48 hours in Manchester – A 2 day Itinerary

I’ve been to this vibrant city many times, exploring its various attractions, dining spots, and hidden gems. And yes, Manchester is worth visiting and has lots to offer in just two days. From the best restaurants, music venues, street art or beautiful shopping districts, Manchester is so diverse it has something for everyone.

This English city may be most famous for its football teams, but you can’t ignore its rich cultural landscape, fun nightlife, and interesting history.

While there are lots of things to do in Manchester City Center, if you’re more into the nightlife than the retail therapy, staying in the Northern Quarter is a good option. This hip neighborhood is full of quirky indie shops selling records and vintage clothing, but it truly comes alive at night when locals flock to its fun historic pubs and live music venues.

Manchester is really easy to get around, so you can stay anywhere in the city, but there are a couple of neighborhoods worth shouting out! The City Center is an obvious choice – walk straight out of the train station and you’ll find yourself in the thick of it all, with fab shops and restaurants at every turn.

There are great public transport links to get you anywhere you need to go within Manchester, or alternatively put on your comfy walking shoes. With only 48 hours in Manchester and so many amazing options to consider, let’s start exploring this fun UK city.

Overview Of 2 Days In Manchester Itinerary

Day 1 in Manchester

• Have a traditional full English breakfast
• Stroll the Northern Quarter
• Take a look at Manchester Cathedral
• Peruse the John Rylands Library
• Lunch in Chinatown
• Become a fan at the National Football Museum
• Dinner at Printworks
• Head for a laugh at the Frog and Bucket Comedy Club

Day 2 in Manchester

• Grab breakfast at a local cafe
• Explore the trendy area of Ancoats
• Visit the Alan Turing Memorial
• Enjoy a scenic lunch in Salford Quays
• Check out the Manchester United Museum and Old Trafford football ground
• Browse some vinyl
• Enjoy a typical pub meal downtown
• Go for live music at the Band on the Wall
• Bonus Activity: Catch a match!

Day 1 in Manchester

Have a traditional full English breakfast

Start your day off with a traditional full English breakfast – classic British breakfast fare which includes eggs, sausage, bacon, toast, and – very importantly – baked beans!

Also known locally as a fry-up, you’ll find these at basically any sit-down cafe or pub, but we love the vibe and food at the Koffee Pot in the Northern Quarter. Great location!

Stroll the Northern quarter

The Northern Quarter is an amazingly creative area. Window shop inside old warehouse buildings, wander in and out of trendy art galleries, and taste-test delicious artisanal coffee at one of the area’s many independent coffee shops. There are tons of things to do in the Northern Quarter, so take your pick!

Take a look at the Manchester Cathedral

Dating back to the 13^th century, the current cathedral is a beautiful example of Gothic architecture, with its soaring ceilings and beautiful glass. The cathedral is free to enter, but there’s a suggested donation of three pounds.

Peruse the John Rylands Library

Located in the trendy Spinningfields area, the John Rylands Library is famous more for its stunning architecture than the over 40,000 books in its collection.

The Grade I listed building was founded as a memorial to John Rylands by his wife, Enriqueta, who bought the building in 1889. The inside of the library almost looks like a cathedral, and the famous reading room often hosts exhibitions. Check what’s on when you’ll be in town.

Tour Pick

Afternoon Walking Tour

• 2.5 hours 
• Max of 15 people 
• Local Guide

Check Price

Lunch in Chinatown

Manchester’s Chinatown is the second largest in the UK, so you’re guaranteed to find great Chinese food here, as well as a fun atmosphere.

There are a number of buildings listed as being valuable historically, and there’s the famous Paifang archway – a gift from Beijing, and the only structure of its kind in Europe. Head to Red Chilli for delicious and authentic Sichuan cuisine – the best in the UK!

Become a fan at the National Football Museum

You can’t ignore the importance of football to Manchester, and this is your chance to learn more about England’s favorite pastime.

Opened in 2012, this museum in the city center shows off tons of interesting football artefacts, including the first-ever match rule book from 1863 and a shirt from the first match between England and Scotland.

There’s also an interactive zone, including a play area for under-5s, so it’s a great place to go with kids.

Dinner at Printworks

Housed in a historic printing house, Printworks is a favorite for young locals to head out with their friends. The area houses over 20 bars and restaurants, as well as an IMAX cinema and other attractions.

Head to the Bierkeller for beers and a live oompa band, or check out the Hard Rock Café. There’s something for everyone – even axe throwing at Boom Battle Bar.

Head for a laugh at the Frog and Bucket comedy club

From Printworks, head to the famous (or infamous) Frog and Bucket Comedy Club. This iconic stand-up venue has a full schedule of acts from both emerging talent and famous comics, including improv shows and themed nights. Enjoy the humor that northern Brits are famous for to wind up your first fabulous day in Manchester.

Day 2 in Manchester

Grab breakfast at a local cafe

Manchester is known for its great coffee culture, and Off the Press is definitely up there as one of the city’s best spots. In addition to coffee, try a delicious breakfast sandwich while you take in the hip vibe of Ancoats, one of the coolest areas in Manchester.

Explore the trendy area of Ancoats

Now that you’re fuelled up, it’s time to explore Ancoats, a picturesque neighborhood that’s made up of converted mills. It’s home to Cutting Room Square, a neighbourhood that’s been named one of the coolest and hippest in the world.

Wander over to Hallé St Peters – a church that has been converted into a live music venue – and if you’re lucky, you may be able to catch a show while you’re in town!

Visit the Alan Turing memorial

You may know of Alan Turing from the movie The Imitation Game. The computer pioneer and key figure in helping the allies win World War II, Alan Turing was based at the University of Manchester after cracking the Enigma code. His statue in Sackville Gardens shows him sitting on a bench with an apple in his hand, and was unveiled in 2002.

Enjoy a scenic lunch in Salford Quays

It’s time to head to the docks. Salford Quays is a lovely part of Manchester, with good restaurants with views over the water. Grab lunch at the Botanist, a restaurant with outdoor seating located in the center of “Media City”, an area famous for its film sets.

Check out the Manchester United Museum and Old Trafford football ground

You can’t visit Manchester without becoming acquainted with Man U! While Manchester has two football teams (Manchester City and Manchester United), Man U has definitely had a historic stronghold in this city.

Visit the Old Trafford stadium on a non-match day, and take a tour of Man U’s historic home, including the players’ tunnel and the pitch itself. There’s also a museum which takes you through the history of this iconic team.

Tour Pick

Manchester City Stadium Tour

• 1 hour & 15 mins
• Man City Fan Guide
• Behind the Scenes Tour

Check Price

Browse some vinyl

Manchester is home to some crazy-cool record shops, so check out independent spots like Vinyl Exchange, Eastern Bloc and Piccadilly Records. Whether you buy or not, it’s a fun experience that gives some insight into the music-loving vibe of Manchester throughout the years.

Enjoy a typical pub meal downtown

Getting hungry? Head over to Sinclair’s Oyster Bar. This beautiful pub housed in a Tudor building is most famous for its massive outdoor space, where you’ll find locals and tourists rubbing shoulders. More importantly, it also serves great traditional pub food – like bangers and mash, and mash and steak and kidney pudding. Enjoy!

Go for live music at the Band on the Wall

Mancunians are definitely known for loving a good time, and no place in Manchester shows this off more than the Band on the Wall, especially if you’re spending the weekend in Manchester.

This classic Manchester venue for live music gigs started in the 70s hosting punk bands, and  since then has been providing a platform for emerging artists. An incredible way to finish off 48 hours in Manchester.

Bonus activity – Catch a Match!

We haven’t included watching a Manchester United match in our itinerary, as being able to do so depends on a lot of factors (seasonality, ticket availability, timing, etc). But, if you happen to be in the city on a game day, or can plan your trip around a visit to Old Trafford, do yourself a favour and check out a match.

Manchester itinerary tour ideas:

Here are some awesome tours and experiences to get to know this city better when you’re trying to see all of Manchester in 48 hours.

Manchester afternoon walking tour

Getting extra context about a city is always a good idea! This tour will show you the highlights of Manchester, and provide some incredible stories.

Manchester City Stadium tour

Why should Man U get all the attention? Learn about Man City’s football club’s history as you take this tour of their stadium, guided by an avid fan.

Lake District day trip

Got more than 48 hours in Manchester? We’d highly recommend heading into the Lake District. One of England’s most beautiful areas, the Lake District is only a couple hours from Manchester, so a day tour is an excellent way to experience this stunning destination.

Manchester food tour

Manchester’s food scene is constantly growing, and the history of food in the city provides insight into the city itself. Visit some of the city’s most famous eating spots, and sample some delicious food.

2-Day Itinerary for Manchester Wrap-up

Whether it’s spending your days sightseeing the many attractions or simply taking in the local culture, there’s always something new waiting to be discovered in Manchester.

This two-day itinerary is an excellent starting point to your Manchester adventure. Mix and match as you please, and with so many options available, there’s no doubt you’ll craft the perfect itinerary to enjoy. Time to pack your bags and get ready for a memorable journey. Manchester is waiting for you!

Recommended tours in Manchester

• The Manchester City Stadium Tour
• Rock and Goal Manchester Walking Tour
• The Manchester Cheese Crawl
• City River Tour
• Manchester United Football Match at Old Trafford Stadium
• Private Manchester Tour with a Local, Highlights & Hidden Gems, Personalised
• Craft Beer Tour around Manchester
• 3-Hour Guided Manchester Food Tour with Lunch

Read more on Manchester:

• Where to stay in Manchester
• Things to do in Vibrant Manchester

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