Manchester is located 35 miles east of Liverpool and 209 miles northwest of London. With an urban area of 94 sqm and population of over 2.5 million people, it is the third largest city in the UK. Like London, it is designated into a Greater Manchester area. The city is fringed by the Pennines to the north and east, Cheshire Plain to the south and an arc of towns and therefore forms a continuous conurbation. Founded in the 1st century by the Romans, it used to be part of Lancashire and Cheshire. During Middle Ages, it became a manorial township, but then expanded rapidly over the centuries brought by the boom in, among others, textile manufacturing.

Like other major cities in the UK, the second world war mobilised the city as well as destroyed parts of it. By 1963, Manchester port was the country’s third largest, but closed in 1982 as the canal was unable to handle increasingly large traffic. The city suffered economic downturn in early 1980s, but regeneration in the late 1980s with developments such as Metrolink, Bridgewater Concert Hall and Manchester arena, as well as rebranding the port as Salfrod Quays has rejuvenated the city into an international centre.

Today, it is the third most visited city in the UK and is notable for its culture, architecture, music, sports, science and media. It is home to two top premier league football clubs: Manchester United and Manchester City; both stadiums available for tours. It is also the base for several universities, including: University of Manchester and Manchester Metropolitan University, therefore giving the city a student-feeling as well.

Airport and Public Transportation

Manchester Airport and Metrolink.

Train Stations

Victoria, Piccadilly, Oxford Road and Deansgate.

Recommended Hotels

Radisson Blu Victorian, Lowry, Blue Rainbow Aparthotel, Gotham, Double Tree by Hilton, Macdonald Manchester Hotel & Spa and Crowne Plaza.

Recommended Restaurants

Hawkesmoor Manchester, Croma, French, Pasha, Punjab Tandoori, Australasia, La Bandera, Tattu, Umezushi, Pasha, Pieminister and Albert’s Shed Castlefield, Miller & Carter, The Lime Tree, Bill’s and El Capo.

Recommended Sites

John Rylands Library, Albert Square, Heaton Park, The Hidden Gem, Manchester Cathedral, Beetham Tower, 84 Plymouth Grove, Alan Turing Memorial, Moses Gate Country Park, Lowry, Sealife, Salford Quays, Chetham’s Library and St Ann’s Church.