How to Spend a Weekend in Manchester: The Ultimate Guide

This itinerary is designed to help you make the most of your weekend in Manchester. From famous historic sites to fascinating museums and excellent dining spots, you’ll get to experience the best this city has to offer.

I’ve lived in Manchester for over five years (where did the time go?) and love learning more about the city while discovering new independent businesses, from unique shops to sumptuous bakeries.

Manchester is world-famous for its two iconic football clubs, Manchester United and Manchester City. Touring their stadiums is a popular activity, but this itinerary won’t focus on them.

Mainly because I’m not that into football. But also, because I’d love to showcase other aspects of the city that aren’t as well known. 

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Weekend in Manchester Itinerary – Day 1

For this itinerary, I’ll assume you arrive on Friday evening, so you can start Saturday already in Manchester.  

Breakfast

The Northern Quarter, a trendy area in the northeast of the city, is home to many excellent independent cafés. It’s a great place to start the day and soak up the youthful, creative vibe of this popular neighbourhood. 

Having lived in Manchester for many years, I’ve had the pleasure of sampling the local café scene. Here are my top picks for breakfast: 

• Federal – Enjoy Antipodean-inspired brunch dishes, hearty sandwiches, and, if you’re so inclined, some classic cocktails. 
• Fig & Sparrow – A Scandi-inspired spot serving excellent coffee and creative breakfast dishes. I particularly recommend the truffle honey goat’s cheese on toast. 
• Another Heart to Feed – A classic brunch spot offering all your favourite breakfast dishes, from French toast to eggs Benedict. 

Morning

To get to know the city, I highly recommend joining the free Manchester walking tour. It runs daily at 11:00 am, starting at the Alan Turing Memorial in Sackville Gardens. 

The tour takes you through historic sites and neighbourhoods, from the Town Hall to Chinatown, while sharing stories about the people who shaped Manchester’s history. I particularly loved how it blends major landmarks with hidden gems. 

The tour runs until 2:30 pm, so it will take up a good portion of your Saturday, but it’s well worth it for a fantastic introduction to the city. Although the tour is free, tips are appreciated. 

If you’d rather explore independently, take a walk around the city centre and visit key sights such as Manchester Town Hall, the Midland Hotel, Chinatown, the John Rylands Library, and Manchester’s Medieval Quarter. 

Lunch

The tour finishes in the Medieval Quarter, and by then, chances are you’ll be starving. This area is located right next to the Arndale shopping centre, the Corn Exchange, and Printworks, where most of the eateries are chains. However, there are a couple of options that are a little more interesting. 

• The Old Wellington Pub – Housed in Manchester’s oldest building, dating back to 1552, this pub serves a selection of hearty classics, including burgers, pies, and fish and chips. 
• The Allotment – For something lighter, I recommend this creative vegan spot. I’m not vegan myself, but I really enjoy their dishes. Plus, they offer a £10 lunch special, which includes soup and a sandwich and runs until 5:00 pm. 

Afternoon

If you’ve been on the free walking tour and then stopped for lunch, you won’t have much time to visit many attractions, as most close by 5:00 pm. However, there are still a couple of great options. 

If you had lunch in the Medieval Quarter, you could take a quick visit to Manchester Cathedral. It closes at 4:00 pm, but that should still give you enough time for a short walk around to admire its beautiful historic architecture. 

Another option is to walk to the impressive John Rylands Library on Deansgate, which closes at 5:00 pm. This Gothic-style building looks more like a cathedral, but inside, it houses a valuable collection of historic books and manuscripts. It’s well worth a visit just to admire its interiors. 

Alternatively, if you’ve had your fill of historic architecture after the tour, you could visit the National Football Museum, located just a stone’s throw from the Medieval Quarter. It also closes at 5:00 pm, but you should have enough time for a whirlwind tour of its exhibitions, which are dedicated to various aspects of the beautiful game. 

Dinner & Drinks

After a long day of walking and learning about the city, it’s time to unwind. Manchester is home to many excellent cocktail bars, perfect for relaxing before dinner. 

Since my evening suggestions will bring you back to the Northern Quarter, I’d recommend starting there. You could try Dusk Til Pawn, a moody cocktail bar in Stevenson Square known for its creative concoctions, or Stray, a stylish bar inside the Mackie Mayor food hall. 

For dinner, you have two great options: 

• Stay at Mackie Mayor, where you can choose from a variety of delicious food outlets serving pizza, ramen, steak, and more. However, be aware that Mackie Mayor can get very busy on weekends, so you may have to compete for a table. 
• Pre-book a table at TNQ, a cosy neighbourhood restaurant offering a seasonal menu showcasing the best of British ingredients. I particularly love their steak. The wine menu is also excellent, offering the perfect accompaniment to your meal. 

Night

Manchester is famous for its nightlife, but since clubbing isn’t my thing, I can’t offer recommendations for places to dance the night away. However, I have enjoyed Manchester’s vibrant creative scene after dark. 

If you enjoy theatre, I’d highly recommend seeing a show at the Royal Exchange Theatre as part of your weekend in Manchester. It offers a unique ‘arena’ experience, where the audience surrounds the stage. The Royal Exchange has a diverse programme, featuring everything from classics like Shakespeare and Chekhov to newly commissioned plays. 

If you prefer live music, consider visiting Band on the Wall, located in the Northern Quarter. This award-winning venue hosts events spanning a variety of music genres, featuring both UK and international artists.   

Weekend in Manchester Itinerary – Day 2

The second day of this itinerary focuses on exploring some of Manchester’s museums in the morning, followed by a fun shopping experience in the afternoon. 

Breakfast  

Start your day with a delicious breakfast at one of Manchester’s iconic brunch spots, Hampton & Vouis. This much-loved café has two locations—one on Princess Street, right next to the Town Hall, and another in the Northern Quarter. For this itinerary, I suggest heading to the Princess Street branch. 

Their menu is inspired by Mediterranean flavours, combining high-quality ingredients to create well-balanced dishes. However, if you’re in the mood for something more indulgent, look no further than their irresistible French toast selection. 

Morning

After fueling up on delicious food, let’s continue exploring the city’s cultural offerings. I recommend including a visit to one of Manchester’s museums – many of which are free to enter – as part of your weekend in Manchester. While there are several great options, here are a couple of my favourites. 

Manchester Museum

Housed in an impressive Neo-Gothic building on Oxford Road, this vast museum features a diverse range of exhibitions, from fossils and dinosaurs to natural history and galleries dedicated to Manchester’s diverse communities. You could easily spend a whole morning exploring its exhibits. 

People’s History Museum

Although not as large as Manchester Museum, the People’s History Museum is well worth a visit for its unique focus on the development of democracy in the UK. Here, you’ll learn about the people and events that shaped our freedoms, voting rights, and welfare system today. 

Lunch 

If you spent your morning at the Manchester Museum, consider having a break and a refuel at Hello Oriental. This stylish industrial food hall, just a 10-minute walk from the museum, offers numerous Asian dishes including dim sum, curries, and Chinese roasts.  

Those who found themselves at the People’s History Museum should check out El Gato Negro on King Street. This much-loved restaurant is the place to go for excellent tapas. It even got recongnised with the Bib Gourmand distinction by the Michelin guide.  

Afternoon 

Manchester is known for its diverse shopping scene, so why not spend Sunday afternoon exploring what the city has to offer? 

The Arndale shopping centre and its surrounding area are home to popular international chains, as well as designer clothing and accessories at Selfridges and Harvey Nichols. If that’s your thing, you’ll feel right at home here. 

For a taste of independent shopping, I recommend heading back to the Northern Quarter, where some of the most interesting boutiques in the city centre are located. 

The area’s most famous shopping destination is Afflecks, a multi-level emporium where you can find all sorts of quirky items, from vintage clothing and Star Wars memorabilia to crystals, plants, and everything in between. 

My personal favourite spot within the maze that is Afflecks is Ginger’s Comfort Emporium – their ice cream is absolutely delicious. 

Another notable spot to add to your list is the Manchester Craft and Design Centre. Housed in an elegant Victorian pavilion, it is home to designers and makers selling beautiful jewellery, accessories, and homeware. It’s a fantastic place to pick up a truly unique souvenir from Manchester. 

Dinner 

If you’re staying in Manchester on Sunday evening, I recommend heading to Ancoats, located just northeast of the Northern Quarter. This trendy neighbourhood has risen from the ashes of its industrial past, transforming into a cool destination for living, working, and dining. 

Ancoats is home to one of Manchester’s two Michelin-starred restaurants, mana. This innovative dining spot is perfect for a special occasion. My husband and I were fortunate enough to visit, and it certainly offers an unforgettable night out. 

However, if fine dining isn’t your thing, there are plenty of other excellent restaurants to explore. Elnecot and Erst have both established themselves as top destinations for casual dining, showcasing the best of British ingredients with international influences. Erst, in particular, is also known for its exceptional wine list, featuring some unique selections. 

My husband and I are also big fans of Edinburgh Castle. Downstairs, you’ll find a cosy pub, while upstairs is the dining room, where you can enjoy seasonal specials made with the finest local ingredients. 

If you’d like to learn more about the local dining scene, check out this guide to the best places to eat in Ancoats. 

The Best Time to Visit Manchester

Manchester is a year-round destination, with plenty of attractions, events, and activities available throughout the seasons. 

For the best weather, visit between May and September. Temperatures are higher, the days are longer, and the chance of rain is slightly lower. However, even at the height of summer, the weather can be unpredictable, so a rainproof jacket won’t go amiss. 

Another popular time to visit is December, when the Christmas Markets are in full swing. I’ve heard plenty of complaints about them, but I think they bring the city to life in winter—and that’s no bad thing. 

How to Get to Manchester 

Since Manchester is one of the UK’s major cities, it is well-connected to the rest of the country and beyond. 

The city has an international airport that receives flights from major UK and European cities and connects Manchester to long-haul destinations in the Middle East, North America, and the Caribbean. 

You can travel to and from the airport by bus, tram, or train. Taxis and private transfers are also available. I’ve personally had a great experience with Welcome Pickups, although you do pay a little extra for the convenience and comfort. 

There are four railway stations in central Manchester, with Manchester Piccadilly being the largest. If you’re travelling from within the UK, taking the train is a great option, as it brings you directly into the city centre. 

You can also travel to Manchester by coach. Inter-city coach networks such as Megabus and National Express serve all major UK towns and cities. This is usually the most affordable option, though it is also the most time-consuming. 

How to Get Around Manchester 

The sights and activities included in this weekend itinerary for Manchester are all easily accessible on foot. The city centre is relatively compact, so you won’t usually need to walk for long. 

If you’d like to minimise walking, consider taking the Metrolink, Manchester’s local tram network, which offers good coverage of the city. Buses are also available. For more information, check out the Transport for Greater Manchester website. 

Budget for a Weekend in Manchester

To help you plan your trip, here are some estimated costs for the suggested activities: 

• Manchester walking tour tip: £10–£20 per person 
• National Football Museum entry: £14 per person if purchased online, £16 per person for walk-ins 
• Royal Exchange Theatre / Band on the Wall tickets: from £10 per ticket 

For dining, I’d recommend allocating at least £120 per person per day based on the recommendations in this itinerary. 

Another major expense is accommodation—expect to pay at least £120 per night for a weekend stay. 

So, all in all, the suggested weekend in Manchester is likely to cost at least £400 per person, assuming two people are sharing a room. 

Where to Stay in Manchester 

To make the most of your weekend in Manchester, I’d recommend choosing accommodation in the city centre. This way, you can easily access most of the top attractions on foot, minimising travel time. 

Manchester city centre offers plenty of options, from serviced apartments to luxury hotels. 

For budget-friendly accommodation, check out easyHotel, located in the Northern Quarter. If you prefer to stay in a hostel, YHA Manchester boasts a great canal-side location in the historic area of Castlefield, just a short walk from Manchester’s top attractions. 

For mid-range options, you can’t go wrong with Moxy Manchester City or Leven Manchester. Moxy is located in Spinningfields, a modern district where international corporations have set up their outposts, while Leven is perfectly positioned for access to Chinatown and Piccadilly Gardens. 

If you’re looking for luxury, King Street Townhouse and Hotel Gotham should be on your radar. The former offers elegant, traditional interiors, while the latter boasts dramatic Art Deco-inspired surroundings. 

Want to combine a city break with relaxation? Take a look at these Manchester hotels with swimming pools for some fantastic options. 

Final Thoughts

Now that you have an idea of how to spend a fun weekend in Manchester, it’s time to plan your own trip. Whether you’re visiting for the first time or returning to the city, I’m sure you’ll discover something special about Manchester. 

If you would like to tag on a day trip during your stay, check out these guide to the best places to visit within two hours of Manchester for ideas. 

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• The 14 Best Places to Visit Within 2 Hours of Manchester in 2025  
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