What to see in Manchester and what to do in 2-3 days

Accessible from Italy with direct low cost flights (Ryanair and easyJet), Manchester it is a perfect destination for a city ​​breaks In the United Kingdom. The northern English metropolis is the largest creative, digital and high-tech hub in the country, after London. It is one of the best cities to live in. Once the world capital of the textile trade, today it concentrates everything on culture: theaters, libraries, vinyl stores, old factories transformed into artistic centers. Here is what to see in Manchester in two or three days.

Where is Manchester?

Manchester is located in the north of England, in the county of Greater Manchester. 300 km north of London and 50 km from Liverpool.

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What to see at Manchester in two or three days

City Hall

The headquarters of Manchester City Council, opened in 1877 in Albert Square, is splendid. neo-gothic architecture and a clear landmark of the city.

Designed by Alfred Waterhouse, it houses gods in the Great Hall Pre-Raphaelite murals by Ford Madox Brown. City Hall is currently closed for a major restoration project.

Manchester Art Gallery

A temple of free art in the heart of the city. There Manchester Art Gallery it celebrated its 200th anniversary in 2023. Its collections extend from 1400 to the present day, the best known being that devoted to British artists of the 19th century, notably the Pre-Raphaelites.

Whitworth

Manchester's second largest art gallery, with over 60,000 historic artworks, textiles and wallpapers, a full calendar of exhibitions and pop-up events, parkland, gardens and a café. Whitworth is part of the University of Manchester.

Museum of Science and Industry

In one of the oldest stations in the world, this museum pays tribute to the Manchester's industrial past and the extraordinary discoveries, ideas and objects they have that are changing the world. Perfect to visit with children, with free entry. scienceandindustrymuseum.org.uk

John Rylands Library

Manchester is UNESCO City of Literature: with more than 200 languages ​​spoken, writing schools, independent publishers, 40 artistic and cultural festivals, 23 public libraries and around twenty bookstores, it is an ideal place to go, read, write.

Don't miss it John Rylands Library in Spinningfields, a neo-Gothic building among iron and glass skyscrapers. A cathedral of books which houses the first edition ofUlysses by Joyce, a copy of the Bible of Gutenberg and some fragments of New Testament.

Manchester Central Library

A circular building inspired by the Pantheon, designed by E. Vincent Harris, with a large reading room covered by a dome: the Manchester Central Library it is an icon of the city.

Open since 1934, it is one of the largest public libraries in the United Kingdom. It is located in St. Peter's Squarein the heart of Manchester.

Aviva Studios, International factory

A large cultural center designed by the Oma studio from Rotterdam and inaugurated in 2023 in the new Saint-Jean district, composed entirely of residential towers. It hosts exhibitions and different forms of representation, from the most classic to avant-garde performances.

And it is also the house of Mif, Manchester International Festival, a biennial event that showcases new works from theater to installations, including dance and music with concerts for 5,000 spectators. Young talents ready to take off and established names like Björk and Robert Wilson (factoryinternational.org) take part.

READ ALSO: Cambridge: what to see between the University and the city

Neighborhoods to visit in Manchester

Gay Village

It is located around Canal Street and it is one of the first and most famous LGBTQ+ villages in the world. The beating heart of nightlife with its clubs, restaurants, traditional pubs, parties and unique venues, it has also become a tourist destination.

In August, the neighborhood hosts one of the most important events on the gay calendar: the Pride of Manchester

North District

Oldham Street marks the start of North DistrictTHE the most creative district of the city where everything is in the name of reconversion. For example Afflecksa multi-story building once home to the first department stores, today a gathering of artisans and independent boutiques.

This is the area to choose if you are looking for alternative atmospheres, vintage shops, music and street art. The most interesting graffiti is a Stevenson Squarea place which fills with young people in the evening, but also with Tib Street And Rue Maçon.

It is also located in the North district Fred Aldousan iconic arts and crafts store for 150 years where you can find paper and colors if you are inspired by street art.

To find the The sound of Manchester instead we head towards the music area, where there are many vinyl stores like Piccadilly Records (piccadillyrecords.com), active since 1978, record labels and live music venues: one among all Night and day (nightnday.org), in Oldham Streetfor more than 30 years among the reference addresses for those who love indie rock concerts.

Ancoats

It only takes a few steps through Ancoats to understand why it is called the neighborhood of mills, the red brick buildings where cotton was produced: in the 19th century, here, there was only the noise of the looms and the cries of the workers. Today, the atmosphere is different and the phenomenon of gentrification has been followed by great enthusiasm: around the main square there are craft beer bars and places where you can eat well, even starred ones.

Chef Simon Martin has put down roots here, arriving from Noma in Copenhagen to serve Scandinavian-influenced fourteen-course menus at Mana.

Cafe Ancoatshowever, is located in the Royal millsthe right place to sip a coffee and observe from the inside the structure of a textile factory equipped with machines.

New Islington

HAScrossing the Rochdale Canal you reach New Islington, a former dormitory area where the German philosopher Frederich Engels settled in the mid-19th century to observe the living and working conditions of workers.

Today, New Islington is one very elegant residential area, among the most sought after in Manchester. It develops between canals, cafes and cycle paths.

If there is still time before leaving, this is a good place to take a walk and stop for a coffee with a book in your hand and the wind rippling the surface of the water.

To find out more about Manchester: visitmanchester.com visitbritain.it