Disclosure: This post may contain affiliate links, meaning I get a commission if you decide to make a purchase through my links, at no extra cost for you!
If you’re looking for the best way to spend 2 days in Manchester, look no further!
This ultimate Manchester 2-day itinerary will take you on a tour of all the must-see sights and attractions, as well as some great places to eat and drink.
Manchester is a city that is rich in history and culture. It was the birthplace of the Industrial Revolution and is known for many things including football.
It is one of the liveliest cities in the United Kingdom and spending a weekend in Manchester never disappoints!
In this ultimate Manchester itinerary for 2 days, you will find all the information you need to make the most of your time in this vibrant city as well as local’s tips!
How to get to Manchester
Manchester is easily accessible by train. The main train station is Manchester Piccadilly and it’s located in the city centre.
There are also a number of buses that run to Manchester from other cities in the UK.
If you’re coming from overseas, Manchester Airport is the main airport in the region and is well-connected. You can take the train straight from the airport to Piccadilly Station.
Where to stay in Manchester
There are a number of great places to stay in Manchester, depending on your budget and what you’re looking for.
No matter what, try to stay in the city centre. Greater Manchester is pretty big but the city centre is actually very small and compact.
It’s very easy to explore the city centre on foot so staying in this area will be the best thing to do.
While accommodation may be a bit more expensive, you will save money and time on transport.
Here are some recommendations:
- Luxury: The Midland Hotel is the ultimate hotel in Manchester. It’s where Royce Rolls was founded and by far one of the most beautiful establishments in northern England.
- Mid-range: BrewDog Doghouse Manchester Hotel is ideally located in the city centre. It’s one of the most unique and quirky hotels in Manchester as well as an excellent base to explore the city.
- Budget: YHA Manchester is the ultimate hostel in Manchester. It’s very well located, near Castlefield and the museum of Science and Industry and a great option for travellers on a budget.
The Ultimate 2-day Manchester Itinerary
Now that you know everything you need to know to plan your journey to Manchester, it’s time to talk about what you are going to do during your weekend in Manchester.
Here is an itinerary that will help you spend your 2 days in Manchester in the most efficient way.
Manchester Itinerary Day 1: Famous landmarks, Spinningfields, Castlefield and Deansgate
During your first day in Manchester, you will be going around the city centre to discover all the famous landmarks as well as the neighbourhoods of Castlefield, Spinningfields and Deansgate.
Stop 1: Manchester Piccadilly Station and Brunch
Start your day at Manchester Piccadilly station. This is the main train station in Manchester and a great place to start.
If you want to get breakfast or brunch, you will find a café called Moose Coffee just outside the station.
This North American cafe offers a wide range of pancakes, bagels, French toast and other delicious dishes.
They also serve amazing coffee, making it the perfect starting point.
Once you have energized, it’s time to explore the city and head to the Vimto Bottle.
Before you start though, it’s worth mentioning that we have an amazing free walking tour in Manchester.
It starts at 11AM from Sackville Gardens and is a great way to explore the city. If you opt for that, you will discover most of the landmarks mentioned in this itinerary but will also learn about the history of the city and the local culture.
We highly recommend booking it because it’s a great way to spend your time in Manchester.
Stop 2: Vimto Bottle
The Vimto Bottle Sculpture is located near the Gay Village and is only 7 minutes walk from the station.
This is a very iconic monument that celebrates the soft drink Vimto. It’s basically a giant wooden soda bottle.
It was designed by Kerry Morrison in 1992 and it’s definitely worth checking out.
To give you a bit of background, Vimto is a soft drink that was invented by John Nichols, a local chemist, in 1908.
Initially, John Nichols invented Vimto because he wanted to make a soft drink that would be so good it would solve the problem of alcoholism.
As you can imagine, he wasn’t exactly successful in doing that since people still drink alcohol in Manchester.
Ironically enough, we even use Vimto very often in cocktails.
Regardless, it has become a very popular drink in the city and you will find it everywhere.
Children at school also often drink Vimto.
The statue is an homage to our favourite drink and we are very proud of it.
It was initially just wood but was recently painted which is much prettier.
This is an excellent place to take photos as well.
Stop 3: Alan Turing Memorial
From the Vimto Bottle it’s only a 2-minute walk to the Alan Turing Memorial which is located in Sackville Park.
This location marks the entrance of Manchester Gay Village.
Alan Turing was an English mathematician, computer scientist and code breaker who is credited with cracking the Nazi Enigma code during World War 2.
He was also gay (hence why his statue was placed in the Gay Village) and went through horrible events during his life because of that. At the time, being gay wasn’t allowed and Alan Turing had to go through chemical castration.
He is now a symbol of our beautiful Gay Village.
The bronze statue of Alan is located in the middle of the park, on a bench. It also features Newton’s apple.
Stop 4: Canal Street
After visiting the Alan Turing Memorial, it’s time to explore Canal Street which is the most famous street in Manchester’s Gay Village.
Canal Street is just behind the park, you simply need to cross the bridge.
Canal Street is full of cafes, pubs and bars that cater to the LGBTQ+ community as well as visitors from outside. It’s a very lively street with music, lights and people having a great time.
It’s also a great place to see a drag show in the evening.
You will love walking up Canal Street. It’s very colourful and a great place to take photos.
Make sure to check out the New Union Pub Hotel. It’s very pretty with all the bees painted on the facade and was the first openly gay venue in Manchester.
It was established in 1860 which is way before homosexuality was legalised in the UK so quite a nice place to see!
Stop 5: Portico Library
After Canal Street, it’s time to go into the more central part of Manchester and we will start by a hidden gem, the Portico Library.
The Portico Library is located at the end of Mosley Street, it’s about 6 minutes walk from Canal Street.
It’s an independent library that was founded in 1806 and home to 25,000 books.
The entrance is a bit hidden which is why even locals often don’t know it’s there.
You can find it at the corner of the pub the Bank. You will need to ring the interphone so they can let you in.
Once the door opens, walk up the stairs all the way to the library.
There you will discover a stunning library with a room designed in the Greek Revival style.
There are loads of old books, a stunning cupola and an exhibition explaining the history of the library.
The staff is also incredibly welcoming and helpful so don’t hesitate to ask them questions.
Stop 6: Manchester Art Gallery
Once you are done with the Portico Library, head out and keep walking on Mosley Street towards St Peter’s Square. It’s only 1 minute walk to your next stop, Manchester Art Gallery.
This is the main art gallery in the city and it’s free to visit!
This is another example of buildings built with a Greek revival style. It dates from 1823 and features amazing Greek columns.
The gallery itself is also quite impressive with a great collection of British and international paintings, sculptures and photography.
There are also exhibitions from some of the most important contemporary artists and often host international temporary exhibitions.
If you are into art, you will need at least a couple of hours to visit the art gallery but you can also go a bit faster if needed.
PRO TIP: If you are visiting Manchester in the spring, the Art Gallery is one of the best places to see the cherry blossom.
Stop 7: St Peter’s Square
St Peter’s Square is located 1-minute walk from the art gallery. You can even see it from there.
This is a very important public space in Manchester. It’s home to a lot of remarkable landmarks such as Central Library and the Midland Hotel, one of the most famous hotels in Manchester.
This is a very important square in the city since that’s where all the main manifestations happen.
It’s also home to the Emmeline Pankhurst statue which was Manchester’s first statue of a woman (who wasn’t a Queen).
Emmeline Pankhurst is known as the leader of the suffragette movement which originated in Manchester and led to women being allowed to vote in elections.
Stop 8: Manchester Central Library
Make your way to the Central Library. It’s the largest building on the square and you can’t miss it!
It has a very unique round shape and features a stunning rotunda.
It was designed by E. Vincent Harris in the 30s and was inspired by the Pantheon in Rome.
It is now a grade II listed building as well as a working library.
We highly recommend walking in to visit it. It’s free and inside you can find a great exhibition with the archives of Manchester. This will show you how life was in Manchester during the war and the Industrial Revolution.
Also make sure to go upstairs so you can see the room in the dome. It’s absolutely stunning!
Stop 9: The Midland Hotel
Right next to Manchester Central Library, you can see the Midland Hotel. It’s one of the most iconic buildings in Manchester and even if you are not staying here, it’s still a nice place to check out.
It was designed by Charles Trubshaw in 1903 and was a very luxurious hotel for its time.
At the time, it was built by the Midland Railway in order to serve Manchester Central station.
As it turned out, this station ended up closing in 1969 but the Midland Hotel on the other hand got a lot of success beyond that and is now one of the most famous hotels in Manchester.
FUN FACT: The Midland Hotel is where Royce and Rolls founded the car company Rolls Royce. The restaurant is also where David and Victoria Beckham had their first date.
You can admire it from the outside but if you fancy a bit of a treat, you can also go there for an afternoon tea.
They offer one of the best afternoon teas in the city!
Stop 10: Manchester Central Complex
Time to make your way to the Manchester Central Complex.
This is a conference centre located just next to the Midland Hotel which served as a railway station until 1969.
But the thing that makes this spot interesting is that it’s located on St Peter’s Field which is where the Peterloo Massacre took place in 1819.
If you chosen to do the free walking tour of Manchester, you will hear everything you need to know about Peterloo Massacre but here is a quick summary.
Basically, on the 16th of August 1819, a crowd of 60,000 people gathered to demand a reform of parliamentary representation.
This was actually a peaceful protest but it took a turn for the worst when cavalry charged into the crowd.
This led to the death of 18 people as well as hundreds of injuries.
Although Peterloo massacre was unnecessary and one of the most awful events in Manchester history, it did eventually lead to a reform of the government. So, still to this day, it’s a very important historical event.
Stop 11: John Rylands Library
Once you’re done, make your way down to Deansgate. It’s about 5 minutes walk to John Rylands Livrary.
t’s a stunning building and arguably, the most beautiful landmark in Manchester!
The library was built in 1889 by Enriqueta Rylands, as a memorial for her late husband John Rylands.
It’s a gothic revival building and the architecture is just stunning! So much so that it has become a popular site for Harry Potter fans.
Yes, you’ve read that right. It looks like Hogwarts!
Technically speaking, it’s not actually linked to Harry Potter since the movies weren’t filmed here and JK Rowling has never said it was a source of inspiration either.
Regardless, it has some serious Hogwarts vibes and is a great photo spot in Manchester.
Inside, you will discover an impressive library with loads of ancient manuscripts as well as a great collection of books. There are also exhibitions so you can easily spend a couple of hours here.
It’s important to note that it’s entirely free to visit John Rylands library so there is really no reason not to go in.
Also, if you are visiting on a rainy day, it’s always good to do something indoors.
Make sure you go all the way up to the main reading room because it’s absolutely stunning.
Stop 12: Spinningfields
After that, make your way to Spinningfields. It’s the one of the most modern districts of Manchester and is also home to lots of bars and restaurants.
Make sure to go to Hardman Square. It’s one of the most beautiful squares in Manchester and is home to lots of bars, cafes and restaurants such as 20 Stories (amazing rooftop bar), The Alchemist and The Ivy.
There is also a green area with some benches. It feels so peaceful and is very beautiful.
After a walk, you can start making your way to the MOSI. You will walk past the Opera House.
This is a great venue if you like musicals and theatre so if you’re interested, you can always stop at the box office here or check out what they have on on their website.
Stop 13: Science and Industry Museum
The next stop of your 2-day Manchester itinerary is the Science and Industry Museum.
This museum is great for people of all ages as it gives a chance to learn about science, technology, industry and engineering in a fun way.
As you probably know, Manchester became a major city during the Industrial Revolution.
It’s where the whole textile industry really started (which is why we have so many warehouses) and there is a lot to know about it.
The museum is open every day from 10 AM to 5 PM and set on the grounds of the old Manchester Liverpool Road station which was the first passenger railway station in the world.
The entrance to the museum is free and you do not need to book.
Inside, you will find many displays about textiles, computers, sports and more.
It’s all very well designed. It’s very interactive and everything is made in a way that it’s both interesting and fun.
You can easily spend hours at the MOSI and if you are enjoying it, go for it. However, if you want to fit more sights in your Manchester weekend itinerary, we recommend to spend 1 to 2 hours there.
Stop 14: Castlefield
Once you are done with the MOSI, you can walk down to Castlefield.
This is one of the most beautiful parts of Manchester and such a great spot for a nice stroll to end the day.
To get best experience, walk all the way down to Deansgate station and turn right along the canal.
This is Rochdale Canal Tow Path and it will lead you to Castlefield.
This area is home to some of the best canal walks in Manchester and you will absolutely love it. There are many bridges, waterfront bars with terraces and loads of beautiful boats.
FUN FACT: Castlefield, especially the area near Castlefield bowl was also used as a filming location for Peaky Blinders.
You can also visit Castlefield Viaduct which is the only National Trust site in Manchester and basically our own very of the High Line in NYC.
If you fancy a drink, we recommend The Wharf and Dukes 92. If you’re visiting on a sunny day, you can enjoy their terrace with views over the canals.
Stop 15: Deansgate Docks
To end your day, make your way to Deansgate Docks. It’s a 10 minutes walk from Castlefield and is one of the best places to discover Manchester nightlife.
The docks, on top of being very pretty and featuring the Industrial heritage, are home to many bars and nighclubs.
Lock 91 is a good place to get a drink. They have several floors and a little terrace which boast a view of the canal and the docks.
You will also find a lot of chain bars such as Revolution and many places offering 2-for-1 cocktails.
And if you’d like to discover Manchester’s most famous pub, The Peveril of the Peak, it’s only a few minutes walk towards Oxford Road Station so that’s also an option.
Alternative: The Refuge and show at the Palace Theatre
If you don’t like the party vibe and would rather a classy evening, that’s also possible!
Instead of stopping at Deansgate docks, you can keep walking to Oxford Road where you will find the Palace Theatre.
They have shows on every day and you can see pretty big productions such as the Lion King or Hamilton here.
Another great spot to check out is the Refuge. It’s a classy bar located in the Kimpton Clocktower.
It’s absolutely stunning, which is why it’s a popular date night spot, and a great place to finish the day with a drink.
Manchester Itinerary Day 2: City centre, Northern Quarter, Ancoats and New Islington
On your second day in Manchester, the plan is to explore the city centre and the trendy neighbourhoods nearby.
Stop 1: Piccadilly Gardens
Today, you’ll start in Piccadilly Gardens. It’s the heart of Manchester city centre and you can get to all the best spots from here.
Unlike what the name may suggest, you won’t really find gardens here. Piccadilly Gardens used to be actual gardens but are now more of public square.
You can find a lot of chain restaurants around, the tram and a street food market at the weekend.
Stop 2: Market Street and Arndale Shopping Centre
From Piccadilly Gardens, make your way to Market Street.
This is the main shopping street in Manchester and the perfect place to start if you want to do some shopping.
You will find pretty much all the big names here including Primark, TK Maxx and Uniqlo.
The Arndale Shopping Centre is also located on Market Street. It’s one of the biggest shopping centres in the UK so it’s definitely worth a visit.
There are over 80 stores inside as well as a street food market.
Stop 3: Manchester Royal Exchange
From the Arndale Shopping Centre continue walking down Market Street and turn left to reach the old Manchester Royal Exchange.
This stunning building was designed by Bradshaw, Gass and Hope between 1904 and 1906.
It’s a Grade II listed building and it’s one of the most beautiful examples of Edwardian baroque architecture in Manchester.
This used to be the heart of Manchester since that’s where the prices of cotton (essential to Manchester’s economy during the Industrial Revolution) were displayed.
Today, the Royal Exchange was turned into a theatre with cafes as well as a hotel.
You can walk inside (for free) and have a walk around.
A lot of people don’t actually know you can go inside without a ticket but you can! There are also a couple of cafes so it’s great spot for a coffee.
You can see the rounded theatre inside and beautiful decor.
Make sure to look up since you can still see the price boards of the Royal exchange at the top.
Stop 4: Exchange Square
From the Manchester Stock Exchange, you can walk to Exchange Square. It only takes 3 minutes.
This is a public space located behind the Arndale Shopping Centre. Here you can find several bars and if you are visiting in winter, this is home to one of the most important christmas markets in the city.
Make sure to check out the The Old Wellington Inn. This is a stunning half-timbered pub, one of the most beautiful in the city.
They also have a big outdoor terrace so if you are visiting on a sunny day, it’s a nice place to get a drink.
LOCAL TIP: This is also a great photo spot in Manchester. If you want to get the best photo, walk up the stairs in front, you’ll get a better angle.
Stop 5: Manchester Cathedral
You can then take the small street on the left hand side, Cathedral Gates, to get to Manchester Cathedral.
It’s the seat of the Bishop of Manchester and the landmark that officially made Manchester a city.
DID YOU KNOW? The difference between a town and a city is the fact that a city has a cathedral.
It officially became Manchester Cathedral in 1857 and is a beautiful example of English ‘Perpendicular’ architecture with stunning stained glass windows.
You can visit it for free so don’t hesitate to walk in.
It’s also important to note that a lot of candlelight concerts take place at Manchester Cathedral so if that’s something you’re interested in, check out the schedule here.
Stop 6: National Museum of Football
Right behind the Cathedral, you can find the National Football Museum.
This is one of the best football-themed activities in Manchester and a must-do for all football fans.
FUN FACT: The Federation of Football was founded in Manchester.
If there is one thing that Manchester is famous for, it’s definitely football so it comes with no surprise that we have an amazing football museum.
You can visit it any day of the week. You can book your ticket online here.
The museum is full of exhibits, memorabilia and interactive displays that will tell you all there is to know about English football.
Stop 7: Printworks
From the museum, cross the street to reach the Printworks.
This is one of the main entertainment spots in the city and a popular spot for locals.
The building dates from 1873 and used to be called Withy Grove Printing House. They use to print newspapers such as the Daily Mirror or Manchester Evening Chronicle.
Today, it is an entertainment venues with a VUE cinema, activity bars, mini golf, bowling and more.
Not only can you do a lot of fun activities here but it’s also a very pretty place so it’s worth walking through even if you don’t actually stop in any of the bars.
Stop 8: Thomas Street
From Printworks, walk past Shudehill bus and tram station to reach Thomas Street.
You will now be entering Manchester’s most famous neighbourhood: the Northern Quarter.
This area is known for its street art murals, cocktail bars and restaurants.
Just behind, you can also find the Manchester Craft and Design Centre. This is a nice place to visit because it’s pretty and there are independent shops.
PRO TIP: Just outside the Craft and Design Centre, you can find some hidden gems. There are a couple of windows with figurines on the walls.
In terms of places to check out on Thomas Street here are some recommendations:
- TROF for Sunday Roast
- Evuna for tapas
- Science and Industry if you want a cool hidden cocktail bar
Finally, you will also find a few independent vintage shops on Thomas Street.
Stop 9: Stevenson Square
As you walk down Thomas Street, you will reach Stevenson Square.
This is a popular spot in the afternoon and at night because there are a lot of cool bars with terraces.
This is the case of Flok which has a beautifully painted facade and is a famous bar in the city.
It’s also one of the best places in Manchester to see street art. There are a lot of murals around.
LOCAL TIP: If you have a bit of spare time and want to discover a unique place, head to Afflecks. It’s an indoor market full of independent stalls, perfect to find souvenirs or gifts. It’s also home to one of the best ice cream parlours in Manchester, Ginger’s Comfort Emporium.
Stop 10: Tib Street
Once you’ve walked around Stevenson Square, go back to Tib Street. This is the most famous street in the Northern Quarter.
It used to be full of pet shops but today you can find many cafes, bars and shops.
Northern Flowers is a florist located at the beginning of the street. It’s a very pretty shop and a great Instagram spot.
You will also walk past Matt and Phred’s which is a great jazz bar. They have live music on almost every day so don’t hesitate to come back in the evening.
Stop 11: Mackie Mayor
Once you reach the end of Tib Street, you can cross the road to go to Ancoats but before you do so, we recommend heading to the Mackie Mayor.
This is one of the best food markets in Manchester and a great place to eat delicious street food.
It opened in 1858 and was initially a fresh produce market but was since converted into a food spot.
It’s a stunning place and you’ll get loads of choices in terms of food.
From pizza to Mexican food, you can find something for everyone here.
Stop 12: Ancoats
Once you’ve eaten at the Mackie Mayor, it’s time to explore Ancoats.
This is one of the trendiest neighbourhoods in Manchester.
It used to be an industrial district which is why you will see a lot of old cotton mills.
It is now a hype area though and you will find a lot of bakeries and restaurants.
It’s also home to the only Michelin-starred restaurant in the city.
In terms of sightseeing, make sure to check out the Hallé St Peter’s and Anita Street (this is the most beautiful street in Manchester).
Stop 13: New Islington Marina
To end the day, you will discover one of the newer areas of Manchester, New Islington Marina.
If you take Bengal Street in Ancoats, you will reach the Rochdale Canal.
Cross the bridge and you will be at the Cotton Field Wharf Marina.
This is one of the most beautiful places in Manchester and still quite under the radar.
You can walk next to the water, go for a walk in the Cotton Field Park and finish the day with a delicious cocktail in one of the bars by the water.
LOCAL TIP: If you look under the bridge, you will see there is written ‘Cast No Shadow’. This is a reference to the Oasis song.
Now that you know exactly what to do for 2 days in Manchester, it’s time to enjoy your weekend!
You may also be interested in:
