Manchester

Known across the world as the birthplace of the industrial revolution, Manchester has a proud history in science, politics, art, music and sport. And today the city has determined to combine its rich heritage with a touch of modernity and ingenuity to deliver surprise and delight in equal measures. 

Manchester is probably one of the most iconic and historic cities in the United Kingdom. Over the years, it’s been home to many of the countries most popular bands and sporting teams like Oasis and Manchester United. There’s very much an industrial and Northern feel to some parts of the city, while adopting a more modern and urban feeling as well.

Manchester is synonymous with football. To see what defines the city's DNA, make sure  to make a tour of the grounds of Manchester United and Manchester City. Want to add to this experience? Visit National Football Museum to understand the social history of the popular game. You can always secure a ticket to any Manchester United home game with a Matchday VIP Experience.

While the city as a whole is very large, the main city centre is remarkably compact. Most of the main attractions are all within a short walk of one another or a quick bus journey. While a lot of the city retains a rugged industrial feel, there’s no denying that Manchester has undergone something of a modern revolution in recent times. The Salford Quays development is one of the nicest places in the area, and although it’s quite a distance from the city centre, it’s still well worth visiting.

Around this area, you will also find the famous MediaCityUK, which is home to some of the most prominent media publications and companies in the country. The likes of Sky Sports, BBC, and ITV all have headquarters here. It’s an area with a very digital focus, and there are tons of local businesses around as well.

Manchester city centre is jam-packed with unique and quality restaurants, bars, shops, museums,galleries and places to stay Besides, the surrounding Greater Manchester boroughs offer a plethora of exclusive visitor experiences such quaint market towns, traditional pubs and beautiful green spaces and waterways to be explored on foot or bike.

For a easier, faster, and cheaper travel in the city centre and beyond, Manchester Metrolink tram system is the best choice! Connecting all major railway stations and tourist attractions, the Metrolink runs every few minutes. No need to have a timetable, hop on the tram and travel in the city and beyond anytime from early morning until late in the evening. Virgin Trains will get travellers from London to Manchester with trains every 20 minutes.

For those who enjoy getting active, a short journey from the city centre provides access to beautiful walks within Greater Manchester, such as Hollingworth Lake, Heaton Park, Sale Water Park and Haigh Hall.

Moving back to the city centre, this is where you’ll find the best serviced city apartments. It’s probably the best location to be in as it’s a safe area with excellent transport links nearby. There are three main train stations in Manchester City Centre; Piccadilly, Oxford Road, and Victoria. Piccadilly gives you links to all the major cities in the UK with direct trains to London, Birmingham, Newcastle, Cardiff, Glasgow, and more. Oxford Road is more of a local station to take you to and from the surrounding areas such as Sheffield, Crewe, Stockport, and Liverpool. Manchester Victoria station is almost a combination of the two as it connects you to other areas of Lancashire/Yorkshire while also serving as a stop on the way to the North East.

In the centre of the city, you will see plenty of things to occupy your time during your short visit. There are numerous pubs, theatres, restaurants, shops, and many other things to do as well. The Manchester Arena is right by Victoria station and plays host to some massive concerts with the biggest names in the world playing.

There's always a calendar full of world-class events and festivals from the groundbreaking Manchester International Festival to the outstanding Manchester Christmas Markets. Venues big and small – from the Manchester Arena, Victoria Warehouse and the Bridgewater Hall to The Deaf Institute, Band on the Wall and Albert Hall – fill the city with music and performance every night. Festivals and events such as Manchester International Festival (MIF), Manchester Pride and the Warehouse Project regularly attract global names and audiences, while two of the most popular football teams in the world, Manchester United and Manchester City, keep the city cheering and chanting year round. And as the UK capital of Christmas, Manchester has one of the most popular Christmas markets in Europe, with an unrivalled selection of festival events and attractions to keep winter visitors busy.

Central Manchester is home to two of the largest universities in the UK. The University of Manchester (formed from a merger of Manchester University and the University of Manchester Institute of Science and Technology (UMIST)) and Manchester Metropolitan University (aka 'Man Met', formerly the Polytechnic, itself a conglomeration of municipal colleges), as well as the Royal Northern College of Music. There is also The University of Salford, within one mile of the city centre, which is renowned as a European Centre of excellence in Media and well renowned for its healthcare courses. 

Manchester is often named 'best student city'. It is very welcoming to the student lifestyle and many establishments in the centre and South Manchester are geared towards students; eating and drinking in Manchester can be very inexpensive due to the high competition that goes on between these establishments.

To learn more about the top touristic city in Europe, go to Visit Manchester. You're sure to find the different possibilities amazing!