The 12 things to do in Manchester

Are you planning to visit Manchester? Discover our selection of unmissable places during a stay in this dynamic metropolis!

Great city of northwest England, Manchester has a rich industrial and cultural heritage. This major metropolis is indeed the first city in the world to plunge into the industrial revolution! Rich in a long and rich history, Manchester is thus a cultural lung of the country. Travellers will be able to discover many museums, all more exciting than others. Manchester is also a big football city. It houses two illustrious teams, but above all the National Football Museum that will immerse you in the history of this exciting sport! The city is also known for its vibrant nightlife thanks to its large student population.

Are you wondering what to do in Manchester and what to see absolutely? With this top of the 11 must-have things, you are sure not to miss anything during your stay!

1. Castlefield

This slightly eccentric area houses the ancient Roman fort of Mamucium, reconstituted and which gave its name to the city. With numerous canals, waterfront bars and beautiful green spaces, Castelfield is a relaxed and very friendly place. You will also discover many Victorian-style houses.

You can also admire the Bridgewater Canal, the world's first industrial canal built in 1764! There is also the Castlefield Bowl, which hosts rock and classical music concerts, and the HOME artistic centre. The latter offers screenings of films, exhibitions and plays. To start your visit to Manchester, don't miss this cultural and lively neighborhood, day and night!

2. Manchester Museum

Open to the public since the 1880s, the Manchester Museum is the largest university museum in the country. It houses nearly 6 million pieces from all over the world. Located in a magnificent Gothic style building, it is a treasure of archaeology and natural history.

If you plan to visit Manchester, you should not miss it. On site you will discover exhibitions dedicated to the natural history of the city, a vivarium containing a beautiful collection of live reptiles and amphibians, or the well preserved skeleton of Stan the T-Rex!

3. Manchester Town Hall

A true emblem of the city, Manchester Town Hall is in its heart. In Gothic style, the building dates from 1877. Before discovering its rich interior, take the time to admire this magnificent city hotel from the picturesque Albert square. In particular, you will be able to contemplate its magnificent clock whose tower is 85 meters high!

The interior is also worth the visit, with its high vaulted ceilings and superb golden spiral staircases. You can also admire the statues and busts celebrating the major figures of Manchester in the Sculpture Hall. If you come to visit Manchester, you must absolutely see this magnificent city hotel!

4. John Rylands Library

This library is certainly the most famous in Manchester! Open to the public in 1900, it was installed in a neo-Gothic building in stoneware. A member of the University of Manchester, this library is truly worth a visit. First, you can only be admirable in front of the building’s architecture. The vaulted ceilings, tamized lighting and decorated arcades make it a magical place.

Secondly, it houses a number of medieval manuscripts, ancient texts and personal letters from personalities. But above all, this library is a true haven of peace in the heart of an animated city! This is the ideal place to immerse yourself in history and relax.

5. Manchester Cathedral

What to do in Manchester? Discover more illustrious buildings, of course! Built in the 15th century, the imposing Manchester Cathedral can only create wonder with its sublime Gothic exterior. The place is also full of history. First, the stones used to build its soils are small fossils. But it also stands in place of a church built in 700!

Inside, you can admire various antique artifacts as well as beautiful wooden sculptures. To learn more about the city’s history, don’t miss this beautiful building during your visit to Manchester!

6. Museum of Science and Industry

The rich industrial heritage of Manchester is honoured in this vast and exciting museum. Located in the former Liverpool Street Station, it is a testament to the incredible scientific, technological and industrial history of the English city. Through various collections, you can learn more about transport, energy, textile industry, telecommunications and IT.

This museum is especially ideal for families wishing to visit Manchester in a fun way, as it includes many practical activities! You can test different scientific experiences, learn more through virtual reality games or stands. To learn more about the city, its industry and its role in science, this museum is immanquable!

7. Chinatown

The Manchester Chinatown is the second largest in the United Kingdom! You will discover a wide variety of restaurants, shops and supermarkets. This neighborhood is very diverse and lively. You can enjoy specialities from all over South-East Asia! Do not miss visiting and revisiting Chinatown during your stay.

We also recommend that you make some shopping in the famous district market. You can buy souvenirs or toys, or ingredients to cook yourself a delicious dish at home!

8. Manchester Art Gallery

Located in the city centre, this vast museum celebrates both local and international artists. Opened in 1824, it now occupies three sublime buildings. The oldest, originally the Royal Manchester Institution, was designed by Sir Charles Barry in 1824.

Inside the museum, you can admire impressive collections of art, decorative arts and costume objects! Several thousand works of art, including 2,000 paintings and 350 sculptures, drawings, watercolours, prints and photographs, await you. The Musée du Costume will allow you to visit Manchester through nearly 21,000 clothes and accessories!

9. Royal Exchange Theater

The Royal Exchange is one of the most popular entertainment complexes in the city. Located in the city centre, the theatre is obviously the most striking architectural building. Completed in 1921, he survived the bombings of the Second World War and then a bomb attack. Considered as the best theatre in the city, it produces many shows of various genres each year. So there will be for all tastes!

In the complex you will also find several cafes or restaurants, to be discovered before or after a show. The building is known to be haunted by some ghosts. If you have the courage, try to find them! Otherwise, you can always reach the nearby shopping centre or enjoy the historic atmosphere of the place.

10. People’s History Museum

This museum is simply unique and deeply instructive! The institution collects, preserves and studies the history of the working class in the United Kingdom. It thus offers a completely unexpected vision of the country’s history. Designed by architect Henry Price, the building that shelters it is an old hydraulic pumping station.

In this atypical museum, you will learn more about the history of democracy in the UK, about the daily life, work and leisure of the British over the past 200 years. If you come to visit Manchester, you should not miss this exciting discovery!

11. Heaton Park

Are you still wondering what to do in Manchester? Between two cultural visits, two evenings or two gastronomic adventures, you can discover one of the largest municipal parks in Europe. This vast green space is perfect to relax or picnic away from the city for a day or a half day.

In the park you can discover the Animal Center built around ancient stables. You can also walk in the forest or take the Heaton Park Traimway, a historic tram dating from the 20th century. Travellers can also visit the Heaton Hall, a seigneurial residence on this site since the Middle Ages! The park regularly hosts musical or cultural events. In short, there’s always something fun to do here!

12. Manchester Stadium

Visiting Manchester is undoubtedly going through one of its sports symbols. Amateurs or not of round or oval balloon, the Etihad Stadium offers a parenthesis above all cultural. Because yes, football and rugby are an integral part of Manchester! If the lawn of this famous stadium is the playground of the Manchester City Football Club, it also welcomed the final walk of the rugby World Cup in 2015. On the Premier League podium, the Manchester stadium can accommodate up to 55,000 people!

In addition to its sporting and musical events, the venue allows you to immerse yourself in the backstage of the Manchester City Football Club. From the history of the club to the anecdotes of the players, you will discover a universe at symbolic and unmissable places (pressroom, museum, lodges...).

How to get to Manchester?

From France

Manchester is at a stone's throw from the continent! You will have no trouble finding a direct flight from France. On average, prices range from 100 to 150€ for a return trip from Paris, Lyon, Marseille and Toulouse, among others. To compare prices, you can visit our partner's website Ulysses which, according to your departure dates, will offer you the cheapest flights.

On site

Like all major cities in Europe, Manchester has a large public transport network.

• By bus or tram : on site, you can easily move through the numerous bus or tram lines.
• By bike : the city also has many bike paths. Bike enthusiasts can easily use this eco-friendly way of transport!
• The train To access other nearby English destinations, such as Liverpool or York, you can also use local trains from the city’s two stations.

Where to stay in Manchester?

If you want to visit Manchester, know that you will have no trouble finding your perfect accommodation in Manchester. Hostel, Airbnb or charming hotel, there are plenty of opportunities! Just keep in mind that staying in the center can be a little expensive, so prefer a Compare hotels to gauge prices. Peripheral neighborhoods focus on many homes and apartments where rent will be lower. You simply need to borrow more public transport. In the neighbourhoods, you are particularly recommended for Northern Quarter, Spinningfields or Fallowfield University.

Now you know what to do in Manchester! And you, what are your essentials for a stay in the metropolis?