3 days in Manchester

When I arrived at the airport, I had to get to the Manchester Airport Train Station to get to the centre. The train station is located between terminals 1&3; I didn’t know this and was already outside the airport bulding. So I just followed ‘The Station’ signs which led me where I needed (it was about a 10mins-walk to get there). ℹ️ The airport has 3 terminals; it takes two minutes by walk between T1 and T3.

I bought a one way ticket to the city centre at the Airport train station but I recommend buying tickets online in advance because it’s much cheaper. Use the Trainlink app to buy the tickets. I paid £6.20 at the station (it was some TransPennine Express stall); online the average price in the app is usu £3.20-£4.30.

I got off at Manchester Piccadilly, which was only 5 mins by walk from my hotel and is directly in the centre. The whole journey from the airport to the Manchester Piccadilly station took ~25 mins (Manchester Piccadilly was the 2nd stop).

Since I had some time before the hotel check-in, I stopped at The Brunswick pub near my hotel to get a pint of my favourite beverage:) £5.40 for a pint of Guinness.

The room was ok but there was a bar underneath my window and, as I was staying over the weekend, Saturday night was extremely loud until early morning hours so I didn’t have much sleep. Not the hotel’s fault though. ℹ️I had to pay £2.40 tax upon check-in (as of April 1st 2023, visitors staying overnight in Manchester city centre hotels and aparthotels must pay what is called a ‘City Visitor Charge’).

Then I went out to explore the city. First stop was Chinatown that is said to be the second biggest Chinatown in the UK, but frankly I was disappointed because I was expecting all these red lampoons and a lot of buzz, like in London’s Chinatown, but it wasn’t anything like that, it didn’t have the same atmosphere. But sure there are lot of quality restaurants, bakeries and shops there.

Then I walked to St. Peter’s Square, which is an area that contains a mixture of commercial, cultural and civic buildings, and boarded a tram to Salford Quays. 🚎The transport system in Manchester is easy, you pay contactless as you go: for trams you touch in before boarding a tram & touch out after getting off at smart readers placed at every tram stop (if you change trams, you touch out only at the end of your journey; and you must use the same card/device each time); for buses you buy tickets on board (either cash or by card).

I loved Salford Quays. It reminded me a bit of Canary Wharf in London. I just took a stroll and enjoyed the beautiful view. It was so calming to walk along the river and listen to seagulls and ducks quack😃

First stop on day 2 was Stevenson Square, which is this creative area full of street art and murals. It’s full of colours, which made me feel happy since the whole day was quite gloomy&rainy. It’s situated 3 mins from the Piccadilly Gardens (where the hotel is). Here, you can also find the Flok winery, which is one of the most instagrammable spots in Manchester, but it was closed when I was there and it didn’t look so appealing with the metal gate rolled down so I didn’t take a photo. Maybe next time, and not just a photo but also some wine:)

10 mins by walk from Stevenson Square you’ll find the Gay Village, centred on Canal Street, which is a pedestrian road with cafes, gay bars etc. and it was just another nice stroll. It feels like every turn you take in this city, it will always lead you somewhere beautiful.

In the heart of the Gay Village is a small park: Sackville Gardens, home to LGBTQ+ Queen Bee symbol of LGBT pride, and Alan Turing statue.

After walking around the Gay Village and Sackville Gardens, I headed again to St. Peter’s Square to take a selfie with another popular selfie spot: the two red phone booths.

From St. Peter’s Square I took a tram to New Islington to explore the Ancoats neighbourhood and walked along the river till I found the Pollen bakery which is said to be one of the best bakeries in Manchester. I had an egg custard cake (very good) and a cappuccino (£8.50 altogether) there, sat outside and enjoyed the view this nice area offered. I loved this riverside area so much, so nice, so peaceful, so visually appealing.

Strolling and strolling and I got lost. Until I found myself at the Cornbrook station and went back to Piccadilly Gardens. From there I walked to Cafè Beermoth to quench my thirst after so much strolling😃 The place was recommended to me and I really liked it there. It was almost empty when I got there but later started to fill with people. I enjoyed two beers (£12.25 in total) there and then headed out again.

I walked not knowing exactly where but got to the Manchester Cathedral. As it started raining quite heavily I hid in Selfridges and spent some time there just eyeshopping.

As it was still raining and I was tired after the whole day, and hungry, I just stopped for some KFC 😃 and headed to the hotel and called it a day.

Checked out of my hotel and went to a nearby café for a breakfast. Ordered a regular dirty chai (£3.40) and smoked salmon bagel (£12) and it was really good. It’s a nice place with table service, friendly staff, and contacless payment only.

I took off after my breakfast and went to the Gay village again where I discovered a cute New Union hotel that has bumblebees painted on its outside walls, so lovely! I think I’ll stay here next time I’m in this city.

About 6 mins walk I bumped into the Vimto statue, which is an oak monument carved by environment artist Kerry Morrison. It is an homage to the soft drink Vimto, which was created in 1908 in Manchester by John Noel Nichols. And now I’m wondering why I haven’t bought it and tried it while I was in Manchester. Putting it down to the ‘things to do next time I’m in Manchester’ list.

Walked to St. Peter’s Square and hopped on a tram towards Deansgate-Castlefield to further explore this industrial area of Manchester. It’s another stunning, tranquil canalside location and I just enjoying walking there. I just like walking guys😃

At Deansgate-Castlefield I took a tram back to Piccadilly and walked to have my last pint of my favourite ebony nectar (£5.40) at the Piccadilly Tap just next to the Manchester Piccadilly station before getting on a train to the airport. It’s a nice place with a good choice of craft beers.

And sadly, my trip is near the end. Manchester is a fun, lively city, I really enjoyed my stay and I am definitely coming back for more:) 🚞For the Manchester Piccadilly -> Manchester airport journey I bought my ticket online this time in the Trainline app for £3.50.