The 7 Best Walking Tours in Manchester

1.Media City & The Quays Guided Walking Tour

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 165 reviews · 2 hours · from $18Our pick

Walk about 5 kilometers around Salford Quays and Media City in two hours with guides such as Frank or Craig. Hear the story of the Manchester Ship Canal, compare old photographs with today’s redevelopment, and see The Lowry and Imperial War Museum North. Headsets help you follow every word.

“Knowledgeable leader, who responded with authority to the many questions we put to him. Use of the earpiece meant never missing anything.”

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2.Morning or Afternoon City Walking Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.8 · 120 reviews · from $18

Walk central Manchester with an English-speaking local guide such as David or Rebecca. See St Peter’s Square, the Medieval Quarter, Northern Quarter, Gay Village, street art, and more while connecting Roman foundations to modern music, football, and LGBTQ+ culture.

“David was a sympathic guide, knowing a lot of details about Manchester and the history of the city. We enjoyed the tour very much!”

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3.Music-Themed City Walking Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.4 · 109 reviews · 1h 45m · from $29

Walk Manchester for 105 minutes with guides such as Jonathan Schofield, Anna, Emma, or Seby, tracing The Hacienda, the Northern Quarter, Oasis, The Smiths, Joy Division, New Order, and the industrial forces behind the city’s sound.

“Fantastic tour by Jonathan who not only has outstanding knowledge of Manchester music scene but a real and obvious passion for the subject- highly recommended”

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4.Food and Drinks Walking Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.9 · 70 reviews · 3.5 hours · from $122

Walk from Islington Marina through Ancoats and the Northern Quarter with a Mancunian guide such as Julia, Aisha, James, or Ian. Expect a full lunch of local and international tastings, wine, dessert, city stories, and small-group access to independent food spots.

“Excellent combination of great food and local history. Very enjoyable!”

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5.City Walking Tour & Exploration Game

★★★★★★★★★★3.6 · 9 reviews · 365 days

You’ll follow a self-guided Manchester Quest from Victoria Station through the Medieval Quarter, Civic Quarter, Piccadilly, Northern Quarter and NOMA. Solve 19 puzzles, spot street art, uncover odd city stories and complete challenges using your phone. The route takes about 2.5 to 3.5 hours and works best in daylight.

“Trop compliqué surtout quand on ne maîtrise pas totalement l’anglais et un suivi de route pour éviter que l’on se perd. On a d’ailleurs abandonné”

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6.Sightseeing Walking Custom Tour with a Guide

★★★★★★★★★★3.6 · 8 reviews · 3 hours · from $82

Explore Manchester privately with an English- or Spanish-speaking guide on a customizable 3-hour walk. See Town Hall, John Rylands Library, the Royal Exchange, Northern Quarter, Science and Industry Museum, and Manchester Cathedral, with hotel pickup in the city.

“ottimo tour. Un bellissimo giro a piedi per la città con racconti e aneddoti. la guida è stato molto disponibile e ha assecondato le nostre esigenze. Mario”

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7.Fascinating Manchester – Walking Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.3 · 3 reviews

Join a private guide for a three-hour walk through Manchester’s civic center, Chinatown, Canal Street, St. Peter’s Square, Albert Square, Manchester Cathedral, and Chetham’s Library. Guides have included Emma and John, with tours offered in German, French, Italian, and Spanish.

“This walking tour was an absolute delight and a highlight of my visit to this dynamic city. Led by an incredibly knowledgeable guide, the experience exceeded my expectations in every way. Our guide, demonstrated an unparalleled passion for Manchester's history, weaving together a captivating narrative that spanned centuries. The tour commenced in the heart of the city, with stops at iconic landmarks such as the Manchester Town Hall, where Emma skillfully brought to life the stories of the city's growth and transformation.”

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