Top Manchester Tours, Sightseeing & Cruises

One way to travel like a local is to travel alongside a local. This private custom tour makes it happen—with a Manchester local passionate about their city. Share your travel wish-list by phone or app, and enjoy a walking tour tailored to you. Let them point out sights, restaurants, and hidden gems; uncover local life, and leave not only with the inside scoop on Manchester but a new-found friend.

Group tours can feel rushed and crowded, especially when the streets are crowded during the holidays. Instead, opt for a personalized Christmas experience of Manchester with a private tour tailored to your interests. With a local guide, create a customized sightseeing itinerary that takes into account your preferences: choose to focus on Manchester’s fashion, art, food, or architecture, and soak up the city’s festive spirit at a Christmas market.

Take the city at your own pace and discover Manchester on an exclusive private tour, with your own local, expert guide. Immerse yourself in the sights and sounds of the city as you travel back through the centuries to discover our turbulent history, and how it has shaped Manchester into the vibrant place you see today. From our Roman foundations to the industrial boom, from the fight for women’s rights to the thriving music and LGBTQ+ scenes of today — Manchester is a city that never stands still. On this guided tour with a local, walk in the footsteps of suffragettes, pioneering merchants, legendary street artists, and football icons. Explore the city’s most famous landmarks and uncover hidden gems along the way. The tour includes: St Peter's Square Royal Exchange Theatre Medieval Quarter Street Art Gay Village Northern Quarter ...and many hidden treasures!

Stockport is an amazing food destination just waiting to be uncovered. It is the home to one of the most exciting, young and up and coming food neighborhoods in the country. During the tour, we visited 6 local businesses. and enjoy a dish that each is famous for. We'll meet the vendors and hear their stories as well as learning how Stockport is transforming from a sleepy satellite town to one of the most talked about areas in the North. Full of amazing street art and weird and wonderful history, the Stockport food tour is a great way to explore a new town and be introduced to award winning flavors and tastes.

Are you game for a unique outdoor activity in Manchester? Keen to discover some of Manchester's quirkier locations? From red-brick streets to the old canals of Castlefield, a mystery is waiting to be cracked. The keys to your uncle’s inheritance, locked behind hidden routes. We provide the perfect activity for a team social, entertainment for teens on school holidays, hen/stag do or birthday gatherings with friends. Your uncle has died in mysterious circumstances, leaving his estate to you, but only if you can solve a series of brain teasers. Along the way, you’ll meet various virtual characters from his past and discover that there was more to your uncle than meets the eye. Can you decode his puzzles before time runs out? 5* reviews on Tripadvisor and awarded TripAdvisor Travellers' Choice Featured in The Guardian, Londonist and Timeout

Step into Manchester’s past and discover how industry, poverty, protest, revolution and football shaped the city. From the rise of the cotton mills and the tragedy of Peterloo to the fight for workers’ and women’s rights, this is a story of a city that has always challenged the establishment. But this is also the story of how Manchester’s streets became the birthplace of a football culture that would eventually conquer the world. Hear the stories of Engels, Marx, Emmeline Pankhurst and the Suffragettes, before uncovering a surprising side of Manchester’s history. Discover how poverty, overcrowded neighbourhoods and a lack of opportunities helped create the notorious Scuttlers, and how football was introduced as a way of giving young men something more positive to fight for. Follow the story from early working-class football clubs to the rise of Manchester United and Manchester City, and discover how both clubs grew from communities trying to improve the lives of local people.

Manchester is considered England’s music capital, but exploring independently means missing its hidden musical heritage. On this tour, follow in the footsteps of famous Manchester bands like the Buzzcocks, Joy Division, and The Smiths with your guide. Discover iconic locations including the Free Trade Hall and Piccadilly Records, stop for refreshments in historic pubs and live music venues, and find out what puts Manchester on Britain’s music map.

Food Escapes are for people who want a unique experience in the city. A lot of walking tours or food tours can feel like you're being shown around but a Food Escape will feel like you are discovering the city for yourself in a novel way, with your choices shaping the route you take as the game unfolds. You'll have easier and harder challenges along the way, all the satisfaction of cracking each clue, and the reward of great food waiting when you get there. Food Escapes was built by locals for locals, to explore and eat in their own city in a way they never otherwise would have seen, but is ideal for any visitors to the city who are food lovers too who want something more memorable than another table booking or generic activity. With eight themed Food Escapes now live in Manchester, each one has its own flavour, mood and route, so guests can come back for something completely different every time.

Explore Manchester’s vibrant Northern Quarter on a 1.5-hour small group walking tour that dives into the heart of the city’s creative pulse. Led by a local guide, you’ll wander through iconic streets adorned with striking street art, historic architecture, and discover the stories behind beloved independent shops. Uncover hidden histories and the legacy of music legends, all while enjoying the spirit of this artistic neighborhood. - 1.5-hour walking tour of Manchester’s Northern Quarter - Visit iconic street art and learn about local artists - Discover local independent shops and historic sites - Small group experience for personalised insights

This tour offers a captivating journey through Manchester’s cultural and architectural highlights, all from an exterior perspective. Begin at the magnificent Manchester Cathedral, marveling at its stunning Gothic architecture and historical significance. Admire the exterior of the Manchester Art Gallery, a neoclassical treasure housing a renowned art collection. Stroll through the vibrant Northern Quarter, famous for its striking street art, independent shops, and quirky cafes like the iconic Afflecks Palace. Conclude with a peaceful walk through Piccadilly Gardens, a green haven amidst the city’s hustle and bustle. Perfectly blending history, art, and modern charm, this tour allows you to experience Manchester’s unique character while staying outdoors.

- You’re part of the story – this isn’t just a treasure hunt, it’s - Manchester’s most immersive outdoor escape experience. - Self-guided and flexible – go at your own pace or race against the clock. - Designed for thinkers and doers – smart puzzles for all levels, woven into the city around you. - Better than your average scavenger hunt – every step reveals a clue, and every clue gets you closer to the truth. Extra info - Each player receives a unique link to access the game ahead of your booking date. We recommend each player experience the Hunt on their own device while working together in your team - You can break anytime and we provide recommendations within the game area - This Hunt is brilliant for friends, colleagues, dates and families (13+)

Explore Manchester and avoid the crowds on this self-guided tour and treasure hunt. Using GPS, you will find some of Manchester’s hidden secrets, solving riddles and gathering clues as you travel the city. Collect points when you find each hidden location and beat the challenges set by the tour guide app. This tour is child friendly and private—you are in control of your experience.

Explore the scenery and the history of Yorkshire even if you’re based in Manchester over the border in Lancashire. See the wild Yorkshire Moors and the rolling Yorkshire Dales—both national parks with their own charms. Learn about the story of Ribblehead Viaduct, a true feat of engineering with a dark history. Stop for photo opportunities and enjoy the peace and tranquility of the countryside.

Uncover the captivating story of how Manchester transformed from an obscure village into the birthplace of the modern world. This engaging walking tour explores the city's rich industrial history, taking you past significant landmarks like the world's first factory and the historic cotton mills and canals of Ancoats. With insights drawn from 45 years of journalism, experience the hidden influences that shaped today's societal discourse. The tour concludes in the stylish St Ann's Square, and suitable for most fitness levels, it offers a mix of history and storytelling that makes Manchester's past come alive. - 5-star rated walking tour led by an experienced guide - Explore Manchester's industrial landmarks and hidden history - Tailored walking options available for all fitness levels - Regular weekly walks and bespoke private tours offered

Walk around Manchester while trying to survive the zombie apocalypse with Zombie Scavengers! On an app, you'll be given a list of items to find (in any order you choose) to help you survive a zombie apocalypse. You'll get points for finding these items, as well as completing some zombie themed challenges. Figure out the best game plan to get the most points in order to survive. A remote host will chat with you during the game if you have any questions. Prove you can survive the zombie apocalypse in Manchester for bragging rights with all your friends!

Discover what truly sets Manchester apart on this immersive 3-hour walking food tour through the Gay Village and Northern Quarter — two of the city’s most dynamic and character-filled neighborhoods. This isn’t just a tasting tour — it’s a journey through Manchester’s culture, history, and creative spirit told through its food. What makes this tour special is its blend of authentic local flavors, fascinating stories, and hidden gems — offering not just a full meal, but a true taste of Manchester’s soul. Experience Manchester’s diverse food scene, from traditional British fare to global street food. Explore two of the city’s most iconic districts with a passionate local guide and hear stories of creativity, inclusivity, and resilience that shaped Manchester’s identity. And remember to enjoy generous tastings and drinks across four handpicked local venues!

This private North Wales day trip is a more luxurious way to explore the local area than a crowded bus tour. After a private pickup, travel in a comfortable air-conditioned vehicle to a selection of interesting sights with a Blue Badge accredited guide to provide commentary. Highlights include Pontcysyllte Aqueduct, Snowdonia National Park, Conwy, Llandudno, and a slate splitting demonstration at the National Slate Museum.

The Lake District is one of the most culturally and naturally rich parts of the UK. On this convenient 3-day tour from Manchester see the tallest mountains in England as well as the deepest lake. Travel by comfortable train and in a top-of-the-range, 16-seat Mercedes mini-coach. Over three full days you can enjoy walking, shopping, driving through the countryside, exploring cute villages, and more. Poetry lovers will also have fun visiting Wordsworth's Dove Cottage.

Zombie Scavengers hunt stands out by blending real-world urban exploration with an exciting zombie apocalypse narrative. Its uniqueness lies in the complete player freedom; unlike standard hunts, you get to choose your own route and the order of tasks across the city, making it a strategic exercise. The immersive experience is powered by an app that tracks your survival points from finding supplies and completing fun, themed photo/video challenges. Crucially, it includes a remote survival guide who assists you via chat, and your score is compared in real-time on a national leaderboard, turning your local adventure into a country-wide competition.

Step into the violent underworld of the scuttlers - the gangs who turned the streets of Victorian Manchester into a battleground. In Angel Meadow and Ancoats, young men and women armed with knives, belts and brass-tipped clogs are fighting for survival in a series of brutal clashes that leave blood on the flagstones and terror in their wake. Brutalised by life in the world's first industrial city, they are fighting not for money but for the pride of the neighbourhoods they call home - and to win the title of King of the Scuttlers. In this tour by me, historian and writer Dean Kirby, the author of the upcoming book The Scuttlers: The True Story of Manchester's Most Feared Gangs, you will hear the hidden story of how these tough Manchester lads and girls lived, fought and died. If you are fascinated by the scuttlers and want to discover the lesser explored streets of Manchester, this tour is for you.

See the best of Manchester, learn all about its history—and explore totally independently, without worries of crowds—on this private, self-led audio tour. Upon booking, download the app to your smartphone and use when, and as often, as you’d like, for up to three weeks. You’ll see neighborhoods and landmarks like Chinatown, the Royal Corn Exchange, Manchester Cathedral, and much more, and will learn behind-the-scenes stories from the audio narration.

Discover the street art of Manchester’s Northern Quarter the fun way: with a self-guided challenge experience, downloadable as a cellphone app. You’ll play by solving puzzles in the style of a treasure hunt and unlocking stories as you explore. You’ll learn about the street art project known as the Cities of Hope, and discover the story behind the Stevenson Square canvas. Note that for an optimal game, each player should buy their own ticket.

Taste your way through 7 stops that trace Manchester's food story from canal side coffee to a hidden Chinatown bakery, with one Secret Dish revealed only on the day. This is Manchester eaten, not just seen. Follow a local guide past the glass towers known as Manc-hattan, along the canal arches of Castlefield, and into the packed streets of Chinatown, stopping wherever the city's food story runs deepest. Sip espresso from a small batch roastery tucked into old railway arches, then dig into ultra crispy double fried wings inside a late night music haunt that still feels like a gig. Tear into a flaky pie built on 14 hour beef braised in local lager, and finish in a flower filled tea room where European pastry meets East Asian flavor over a cup of floral tea. Secret Food Tours built this route around 7 tastings tracing immigration, industry, and reinvention, plus one Secret Dish, a local specialty kept off the menu until it lands in front of you.

Swap large tour groups and crowded buses for a more intimate and independent way of exploring Manchester—an interactive scavenger hunt. Work with a team to unearth hidden facts about the city, take photos, and solve clues to complete this interactive challenge. Along the way, learn about the art, culture, and history of the city, and pass by famous sights such as Albert Square, and Manchester Cathedral.