Picture Perfect Spots in Manchester

Are you planning to visit Manchester any time soon? Have you thought of all the attractions that you will stop by? Do they make for good pictures? 

Today, travel and photography go hand-in-hand. We love taking pictures of all the places we have been to! Editing them to bring out their best and then sharing it with our virtual family on various social media sites. But, a better way to go about this is to begin with a list of all the picture-perfect spots and then plan your visit around them. When curating this list of places, make sure you don’t miss out on grand monuments, architectural wonders, blissful landscapes, sprawling beaches, well-lit cafes and stunning restaurants. 

To help you out, we have created a list of the finest spots in Manchester that you can visit. Pictures at these sights are sure to up your Instagram game by several notches! 

1.The Old Wellington, an enthralling pub which was once a monument 

2.Beetham Tower, also called the Hilton Tower

3.The Manchester Cathedral and its Victorian architecture 

4.Northern Quarter with its pulsating street art

5.Evelyn’s café and bar for the perfect brunch

6.Victoria Baths for the terracotta and the brickwork 

7.Royal Exchange Theatre for the domed ceilings

8.Manchester Central Library for the stacks of books and soft seating arrangement

9.Manchester Town Hall with its Clock Tower

10.Mackie Mayor, an indoor market 

11.Barton Arcade with its balconies and mahogany railings

12.John Rylands Library for that Hogwarts feeling 

13.The Refuge by Volta for the pretty mimosas 

14.Hampton and Vouis with its natural lighting for perfect holiday portraits

15.Salford Quays 


1.The Old Wellington 

The Old Wellington pub at Manchester sees a lot of phone cameras flashing their bright lights at its beautiful, Instagram-worthy corners. The charming pub was once upon a time a gorgeous monument built as early as in 1552. The building is a half-timbered one and the oldest of its kind in the whole of Manchester city.  Apart from the history carved across its walls and the magic in each of its nooks, the Old Welly is also popular for its food and drinks, which too often make it to people’s social media handles. The Cured Meat and Cheese Platter and the Nicholson Burger are loved the most.  

2.Beetham Tower 

Beetham Tower in Manchester is a 47-storey skyscraper that houses the Hilton hotel and several luxury apartments and penthouses. Because of the Hilton, the tower is also called Hilton Tower by the locals. If you are visiting Manchester, then you might want to take a guided tour of the city. This tower will definitely be a sight you will be taken to! The rooftop presents the most exquisite view of the cityscape. However, access to the rooftop is by invite only. 

3.The Manchester Cathedral 

When at the city centre in Manchester, you must make it a point to drop by at the Manchester Cathedral. It is a magnificent Victorian building that will leave you gasping for breath. While attending the Sunday mass at the cathedral is very good way to soak yourself completely in the experience, in case you are visiting on a weekday, consider checking the schedule of the Cathedral on their website before you head there. 

4.Northern Quarter 

The street art that floods the lanes of the Northern Quarter make it one of the most awe-inspiring spots in Manchester. While there are so many gawk-worthy galleries in Manchester, such as the Manchester Art Gallery, the Rogue Studios and the Whitworth Art Gallery, the street art of the Northern Quarter stands out because of its rebelliousness and transience. When in the Northern Quarter in Manchester, whether shopping for vintage clothing and classic vinyl or gobbling down some scrumptious food in one of the restaurants, be sure to keep your camera handy as you might come across some stupefying street art. 

5.Evelyn’s café and bar

In the Northern Quarter, apart from the stunning street art, there are several cafes and restaurants that are designed to make your Instagram feed look even more gorgeous. Among these eateries, one of the most popular ones is definitely Evelyn’s café and bar. Once there, you can get yourself the perfect holiday brunch consisting of the fluffiest pancakes and juiciest seasonal fruits, that not only taste yummy and fill you up, but also make for some fantastic #foodart pictures.  

6.Victoria Baths

Designed by Henry Price, the pioneering city architect of Manchester, Victoria Baths is one of the most famous tourist spots in the city. The architecture of the Baths attracts visitors in hordes. The terracotta as well as the brickwork make for fantastic Instagram-worthy backgrounds that people will heart. The stained glasses and the tinted light pouring in through them is a sight worth catching. Victoria Baths hosts various events such as pop-up cinemas, which might be a fun thing to do when in the city. Make sure you hit the pop-up bar for some delicious mocktails or some sparkling Prosecco wine, depending on your choice of poison! 

7.Royal Exchange Theatre

The Victorian architecture of the Royal Exchange Theatre invites as many eyes as does the brilliant plays hosted in it. The domed ceilings of the theatre and its sprawling designs on its floors make it a picture-worthy spot in Manchester. If you are planning to catch a show and immerse yourself in some great storytelling while in Manchester, then it is a very good idea to visit the Royal Exchange Theatre. Stay back after the play and click loads of pictures of this major tourist attraction. 

8.Manchester Central Library 

Looking for a gorgeous spot where you can curl up with a book and lose yourself to a fantastic plot? A place in Manchester where you can actually do this, is the Manchester Central Library. If you have a bookstagram page, then this is an even bigger good news for you than for the rest of the people. The library offers soft seating to all of its visitors, so you can imagine the level of comfort you will be provided with. 

9.Manchester Town Hall 

The Neo-Gothic Manchester Town Hall will leave a photographer full of glee. Since it is an iconic landmark, there is no way that you will miss it. If you are taking a guided tour of the Manchester city, then make sure the Town Hall is included amongst the sites you will be taken to. The sculptures engraved on the walls on the outside of the Manchester Town Hall are one of the most photographed objects in Manchester. The Clock Tower is another spot in the Town Hall that you will be pointing your camera at. 

10.Mackie Mayor 

An indoor market and eatery, Mackie Mayor has to be on our list of picture-perfect spots to visit when in Manchester. The place offers brunch, lunch, and dinner. So, you can spend an entire day nibbling on some of the best foods from various vendors who set their shops at this hub. Eating under the glass rooftop surrounded by vibrant co-visitors, Mackie Mayor is an experience of a kind. The building was first constructed in 1858, and so it has a rich history which only adds to its beauty. Mackie Mayor is a child-friendly place in case you were worried. It also welcomes pets. 

11.Barton Arcade

The Barton Arcade is a must visit not only for shopping lovers, but also people who love taking beautiful travel photographs. Do not get fooled by the exterior of the arcade when you enter from Deansgate. Once you are inside, you will immediately know what the hullabaloo is all about. This is a Victorian arcade that was constructed in 1871. The shopping walkaway is an iron and glass structure that looks regal even in pictures clicked by amateurs. The balconies of the arcade, especially, are spots to look out for. Also, the mahogany railings make the whole place stand out. 

12.John Rylands Library 

John Rylands Library, University of Manchester, is a quiet, gorgeous space of knowledge and wisdom. For Harry Potter fans, being in the John Rylands Library will conjure up fond memories of Hogwarts. The library is home to some of the oldest manuscripts and maps, with a collection of books worth dying for. 

When there, if you plan on not reading but just exploring and capturing the beauty of the place, then make sure you do so as silently as possible in order to not disturb those who are studying. The various rooms in the library that you must visit are the Reading Room, the Rylands Gallery, Spencer Room, and the Crawford Room. 

13.The Refuge by Volta

If you are looking for a gorgeous restaurant to eat at when vacationing in Manchester, The Refuge by Volta is unmissable. The Negroni Sbagliato and Mimosas at the Refuge not only make for good photo props, but also help you let your hair down for an evening. The Sunday Roasts is the top item at the restaurant, so try and stock up on that while there on a Sunday. If you have a food allergy of any kind, then you can inform the team at the restaurant about it. They will help you order accordingly. 

14.Hampton and Vouis

Another café in our list that makes for a picture-perfect spot is the Hampton and Vouis. Besides the variety of coffee orders that the café serves, you are also sure to enjoy their platter of Mediterranean and British delicacies. The baked pastries are not only yummy, but also make for some beautiful food photography. The café is gorgeous with floral decorations in every nook and corner and plenty of natural lighting for stunning portraits. 

15.Salford Quays

Also referred to as just the Quays, Salford Quays is a popular weekend destination in Manchester, just fifteen minutes from the City Centre. There is a whole horde of things one can do when in The Quays, from dining and wining to taking part in great adventures, such as water-based sports. If you are craving to go to a museum when at the Quays, then the Imperial War Museum North is where you need to be. This museum has more than 2000 objects on display and a story to go with each of it. 

Cannot wait to get to Manchester? Are you ready with your camera already? Our holiday experts will ensure your trip to Manchester is planned perfect to the t. Sit back and relax as we take care of the rest. 

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