Manchester’s ornate listed buildings, red-brick cotton warehouses and weaver’s cottages are reminders of its industrial past. But the city’s ever-growing popularity means many are now home to luxury hotels, hip bars and imaginative restaurants.
Creativity is a key part of Manchester’s identity, with musicians and artists from the city being celebrated worldwide. This is shown in its thriving cultural institutions and live music venues, plus cutting-edge events such as the Manchester International Festival. Manchester’s diversity also means that, in the surprisingly compact city centre, you can stroll between Chinatown, the Gay Village and the Northern Quarter’s street art before continuing to Ancoats’ independent restaurants.
And while its two fantastic football teams are synonymous with Manchester, did you also know that it’s a Unesco City of Literature and the birthplace of the suffragette movement? You’ll leave craving more of the city about which music mogul Tony Wilson said: “This is Manchester, we do things differently here.”
Explore our interactive map below for all the local highlights, and scroll down for our suggested day-by-day summary of the best things to see and do.
For more Manchester inspiration, see our guides to the city’s best hotels, restaurants, bars and things to do.
