Stadiums and museums
| Place | Why go | Before you go |
|---|---|---|
| Old Trafford | Manchester United's stadium, with a tour of the dressing rooms and the club museum. | West of the centre |
| The Etihad Stadium | Manchester City's stadium, with a behind-the-scenes tour. | East of the city |
| The National Football Museum | The history of football through shirts, trophies and interactive games. | City centre |
| The Science and Industry Museum | Locomotives and steam engines at the world's oldest surviving passenger railway station. | Free; the Power Hall reopened in 2025 |
| John Rylands Library | A grand Gothic library that feels like a cathedral, with rare manuscripts. | Free, Deansgate |
| Manchester Museum | Galleries of ancient Egypt, dinosaurs and natural history. | University of Manchester, free |
Shopping
| Place | Why go | Before you go |
|---|---|---|
| The Trafford Centre | One of Britain's largest shopping centres, with grand halls and restaurants. | About 20 minutes from the centre |
| Arndale | A large shopping centre in the heart of the city. | City centre |
| The Northern Quarter | Streets of independent shops, cafés and colourful murals. | City centre |
Around Manchester
| Place | Why go | Before you go |
|---|---|---|
| The Peak District | Britain's first national park, with green hills, stone villages and walking trails. | About an hour |
| Chester | A city with complete Roman walls and old timber-framed houses. | About an hour |
| Liverpool and the Royal Albert Dock | A historic dock with museums and restaurants on the river. | About 45 minutes by train |
Tips before you go
- Book stadium tours ahead; they don't run on match days.
- Most of Manchester's museums are free.
- Saudis need the UK Electronic Travel Authorisation before travelling.
Hotels in Manchester
Flights to Manchester
More places nearby
Visa
Frequently asked questions
What are the top things to do in Manchester?
Old Trafford and the Etihad, the National Football Museum, the Science and Industry Museum, John Rylands Library, the Trafford Centre and the Peak District.
Are Manchester's museums free?
Most are, including the Science and Industry Museum, Manchester Museum and John Rylands Library.
How far is the Peak District from Manchester?
About an hour by car.
Planning your trip to the United Kingdom? Read Travel to the UK from Saudi Arabia.
Last updated: October 2026. The information is for guidance only; ticket prices and opening hours are set by each attraction and may change, so check them on the official website before you go.