How to Spend 2 Days in Manchester (What to Do, See, & Eat)
Manchester is a city that is slowly but surely creeping onto more travel itineraries for a trip to the UK. For years, it was mainly a destination for a football pilgrimage, home to two of the world’s most famous teams, Manchester United and Manchester City.
But Manchester is now being recognised as one of the best places to visit in the UK in 2025, and personally, I think this is only the beginning. Once seen as gritty and industrial as “Madchester”, the city has gone through a huge transformation. It is now a creative, culinary, and cultural powerhouse, completely unrecognisable from the Manchester I remember visiting as a child.
Manchester is a city with heart and soul, built for and by its people. It has always been a humble place that does not boast or brag, which is likely why it has taken longer to land on the classic tourist radar. But that is changing, and more travellers are starting to see why Manchester deserves a place on any England or UK itinerary.
As former Prime Minister Benjamin Disraeli once said: “What Manchester does today, the rest of the world does tomorrow.” Written in the 1800s, it feels just as true in 2025.
In this 2 day Manchester itinerary, I will take you through the best things to do in Manchester, including where to eat, what to see, and how to experience the city at its best right now.
Table of Contents
How to Get to and Around Manchester
How to Get to Manchester
Luckily, Manchester is one of the easiest cities to reach in the UK for both UK and international visitors.
By train: If you’re visiting Manchester from elsewhere in the UK, I suggest forgoing a flight to Manchester and taking a train. Manchester has three main stations in the city centre: Piccadilly, Oxford Road and Victoria. All stations are serviced by major rail services, Avanti West Coast, TransPennine Express, Transport for Wales, Northern Rail and CrossCountry Trains, making it feasible to reach Manchester by train from just about anywhere in the UK.
With the fastest rail services, you can reach Manchester from London in just over 2 hours, Manchester from Edinburgh in over 3 hours, and Liverpool in just under half an hour.
We use Trainline for train bookings in the UK, as prices are always the lowest and I love how straightforward the website/app is. You can book your train to Manchester here.
By air: Manchester Airport welcomes more than 27 million passengers each year and offers direct connections to over 200 destinations worldwide. Unlike many UK airports that focus mainly on Europe, Manchester stands out with long-haul routes across North America, the Caribbean, Asia, and the Middle East. You’ll find direct flights to major hubs such as New York, Toronto, Dubai, Berlin, and Paris, alongside an extensive network of European cities and holiday favourites including Alicante, Athens, and Cancun.
For over 10 years now, I have used Skyscanner to find the best deals on flights.
How to Get to Manchester City Centre from Manchester Airport
Manchester Airport is just under 10 miles from the city centre, making it quick and affordable to travel into town. With its own train station and Metrolink stop onsite, public transport is the most convenient option. Trains to Manchester Piccadilly take around 15–20 minutes depending on the service, with tickets typically costing between £2–5.
A taxi or Uber will set you back £30–£40 depending on the time of day, so unless you’re travelling very late at night, I’d recommend the train instead. You might be wondering what time do trains to Manchester Airport start? Services from the city centre begin at 4 am, which makes early morning flights much easier. If you’ve got a lot of luggage and don’t want to walk to the station at that hour, a good workaround is to take a short taxi ride to the station and catch the train from there.
By bus: If you’re planning on visiting Manchester by bus from within the UK, coaches run by National Express and Megabus connect Manchester with destinations across the UK, arriving at Chorlton Street Coach Station in the city centre, as well as serving Manchester Airport.
How to Get Around Manchester
Manchester is a dream for anyone who loves to walk a city and not have to be at the whim of public transportation. The central area is built in a grid-like pattern, so it’s straightforward to navigate compared with many older European cities. Despite its industrial reputation, Manchester also has plenty of parks and squares within the centre, giving you places to pause while walking.
If you’re in need of public transportation in Manchester, the city also has a wonderful public transportation network, cutely titled “The Bee Network”. The Bee Network is made up of bus and tram transportation, and services both central Manchester and greater Manchester. There are also free bus services in Manchester that run throughout the city centre, you can check out the timetables here.
How Many Days in Manchester?
So how many days in Manchester do you really need to make the most of it? Honestly, it depends on how long you’ve got and what you’re hoping to do while you’re there.
If you’re after a quick UK city break with great meals, a bit of history, and a taste of the culture, 2 days in Manchester will do the trick.
But if you’re using Manchester as a base for exploring more of northwest England, I’d recommend 5–7 days. That way, you’ll have plenty of time to see the city properly while also heading out on day trips to Liverpool, Chester, or even into the Peak District and Lake District for some nature.
Why Visit Manchester?
From an impressive food and drink scene to plenty of culture and history, Manchester has layers worth exploring. The city played a leading role in the Industrial Revolution, with its cotton mills earning it the nickname “Cottonopolis.” It is also a place of groundbreaking science, where the atom was first split and the first modern computer was built. Manchester has a rich political past as well, home to the suffragette movement led by Emmeline Pankhurst, whose former home is now a museum. Combine this with world-class football, legendary music, and a thriving arts scene, and Manchester stands out as one of the UK’s most dynamic cities.
I love this city.
Looking for an in depth guide on where to stay in Manchester? Check out our guide here.
Manchester Two Day Itinerary
Day One
Morning
Breakfast/Brunch at Bruncho
Begin your Manchester itinerary with breakfast or brunch at Bruncho, a cosy spot right in the city centre. Their menu is full of fresh and filling plates, along with excellent coffee. It’s the perfect fuel for your first morning in the city.
Walking Tour
Whenever I arrive somewhere new, a walking tour is my favourite way to start. It’s the quickest way to get your bearings, hear the stories behind the streets, and get a feel for the character of the city. In Manchester, I recommend the Free Manchester Walking Tour. It’s a fantastic introduction to the city, covering its industrial past, music history, and more.
If you’d like something a bit more tailored, there are also great specialised walking tours you can book through GetYourGuide
Afternoon
Lunch at Mackie Mayor
By lunchtime, head to Mackie Mayor, a restored Victorian market hall that’s become one of Manchester’s best foodie spots. With a mix of independent kitchens under one roof, you can try anything from wood-fired pizza to bao buns. It’s a lively place that gives you a taste of Manchester’s modern food scene.
Marketing Manchester
Museum Exploration
Manchester has a brilliant mix of museums, so it really depends on what interests you most. If you want to learn more about the city’s role in industry and innovation, the Science and Industry Museum is a great pick. Art lovers can head to the Manchester Art Gallery, which has everything from Pre-Raphaelite paintings to modern pieces.
If you’d like to dig into Manchester’s political history, don’t miss the People’s History Museum, which covers democracy and working-class movements in Britain. For something more personal, The Pankhurst Centre is set in the former home of Emmeline Pankhurst and tells the story of the suffragette movement that started right here in Manchester.
Marketing Manchester
The first three museums are all free to visit, but the Pankhurst Centre is £5, but this can be used as a pass for repeat visits throughout the year. It’s also only open on Sundays and Thursdays, so reserve your space here in advance.
Evening
Explore Ancoats
In the evening, head over to Ancoats, one of Manchester’s coolest neighbourhoods. Once full of textile mills, it’s now packed with breweries, bakeries, and restaurants. Walking through the old industrial buildings now buzzing with life really shows off how much the city has changed.
Dinner at Canto
For dinner, book a table at Canto, a local favourite in Ancoats that does Mediterranean-style small plates. It’s relaxed, flavourful, and a nice way to end your first full day in the city. I could eat their calamari and patatas bravas all day!
Day Two
Morning
Breakfast at The Koffee Pot
Start your second day with breakfast at The Koffee Pot, a Manchester institution that’s been serving big breakfasts for decades. It’s proper, filling, and exactly the kind of place locals go on a weekend morning.
Get Lost in the Northern Quarter
After breakfast, spend some time wandering around the Northern Quarter. This is Manchester’s creative hub, filled with street art, record shops, vintage stores, and independent cafés. It’s a neighbourhood that rewards just walking with no plan and seeing what you stumble across.
Manchester Marketing
Afternoon
Step Back in Time at Chetham’s Library or Visit Castlefield Viaduct
In the afternoon, you’ve got a choice. Chetham’s Library is the oldest public library in the English-speaking world, and walking inside feels like stepping back in time. Or, if you’d rather be outdoors, head to the Castlefield Viaduct, a Victorian railway bridge that’s been turned into an urban sky garden by the National Trust.
Chetham’s Library
Lunch at Dishoom
For lunch, go to Dishoom. It’s inspired by the old Irani cafés of Bombay, and the food is consistently excellent. The black daal, naan, and house chai are especially good if you’re not sure what to order. Dishoom is EASILY one of our favourite places to eat in the UK, every meal has been exceptional, and dare I say that the Manchester location is the best.
Evening
Live Music
Manchester’s music scene is famous, so an evening of live music is a must. You can catch jazz at Matt & Phred’s, see a gig at Band on the Wall, or check out what’s happening in the pubs — there’s always someone playing. Something I love most about Manchester is that it’s the one city in the UK where you can walk around at night and almost always hear music.
Dinner at Kampus
For dinner, head to Kampus, a new neighbourhood of independent restaurants and bars set around a canal. It’s one of the best spots in Manchester for variety, with plenty of options depending on what you’re in the mood for. One of our favourites here is Madre, where we always go for tacos and margaritas — the birria tacos especially are a must.
Gay Village
After dinner, make your way to Manchester’s Gay Village, centred around Canal Street. The area has a long history as a safe and welcoming space for the LGBTQ+ community, and today it’s one of the city’s most vibrant nightlife districts. You’ll find everything from relaxed pubs and cocktail bars to clubs that keep going into the early hours. Even if nightlife isn’t your thing, it’s worth visiting to see how important this neighbourhood has been in Manchester’s social history. It’s played a huge role in shaping the city’s identity as one of the UK’s most inclusive and progressive places.
Marketing Manchester
Looking for more unique things to do while in Manchester that aren’t football related? Check out our guide here!
After 2 days in Manchester, you’ll have only scratched the surface. Between the culture, the food, and the easy access to nature, it’s the kind of city that makes you want to come back and keep exploring. Have any questions about planning your trip? Drop them in the comments! I’m happy to help.
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