Football, music, TV series and lots and lots of openness towards the LGBT community. It is all this and much more in Manchester, one of the UK's most important and famous cities. Affordable (despite Brexit and the continuing rise of the pound on the stock exchange), vibrant and full of attractions to visit. Not only museums (however extraordinary) and churches, then: just stroll along the city's most 'mysterious' streets and alleys to be captured by the magic that only this British location can offer to the tourist, especially the more'open-minded' one.
So here is our guide with practical advice on what to see in Manchester!
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1 - Cathedral
The Cathedral and Collegiate Church of St Mary, St Denys and St George is not as monumental as one might imagine, but its 'grandeur' is represented by the simplicity of its interior, the finely carved wooden decorations and theelegance of the Gothic stained glass windows. The building, belonging to the Anglican Diocese and built around 1400, will captivate you from its exterior façade, in an area of the city where ancient and modern buildings coexist, sometimes in contrasting ways. Don't miss theAngel Stone, a sandstone tablet depicting an angel holding a scroll.
Stroll through the Cathedral Gardens: behind the cathedral are these wonderful gardens, where the Ice Village Manchester, the city's wonderful markets, are set up during the Christmas period.
Practical info: directions, times and prices
How to get there: on Victoria Street in Manchester's city centre, 5 min from St Ann's Church. Can be reached by transport, Manchester Victoria and Exchange Square reference stations - Get directions
Hours: Mon-Thu 8:30am-6:30pm, Fri-Sat 8am-5:30pm, Sun 8:30am-6:30pm
Ticket price: free offer
2 - Manchester Arena
Photo by G-13114. The cowardly bombing that struck Manchester in May 2017 did not stop music lovers from attending the legendary concerts held periodically in the world-famous Manchester Arena.
Ariana Grande, The WHO, Kasabian and many other internationally renowned artists grace the stage of this huge venue, which can accommodate up to 21,000 people. In addition to music festivals, the Manchester Arena also hosts major sporting events, such as WWE wrestling matches.
Practical info: directions, times and prices
How to get there: in Victoria Station Approach, Hunts Bank, 300 metres from the Cathedral (4 min walk). Using transport (Navy Line and Pink Line), the reference stop is Victoria Station - Get directions
Hours: Mon-Sat 10am-6pm (in addition to scheduled concert times and dates)
Ticket price: varies depending on scheduled events. Check the official website
3 - The National Football Museum
Photo by tatchie. 
Photo by Stephen Gidley. Let's stick to football, a subject that is particularly popular in Manchester. Here, in fact, football is not only the national sport, but is an integral part of the city's culture and history, to such an extent that a museum entirely dedicated to this emblazoned sport has been created.
Inside the museum since 2019 is the Hall of Fame, where you can find all the great personalities who have made an important contribution to the world of football.
From Diego Armando Maradona to 'our very own' Paolo Maldini to England's top players, the National Football Museum offers anecdotes and trivia about the world's best-loved sport and boasts a myriad of historical memorabilia. It is an institution for fans of the sport, but also suitable for the merely curious and for family travellers with children.
Buy your ticket inadvance: the queue at the ticket office can be quite long, so it is best to buy your ticket in advance.
Practical info: directions, times and prices
How to getthere: on Todd St, just 300 metres from the Cathedral, 2 min walk. If coming by tram or metro, reference stop Shudehill - Get directions
Hours: daily 10am-5pm
Ticket cost: 16 to 64 years £11.00 (€12.76); 5 to 15 years £6.00 (€6.93). Free for under 5 and over 64.
4 - Northern Quarter
Photo by Jose Francisco Del Valle Mojica. The Northern Quarter housed the city's first textile mills in 1783, the main focus of industrial development. The area was later destroyed during the Second World War, only to be 'reborn' in the 1980s and 1990s.
Today it represents the alternative and bohemian soul of Manchester. In this neighbourhood there are lots of vintage shops, independent music shops and a few small clubs. And in between, it is impossible not to admire the colourful murals, which we recommend taking part in the street art tour!
Activities you can do in the Northern Quarter include buying records and vinyl, browsing art galleries and vintage shopping. A diverse and multi-ethnic area, it is the heart of the city's movida, where you can spend the evening and listen to good live music.
It is located in the north-east of Manchester, 1.5 km from Casteldfield (24 min walk). It is easily reached by transport. Bus 59 from Printworks to Lever Street, otherwise from Victoria Station take the tram (navy line or yellow line) to Market Street - Get directions
Enjoy the atmosphere of the neighbourhood: we recommend stopping by Trof, a typical British-style multi-storey restaurant where you can try a great brunch. Also, a Victorian-style building where the fish market used to be held is now home to the Manchester Craft and Design Centre, a beautiful museum dedicated to contemporary arts and design!
5 - Manchester Art Gallery
Photo by Mike Peel. 
Photo by It's No Game. The city's public museum housing one of the UK's most important art collections. Spread over 3 floors, the collection comprises some 25,000 works spanning 6 centuries of art history: from classical to contemporary avant-garde, including oil paintings, sculptures, drawings, miniatures, prints and decorative objects, furniture and ceramics.
The flagship of the collection is the British works from the Victorian era and Pre-Raphaelism. There are also masterpieces by the English Impressionists and Romanticists such as Turner and Constable, the French Degas, Gauguin, Renoir, and the Italians Canaletto, Luca Giordano, Guido Reni and many others.
Anideal place even for those who are not art experts: the gallery is famous for its didactic approach. In fact, each work is accompanied by a clear caption, and the exhibition method has been specially designed so that the succession of the various art styles is easy to understand even by novices.
Practical information: directions, opening times and prices
How to get there: on Mosley St, in the historic centre, not even 200 m (1 min walk) from the Town Hall. If coming by tram stop St. Peters Square, by bus (lines 50, 191, 1971, X58), stop Albert Square - Get directions
Hours: Mon 11am-5pm, Tue-Sun 10am-5pm, first Wednesday of the month until 9pm
Ticket price: free
6 - Chinatown
Photo by Pedro Krtička. Manchester's Chinatown, nestled between Mosley and Portland Streets, is the largest Chinese quarter in England. Established in the early 1900s, it is one of the largest Chinese neighbourhoods in Europe.
It is characterised by an endless number of small shops and colourful markets where you can find spices, traditional dishes (from dumplings to noodles) and folk medicine remedies. Not forgetting of course the many Asian restaurants, not only Chinese, but also Thai, Nepalese and Vietnamese. The entrance is marked by the characteristic and imposing door.
It is 850 m from the Museum of Science and Industry (13 min walk). By transport, from the centre (Victoria Station) take the tram (navy line) and after 4 stops change to the Purple line, then continue for another 4 stops to Stretford - Get directions
Findout about Chinese New Year: it's interesting to visit during Chinese New Year, when all the streets come alive and are decorated with lighted lanterns, streamers and dancing dragons. A unique experience!
7 - Manchester Town Hall
Photo by Steve O'Brien. 
The tower (85 metres) that rises from the walls of the city hall looks like Big Ben. The Town Hall, whose construction was completed in 1877, is rightly considered a masterpiece of Gothic architecture throughout the world, the most representative building of Victorian neo-Gothic architecture in the whole of the United Kingdom.
Inside you can visit the Great Hall, according to Victorian critic John Ruskin'the most beautiful Gothic flat in Europe', and other sumptuous ceremonial rooms, as well as offices and the famous Sculpture Room, which houses busts of some of the most influential and important figures in British history.
Enjoy the beauty of Albert Square: it is one of the city's most important squares and a venue for major events throughout the year! It is the ideal place to stop for a drink while admiring the large town hall from the outside. At Christmas, the markets are also held here.
Practical info: directions, opening times and prices
Directions: in Albert Square, 700 m from the Cathedral, about 10 min walk from the centre. If coming by tram stop St. Peters Square, by bus (lines 50, 191, 1971, X58), stop Albert Square - Get directions
Hours: Mon-Fri 10am-5pm, Sat-Sun closed
Ticket price: free
8 - Beetham Tower
Also known as Hilton Tower, this is a 169-metre high skyscraper; until 2018 the tallest in all of Manchester and the tallest in England (with the exception of London's City). Although as of 2019, the primacy passed to the'South Tower' in Deansgate Square, the Beetham Tower remains a landmark in the city and continues to fascinate by its composition and structure. In fact, it is one of the thinnest skyscrapers in the world!
Visible from anywhere in the city, some interpret it as a symbol of recovery and renewal, it is certainly an intriguing sight to capture!
It is located at 301 Deansgate, 400 metres from the Manchester Opera House (6 min walk). From the centre (Exchange Square) take the tram (Pink Line) and get off after 2 stops at Deansgate-Castlefield. Cannot be visited - Get directions
Enjoya break in style: on the 23rd floor, the most scenic spot in the city, you'll find Cloud 23, a stylish bar where you can enjoy the most spectacular view of the city. Casual but elegant attire is recommended.
9 - Museum of Science and Industry
In the city that led the way in industry in the nineteenth century, a museum entirely dedicated to scientific discoveries and technological development pplicated to industry was a must. Here you can discover the history of Manchester and the Liverpool-Manchester railway, as well as underground Manchester. Of course, there are also thematic areas such as Electricity, Communications and Textiles!
You can admire locomotives, trains, carriages, planes, seagoing vehicles, cotton processing machinery and other artefacts designed and made in this city. An interesting museum for lovers of history and industrial development, but which will also delight the little ones!
Discover its location: the museum ishoused in a truly emblematic place, the former Liverpool Road station, the oldest railway station in existence!
Practical info: directions, times and prices
How to get there: on Liverpool Road, in the centre of Manchester, just 650 metres from The John Rylands Library, 8 min walk via Deansgate/A56, Quay St/A34 and Lower Byrom St. If using public transport, the reference stop is Schofield Road - get directions
Hours: daily 10am-5pm
Ticket price: free
10 - Castlefield
One of the city's most iconic neighbourhoods. It is here that you can experience the two souls of Manchester: its ancient origins and its industrial character. Artificial canals used in the years of the Industrial Revolution flow through here and the most important are the Bridgewater Canal, the Rochdale Canal and the Manchester Ship Canal, from which many other smaller canals depart.
Today it is a residential area, characterised by red brick buildings, bridges, viaducts and steamboats. Castlefield is also considered one of the most atmospheric and relaxing areas of the city. Away from the hustle and bustle of the city centre, it is the ideal place to enjoy a drink while admiring the reflection of the setting sun on the water of the canals.
The district is located in the south-west of Manchester. From Victoria Station, take the Navy Line tram (10 min) to Deansgate-Castlefield; alternatively, from St Mary's Gate, take the free bus to the Opera House stop and then walk a further 7 min - Get directions
Find out where the city was founded: it seems that the first Roman settlements were in this area as early as AD 79, when the fort of Mamucium or Mancunium (hence the present name Manchester) was built. For this reason, UNESCO designated this area an 'Urban Heritage Park' in 1982, a protected area due to its great archaeological significance!
11 - Manchester Museum
Photo by Mike Peel. Run directly by the university of the same name, the Manchester Museum is a must-see attraction for history lovers, with dinosaur fossils (don't forget to take a photo of the legendary T-Rex!), stuffed animals and, the museum's highlight, no less than 20 Egyptian mummies, reconstructed in 2012 with the aid of truly cutting-edge technological equipment.
It is the largest museum in the UK and serves as both a tourist attraction and a great resource for academic research and teaching in the discipline of archaeology.
Practical info: directions, hours and prices
How to get there: on Oxford Street, it can be reached from the centre by transport. From Bridge Street take the bus (Vantage 1 or Vantage 2) to University Shopping Centre (20 mins); from Turner Street line 41 (12 mins); from Piccadilly Gardens line 142 (10 mins) - Get directions
Hours: daily 10am-5pm
Ticket price: free
12 - Victoria Baths
Photo by loumurphy. The Baths of yesteryear are now one of Manchester's most interesting attractions. Opened in 1906, for almost 100 years they provided both essential and recreational facilities; here were private baths and a laundry, three swimming pools and Turkish baths.
In 2007 they underwent a major and expensive restoration, and today they can only be visited on particular days of the year (e.g. from April to November, on the second Sunday of each month), or by signing up for one of the organised group tours. It is really worth it; it is indeed a beautiful place, rich in terracotta decorations and mosaics, as well as representing a small piece of the city's history.
Practical info: directions, times and prices
How to get there: on Hathersage Rd. Accessible by transport from the centre, pink Line trams and buses (routes 23, 42, 42A, 142, 42B). Reference stop Fletcher Moss - Get directions
Hours: only open at certain times of the year, see official website
Ticket price: £4.00 (€4.45)
13 - Withworth Art Gallery
Photo by citysuitesimages. 
Photo by Cnbrb. The Whitworth Art Gallery is an exhibition of modern art in a futuristic architectural setting, surrounded by beautiful parkland.
Established way back in 1889, it began as the first Gallery set in beautiful parkland, blooming like an orchid in the city green. Since 2015, thanks to major investment, it has been expanded and now has many more rooms, dedicated to the display of modern and contemporary art.
Relax at Whitworth Park: behind the museum is this large park, ideal for relaxing and letting your children play a bit, thanks to the various play areas!
Practical info: directions, opening times and prices
How to get there: on Oxford Road. It takes a good 20 minutes walk from the centre; we recommend taking one of the many buses departing from Piccadilly Gardens (routes 42, 43, 111, 142, 143) and getting off at the Royal Infirmary stop - Get directions
Hours: daily 10am-5pm, Thu until 9pm
Ticket price: free
14 - The John Rylands Library
Photo by Mdbeckwith. An incredible library, much like an imposing cathedral or a sumptuous castle, perfect for book lovers and lovers of neo-Gothic architecture alike! It was opened in 1900 by the widow of John Rylands, a well-known English philanthropist.
In an old-fashioned atmosphere that smells of wood and history, you can explore the rooms, embellished with over 250,000 books and more than a million manuscripts, including the St. John Fragment, a papyrus fragment belonging to the New Testament written in Greek, and the 1476 edition of Geoffrey Chaucer's'Canterbury Tales'.
Organise your visit: the library is part of the University of Manchester. Guided tours, workshops and exhibitions are offered inside, but you can also enter for free simply to read or spend a few hours in the cafeteria.
Practical info: directions, hours and prices
Directions: 150 Deansgate, in Manchester's city centre, 500 m (8 min walk) from the Cathedral. If coming by tram stop St. Peters Square, by bus (routes 50, 191, 1971, X58), stop Albert Square - Get directions
Hours: Tue-Sat 10am-5pm, Sun-Mon 12pm-5pm
Ticket price: free
15 - Old Trafford
The home of Manchester United, where any footballer dreams of playing.
It's a must-see not only as one of the most iconic stadiums in world football, but also for the interesting museum inside, which tells the story of one of the most successful teams of all time through interactive exhibits and displays. During the tour you can sit in the stands, admire the trophy case and access restricted areas, such as the benches, changing rooms and the pitch entrance tunnel.
Discover a record-breaking stadium: with 75,000 spectators, it is the second largest stadium in England after Wembley Stadium, and the third largest in the UK, as well as the only English stadium to be awarded five stars by UEFA! To save time at the entrance, we recommend booking tickets.
Practical info: directions, times and prices
How to get there: 5 km from Manchester, in the town of Trafford. Accessible by Metrolink Tram (Navy Line, Pink Line or Purple Line) from Piccadilly station to Old Trafford (9 min, 3 stops) - Get directions
Hours: Mon-Sat 9:30am-5pm, Sun 10am-4pm. Museum and tours not available during official meetings. See official website
Ticket price: full price £25.00 (€28.80), concessions £15.00 (€17.28)
16 - Levenshulme Market
Photo by Rathfelder. Shopping time in Manchester is punctuated by the ever-full stalls of Levenshulme Market. This traditional market is held every Saturday between 10am and 4pm.
Objects, vintage clothes, street food and typical products line the streets of this Saturday morning market. If you are looking for something really quaint to remind you of your stay in Manchester, then the Levenshulme market is for you!
It is located on Stockport Rd, a good 1 km from Victoria Park (20 min walk). From the city centre it can be easily reached by transport. The quickest and most convenient option, without changes, is the 197 bus from Town Hall to Matthews Lane (30 mins) - Get directions
17 - Heaton Park
Photo by Adam Bruderer. One of the most beautiful city parks in England, the largest park in Manchester and among the largest in Europe.
Spread over an area of more than 200 hectares, there are plenty of activities to do here: it includes several golf courses, manicured gardens, a navigable pond, an observatory, an animal farm, the Tramway Transport Museum, cafés and a children's play area, as well as a historic mansion from the 1700s. The perfect place to enjoy a relaxing day outdoors, even with the family!
The park is located on St Margaret's Rd and is easily reached from the city centre (Victoria Station) by the Yellow Line tram to the Heaton Park stop (13 min). It is always accessible and free - Get directions
Have fun at the Adventure Park: inside the large park is the Treetop Manchester, a fun adventure park where you can follow routes, safely of course, through the trees.
18 - Fletcher Moss Botanical Garden
Photo by Cnbrb. The Fletcher Moss Botanical Gard is a wonderful little botanical park spread over 8 hectares of green with manicured lawns, rare plants and flower gardens. It is named after its former owner and philanthropist Fletcher Moss, who donated it to Manchester City Council in 1915.
It is the ideal place to enjoy a few hours of relaxation away from the hustle and bustle of city life, admiring yews, cedars of Lebanon, tulip trees, redwoods, mulberries and conifers, as well as small ponds, waterfalls and rocky spaces.
Located at 18 Stenner Ln, Didsbury, on the outskirts of the city. Well connected to the centre by many means: pink Line trams and buses (lines 23, 42, 42A, 142, 42B). Reference stop Fletcher Moss. Open daily from sunrise to sunset - Get directions
Takepart in viewing the gardens: regular volunteer sessions are held on Tuesday and Wednesday mornings where people come to help maintain the gardens with work such as planting, pruning, propagation, tidying up, weeding, general maintenance and work in the Alpine House.
Other attractions to visit
Besides football, one of the reasons tourists choose to visit Manchester is shopping. The city's shopping areas are King Street, Cross Street and Market Street, three key streets in the heart of Manchester. For shopping centre aficionados, there are two must-sees: the Manchester Arndale in the city centre and the Trafford Centre, which is monumental in size and aesthetically impressive.
For lovers of history and books, we instead recommend Chetam's Library, the oldest library in the Anglo-Saxon world founded in 1653, and the Paramount Bookshop which, on dusty shelves, offers antique volumes, novels, comics and great classics. An old-fashioned place, as the owners like to call it.
Ideal for a rainy day is a stop at Home, an exhibition centre, but also a theatre, a cinema and a centre for contemporary art exhibitions. Inside, there are also art galleries, a café and a bookshop.
7 things to do in Manchester
Cruise along Manchester Ship Canal
Dining at The Old Wellington
Stroll around Salford Quay
Local food at Mackie Mayor's
Hiking in the Lake District
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River cruise: enjoy a 1-hour cruise along the historic Manchester Ship Canal and the Irwell from Manchester city centre. Ideal for seeing the city from a different perspective. Info and costs here
Havea drink at Cloud 23: located on the 23rd floor of the Beetham Tower, at its most scenic point. From here you can enjoy a drink while admiring one of the city's most beautiful views
Dining at The Old Wellington: This is the oldest restaurant in Manchester, open since 1552. It is a true British pub, ideal for soaking up the atmosphere of the city
Stroll around Salford Quay: this is Manchester's harbour area, which has been redeveloped into a vibrant modern neighbourhood
Getto know the local gastronomy at Mackie Mayor: this is a wonderful indoor market with an industrial style and large windows. Here you can sample a variety of dishes and street food
Excursion to the Lake District: with several days to spare, don't miss out on a day in nature discovering the beautiful Lake District. Info and excursion costs here
Explore the surroundings: Manchester is an ideal base for discovering the surroundings, given its location. If you have enough days available, don't miss North Wales and cities such as Chester. Info and excursion costs here
Plan your stay in Manchester: flights and hotels
Manchester is well connected to Italy by numerous flights operated by low-cost airlines(compare flights). Characterised by a typically British climate, the ideal time to visit is in summer, when rainfall is rare; however, any season can be fine, also because it is never excessively cold. The important thing is to always have an umbrella or a k-way handy!
Once you arrive, the best and most comfortable area to stay in is certainly the historical centre, but obviously more expensive than the suburbs(compare accommodation on booking). Nobody forbids you to look for accommodation outside the centre as the city is very well served by trams and buses. And if after a day dedicated to history and culture you are looking for nightlife, just head to the Northern Quarter, the area where the city's nightlife is concentrated, with many clubs playing live music.
For family travellers, the perfect attractions are the parks; older boys will also enjoy Old Trafford and the Football Museum, while the more studious will appreciate the atmosphere of The John Rylands Library.
