11 essentials: what to see and do in Manchester in one day

We all know that Manchester It is not exactly one of the most touristy cities in the world.  United Kingdom, as on the other hand if they are London  o Edinburgh.

Or also other small cities that are characterized by their monuments or historical atmosphere, such as Bath o Y.

But in your sightseeing trip through england maybe Manchester becomes a transitory stage such as, for example, if you are going to use its airport to fly to Britain.

Or it is even possible that for study or work reasons you are going to reside in Manchester.

In these cases, you are surely interested in knowing what the Manchester tourist attractions.

Tips for visiting Manchester in one day

Therefore, below I am going to give you some tips to visit Manchester in one day, after the trip I made to this city not long ago, and I am also going to highlight the places of greatest interest What you should know on your trip.

How to get from the airport to Manchester city center

Manchester It has one of the airports in Great Britain best connected to Spain, because in addition to Iberia, companies fly low cost as Ryanair y EasyJet.

In addition, the airport is very close to the city, 17 kilometers away, which allows you get to manchester quickly and without the cost of transportation being a big problem.

How to go by train from the airport to Manchester city center

The option of go by train from the airport to Manchester It is, without a doubt, highly recommended because from the airport station there are trains that pass every 10 minutes, which take you to the Manchester Picadilly central station.

The ticket will cost you between £4,20 and £5,60, depending on the time you travel, and will take between 15 and 25 minutes.

Here you have information about Transpennine Express train schedules and prices that take you from the airport to the center of Manchester.

How to take the tram from the airport to Manchester city center

Currently you also have the option to go by tram to the center of Manchester.

Of course, it is a one-hour journey to the Manchester Victoria station, frequently every 10 minutes.

To use the tram it is best buy the 1 day ticket that allows you to move by bus and tram, with a price of 7,50 pounds.

Manchester It is a city that throughout its history has had a long industrial tradition, especially with textile factories, but the crisis in that sector led years ago to a process of urban reconversion.

The old industrial areas have been remodeled and have become occupied by cultural centers, parks or business areas with very modern buildings.

The result is a curious combination of the old industrial atmosphere with a lively cultural city atmosphere.

The best things to see and do in Manchester

Contrary to what you may think, Manchester It is not a very big city.

Deansgate Street in Manchester

When visiting it, you will find the various tourist attractions in the center, so you can do your tourist day perfectly on foot.

Tu Manchester sightseeing tour will have as one of the main axes the Deansgate Street, in the western part of the city, which runs almost parallel to the River Irwell.

Hilton Tower in Manchester

In the surroundings of said street, in the southwest, you should not miss the curious area of Castlefield, almost at the foot of the Hilton Tower, Manchester's iconic skyscraper.

At 168 meters high, the Hilton Tower is considered as Britain's tallest skyscraper outside London, with a design of fully glazed facades,

It is a skyscraper where offices and residential apartments are located, and it is worth noting that on its 23rd floor you have a luxury restaurant from where you have the best panoramic views of the city.

Castlefield in Manchester

Meanwhile Castlefield It is a very pleasant area to walk on a sunny day, which occupies what was once one of the industrial areas of the city.

In this old industrial area It is where in Roman times the first fortification was established that gave rise to Mamucium, which is what the city of the north of england.

Located in front of the Museum of Science and Industry, in what is now Castlefield At the end of the 18th century Manchester's first industrial canal was established.

And also as a curiosity, in 1830 the first passenger railway line in the world ended in this area.

During the industrial boom, Castlefield Roads, railways and canals intermingle.

It was in 1982 when it was decided to redevelop the area and thus stop its degradation process.

This addressed the design of a urban heritage park, currently Castlefield It has become one of the most pleasant places in Manchester to walk in summer.

when you get to Castlefield You will find a combination of buildings, canals and bridges, between which stretch meadows that in summer are filled with people sunbathing.

En Castlefield are also preserved archaeological remains from the Roman era, specifically, the remains of a ancient roman barn.

But you can also walk through the remains of a fort which is now partly restored, and whose brick building contrasts with the figure of the nearby and previously mentioned Hilton Tower skyscraper.

MOSI Museum in Manchester

In that area there is also the very interesting Museum of Science and Industry (MOSI) during whose visit you can relive moments of the Manchester industrial era.

In front of it is a open air auditorium which is usually used for celebrating outdoor concerts.

John Rylands Library in Manchester

Walking by Deansguntil Towards the north you reach the financial zone Spiningfields, and along with it, it is essential that you visit the John Rylands Library,

It is one of the Manchester's most notable heritage spots, a beautiful 19th century building with neo-gothic style, where one of the most important papyrus collections in the United Kingdom.

Inside you will find a spectacular Gothic decoration, and I can tell you that it is one of the most interesting visits you can make in this city.

Manchester Town Hall

From there, to the east, you are very close Albert Square, square where the Manchester Town Hall.

It is an imposing building also English neo-gothic style from the mid-19th century, which is the Manchester's most notable landmark.

Be sure to enter its lobby, and even have a drink in its charming Tea Room.

Albert Memorial in Manchester

In front of the municipal building you have the Albert Memorial monument, also from neo-gothic style.

At this point, and going north, you are already very close to the Manchester shopping area.

This is concentrated in the street Market, with its department stores, and the square Picadilly Gardens, which is the communications center where all bus lines arrive.

The Triangle in Manchester

Even further north, adjacent to the commercial area of ​​the street Market, and next to a big ferris wheel that to some extent will remind you of London Eye, you arrive at a beautiful corner.

Known as The triangle, in this corner of the center of Manchester there are a couple of medieval-style buildings and pub terraces.

Manchester Cathedral

And behind them, the very curious building of the Manchester Cathedral.

Its origins date back to the year 1215, but it gained greater importance when a collegiate church was established two centuries later.

As I have already mentioned, you can walk through all of the above without any problem, but to complete a Manchester city tour, it is worth highlighting two areas that must be accessed by public transport.

Curry Mile in Manchester

On the one hand, the very long street Oxford road, which from the almost central square of Albert Square It heads southeast.

There you will find, first, the area where the universities are located, and then you will reach the curious Curry Mile, a section where they concentrate establishments and restaurants hindu.

The Quays in Manchester

On the other hand, to be aware of the great urban reconversion that has been carried out in recent decades in the city of Manchester, you have to go to the area known as The Quays, old shipyards located next to the sea.

This entire area has been completely converted and now reigns with gardens, shopping and cultural centers (there is the Imperial war museum and a large auditorium) and modern office buildings.

The Quays It is located northwest of Manchester, in the town of Salford.

Finally, I tell you that Manchester It is not a very expensive city.

When eating, you can find menus for about 14 pounds (drinks apart), with a wide variety of restaurants, from the typical pubs English, many oriental, and also several Spanish restaurants.

As a fact, I will tell you that a pint of beer will cost you about 5 pounds.