Manchester’s main stations make it simple to reach hills, a port city and a Roman town in a day. Journey times are approximate and come from timetable listings, so look at National Rail or Northern before you travel. Prices use pounds sterling (GBP). If you want hills: Edale Trains on the Hope Valley line leave Piccadilly about once an hour and reach Edale in about 40 minutes. From the village you can start the Pennine Way or climb towards the Kinder Scout plateau.

Manchester works for couples who like a good table, a high view and a big night out. Prices are in pounds sterling (GBP), and the popular slots go early. Plan the evening around dinner Starred: mana in Ancoats and Skof in the NOMA area each hold one Michelin star. Recommended: Adam Reid at The French in the Midland Hotel, 16 Peter Street, is a single restaurant in the Michelin Guide’s recommended list.

A good family trip to Manchester mixes free museum mornings with one paid treat. Everything below is priced in pounds sterling (GBP). Morning picks that cost nothing Science and Industry Museum Free, open every day from 10:00 to 17:00, and free timed tickets are recommended. Highlights for children are the Power Hall’s working steam engines and the Experiment gallery, which is aimed at under 12s. Weekend and holiday visitors can add the separately ticketed Power Up gallery.

Manchester is flat and compact, so walking is the easiest way to link its sights. This page groups trails by theme and says when each stop is open. Roman and canal trail Start at the Deansgate-Castlefield tram stop. The trail passes the Roman fort gateway at Mamucium and the canal basin, then rises to the Castlefield Viaduct walkway, which is free and opens Wednesday to Sunday. Stay on the towpaths and away from the water’s edge.

Start with the closing days, because they decide the order of a Manchester trip. Opening days to plan around Place Open Closed John Rylands Library Wednesday to Saturday Sunday to Tuesday Manchester Museum Tuesday to Sunday Monday People’s History Museum Wednesday to Monday Tuesday Castlefield Viaduct Wednesday to Sunday Monday and Tuesday Pankhurst Centre Thursday and Sunday Other days Two days Day 1. Science and Industry Museum, Castlefield and the People’s History Museum.

Seeing Manchester takes a few focused stops rather than a long list. Most of what follows is free, and opening days matter. Start with three indoor stops John Rylands Library (150 Deansgate): neo-Gothic, free, Wednesday to Saturday from 10:00 to 17:00. Manchester Cathedral (Victoria Street): free, with a suggested donation of GBP 5. It opens at 9:30 on Monday to Saturday and at 12:00 on Sunday, closing at 16:00 every day.

Quick facts Currency: pounds sterling (GBP). Most tours sell online in timed slots. There is no Manchester city card, so each tour is bought on its own. Football stadium tours Tour Where Adult price Notes Old Trafford Tour & Museum Sir Matt Busby Way, Stretford from about GBP 28 online Roughly 70 minutes, no tours on first-team home matchdays Etihad Stadium Tour Etihad Campus from about GBP 28 Under-16s from about GBP 18, family packages from about GBP 75 Old Trafford charges more for peak dates and more again at the door, with junior tickets from about GBP 15.