Top places to visit in Manchester

• Museum of Science and Industry

  Museum · 4.7 rating · about 2.5 h · free entry

  On the site of the world's first passenger railway station, MOSI tells the story of Manchester's pivotal role in the Industrial Revolution through steam engines, textiles, and computing. Free.

• Manchester Museum

  Museum · 4.5 rating · about 2 h · free entry

  University of Manchester's museum with natural history collections including a T. rex skeleton, Egyptology galleries, and the Living Cultures collection. Recently renovated, completely free.

• Castlefield Urban Heritage Park

  Heritage · 4.5 rating · about 1.5 h · check the fee at the gate

  Britain's first Urban Heritage Park centres on the Roman fort of Mamucium and the world's first passenger railway terminal (1830). The canal basins and Victorian warehouses are now bars and restaurants.

• John Rylands Research Institute & Library

  Heritage · 4.8 rating · about 1.5 h · free entry

  A stunning Victorian Gothic masterpiece and one of the UK's greatest libraries, containing a Gutenberg Bible and one of the world's finest collections of illuminated manuscripts.

• Manchester Old Trafford

  football-stadium · 4.8 rating · about 2 h · check the fee at the gate

  The Old Trafford Stadium tour — Manchester United's legendary 74,000-seat Theatre of Dreams, with the spectacular museum, the trophy room, the famous tunnel, and the iconic football heritage.

• Manchester Etihad Stadium City

  football-stadium · 4.7 rating · about 2 h · check the fee at the gate

  The Etihad Stadium tour — Manchester City's spectacular modern stadium and Football Academy, with the museum, the Treble Trophy room, the famous tunnel, and the modern football heritage.

• Manchester Christmas Markets

  christmas-market · 4.7 rating · about 2 h · check the fee at the gate

  The Manchester Christmas Markets — the UK's largest Christmas market, spread across 10+ locations in the city centre, with the wooden chalets, the famous mulled wine, and the magical Manchester winter.

• Manchester Curry Mile

  food-district · 4.6 rating · about 3 h · check the fee at the gate

  The Curry Mile (Wilmslow Road) — Manchester's spectacular South Asian food district with 70+ restaurants, the most multicultural area in the UK, and the iconic British Indian food heritage.

• Manchester Northern Quarter

  bohemian-quarter · 4.7 rating · about 2 h · check the fee at the gate

  The Northern Quarter — Manchester's spectacular bohemian district with the famous street art, the indie bars, the vintage shops, the iconic Affleck's Palace, and the alternative Mancunian culture.

• Manchester Salford Quays Lowry

  arts-centre · 4.7 rating · about 2 h · check the fee at the gate

  The Lowry — Salford Quays' spectacular arts centre dedicated to L.S. Lowry (Manchester's famous painter of industrial Manchester scenes), with the magnificent gallery, theatres, and the iconic Mancunian art heritage.

• Manchester Imperial War Museum

  war-museum · 4.7 rating · about 3 h · free entry

  The Imperial War Museum North — the spectacular Daniel Libeskind-designed museum, with the immersive Big Picture Show, the historic WWI and WWII artifacts, and the iconic British military heritage.

• Manchester Heaton Park

  urban-park · 4.7 rating · about 3 h · check the fee at the gate

  Heaton Park — Manchester's spectacular 600-acre park, with the historic 1772 Heaton Hall, the famous concerts, the tram museum, the boating lake, and the most beloved Mancunian green space.

Day trips and tours

• Peak District National Park Day Tour 9 h · from GBP 43
• Liverpool Beatles & Albert Dock Tour 8 h · from GBP 39

Where to stay in Manchester

• City Centre & Northern Quarter about GBP 110 per night

  Manchester's cultural hub. Close to Piccadilly station, tram network, and best restaurants. Indie shops and music venues in Northern Quarter.

• Spinningfields & Deansgate about GBP 160 per night

  Manchester's financial and luxury district. Best high-end hotels, top cocktail bars, and the Whitworth Gallery nearby.

Hotels

• King Street Townhouse Manchester 5-star · GBP 180 to GBP 550 per night
• Roomzzz Manchester Corn Exchange 3-star · GBP 90 to GBP 200 per night

Where to eat

• Bundobust Manchester Indian, Street Food · about GBP 22 per person
• El Gato Negro Tapas Spanish, Tapas · about GBP 45 per person
• Elnecot Modern British, Grill · about GBP 50 per person
• Mana Modern European, Nordic · about GBP 150 per person

Getting to Manchester

Airport: Manchester (MAN)

Getting around

• Bus
• Tram
• Walking

Safety and scams to avoid

• Fake Student Charity Mugging

  Piccadilly Gardens Manchester

  Groups of individuals, sometimes posing as students, surround tourists and pressure them to donate cash to a 'charity' while others attempt pickpocketing.

  How to avoid it: Firmly decline and walk away. Never take out your wallet in a crowd.

More in United Kingdom

• London
• Edinburgh
• Bath
• York
• Oxford
• Cambridge

Frequently asked questions about Manchester

What are the top-rated places to visit in Manchester?

The highest-rated places in our Manchester guide are John Rylands Research Institute & Library, Manchester Old Trafford, Museum of Science and Industry, Manchester Etihad Stadium City, Manchester Christmas Markets.

Where should I stay in Manchester?

Our guide covers these areas to stay in Manchester: City Centre & Northern Quarter, Spinningfields & Deansgate.

How do I get around Manchester?

Ways to get around Manchester covered in our guide: City bus, Tram, Walking.

What scams should I watch out for in Manchester?

Scams reported to us for Manchester include Fake Student Charity Mugging. Each is explained in the guide, with how to avoid it.

Which airport is nearest to Manchester?

The nearest airport to Manchester has the code MAN.