KAYAK - Manchester, England Travel Guide

Manchester Travel

Popular England (ENG) Destinations

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Manchester Airports

Manchester Vacations

Visitors can “Ave it!” all in Manchester, the city with a passionate music scene, devoted football lovers, hordes of young artists, and festivals throughout the year to suit all ages and interests. Developing its own style after years as an important industrial history stage-setter, and incorporating immigrant groups from around the globe, Manchester has emerged as a youthful and vibrant place to be, with stylish eateries, open and friendly residents, and a buzzing artistic and music scene. Whether seeking history or art, sport or international cuisine, the visitor to Manchester can enjoy the treasures of the past along with a taste of the future.

Popular Manchester Hotels

Britannia Hotel - Manchester City Centre
35 Portland Street

Park Inn, Manchester Victoria
4 Cheetham Hill Road

Gardens Hotel
55 Piccadilly

Macdonald Manchester
91 London Road

Thistle Manchester
3-5 Portland Street

Hilton Manchester Airport hotel
Manchester Airport, Outwood Lane

View more Manchester hotel info »«

Top rated attractions in Manchester

1.	Piccadilly Records This landmark record shop on Oldham Street in the Northern Quarter is smack dab in the centre of musical Manchester’s capital. It’s close to Dawson Music Store, HMV, Virgin, the classical music store as well as the stylish Eastern Block and the second hand giant Vinyl Exchange. Browse the personal-touch website before you stop in at Piccadilly to watch the clientèle, chat with the staff and pick up a rare album or a classic record from the Sex Pistols, Joy Division, Simply Red or another group whose roots lie in Manchester’s rock scene. « hide
2.	John Rylands Library The John Rylands Library, a stunning feast of Victorian gothic architecture, sits on the edge of the developing Spinningfields area and recently underwent a massive refurbishment. Named for the wealthy John Rylands, a leader in Manchester’s booming industrial history, the museum is home to a vast collection of unique artifacts. The oldest known piece of the New Testament, known as the St John Fragment, is here, as well as the papers of Methodism founders John and Charles Wesley. « hide
3.	Manchester Art Gallery Situated near St Peter’s Square and Piccadilly train stations, the Manchester Art Gallery on Mosley street is a must-see for traditionalist art lovers, with a massive collection of works including fascinating costume pieces. Experience a moving history with the Remembering Slavery tour, or book a tour with a specialist guide to explain the museum’s prize pieces such as the Pre-Rapaelites and art by Manchester’s own Adolphe Valette. For children and families, the Clore Interactive Gallery lets you get up close and personal. Stop in the Gallery café and gift shop as well. « hide
4.	Museum of Science and Industry A fascinating journey through Manchester’s industrial history located on the site of the world’s first passenger railway, the Museum of Science and Industry entertains young and old alike with its Xperiment interactive science gallery, light and sound show of the 1830 Warehouse, and re-created rooms from the thirties and forties in the Electricity Gallery. The Air and Space Hall and exhibit on the first ever computer compete with a walk through a Victorian sewer featuring real life sounds and smells! Pick up a souvenir at the Museum shop, try the restaurant on the top floor, or grab a bite at the Just Relish café. « hide
5.	The Lowry At the Quays along the waterfront, the Lowry is home to an array of galleries featuring some of the country’s prime visual and performing arts including a vast public collection by LS Lowry (essential viewing: his “matchstick men and matchstick cats and dogs” pieces). The Urbis exhibition center of urban life offers an interactive tour of famous cities including Manchester itself. A number of bars and coffee shops on the premises offer a relaxing break in between exhibits. « hide
6.	Manchester United Museum and Tour Come and see why visitors flock to the Man U museum and tour, where you can experience the history of this passionately loved football club. View artifacts from famous players and visit the “Theater of Dreams”; hear the story of the team’s tragic plane crash of the 1960s as well as the many triumphant wins, resultant in the collections of silver housed in the trophy room. Walk down the tunnel and onto the pitch, where devoted fans can savor a moment of connection with the team’s legends. Call ahead for bookings, as schedules change on match days. « hide
7.	Manchester Food Markets Manchester hosts an incredible array of food markets with both local and international samplings. Manchester Fine Food market in St Anne’s Square features specialty foods like black pudding, smoked fish and regional ales. You can also find international flavors here throughout the year: German beer gardens and schnitzel, French cheeses, Irish breads on St. Patrick’s day, and Dutch stroopwafels (caramel biscuits) are just some of the treats to sample. Both held on the first Saturday of the month, the Fairly Traded Market and The Organic Market deliver just what it says on the tin, and the Manchester Arndale Market on High Street is open every day of the week, offering Japanese, Polish, Greek, Chinese and Indian fare. As you’re taste testing, keep an eye out for the rare-breed meats from Savin Hill Farm, along with Mrs. Kirkham’s Lancashire cheese, well worth writing home about! « hide
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Top rated restaurants in Manchester

1.	Panacea Meaning “cure-all”, the name for this popular restaurant fits the bill: an incredible array of international cuisine is on hand to please the worldly epicurean. The signature dish is the duck pancakes with cucumber spring onion and hoi sin sauce, but other options include paella, pilaff, cod, prawn and coconut soup, and mini hamburgers. The stylish decor with bar, sofas and dining area, along with the menu of cocktails, wines, spirits and beers, as well as the memorable dishes, make this one of Manchester’s top spots. « hide	6.	Stock Restaurant In Manchester’s former Stock Exchange building, Stock offers guests views over the city from its own magnificent Edwardian dining rooms. Enjoy a wine tasting in a private room before a dinner of classic Italian fare. « hide
2.	East Trying the Dim Sum in Chinatown is a necessary ingredient to experiencing culinary Manchester, and East on Faulkener Street offers a great sampling. Authentic dishes, good service and vegetarian options included. « hide	7.	The River Restaurant The River Restaurant in the Lowry Hotel serves up a dining room with river views, contemporary and classic design, and mouth watering classic British plates to its ever-satisfied customers. Lancashire hot pot, Cheshire beef, potted salmon, roast scallops, and chicken and leek pie are fabulous representations of British cuisine. Top it off with English custard tart for dessert. « hide
3.	Shimla Pinks With a glamorous yet comfortable design, this trendy Indian restaurant serves up authentic cuisine with fresh ingredients. Banquet menus and vegetarian options are available. Try one of the North India Tandoori Sizzling Specialties with a selection from the wine list. « hide	8.	Opus One Part of the Radisson Edwardian hotel, the former Free Trade Hall houses Opus One, a luxuriously decorated restaurant with grand high ceilings and velvet-textured walls. The “Just British” menu dishes up fresh produce and traditional food, including salt marsh lambs from Kent, Cornish monkfish, and pork from free-range farms in Yorkshire. Delicious regional tastes in an indulgent atmosphere. « hide
4.	Choice Dine inside or outside for a beautiful waterside view of the Manchester canal at Choice, a popular venue with lovely exposed-brick walls and leather upholstery. The extensive menu features seasonal favorites such as cottage pie, Cumbrian lamb and daily fish specials. A walk-in wine fridge and live piano music add unique touches to the lavish atmosphere. « hide	9.	Love Saves the Day This award-winning deli is a Manchester staple, serving up unusual foods, coffees and wines in addition to classic British fare. Try a traditional English fry (egg, bacon, sausage, tomatoes, mushrooms, beans and toast), or take it up a notch with a Love Saves signature plate, Spicy Huevos Rancheros, and a Bloody Mary. « hide
5.	Felicini With an entrance on busy and hip Oxford Street and a back terrace looking out over the canal, Felicini is a prime location for serving the student, theater, business and shopper crowds. Divided into a bar and dining section, Felicini’s open kitchen whips up tasty Italian favorites including risotto, calamari, pizzas and pastas. « hide	10.	Sam’s Chop House Sam’s Chop House on Chapel Walks is a mainstay for Mancurian business lunches as well as an attraction for visitors. Enjoy the well turned out fish, vegetarian options, seasonal poultry, steaks and chops, and homemade ice cream, not to mention Sam’s best Bitter. « hide

Manchester Insider tips

1.	Manchester Visitors can “Ave it!” all in Manchester, the city with a passionate music scene, devoted football lovers, hordes of young artists, and festivals throughout the year to suit all ages and interests. Developing its own style after years as an important industrial history stage-setter, and incorporating immigrant groups from around the globe, Manchester has emerged as a youthful and vibrant place to be, with stylish eateries, open and friendly residents, and a buzzing artistic and music scene. Whether seeking history or art, sport or international cuisine, the visitor to Manchester can enjoy the treasures of the past along with a taste of the future. « hide
2.	Views, Hikes and Regional Cuisine in the Lake District Parks Take an hour train ride outside the city to the Lake District in Cumbria, England’s largest national park. The towns of Windermere, Carlisle and Penrith as well as the Forest of Bowland area exemplify the charm and beauty of the region that inspired William Wordsworth, who lived at Dove Cottage in Grasmere. Travel through the Forest of Bowland on the Pendle Witches trail and try some of the region’s culinary specialties: Grasmere Gingerbread, Cumberland sausage (served in a coiled ring), and Kendal Mint Cake. « hide
3.	Crime in Manchester Manchester’s crime rate, while having fell in recent years, is still higher than some of its neighboring cities in England, so guests would be wise to keep an eye on their belongings and be careful walking back to their hotel at night. Stick to busy, populated areas in or near the city center. « hide
4.	The Northern Quarter While the Northern Quarter is buzzing, it can be overwhelming for the more conservative traveler, who may not be as excited as others by the high numbers of tattoo parlors and rock ‘n’ rollers. A Guest House in the city centre, or a B & B in a quieter area just outside the city, would be advisable for families or visitors less enthused with the hipster scene. « hide

Manchester nightlife

1.	Sankey’s Soap This national club of choice can be found amidst the industrial graveyard on Oldham Street, and is always packed to the rafters with crowds covering a wide demographic. The population on a given night depends on what is on offer for the evening, so check out the lineup ahead of time. Big DJ’s, house, disco and old school all have their turn getting the floor pumping. « hide
2.	Matt and Phred’s A claim to fame of Manchester’s Northern Quarter, Matt and Phred’s jazz club bursts with musicians, jazz aficionados and newcomers to the genre, all ready to enjoy a night of unpretentious live performance. For the music lover, Matt and Phred’s is not to be missed. Email the club to book a reservation. « hide

Cheap Manchester Flights

These are the cheapest* flights to Stafford found by KAYAK users in the past 48 hours. Use the links to see if you can get a better flight deal.

From £73 Flights Duesseldorf (DUS) - Manchester (MAN)
From £74 Flights Frankfurt am Main (FRA) - Manchester (MAN)
From £60 Flights Munich (MUC) - Manchester (MAN)
From £432 Flights New York (NYC) - Manchester (MAN)
From £58 Flights Cologne (CGN) - Manchester (MAN)
From £55 Flights Hamburg (HAM) - Manchester (MAN)
From £144 Flights Helsinki (HEL) - Manchester (MAN)
From £35 Flights Madrid (MAD) - Manchester (MAN)
From £49 Flights Zurich (ZRH) - Manchester (MAN)
From £126 Flights Oslo (OSL) - Manchester (MAN)