Book a Flight to Manchester from €80

Manchester Art Gallery: One of the most significant art collections in Britain is housed in an exquisite Victorian building and its modern extension. The works you can admire here include an impressive collection of Pre-Raphaelite paintings, 37 watercolours by Turner and other examples of British 20th century art by Francis Bacon, Lucian Freud and David Hockney. 
Address: Mosley Street, M2 3JL Manchester

Imperial War Museum North: An awe-inspiring museum about humanity and the hardships of war and conflict designed by famed architect Daniel Libeskind, the IWM North is a must-see for any visitor to this city. The exhibits cover all of the major conflicts of the 20th century using exciting audiovisual media to tell the story of the human experience in a world torn apart by war. The building housing the museum is a piece of modern art in its own right. 
Address: Quay West, Trafford Wharf Road, M17 1TZ Manchester, www.iwm.org.uk

People’s History Museum: One of a kind, this amazing national museum is a historical record of the struggles of the working class and others fighting for democracy and equality in Great Britain for more than two centuries. Discover how key democratic rights like fair pay and right to work were won through leading figures in history, major events and the colourful banners of the labour unions.
Address: Left Bank, Spinningfields, M3 3ER Manchester, www.phm.org.uk

National Football Museum: The largest and best football museum in the world gives visitors the chance to explore an impressive collection of football memorabilia and archives. Don't leave before taking part in the Football Plus experience, a series of interactive stations that let you test your skills in the most popular sport in the world by trying to score a penalty or commentating a football match.
Address: Urbis Building, Cathedral Gardens, Todd Street, M4 3BG Manchester, www.nationalfootballmuseum.com

Museum of Science & Industry: This outstanding museum highlights every detail of Manchester's historical role in the Industrial Revolution and the post-industrial era. Covering sectors of industry, science and technology, this museum's vast collection includes everything from steam engines and textile machines to printing presses and early electroshock devices, exhibited in five historic buildings in the city. 
Address: Liverpool Road, M3 4FP Manchester, www.mosi.org.uk

Heaton Park: The largest park in Manchester is an oasis of green and recreation. This vast expanse includes a historic 18th century country home (Heaton Hall), an animal centre, a lake for rowing, a museum with old trams, excellent children's play areas and three cafés. 
Address: The Farm Centre, M25 2SW Manchester, www.heatonpark.org.uk

The John Rylands Library: In 1890, the widow of one of the most successful industrialists in Manchester commissioned the building of a public library in her husband's memory. The result was an imposing masterpiece of Victorian-Gothic architecture; a cathedral of books which now houses old printed books and rare manuscripts of inestimable value. Among the treasures housed there, visitors can see the oldest surviving excerpt of the New Testament.
Address: 150 Deansgate, M3 3EH Manchester, www.library.manchester.ac.uk/rylands

The Lowry: Known as the "Guggenheim of the North", thanks to its gleaming steel shell, this modern cultural centre towers over the city's quays and houses two theatres, art rooms, restaurants, shops and bars. The centre houses a permanent collection of more than 400 splendid paintings and drawings by L. S. Lowry, a famous local artist who recorded scenes of the everyday life, people and landscapes of northern industrial England and for whom the centre is named. 
Address: Pier 8, Salford Quays, Manchester M503AZ, www.thelowry.com

Old Trafford Stadium & Museum: Even if you are not passionate about football, a tour of the historic Old Trafford (1910) stadium or "Theatre of Dreams" for 330 million fans of Manchester United around the world will surely win you over. This unique experience is complemented by the excellent museum which tells the story of this legendary English football club through state-of-the-art media. 
Address: Sir Matt Busby Way, Stretford, Old Trafford, M16 0RA Manchester.

Shopping in Manchester is a delightful experience with options for all tastes. The main shopping streets are in the city centre. On King Street, Market Street, Cross Street and around Exchange Square, you will find all the expensive boutiques and department stores with famous international brands as well as stores with designer label clothing by British designers. In the Northern Quarter, or the Soho of Manchester, you will find the indie design scene of the city with clothing, music and art stores, like Afflecks Palace on Church Street, aimed at the alternative youth crowd. You will find most stores on Oldham Street, Oak Street and at the Tib Street Fashion Market. 

If you prefer an outdoor market, the new Fruit & Flower Market (Piccadilly Gardens) and Manchester Arndale Market feature a wide range of options, from fresh foods to gifts and handicrafts. If you happen to be in Manchester during the holidays, don't miss the German Christmas markets at the centrally located Albert Square and St Ann's Square. 

With more than 200 stores, Arndale Centre is one of the largest and most popular shopping centres in the heart of the city. Just outside the city, in Dumplington, Trafford Centre offers another unforgettable shopping experience in a super-luxurious environment that is a combination of shopping centre and theme park under the same roof.

Excellent local cuisine, celebrity chefs, award-winning restaurants, international options and gourmet surprises are all part of Manchester's gastronomical scene, which in recent years has exhibited a growing momentum. In the city centre alone, you will find more than 300 established restaurants, while fine restaurants can also be found in suburbs like West Didsbury and Chorlton. The city's Chinatown, one of the largest in Europe, offers incredible varieties of dim sum and delicious Thai, Korean and Indonesian food. The Rusholme area has the largest and best selection of Asian restaurants. The "Curry Mile" phenomenon has been growing here for years, as over a distance of one mile along Wilmslow Road, there are more than 70 curry houses. The area has been enhanced by the recent addition of Arabic and shisha bars. As for native fare, the renowned "fish and chips" and "meat and potato pie" (served with beef gravy, pea purée and fried potatoes) are compulsory for any foodie. 

The infamous party culture of Manchester is reflected on the map of the city's nightlife, which includes everything from traditional pubs and live comedy clubs with music to ultra chic concept bars and dance superclubs. Most of them are located in the trendy and alternative Northern Quarter, in Castlefield, Gay Village and student-frequented Oxford Road.

• Chinese New Year: The third-largest Chinatown in Europe is in Manchester and boasts one of the most lively celebrations of the Chinese New Year on European soil. The carnival-like atmosphere peaks with the traditional dance of the Chinese dragon and the setting off of dazzling fireworks. 
• Irish Festival: The major celebration of Irish tradition and culture includes more than 200 events from one end of the city to the other, and the atmosphere is supercharged: live music, dancing, sports, comedy shows, art exhibits, cooking demonstrations and naturally events in Irish pubs are all part of a huge party that lasts for two weeks every March. 
• Manchester Jazz Festival: July is the month of jazz in Manchester. The best musicians in the area and their counterparts from all over the world present their work at more than 50 venues throughout the city. Most of the programme consists of fresh, new compositions and original works. 
• Manchester International Festival: One of the most significant happenings on the European cultural calendar, this exceptional festival includes brand-new productions commissioned especially for the festival and signed by internationally recognised artists. Prepare to enjoy high-quality spectacles in music, performance art and pop culture. This year's festival will be held from 2 to 19 July.

Getting to and from the airport

Aegean Airlines lands at Manchester Airport, 16 km south of the city and the largest airport in Great Britain outside the Greater London area. You will find numerous duty free shops here, along with restaurants, cafés, bars, banks, ATMs, foreign exchange points, children's play areas, four prayer rooms, hotels and free Wi-Fi for the first 60 minutes. The airport also provides a special "Fly and Be Calm" service, a 12-minute programme of psychological exercises for those who have a fear of flying). Holders of new biometric passports can use the passport control e-gates by following the instructions at the gate. (Does not apply to minors and those travelling with children.)

The quickest way to get to the city centre is to take a direct train connecting Manchester Airport Station to Manchester Piccadilly Station. Trains depart every 10 minutes and the journey takes 20 minutes.