Manchester holidays
The rich industrial heritage of Manchester is woven into city life today. Former factory buildings made from distinctive red bricks are now home to museums and nightclubs. The cotton mills are gone, but independent clothing brands have made Manchester’s Northern Quarter home, joining retro record shops and bohemian cafes. Throw in a thriving art scene, raved-about restaurants and buzzing bars — your short break to Manchester could easily become a whole lot longer.
Manchester holiday highlights
Music legends
Manchester’s music scene launched superstar bands including the Bee Gees and Oasis. You’ll find wall plaques honouring legends at iconic locations such as The Hacienda Apartments, formerly a nightclub that hosted everyone from Madonna to the Pet Shop Boys. Join live music fans at The Eagle Inn for local bands and enjoy regular free gigs at The Thirsty Scholar.
Home of football
Home to two Premier League football teams — Manchester City and Manchester United — the city has made a name for itself in global sports. If you’re a sports fan on a city break in Manchester, make the most of it with guided tours of their stadiums or buy tickets to a match if one is scheduled. To avoid fakes, make sure you buy official tickets from the club websites.
Parks and countryside
Manchester is a large urban centre, but you’ll find gorgeous pockets of greenery to enjoy too. Visit small parks and gardens dotted around the city, including peaceful Cathedral Gardens. Peel Park is worth a visit on a short break to Manchester. It’s home to the Salford Museum and Art Gallery.
Manchester: Know before you go
Language
English
Currency
British pound (pound sterling) (£)
Time zone
UTC+0 (GMT) and UTC+1 (BST)
High season
July – August
Low season
January – February
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Caption
Photographer name
Find the best time to go to Manchester
Weather in Manchester
March – May: Manchester is no stranger to rain. Spring often starts out cold, wet and windy. But with the rightwet weathergear, you can still enjoy parks and canals.
June – August: The summer months bring average temperatures of 18°C. Make the most of every golden hour of sunshine at outdoor music events like Parklife.
September – November: The weather is still mild into October. Head to Platt Fields Park to admire the autumn leaves, but don’t lose that umbrella.
December – February: Winters are wet rather than freezing. Wrap up well for football matches at Old Trafford or Etihad Stadium. Or join the fans following the score in a warm, cosy pub.
Events in Manchester
Manchester Folk Festival (March): Manchester may be more famous for EDM, indie and rock music, but its urban folk scene is also a gem. Catch established and up-and-coming artists at the city’s smaller venues.
Great Manchester Run (May): The largest 10k race in Europe is run by Olympic champions and regular joggers alike. Be one of the thousands who cheer them through the streets.
Manchester Pride (August): Canal Street fills with crowds as the city hosts a joyous weekend of LGBTQ+ celebration. Check out major acts performing on multiple live stages, or wear your rainbow threads and join the parade.
Manchester Food and Drink Festival (September to October): The city’s diverse food scene comes to life with food stalls, workshops, wine tastings and cooking challenges from some of the region’s top chefs.
The best neighbourhoods in Manchester
Things to do in Manchester
Family friendly things to do
Whether you like spending time inside or outdoors, you’ll find plenty of things to do with family in Manchester. The Science and Industry Museum has lots of hands-on exhibits (book your free tickets online in advance) and the National Football Museum has fun interactive games too. Don't miss Heaton Park, a huge open space with rowing boats, an animal centre and tram rides.
Shopping
People flock to Manchester from across northern England for shopping. Start your retail therapy at Manchester Arndale shopping centre. Browse the boutiques around King Street and Spinningfields. For independent shops with one-off goods, the Northern Quarter is the place to be. Don’t go shopping in Manchester without including a day trip to the Cheshire Oaks Designer Outlet — it’s an hour outside the city, and you’ll find some absolute bargains there.
Take in the culture
The history of industry and manufacturing shapes the cultural scene in Manchester today. The Lowry is just one cultural hub in the city. Formerly an industrial dock, it’s now a lively cultural centre with two theatres and multiple art galleries. Museums in Manchester include the iconic Imperial War Museum North and The Pankhurst Centre, which celebrates Manchester as the birthplace of the suffragette movement.
Nightlife
Manchester's nightlife is legendary. You’ll find stylish bars in Deansgate. Or explore the Printworks and the Northern Quarter for live music and a range of pubs that stay open until the early hours. Several venues offer both live music and clubs in Manchester — try O2 Ritz or Albert Hall. Comedy fan? The Comedy Store is a locally loved spot.
Places to eat
Manchester is a foodie’s dream. Sample gourmet dining at The French and inventive street food at Mackie Mayor, a food hall in an impressive historic building. International cuisine thrives here. Some of the best restaurants in Manchester for global flavours include 10 Tib Lane for French-inspired food and OSMA for Scandinavian tapas. Enjoy value meals by taking advantage of lunchtime set menus, like the one at Miller & Carter Steakhouse.
Free things to do
Looking to stretch your travel budget? Enjoy the architecture of Manchester Cathedral, check out the Northern Quarter’s street art or explore archaeology and zoology collections at the free Manchester Museum. Other free things to do in Manchester include visiting The Whitworth, an art gallery surrounded by serene gardens.
Plan your holiday to Manchester
FAQs about Manchester holidays
English is the language you'll encounter most while on a city break in Manchester.
January brings the coldest days of the year. Organise your Manchester holiday then and you can anticipate lows of -1ºC (30ºF).
You can see some key sights and experience the nightlife on a weekend break to Manchester. But there’s so much to see and do, you could easily fill five days with new experiences.
The British pound (GBP) is what you'll be spending on everyday purchases and outings during your trip to Manchester.
Airfares to Manchester are at their lowest in May. This makes it an excellent time to search for discounts on Manchester flights and hotels.
July is the warmest month in Manchester, with temperatures peaking at 23ºC (73ºF).
You might be concerned about safety on a city break to Manchester. It’s wise to take the same precautions you would in any other urban area. There is crime in the city, but if you stick mostly to the city centre, you’re unlikely to experience it.
From Manchester Museum to Manchester Art Gallery, this city delivers one highlight after another. Kick-start your next great adventure by making a list of the top things to do in Manchester.
When you go, how you travel, and where you stay will influence how much you pay for your city break in Manchester. If you're aiming to keep costs low, be on the lookout for discounts or last-minute deals on Manchester flights and hotels. Travelling on weekdays and flying with budget airlines are other good ways to save.
The rainiest month is July, which receives an average rainfall of 11 cm. But don't let that take the shine off your Manchester trip — there's still plenty to do indoors like hitting the shops, visiting museums, or hanging out in restaurants.
Depending on the time of year, you should pack clothing you can easily layer up on your city break to Manchester. You’ll want to wrap up in winter, and you’ll need a waterproof coat too. Pack comfortable walking shoes if you’re planning on getting around on foot. Include something glam to wear if you’re going to a high-end bar or club. It’s fine to wear casual clothes in the pubs and most music venues.
More holiday inspiration
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