5 nights in Manchester and North Wales: the perfect combination

After arriving in Manchester, head out on foot with one of the city’s many walking tours. It’s a brilliant way to uncover hidden gems and tick off some of Manchester’s headline attractions. Make time for John Rylands Library and Manchester Cathedral, two neo-gothic landmarks where history feels very much alive. You may even recognise John Rylands Library, as it’s starred on screen in The Darkest Hour and Anatomy of a Scandal.

Lunch

Now you've got your bearings, hop aboard the Afternoon Tea Taxi Tour. You’ll spend the afternoon discovering Manchester from the comfort of an all-electric black cab, paired with a delicious home-made afternoon tea and a completely bespoke tour. Prefer to stay in one place? Be spoilt for choice at Mackie Mayor, a cool food hall packed with artisan food traders, set inside a stunning former Victorian market.

Afternoon

Manchester is known around the world for soccer. Are you red or blue? Go behind the scenes at your favourite club, or dive into the social history of football at the National Football Museum. For the most immersive Premier League soccer experience, the Manchester City Football Club Stadium Tour uses the latest technology to bring it all to life, from exploring the players’ dressing room to interacting with Pep Guardiola in the press room.

Dinner

Head back to your hotel to relax and freshen up, then step out for dinner at one of the city’s most popular dining spots. Set in the iconic Free Trade Hall, Peter Street Kitchen captures the essence of the building’s former glory, with exquisitely presented, beautifully balanced dishes. The menu explores French-Mediterranean cooking, complemented by a curated selection of Japanese signature dishes. Or check out Higher Ground, a British Bistro championing seasonal ingredients, with menus and dishes changed on a daily basis. An unforgettable experience.

Morning

Step beyond the city centre and explore the wider region of Greater Manchester. Hop aboard a heritage steam train at the East Lancashire Railway, travelling through beautiful countryside and quirky villages. You can also book a themed rail experience, from luxury dining to comedy shows. Back on the waterfront at Salford Quays, explore Lowry, where three stunning theatres sit alongside galleries showcasing artists of local to international renown.

Lunch

Head back to the city centre to refuel at one of Manchester’s great lunch spots. For bakery lovers, Pollen Bakery is regularly hailed as one of the best in the UK, with people queuing out the door for its sweet pastries and (undoubtedly) some of the best bread in the city. For something more hearty, Shoryu Ramen is the go-to for Hakata Tonkotsu ramen (Japanese noodles).

Afternoon

Spend the afternoon with one of the city’s best drinking tours or experiences. Join Craft Beer Tour Manchester to visit microbreweries and craft beer houses, or opt for Manchester Wine Tours, where expert hosts guide you through some of the city’s best spots while you sample delicious beer or wine along the way.

And rum fans, take note: Salford Rum Distillery offers fun rum tours and tastings, where you’ll learn how they make their rum while enjoying expertly mixed cocktails.

Dinner

Discover the art of cooking at Manchester’s hands-on cookery school, Food Sorcery, where you can master new skills and explore global cuisines. Or let the food come to you at Fazenda Rodizio Bar & Grill, blending South American tradition with modern sophistication. The Churrasco Experience elevates Brazilian steakhouse cuisine with premium grilled meats, carved the rodizio way.

Evening

Don’t let the fun end there. Put your skills to the test at some of Manchester’s favourite interactive gaming spots. Black Cat Club features 6 dart game modes and the first interactive shuffleboard in the city, an ideal combination of food, drink and play. Or head to Immersive Gamebox for a world of high-tech gaming and fun-packed adventure for everyone.

Morning

You won’t want to miss Manchester’s Northern Quarter. As the city’s creative neighbourhood, this cool hangout is packed with independent retailers spanning vintage fashion, music, art and plenty more, and it’s also become a perfect filming location for countless films and TV shows. The Locationist Film and TV walking tour explores iconic spots from blockbuster favourites, such as Captain America and hit shows The Crown and Peaky Blinders, bringing the behind-the-scenes stories to life. And then there’s Afflecks, a true Northern Quarter icon: a vibrant, eclectic labyrinth of independent traders who pour their heart and soul into what they do. Not to be missed.

Lunch

Once you’ve worked up an appetite, book yourself onto one of Manchester’s brilliant food tours. Try Scranchester Food Tour or Flavours of Manchester, because why settle for one stop when you can try many? With a local guide leading the way, these immersive, multi-stop tours serve up edible insights into the city’s food history and culture, and show exactly why Manchester’s food and drink scene is booming. Come hungry.

Afternoon

Switch gears with a little art and culture. Chetham’s Library, set in the heart of Manchester’s Medieval Quarter, is the oldest public library in the English-speaking world. From historic to modern, head to Aviva Studios, the home of Factory International. This cultural hub hosts immersive theatre, exhibitions, and large-scale multimedia performances. With world-class artists and groundbreaking events, it’s a space for creativity, innovation, and unforgettable experiences.

Morning

It’s time to depart Manchester and travel across to North Wales. Easily accessible by rail, head to Wrexham, the home of ‘Welcome to Wrexham’. Start at Tŷ Pawb, a multi-award-winning cultural and community resource, with a programme of contemporary, welcoming and inclusive exhibitions and live performances. And don’t miss the chance to get a photo outside the famous STõK Cae Ras, home of Wrexham AFC.

Lunch

For a drink or light bite, head to The Fat Boar, a modern, independent restaurant in the heart of town. They use the finest local Welsh produce, keeping the menu fresh with the best of the season’s flavours. For something more relaxed, The Lemon Tree serves AA Rosette food, from breakfast to afternoon tea and sharing deli boards, making it a perfect stop-off for lunch.

Afternoon

Take in some of North Wales’s beautiful architecture and scenery at one of the region’s many historic sites. Pontcysyllte Aqueduct, the longest and highest aqueduct in Great Britain, is also a UNESCO world heritage site. Get involved with a kayak or canoe tour along the water, or for something more leisurely, hop onboard a horse-drawn boat trip. For those who love Downton Abbey, visit Erddig Hall & Garden, where you can explore this much-loved home and estate, filled with the stories of a family and their servants.

Morning

In Northwest Wales, if you love outdoor activities and want to feel the adrenaline course through your body, head to the world’s fastest zip line at ZipWorld. Located just a stone’s throw from Conwy and Llandudno, you can pair this with karting adventures and quarry truck tours.

For water-based activities, RibRide Adventure Boat Tours offer an exhilarating journey along the Menai Strait, or take on a white-water rafting adventure on the River Tryweryn within the Welsh hills of Eryri (Snowdonia National Park).

If you’ve got time for one last indulgence in Manchester’s food scene, set off early back to the city. Then make it brunch.

Evelyn’s Café Bar is an easy-going local venue, serving brunch classics by day and refined, small plates by night. Ezra and Gil in the Northern Quarter is a great hang out spot for great food, coffee and dessert. And Federal, an independently owned, Australian-themed café bar, serves gourmet coffee, speciality teas, delicious brunch, bagels, and homemade cakes.

Virgin Atlantic connects you to Manchester year-round from New York, Atlanta, and Orlando — with seasonal flights from Barbados and Las Vegas adding a little sunshine and sparkle to the schedule.