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While football shines as Manchester's claim to fame, its diverse offerings make it a top destination in the UK. As Lancashire's cultural and commercial hub, Manchester travel guide boasts eclectic dining, renowned museums, vibrant nightlife, and serene green spaces. Fun fact: Manchester served as a backdrop for Peaky Blinders scenes, including a horse fair at Victoria Baths. Explore the dynamic attractions with its Manchester tourism offerings.

How to reach Manchester?

  • By air: Manchester International Airport is the closest airport airport which is located approximately 12 kilometres from the city centre. Turkish Airlines in partnership with IndiGo connects you from India to Manchester with multiple flights. Manchester Airport has three terminals used for both domestic and international flights. Inside, you can find a variety of shops from designer brands to duty-free stores as well as a series of restaurants. 
  • By train: The United Kingdom has an excellent train network that traverses cities, towns, and villages. The city of Manchester has three railway stations: Piccadilly, Oxford Road, and Victoria. You can find several rail service operators like Avanti West Coast, Transport for Wales, TransPennine Express, CrossCountry Trains, Northern Rail, and Great Western Railway.
  • By road: The bus or coach service in the UK is convenient and easy on the pocket. Service providers like National Express and Megabus travel all over the country. The coaches in Manchester have a variety of eight-seater minibuses or 70-seat cruisers that travel across the country.
  • Getting around/local transport in Manchester: Getting around Manchester is easy with buses, trams, and trains. Most locals prefer to walk or cycle to nearby places, thanks to the sidewalks and cycle lanes. Manchester has a free bus (formerly called Metroshuttle) service that provides a free hop-on, hop-off service. These buses link to all the main railway stations and shopping areas. The tram services are also convenient and frequent. To get to neighbouring places, the inter-city rail network is a popular choice. You can get one of the travel cards called System One Travelcard from the stations. These offer unlimited travel access across bus, train, and tram.
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Places to visit
Manchester Cathedral
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Manchester Cathedral

Manchester Cathedral, a majestic Gothic masterpiece, stands as a symbol of faith and heritage, inviting visitors to explore its history.

Exploration time: 1-2 hours
Manchester Museum

Manchester Museum

Exploration time: 2-4 hours
The Quays

The Quays

Exploration time: 1-2 hours
Chinatown

Chinatown

Exploration time: 2-4 hours
Fletcher Moss Botanical Garden

Fletcher Moss Botanical Garden

Exploration time: 2-4 hours

Places to eat

Want to know where to eat in Manchester? Explore diverse culinary scenes, from trendy cafes and traditional and fine dining restaurants, offering flavours from around the world.

Things To Do

There are many things to do in Manchester and most of which includes the following: 

Best time to visit

The best time to visit Manchester is during the summer months from June to August when the weather is mild and there are various outdoor events and festivals happening.

Most commonly spoken languages

The most commonly spoken languages in Manchester are English, followed by languages such as Urdu, Punjabi, Arabic, and Polish, reflecting the city's diverse population.

Shopping
  • Manchester travel guide will take you to some of the vibrant shopping places, from luxury department stores and designer boutiques to quirky markets and trendy streetwear shops.
  • Arndale Market: Visit the Arndale Market and enjoy a wide variety from different cuisines. This market is inside the Arndale Shopping Centre and sells a diverse mix of street food, British comfort foods, and dishes from all around the world, like South American, Asian, and more. You can find restaurants like Salt & Pepper, Fusion Lab, Pancho’s Burritos, and Suppa.
  • Levenshulme Market: This is a lively, community-led initiative market that is held from March to December. Here, you can find vintage clothes, antiques, trinkets, and even British comfort food. One of the interesting elements of this place is that music is played throughout the day, till shops are open. So, if you are here on a sunny day, you are bound to have fun with the warm sun shining on your face, music, and lively ambience.
  • Affleck’s: Affleck’s is an indoor market located in a former department store. It is a casual shopping destination in Manchester for vintage fashion, streetwear, and lifestyle brands. Here, you can find a range of independent shops and small boutiques, along with food stalls. Shopping from here may make you feel like a local, since many young people come here to find something unique.
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Festivals

Manchester's festivals ignite the city with music, art, and culture, offering lively celebrations and unforgettable experiences for locals and visitors.

More reasons to visit

Manchester promises unforgettable experiences for every traveller with stunning attractions. But there is more to Manchester than the attractions mentioned above, such as: 

  • Canals of Castlefield: Manchester’s Castlefield is filled with canals, green spaces, and walkable areas, making it a relaxing neighbourhood. It is one of the best places to see houseboats, beautiful Victorian houses, and the reconstructed Mamucium Roman Fort. You will notice a series of bridges around this neighbourhood, and one not to miss is the Bridgewater Canal that was constructed in 1761. It was built to transport coal from the mines at Worsley to Manchester. Other tourist sites of interest are the Castlefield Art Gallery and Hallé Orchestra, among others.
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Visa and Immigration

In order to visit the city of Manchester, you will require a UK visa. The country offers a Standard Visitor Visa for tourism. This type of visa allows a person to stay in the UK for up to six months. However, if your stay in the UK is extended, you can apply for a visa extension for up to six additional months. The earliest you can apply for a Standard Visitor Visa is three months prior to your travel.