Often considered England’s second city, Manchester’s rich history spanning industry, sport, arts, and culture attracts millions of visitors every year, beaten only by London within the UK.
A perfect city-break destination come rain or shine, but without a plan, you might miss some of the city’s best bits. So – three days in Manchester? Here’s where to go and what to eat.
Three Days in Manchester
From the city’s densely-packed yet easy-to-navigate streets, you can find historic landmarks, world-renowned galleries, one-of-a-kind sporting museums, and top-rated eateries, alongside plenty of bars and breweries offering award-winning drinks and awe-inspiring entertainment.
When to Visit Manchester
Manchester can be a great UK city-break location year-round, but for the best experience, we recommend early autumn or late spring for an ideal balance of good weather and low traffic.
Where to Go
One guarantee during your visit is that you’ll never run out of things to do. Manchester is filled to the brim with unique attractions for lovers of everything from sport to history and art.
To help you plan out your days in the city, here are our top picks by category as of July 2025.
Sport
Home to Premier League giants Manchester United and Manchester City, as well as popular rugby, cricket, and athletics associations, Manchester is steeped in sporting history and pride.
- Stadium Tours: All within walking distance or a short tram ride from the city centre, no sports fan’s holiday is complete without a tour of one of the city’s world-renowned stadiums, such as Old Trafford, the Etihad, and Emirates Old Trafford Cricket Ground.
- The National Football Museum: Located in the Urbis building just a short walk from Manchester Victoria Station, the National Football Museum is filled with one-of-a-kind memorabilia, including the original written laws of the game and the first FA Cup trophy.
- Classic Football Shirts: Situated on Dale Street, around 5 minutes from Piccadilly Station, is the relatively new Classic Football Shirts store – a unique retail space that sells vintage and match-worn football shirts from global teams dating back decades.
Music
The Buzzcocks, The Smiths, Joy Division, and Oasis, not to mention the Madchester era and all the venues/stories it birthed, this city lives to push the boundaries of musical expression.
- Sight-Seeing: Whether on a guided or self-planned tour, you can’t walk far in the city before spotting an iconic musical landmark. Top picks include the iconic Salford Lads Club, Factory Records’ FAC 251, and the original site of the infamous Haçienda club.
- Nights Out: Manchester’s musical prestige isn’t stuck in the past, with plenty of new and exciting bands playing across 100s of venues every night. Check out The Deaf Institute, Band on the Wall, Matt & Phred’s, and the Castle Hotel, just to name a few spots.
- Record Stores: Manchester’s bustling city centre is a great place to pick up new and vintage records, from Oldham Street’s Piccadilly Records and Vinyl Exchange to Vinyl Revival, Clampdown Records, and Chorlton’s Kingbee Records a bit further out.
Art and History
Manchester is considered by many to be the birthplace of the industrial revolution, with this and many wider factors influencing the city’s art, physical infrastructure, and cultural heritage.
- The Science and Industry Museum: Manchester’s Science and Industry Museum is just a short stroll from Deansgate Station, housing many permanent and temporary exhibits tracing the development of science, technology, and industry across the city.
- Manchester Art Gallery: On Mosley Street in the heart of the city is Manchester Art Gallery, a world-renowned institution dedicated to the preservation and display of fine art, including 1000s of oil paintings and watercolors from the 19th and 20th centuries.
- Performance Spaces: Manchester’s art scene continues to thrive today, with visitors able to see large-scale productions at high-capacity venues like the Royal Exchange and Palace theatres, as well as independent installations at spaces like Islington Mill.
What to Eat in Manchester
No trip is complete without good food; thankfully, Manchester restaurants have you covered.
From cheap eats to Michelin-starred experiences, below are just a few top picks to consider.
Ezra & Gil
For breakfast in the city, few spots match Ezra & Gil. Located in the Northern Quarter, top dishes include smashed pumpkin on sourdough toast and decadent brioche French toast.
This & That
An institution for many Mancs, This & That (tucked away on Soap Street in the Northern Quarter) sells a mouthwatering range of affordable, authentic Indian curries to eat on the go.
Skof
The home of celebrated chef Tom Barnes in Manchester. Skof opened in May 2024 and gained its first Michelin star 9 months later, of little surprise to fans of the Off Menu podcast.
Hideaway Brewing Co
Hideaway sits just outside Manchester in the neighbouring city of Salford. It’s worth taking a short trip over to sample their independently-brewed beers and Southern BBQ-inspired food.
Wrapping Up
England’s second city has so much to offer in terms of sightseeing, entertainment, and good food. Armed with the top tips covered above, you’ll find it easy to plan a memorable vacation.
