Book flights to Manchester

Manchester was one of the powerhouses of the Industrial Revolution, and this is evident in its skyline, dotted with former textile mills. There are many places to explore this tradition, including the Museum of Science and Industry, and the waterways of the Manchester Ship Canal.

For football fans (particularly those of Man Utd.), a tour around the legendary turf of Old Trafford (or the “Theatre of Dreams”, as it is locally known) is an essential stop when they travel to Manchester.

The city also has plenty of museums and cultural attractions, including the Gallery of English Costume, the Imperial War Museum North, and the People’s History Museum. The eponymous Manchester Museum displays ancient exhibits dating to the time of the dinosaurs and ancient Egypt.

Manchester is well known for its devotion to the arts, and the city has an abundance of venues for enjoying live music, from the latest rock and pop acts to the freshest faces on the Manchester scene.

If you’re taking a trip to Manchester during the festive season you should pay a visit to the outdoor ice-rinks in Spinningfields, or the Christmas markets in front of Manchester’s imposing town hall in Albert Square.

There is a cosmopolitan menu of options available when it comes to dining in Manchester. Mr Coopers House & Garden restaurant by Simon Rogan, is particularly popular, and can be found in the Midland Hotel – which is something of a city landmark. Other top-quality dining experiences can be enjoyed at The French, and at Michael Caines’ restaurant at the Abode Hotel. But there’s also an abundance of more affordable international fare, from the Greek cuisine on Wilmslow Road, to pizza in the Northern Quarter.

If you find yourself in the mood for a curry while visiting Manchester, then take a walk down “Curry Mile” – a stretch of the Rusholme area dominated by takeaway restaurants from South Asia and the Middle East.

You will find a wide range of shopping opportunities for all budgets. The main retail streets, and the substantial Arndale Centre, can be found in the city centre. There are also several large, indoor shopping complexes located further out, including the colossal Trafford Centre.

Keep an eye out for some of the city’s most exclusive stores in Deansgate. There is also plenty of shopping to be done among the boutiques in the Millennium Quarter. Fans of alternative fashion and music should make a trip to Afflecks Palace in the Northern Quarter, where dozens of independent sellers sell everything from band t-shirts to stylised jewellery.