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Day 1

1 Trip item 1 of 5 for day 1
1 Trip item 1 of 5 for day 1

A Scandi-style breakfast

  • Eatery
  • Suggested time at location: 1 hour

Before you explore the best places to visit in Manchester, fuel up on sourdough breads, viennoiserie pastries and freshly brewed coffee at Pollen Bakery. This airy Scandi-style café is a popular breakfast and brunch spot for locals and visitors alike. Its sourdough bread is so delicious that it’s also served at the renowned The Refuge restaurant in the city.

2 Trip item 2 of 5 for day 1
2 Trip item 2 of 5 for day 1

Football fans, unite!

  • Sightseeing
  • Suggested time at location: 2 hours

Photo by: VisitManchester/National Football Museum

Iconic Football Shirts in a display at the National Football Museum, Manchester

For football fanatics casual watchers alike, the National Football Museum is dedicated to the beautiful game, and displays around 2,500 artefacts across four huge galleries. See the oldest surviving FA Cup trophy from 1904, learn about the Hall of Fame inductees (including Lionesses Jill Scott and Steph Houghton) and try your hand (or more appropriately, foot) at a penalty shoot-out. There’s also an on-site café if you need a half-time refreshment! One of the top places to visit in Manchester.

3 Trip item 3 of 5 for day 1
3 Trip item 3 of 5 for day 1

Shop for vintage treasures

  • Shopping
  • Suggested time at location: 3 hours

Indulge in some retail therapy in the city’s Northern Quarter – its shops are packed with vintage and up-cycled clothes and accessories. Visit Bionic Seven and Gone Fishing, where brands host pop-ups and DJs regularly spin tunes as you shop. If your style is more mainstream, head over to the Manchester Arndale Centre, where you’ll find lots of popular brands.

4 Trip item 4 of 5 for day 1
4 Trip item 4 of 5 for day 1

Dinner and drinks at Freight Island

  • Eatery
  • Suggested time at location: 2 hours

Photo by: Adam Pester/Escape to Freight Island

Escape to Freight Island, Manchester

Explore a lively mix of bars, restaurants, food trucks and shops, plus a bike park at Freight Island. This cultural hub frequently changes its themed activities according to the season (Christmas Latin dancing, anyone?) and also partners with festivals and DJs for takeovers and themed nights, all adding to the party atmosphere. One of the most sociable places to visit in Manchester.

5 Trip item 5 of 5 for day 1
5 Trip item 5 of 5 for day 1

Snooze in The Treehouse Hotel

  • Accommodation
  • Suggested time at location: Overnight

Photo by: Treehouse Hotel Manchester

A room at Treehouse Hotel Manchester

Rekindle your childhood at this unique home away from home. The Treehouse Hotel is all about playfulness and curiosity: think cosy rooms with bright colours, lush plants and patchwork quilts. There’s also a rooftop cocktail bar opening in 2025, with panoramic views across the city. It’s even dog-friendly, so your furry companion can stay with you!

1 Trip item 1 of 5 for day 2
1 Trip item 1 of 5 for day 2

Take a free walking tour

  • Sightseeing
  • Suggested time at location: 3 hours
  • Free

Want to discover the best places to visit in Manchester? Meet at the Chinese Arch for a free Secrets of the City walking tour, which takes you to key locations that made Manchester a thriving metropolis. As you learn the history of Chinatown, check out its “Gay Village” and discover what a “molly house” was in Victorian times; plus learn how workers from Ireland braved terrible conditions to construct the city that stands today.

2 Trip item 2 of 5 for day 2
2 Trip item 2 of 5 for day 2

Tuck into an epic lunch

  • Eatery
  • Suggested time at location: 1 hour

Recharge with lunch at The Refuge, located at the Kimpton Clocktower Hotel. One of the tastiest places to visit in Manchester, this popular glass-fronted spot features cuisine from around the world in a relaxed “come as you are” atmosphere. Check out their popular all-day Sunday roasts, served with Vimto red cabbage and Yorkshire puddings – it even offers a roast dinner bowl for well-behaved pooches!

3 Trip item 3 of 5 for day 2
3 Trip item 3 of 5 for day 2

Explore Ancient Egypt

  • Sightseeing
  • Suggested time at location: 90 mins
  • Free

Photo by: VisitBritain/Zut Media

Two women talking, laughing visiting the prehistoric exhibition inside a large museum.

Explore Manchester Museum, one of the UK's largest university museums, whose collection of over 4.5 million objects spans archaeology, entomology, zoology and more. Discover exceptional Ancient Egyptian and Sudanese artefacts, including pieces from the pyramid-builders' town of Kahun and stunningly preserved mummy masks and Faiyum Portraits. Afterwards, visit the shop where you can buy replica prints and Egyptian-themed gifts. One of the top places to visit in Manchester.

4 Trip item 4 of 5 for day 2
4 Trip item 4 of 5 for day 2

Cruise Manchester's iconic canals

  • Sightseeing
  • Suggested time at location: 1 hour

Head to the Lowry and board the Princess Katherine for a round-trip sightseeing tour with Manchester River Cruises Learn the vibrant history of Manchester as you meander around the famous Salford Quays and Manchester Ship Canal, and spot Manchester landmarks including Media City, Old Trafford and the dry docks.

5 Trip item 5 of 5 for day 2
5 Trip item 5 of 5 for day 2

Dinner and drinks at Pier 8

  • Eatery
  • Suggested time at location: 2 hours

Toast your trip with dinner and drinks at Pier 8 in the Lowry Theatre, overlooking Media City and Salford Quays. Its seasonal prix-fixe menu is perfect if you’re planning to catch a show afterwards; booking is recommended on show nights, and don’t forget to sip a one of the local gins or beers at the bar next door.

Top Tip - Spirit of Manchester Distillery

  • Eatery

Photo by: Alamy Stock Photo

Secret Gin Tour

Gin fans should go on a tour and tasting experience at The Spirit of Manchester Distillery – one of the best places to visit in Manchester.. Founded in 2015, it has grown into a leading producer, creating a wide range of gins, rums and whisky. You can even take part in a gin-making class or mixology lessons!

Find more things to do in Manchester

Photo by: University of Manchester

Location: Manchester, England

An exterior view of the Whitworth Art Gallery in Manchester

Find more places to visit in North West England

From live music and gin tasting to behind-the-scenes football stadium tours, here’s how to plan the perfect accessible break in Manchester.

Photo by: VisitBritain/Zut Media

Two men chatting, exploring canal side shops.

Catch legendary live music, hop on the Mersey Ferry and scoff street food galore on a two-day wheelchair-friendly break in Liverpool.

Photo by: Liverpool City Region LVEP/Rob Jones

Location: Liverpool

A group of friends sit together on a bench in front of an iconic building

Immerse yourself in Roman history, live entertainment and epic roast dinners on two-day wheelchair-friendly breaks in Chester.

Photo by: Marketing Cheshire/Kat Hannon

Two women sit talking together in a town centre