I wasn’t sure what to expect when I went to Manchester for the first time, I really didn’t know anything about it except for their soccer (football) teams, Man City and Man Utd. But I LOVED it! It’s really such a cool city with stunning historical architecture, easy access to quaint English villages and rolling countryside, and an incredible food scene.

I’d plan to spend 2-4 days in Manchester! (Closer to 4 if you’re doing day-trips).

QUICK UK INFO:

PASSPORT/VISA

For travelers from “Europe, the USA, Australia, Canada or certain other countries”, you will need an Electronic Travel Authorization (ETA) before traveling to the UK. It takes just a few minutes to fill out, and typically comes back within a few hours to a few days, so make sure to apply a week in advance if you can. Cost is £16 (~$20 USD).

CURRENCY

British Pounds (GBP), 1 USD is roughly 0.75£

LANGUAGE

Generally English.

AIRPORTS

For Manchester you can fly directly into Manchester Airport (MAN), or into London Heathrow (LHR) and take a ~2 hour train to Manchester.

GETTING AROUND

Manchester is an incredibly walkable city, Ubers are wildly available, and they have great public buses (instead of the red double decker buses, the ones in Manchester are yellow!).

WHERE TO STAY

I’ve stayed at The Kimpton Clocktower Hotel and The Edwardian Manchester. Both are stunning and in incredible areas, anywhere around them would be an ideal location.

WHAT TO-DO

• Cooking Class at Food Sorcery
• Manchester Music Walkabout
• Idyllic England Peak District Tour
• North Wales Day Trip Tour
• John Rylands Library
• Chetham’s Library
• City Highlights Walking Tour
• Shop at Afflecks
• Shop at Manchester Craft & Design Center
• Walking Food Tour
• DIY Film Walking Tour
• Canal & River Cruise
• Walk Around the Northern Quarter
• Invisible Cities Walking Tour
• Canal Street
• See Bridgewater Hall
• Walk Around Manchester Chinatown
• Man City Stadium Tour
• Royal Exchange Theater
• Manchester Public Library
• Portico Library
• Manchester Cathedral
• Manchester Police Museum

WHERE TO EAT

• Ezra & Gil – get the cinnamon buns!
• Mala – super cute treehouse style cafe/bar
• Exhibition
• Peveril of the Peak
• ManCoCo Coffee Bar
• The Allotment Vegan Eatery
• The Washouse – SUPER cool quirky speakeasy where you entry through a laundrymat
• High Tea at Hotel Gotham
• 20 Stories – rooftop cocktail bar
• Cloud 23 – rooftop cocktail bar
• Another Hand
• Anacoats Coffee
• Lucky Cat
• The Green Lab – fresh juices and coffees
• Dishoom
• Haunt MCR Coffee Shop
• Temple of Convenience – unique bar

PS: click on the tour names to go directly to the Get Your Guide page for the tour – I make a small commission on any tours booked though my links at no cost to you so I truly appreciate anytime you use my links!

I hope you have the best time!!