in Manchester, you’ll also find a lot of small restaurants offering set lunch prices at a great deal. Eat your lunches out, and cook your own dinners.
• Take the bus – Manchester offers free transport around the city via their “free bus” service, which links to the main rail stations, shopping areas, and other businesses in the city center.
• Stay with a local – If you want to save money and get some local insight into the city, use Couchsurfing . Staying with a local is the best way to get a feel for the city and learn some insider tips. Just make sure to send your requests early.
• Take a free walking tour – If you want to get a sense of the city, try a free walking tour. You’ll learn the history of Manchester while getting to explore on foot. Tours usually last a couple of hours. Just be sure to tip!
• Bring a water bottle – The tap water here is safe to drink so bring a reusable water bottle to save money and reduce your plastic use. LifeStraw is my go-to brand as their bottles have built-in filters to ensure your water is always clean and safe.

Where to Stay in Manchester

Budget accommodation is limited in Manchester so be sure to plan ahead and book early. Here are my suggested places to stay in Manchester:

• YHA Manchester
• Rahman Piccadilly Hostel

How to Get Around Manchester

Public transportation – Manchester’s city center is easily walkable, though there’s also a free bus that runs Monday through Saturday until 10pm. Pick up a map of the free bus routes from your hostel, hotel, or one of the Manchester Visitor Information offices.

The city also has an above-ground tram system called Metrolink that connects to the outer neighborhoods. Single rides cost 1.40 GBP and a day pass is just 2.70 GBP for a single-zone pass and 7.10 GBP for the full four-zone pass.

To get from the airport to the city center, the quickest and easiest way is via the National Rail train service. Trains run every 10 minutes between Manchester Piccadilly and the airport. Train prices cost 3.20-8.20 GBP. Book in advance online to get the cheapest tickets.

Bicycle – Manchester’s bike sharing program, Beryl Bikes, has pedal bikes for 3.50 GBP per hour and e-bikes for 7 GBP.

There are also guided bike tour options, which includes bike rental. The city is very bike-friendly and there are cycle lanes and dedicated routes along most major roads in the city.

Taxi – Taxis are readily available, with prices starting at 2.30 GBP and going up around 2 GBP per mile. Given how expensive they are, I wouldn’t take one unless absolutely necessary.

Ridesharing – Uber is available in Manchester, but since the bus is free and the city is walkable, I’d skip them if you can.

Car rental – Car rentals can be found for as little as 25 GBP per day for a multi-day rental. Keep in mind you’ll be driving on the left and that most cars have a manual transmission. You don’t need a car to explore the city, however, it might be helpful if you want to explore the region. Renters need to be at least 21 years old.

When to Go to Manchester

As a northern England city, Manchester has cooler temperatures than London. Like most cities in the UK, expect some rainy days while you’re here.

Summer is the peak tourism season and offers the best weather, though temperatures rarely reach above 21°C (70°F). The summer season is also festival season, so look out for big events taking place as prices might go up and hostels may be full. Festivals like Picnic in the Park, Parklife, and Manchester Pride attract the largest crowds, so check their festival dates to make sure they don’t coincide with your travel plans (or else expect to pay premium rates).

Spring (April-May) and autumn (September-October) are also fantastic times to visit, as temperatures are mild and there are fewer crowds. The weather is still pleasant enough to enjoy the parks and explore on foot too.

Winter (late November to February) sees temperatures just above freezing (though they can dip below as well). While the sun sets early in Manchester during this time, it’s not unbearable, and the city is still bustling with life and activities (including the Christmas Market).

How to Stay Safe in Manchester

Manchester is pretty safe and the risk of violent crime here is low. Scams and pick-pocketing can occur around high traffic areas, especially in a lot of the nightlife scene, which is a big part of Manchester’s culture. Pickpockets tend to work in teams, so stay alert and be aware of your surroundings.

The Canal Street nightlife area has seen a recent rise in petty crimes, and the dark roads and alleys in the Northern Quarter may be uncomfortable to walk alone. Stay vigilant and aware.

Solo female travelers should generally feel safe here, however, the standard precautions apply (never leave your drink unattended at the bar, never walk home alone intoxicated, etc.).

Scams here are rare, however, if you’re worried about getting ripped off you can read about common travel scams to avoid here.

Fights over football teams are not uncommon, so try to avoid getting into debates or arguments with rival fans.

If you experience an emergency, dial 999 for assistance.

The most important piece of advice I can offer is to purchase good travel insurance. Travel insurance will protect you against illness, injury, theft, and cancellations. It’s comprehensive protection in case anything goes wrong. I never go on a trip without it as I’ve had to use it many times in the past. You can use the widget below to find the policy right for you:

Manchester Travel Guide: The Best Booking Resources

These are my favorite companies to use when I travel. They consistently have the best deals, offer world-class customer service and great value, and overall, are better than their competitors. They are the companies I use the most and are always the starting point in my search for travel deals.

• Skyscanner – Skyscanner is my favorite flight search engine. They search small websites and budget airlines that larger search sites tend to miss. They are hands down the number one place to start.
• Hostelworld – This is the best hostel accommodation site out there with the largest inventory, best search interface, and widest availability.
• Booking.com – The best all around booking site that constantly provides the cheapest and lowest rates. They have the widest selection of budget accommodation. In all my tests, they’ve always had the cheapest rates out of all the booking websites.
• HostelPass – This new card gives you up to 20% off hostels throughout Europe. It’s a great way to save money. They’re constantly adding new hostels too. I’ve always wanted something like this and glad it finallt exists.
• Get Your Guide – Get Your Guide is a huge online marketplace for tours and excursions. They have tons of tour options available in cities all around the world, including everything from cooking classes, walking tours, street art lessons, and more!
• The Man in Seat 61 – This website is the ultimate guide to train travel anywhere in the world. They have the most comprehensive information on routes, times, prices, and train conditions. If you are planning a long train journey or some epic train trip, consult this site.
• Rome2Rio – This website allows you to see how to get from point A to point B the best and cheapest way possible. It will give you all the bus, train, plane, or boat routes that can get you there as well as how much they cost.
• FlixBus – Flixbus has routes between 20 European countries with prices starting as low 5 EUR! Their buses include WiFi, electrical outlets, a free checked bag.
• SafetyWing – Safety Wing offers convenient and affordable plans tailored to digital nomads and long-term travelers. They have cheap monthly plans, great customer service, and an easy-to-use claims process that makes it perfect for those on the road.
• LifeStraw – My go-to company for reusable water bottles with built-in filters so you can ensure your drinking water is always clean and safe.
• Unbound Merino – They make lightweight, durable, easy-to-clean travel clothing.
• Top Travel Credit Cards – Points are the best way to cut down travel expenses. Here’s my favorite point earning credit cards so you can get free travel!
• BlaBlaCar – BlaBlaCar is a ridesharing website that lets you share rides with vetted local drivers by pitching in for gas. You simply request a seat, they approve, and off you go! It’s a cheaper and more interesting way to travel than by bus or train!

Manchester Travel Guide: Related Articles

Want more info? Check out all the articles I’ve written on backpacking/traveling England and continue planning your trip:

The 14 Best Things to Do in Bristol

Where to Stay in London: The Best Neighborhoods for Your Visit

The 8 Best Hostels in London

How to Spend a Week in London

The 9 Best Walking Tour Companies in London

70+ Free Things to Do in London

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Enter your email and get planning cheatsheets including a step by step checklist, packing list, tips cheat sheet, and more so you can plan like a pro!

• Where To Stay
• Transportation
• Booking Resources
• Related Blogs

Manchester Sightseeing Tours and Day Trips

Are you looking for things to do in manchester.

Welcome to Manchester! Wondering what to do in Manchester? Manchester Sightseeing Tours offer a great choice of activities and ideas for groups and individuals including: walking tours of Manchester, Manchester bus tours and river cruises.

If you or your group are in the city for a few days then explore the North with our great range group day trips from Manchester by train or minibus to Liverpool, Chester, York, Wales, Lake District and the Peak District.

Welcome to Manchester Sightseeing

Manchester is a vibrant city with so much to see and do. There is a rich social and cultural history for you to explore and the sightseeing activities we offer are a perfect way to get to to know this fantastic city.  Join one of our group walking tours, hop on the sightseeing bus or see the city by boat on a River Cruise. If you’re a football fan, the Manchester United and Manchester City Stadium tours are not to be missed.

Day trips from Manchester

With our day trips by train or coach, you can discover some of Northern England’s best known and most popular tourist destinations, including trips to the vibrant cities of Liverpool, Chester, and York; the awe-inspiring Lake District, and the spectacular Chatsworth House; the classic seaside resort of Blackpool, the iconic World of Wedgwood and the fun-filled Alton Towers, our Day Trips have all of the top destinations across the region covered.

Brought to you by  Greatdays Travel Group

Manchester Sightseeing Ideas

Day Trips by Bus and Coach

Manchester Football Tours

Group Activities in Manchester

Manchester Walking Tours

FREE Si Manchester Walking Tour (2 hours) – Departs: Daily 10:30am and Sat+Sun at 2pm

On the Discover Manchester walking tour, you will hear the story of Manchester from its origins right up to the present day.

Best FREE Manchester Walking Tour (3 hours) – Departs: Daily at 11am

Manchester Music Walking Tour (2 hours) – Departs: Every Saturday 1pm only £15

A tuneful swoop through the popular music scene of the greatest music city on the planet. Along with football, music is Manchester’s great obsession. This walking tour is […]

Sightseeing Manchester Bus Tour (1.5 hours) – Departs: Daily

Explore the top attractions with a 90 minute Sightseeing Manchester bus tour. Known throughout the world as the birthplace of the Industrial Revolution, Manchester has a proud history […]

Private Hire – Manchester Bus Tour for Groups

Enjoy a 90 minute private group tour of Manchester with LIVE tour guide with microphone (this is not a recorded commentary) Our private hire buses are closed top […]

Manchester River Cruise (1 hour)

Enjoy a relaxing boat trip floating down the River Irwell and the historic Ship Canal between Manchester city centre and the former Manchester Docks, now known as Salford Quays.

Salford Quays River Cruise (1 hour)

Enjoy a relaxing 60 minute boat trip, while listening to the onboard commentary as you cruise the historic Ship Canal and River Irwell from the former Manchester Docks, now known as Salford Quays, to Manchester City Centre and return. There are refreshments available to purchase onboard.

Manchester United Museum and Stadium Tour

Visit Manchester United for a day out with a difference! The Museum & Stadium Tour at Old Trafford takes you behind the scenes at the ‘Theatre of Dreams’ for a great day out. 

Manchester City Stadium and Club Tour

The new Manchester City Stadium Tour is the most immersive tour experience in Premier League football. Using the latest technology, dreams come true as you and your loved ones sit and interact with Pep Guardiola in the press room.

Manchester Gin Tours and Tastings

Under Manchester’s historic railway arches, discover the finest gins Manchester Gin has to offer from their impressive in-house distillery.

National Football Museum in Manchester

Experience the world’s greatest sport at the National Football Museum. Whether you’re a football fanatic, planning a visit with your family or on a weekend break to the great city of Manchester, why not visit The National Football Museum!

Private Manchester Walking Tours (1-25 persons)

Discover the history of Manchester on your own private walking tour. An official guide will show you around Manchester city centre on these private walking tours, talking you […]

Manchester Street Art Private Walking Tour (1-20 persons – 2 hours)

The best way to understand a city is through its street art. The murals painted on the sides of the Northern Quarter’s many protected buildings tell the story […]

Robinsons Manchester Brewery Tours – Departs: Thu + Fri + Sat

Uncover the secrets of the brewing process and sample the Robinsons Brewery award-winning ales on these Manchester brewery tours Robinsons have a worldwide reputation for real ale, learn […]

Day Trips from Manchester

Steam Train and Bury Market – Day Trip from Manchester – Departs: Daily

Step back in time with a day out on the steam railway, a preserved heritage railway line in East Lancashire.

Lake District Adventure Tour – Day Trip from Manchester – Departs: Mon + Wed + Fri + Sun

Visit the Lake District, Cumbria with Busy Bus on their award-winning Lake District Adventure day trip.

Lake District Explorer and Windermere – Full Day Tour – Departs: Everyday

Take a relaxing journey through the invigorating landscapes of the Lake District. Join this tour, enjoy the scenery, and let nature help you unwind, leave manic Manchester behind […]

Lake District Experience Tour – Day Trip from Manchester – Departs: Tues + Wed + Fri +Sat

Join a Lake District minibus tour with the award-winning Lake District specialists Mountain Goat – including lake cruise! Departing from central Manchester three times a week, Mountain Goat’s […]

North Wales Adventure Tour – Day Trip from Manchester – Departs: Tue + Thu + Sat

Visit North Wales with Busy Bus on their award-winning North Wales Adventure day trip.

North Wales Explorer, Snowdonia and Chester – Full Day Tour from Manchester – Departs: Fri + Sat + Sun

A perfect day tour for anyone who enjoys a mixture of castles, beautiful landscapes, and curious towns. You leave Manchester and head straight for the border of Wales. […]

North Wales Experience Tour – Day Trip from Manchester – Departs: Tues + Wed + Fri + Sat

Daily departures from central Manchester, Mountain Goat’s North Wales tour will get you to Wales in less than 2 hours. Fully escorted and with live commentary.

Yorkshire Adventure Tour – Day Trip from Manchester – Departs: Sat

Visit Yorkshire with Busy Bus on their award-winning Yorkshire Adventure day trip.

Yorkshire Experience Tour – Day Trip from Manchester – Departs: 2022

Following scenic routes through this beautiful national park on the Yorkshire Dales minibus tour.

Derbyshire and The Peak District Explorer – Full Day Tour – Departs: Tues + Thurs + Sat

Join this tour and experience England in miniature. There are rolling hills so green that you wonder whether there’s something unusual in the soil, there are rural towns […]

Greatdays Travel Group and Manchester Sightseeing

Manchester Sightseeing Tours and Day Trips is part of the Greatdays Travel Group, a leading ABTA- ATOL group tour operator based in Altrincham, near Manchester. The company was established in 1985 and operates an exciting and varied programme of customised group tours and holidays to destinations in the UK, central Europe, Disneyland Paris and worldwide locations. Other Greatdays departments include DMC Manchester, Conference Services, Incentive Group Travel, UK Incoming Services, Manchester Football Group Tours and Student Group Travel.

For more information:  www.greatdays.co.uk  

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Airport warning as travel expert reveals most Brits unaware of new rule being introduced today

These new rules could make a big difference to your airport experience.

Ben Thompson

With the way the weather's going in the UK, it's no surprise that Brits are looking to spend their summers abroad.

But with travelling comes the airport experience, part of which is the dreaded security check-in.

And with 83 percent of British travellers unaware of a new travel rule, it's probably advisable they check ahead before packing.

The new changes that come into effect as of 1 June mean passengers can carry up to two litres of liquid in their hand luggage. They can also take their laptops onboard too.

Not every airport will be running on the same schedule, however.

Airports such as Stansted, Heathrow, Gatwick and Manchester have all admitted that they won't have the new rules in place straight away.

Smaller airports, like Teesside, London City, Birmingham and Newcastle, all have new screening technology in place and are ready to go live with the new rules from day one.

Given that different airports will be operating under different schedules, it's no wonder that flyers are feeling uncertain.

A survey conducted by AirAdvisor found that 83 percent of people had no idea what the rules around liquids would be at airports over the summer.

The new rule only applies to UK airports , meaning that other countries' rules would apply there - even when boarding a return flight to the UK.

Previously, passengers were only permitted to have liquids of under 100ml in their hand luggage, sealed in a 20cm x 20cm bag.

Anton Radchenko, founder and CEO of AirAdvisor, said: "Considering this rule holds significant importance and will redefine how we travel, people should be aware of it."

With only a select few airports bringing the new rule into effect on June 1, passengers need to be vigilant about their airport of choice.

Delayed airports like Gatwick , Heathrow and Manchester are expected to bring in the new rule in the first few months of 2025.

The AirAdvisor survey also found that 97 percent of respondents didn't know which airports would be scrapping the 100ml rule over the summer.

Radchenko said: "If you're travelling through any of these airports, the old rules will still apply to you even if you're travelling to/from London City, Newcastle, and Teesside, which have scrapped the 100ml liquid rule.

"Passengers flying on this route must be careful and aware that old rules will still apply this summer. I don't think airlines are prepared for it.

"Airlines are also to blame for this confusion because they hardly keep their passengers informed with relevant updates.

"Unless airlines communicate proactively with their passengers and inform them that the old hand luggage rules will stand in place this summer, there will be confusion.

"Ideally, they should send SMS [messages], emails, and call alerts to ticket-holders and previous passengers alike."

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Great Manchester Run 2024: Road closures this weekend

The AJ Bell Great Manchester Run takes place on Sunday, May 26, with 30,000 participants set to take part

• 08:11, 25 MAY 2024

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Thousands of competitors will take to the city centre this weekend for the Great Manchester Run . Taking place on Sunday, 30,000 people are due to take part, while many more will line the streets in a show of support.

Both 10k and half marathon events are taking place on Sunday, May 26, with start times staggered throughout the day. The run - one of Europe’s biggest races - will be broadcast on the BBC from 11am until 1pm.

Last year, the huge running event celebrated its 20th anniversary with Olympic legend Sir Mo Farah also taking part . The four-time gold medallist completed the race for a final time after confirming he would retire from elite competition after the AJ Bell Great North event in September 2023.

READ MORE: Great Manchester Run 2024 start time, road closures, route and everything you need to know

Paul Foster, Chief Executive for The Great Run Company, said: “Over 30k runners are signed up to take part in the world-famous Great Manchester 10k and half marathon event on Sunday, 26 May, with over 100,000 spectators expected to line the streets, roaring runners on from start to finish.

“Not only is the event broadcast live on BBC One to millions, there’s an electric atmosphere from start to finish, with live bands, charity cheer points and tens of thousands of supporters cheering along the way."

Tomorrow (May 25) a Junior and Mini Great Manchester Run will take part at the Etihad Campus. Those aged between 3-16 will take on a 1.6km dash, while junior runners (9-15) take on a 2.5km challenge.

Meanwhile, on Sunday, the action kicks off on Portland Street with the Elite Wheelchair Race at 8.15am, followed by the AJ Bell Great Manchester Half Marathon at 8.20am.

With an event of this size taking place, several roads within the city will be affected, with road closures and traffic diversion plans in operation. Sunday will also see Manchester City hold its victory parade following the club's historic fourth-successive Premier League title.

The Blues will take to the streets on Sunday (May 26) in a rite-of-passage victory tour around the city. The route will see the four-time champions travel from the National Football Museum and along Deansgate in the city centre.

It will take place in the evening to ensure enough time for clean-up after the half marathon, council bosses said, with an estimated start time of 7:30pm. The parade is expected to last for two hours, until around 9.30pm.

Below, you can find out below which roads will be closed for the Great Manchester Run, and when they will reopen.

Which roads will be closed for the Great Manchester Run 2024?

Saturday, 25 May:

• Liverpool Road from Deansgate to Barton Street from 5am until Sun 21 11pm
• Tonman Street from Deansgate to Barton Street from 6am until Sun 21 11pm. Access Tonman Street via Barton Street and Longworth Street via Camp Street

Sunday, 26 May:

Roads that will be closed from 4am:

• Chepstow Street: from Oxford Street to Great Bridgewater Street
• Deansgate: from Whitworth Street West to John Dalton Street
• Dickinson Street
• Peter Street: from Mount Street to Street Peters Square
• Portland Street: from Oxford Street to Princess Street
• St. John Street: from Deansgate to Byrom Street

Roads that will be closed from 6am:

• Mancunian Way (East and Wets bound): from Fairfield Street to Regent Road

Roads that will be closed from 7am:

• Alan Turing Way: From Ashton New Road to Ashton Old Road
• A5063 Trafford Road: from White City Circle Roundabout to Salford City Boundary
• A5063 White City Circle
• A56 Bridgewater Way: from Chester Road to Wharfside Way
• A56 Chester Road: from Bridgewater Way to Bridgewater Viaduct
• A56 Chester Road: from White City Circle roundabout to Sir Matt Busby Way
• A5801 Wharfside Way: from White City Circle Roundabout to Salford City Boundary
• Abingdon Street
• Ashton Old Road: from Alan Turing Way to Pin Mill Brow
• Atkinson Street: from Byron Street to Deansgate
• Bloom Street: from Chorlton Street to Princess Street
• Bootle Street: from Deansgate to Southmill Street
• Bridgewater Viaduct
• Byrom Street: from Quay Street to Hardman Street
• Central Street: from Southmill Street to Lloyd Street
• Chester Road: from Bridgewater Way to Bridgewater Viaduct
• Chester Road: from Mancunian Way Roundabout to Cornbrook
• Chester Road: from Hadfield Street to Bridgewater Way
• Chorlton Road: from Jackson Street to Mancunian Way
• Chorlton Street: from Portland Street to Silver Street
• City Road East: from Albion Street to Great Jackson Street
• Cross Street: from Cross Street to John Dalton Street
• Elevator Road: from Wharfside Way to Trafford Wharf Road
• Ellesmere Street: from Hulme Hall Road to Chester Road
• Fairfield Street: from Ashton Old Road to Mancunian Way
• Great Bridgewater Street: from Oxford Street to Deansgate
• Hardman Street
• Hulme Hall Road: from Ellesmere Street to Chester Road
• Jacksons Row; Lloyd Street
• Major Street: from Sackville Street to Princess Street
• Manor Street: at Mancunian Way
• Midland Street: from Hooper Street to Ashton Old Road
• Minshul Street: from Portland Street to Aytoun Street
• Oxford Street: from Peter Street to Whitworth Street West
• Peter Street: from Deansgate to Mount Street
• Pin Mill Brow: from Fairfield Street to Mancunian Way
• Portland Street: from New York Street to Princess Street
• Princess Street: from Albert Square to Portland Street
• Quay Street: from Deansgate to Byrom Street
• Sackville Street: from Portland Street to Major Street
• Silver Street: from Minshul Street to Chorlton Street
• Sir Alex Ferguson Way
• Sir Matt Busby Way
• Southmill Street; Trafford Road: from Exchange Quay to Trafford Road
• Trafford Wharf Road: from Warren Bruce Road to Trafford Road
• Warren Bruce Road: from Wharfside Way to Trafford Wharf Road
• Wharf End: from Trafford Wharf Road to Trafford Road

Roads that will be closed from 7.30am:

• Albion Street: from Whitworth Street West to Medlock Street
• Medlock Street: from Albion Street to River Street
• Whitworth Street: from Albion Street to Glouce Streeter Street

Roads that will be closed from 8am:

• Ashton New Road: from Rowsley Street to Alan Turing Way

Road re-opening times:

• 11am : Ashton New Road
• 11:30am : Alan Turning Way
• 1pm : Ashton Old Road; Chorlton Road; Fairfield Street; Manor Street; Midland Street; Pin Mill Street; Mancunian Way
• 2:45pm : Albion Street; Medlock Street and Whitworth Street;
• 4pm : Peter Street; Portland Street; Abingdon Street; Bloom Street; Chep Streetow Street; Chorlton Street; Cross Street; Great Bridgewater Street; Major Street; Minshul Street; Oxford Street; Portland Street; Princess Street; Sackville Street; Silver Street and Parker Street;
• 6pm : Dickinson Street; Atkinson Street; Bootle Street; Bridgewater Viaduct; Byrom Street; Central Street; Chester Road; Ellesmere Street; Hardman Street; Hulme Hall Road; Jacksons Row; Lloyd Street; Peter Street; Whitworth Street West; Quay Street; Southmill Street; Deangate. A5063 Trafford Road; A5063 White City Circle; A56 Bridgewater Way; A56 Chester Road; A5801 Wharfside Way; Chester Road; Elevator Road; Sir Alex Furguson Way; Sir Matt Busby Way; Trafford Wharf Road; Victoria Place; Warren Bruce Road; Wharf End; Trafford Road.
• 7pm : Deansgate from Whitworth Street We Street to Peter Street
• 9pm : Street John Street; Liverpool Road 23:00pm: Tonman Street

Parking suspensions:

On-street parking suspensions will be in operation within the city centre for the duration of the events. The majority will start at 4am on Sunday, 26 May 2024.

These suspensions will be clearly marked in accordance with Manchester City Council protocol. People are advised not not park cars in any of the parking bays during the suspension period.

It will be removed for safety by Manchester City Council Parking Control. There may also be a charge to recover an impounded vehicle.

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NEWS... BUT NOT AS YOU KNOW IT

Flight attendant says this airplane habit is ‘evil’ — but we bet you’re guilty of it

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For some people, when they step on a plane, all rules of social etiquette go out of the window.

We’ve heard stories of barefoot bathroom trips and smelling snacks – and let’s not forget the flight that got grounded due to one passenger’s particularly explosive case of diarrhoea .

But now, an American flight attendant who goes by Cher on TikTok has revealed what she believes is the single worst thing a passenger can do on an airplane.

And given some of the aforementioned gross stories – it might surprise you… and we’re pretty sure we’ve done it ourselves.

‘Putting any type of bottle that has liquid in it in the overhead bin,’ Cher declares, in a video which has been viewed more than 73,000 times.

‘Every single time, without fail, that water bottle, as soon as we take off, is going to leak inside the bin.

Cher, who has been cabin crew for five years, hates this so much, that she described it as ‘heinous, evil and diabolical.’

While she admits it’s an easy mistake to make, saying, ‘it’s tempting to do this if it’s in the outer pocket of your backpack,’ she’s adamant it’s poor plane behaviour.

So why is it so awful? ‘Not only does that soak everybody else’s bags, the water always picks one person and it’ll follow a stream and completely dump out of the bin onto one person,’ explains Cher.

And she’s not wrong that bottles will most likely leak. As an airplane climbs higher into the sky, the air pressure drops and it causes the air inside the cabin to expand. This means any air trapped in water bottles will also expand, which can force the water to leak out of it.

@cherdallas Raise your hand if youve been personally victimized by a waterbottle in the overhead bin #flightattendantlife #falife✈️ #stewardess #travel #traveltiktok #aviationdaily #aviationlovers #travellover #flightreacts #flights #falifestyle✈️ #stewardess #flightattendant #flightattendants #fa ♬ Moonlite Love – Abir’yah

Etiquette expert shares things you should never do on a flight

According to etiquette expert, Jackie Vernon-Thompson,  there are plenty of rules you should be following while flying .

Jackie suggests smelly foods such as seafood, onions and garlic should be off the menu.

She told Metro.co.uk : ‘If you know your feet will have a foul odour, don’t take your shoes off. If they’re uncomfortable – well, you should have worn more comfortable shoes and controlled your hygiene better.

‘If you do take them off, it’s not appropriate to walk anywhere on the plane barefoot or in just socks – put them back on before leaving your seat.’

When it comes to the right clothes to wear on a plane, the educator says it’s best to dress like you’re going out in public. That means no pyjamas, no racy or revealing outfits, and nothing that you wouldn’t happily wear to work.

She adds that you should never extend your legs into the aisle to give yourself more leg room – even if the coast is clear at that point.

‘Spreading your legs out like that is a non-negotiable,’ said Jackie. ‘There are seats with extra leg room you can pay for – if you need that, purchase a ticket for extra leg room.’

So next time you board a flight, keep that water bottle in your pocket in the seat in front of you – or just drink it all before you board the flight.

Cher also included some other irksome passenger habits.

She says people that choose to fly when they’re already unwell are a pet peeve, as they’re likely to make other people sick – or get even worse during the flight.

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Cher is also calling out men that use the toilet during turbulence due to the inevitable aim issues that come with a rocky plane.

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