Manchester

Manchester is a vibrant city loved by students for its relaxing atmosphere and music scene. You can spend Friday nights at retro bars and rooftop lounges overlooking the city. There are also various cafes open after hours convenient for studying or getting a late night snack.

Take That, One Direction and My Chemical Romance are just some of the popular bands with members from Manchester. With luck, you can catch your favourite artist performing at O2 Apollo or Etihad Stadium. There are also various indie bands making debuts at bars or cafes across the city.

Manchester is home to top UK universities, such as the University of Manchester (rank 6th in the UK by QS World University Rankings 2020) and University of Salford (rank 72nd).

Feeling Hungry?

Here are some affordable food options near Manchester’s city centre

Cafes:

Northern Soul Grilled Cheese - This cafe is ideal for comfort food, specialising in grilled cheese dishes like cheesy cuban sandwiches, mac and pulled pork for £5. The cafe is also generous with add-ons like extra bacon, pork and meatballs for £1.

The Hip Hop Chip Shop - This quirky pop-up stall serves delicious battered fish and chips for £10. The popular british stall also serves juicy fish burgers and wraps on the side. Old school hip hop fans will love the stall playing beats by 2Pac, The Notorious B.I.G and other tunes from the early 2000s.

Asian Food:

Mi and Pho - Mi and Pho is a warmly lit Vietnamese restaurant with the best Pho and Banh Mi on the block for £5. They also serve other traditional dishes like papaya salad and egg noodles.

Wasabi Sushi and Noodle Bar - This cosy little Japanese restaurant is known for its authentic ramen and deep fried meat cuts for £12. If you’re still hungry, their durian ice cream and Matcha waffles are highly recommended.

Farmer’s Markets

Street Food Market @ Piccadilly - This market set up on the busy streets of Piccadilly is bursting with street eats, from lamb samosa to fresh pork pies. After grabbing your favourite snacks, you can wander through the romantic Piccadilly gardens to snap photos of the gorgeous urban park.

Altrincham Market - This charming market has amazing tender grilled burgers, sourdough sandwiches and steaks all sourced locally from farm to kitchen. The Altrincham Market also runs alongside shops established since 1867 that offer weary tourists a taste of the finest chocolates and craft beers in Manchester.

Getting Around

Buses, trains and trams are the most common way of navigating Manchester. Within the city centre bus services are free of charge. Most of Manchester’s public transport systems can be accessed with a System One travel card. The price of these cards will vary depending on the type of public transport you prefer.

Instagrammable Places in Manchester

Places to take amazing photos in Manchester

Affleck’s
Wander the endless alleys and laneways filled with Manchester’s grungy street art.
Image credit: Instagram @afflecks_manchester

Albert’s Schloss
Check out this glittering storefront and snap some delightful German pastries for your instagram roll.
Image credit: Instagram @albertsschloss

King Street Townhouse
The romantic view of Italian architecture from this relaxing infinity pool is absolutely unbeatable!
Image credit: Instagram @hotelandthecity

Barton Arcade
Hunt for vintage trinkets and classic football tees in this 18th century Victorian shopping center.
Image credit: Instagram @bartonarcademcr

The University of Manchester
The University of Manchester looks like a real life Harry Potter set! Visit in the evening for the best scenic shots of their beautiful towers.
Image credit: Instagram @officialuom

Go on a Road Trip

Travel further outside Manchester’s city center for graduation trips or mini-vacations

Chester - Chester is a gorgeous town with rows of Tudor houses and cobbled streets that make for a pleasant stroll in rainy weather. Feeling cold? Stop by Jaunty Goat Coffee for delicious hot chocolate with extra whipped cream to warm yourself up.

The Lake District - The scenic drive to The Lake District will take you past crystal clear brooks and misty valleys. You can also row across peaceful lakes or hike up grassy mountains at England’s largest national park; Lake District National Park.

Todmorden - Todmorden is a dreamy village by the river, with colorful barges coasting along the river way. Bargain hunters will love the village shops that sell vintage clothes, old fashioned toys and quirky antiques. The cafes and pubs have amazingly fresh food, as the community grows ingredients locally to support businesses there.

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