Where to Stay in Manchester, England → 4 Best Areas

Despite being one of the oldest cities in England, Manchester is known as “The Original Modern City”, and is the most popular and vibrant city in Northern England! But it’s not all about its two famous football teams, Manchester United and Man City, that attract a huge amount of visitors.  

With more than 100,000 students studying here, Manchester is one of the most ethnically and culturally diverse cities in England, not to mention the biggest university city in Europe! With such a big and diverse number of people living and visiting Manchester, this lively city has a lot to offer in every way. I’m talking about nightlife and live music every day of the week, museums, art… and all this at cheaper prices than London or other big cities in England!

The beautiful paradox of Manchester is that, even if being a massive and busy city, it has a very relaxed (and bohemian) vibe, that you can breathe strolling around its suggestive streets.

If you want to pass from one area to the other one, Manchester is perfectly connected both inside and outside, thanks to its train station (either Victoria Station in the north or Piccadilly in the south) and long-standing tram service. So you can get around super easily in the city and beyond greater Manchester!

Now that you know how much you can enjoy your time here, it’s time to start deep diving into Manchester’s neighborhoods to find out the one that best suits your style and your wallet! Good news, to help you do just that, I’ve made this Manchester neighborhood guide with the best areas and top accommodation options (luxurious and family-friendly hotels, apartments, and Airbnb) that I’ve found searching among many booking sites.

You don’t have to make any effort, just keep reading to decide where to stay in Manchester, and make sure you book your hotel way in advance! Even though it’s a big city, the chances of finding a good hotel at the last minute are very rare.

Let’s start!

If you are in a hurry

If you don’t have time to read the whole post, I made a quick list for you with the top accommodations where to stay in Manchester city center:

Here’s a handy map of the city to help you visualize the 4 best neighborhoods to stay in Manchester that I will go through in this post:

1. Manchester City Centre – where to Stay for the first time

Deciding where to stay in Manchester for your first time could take you quite a lot, but there’s actually the perfect place for you… Manchester City Centre! The heart of the city will give you a little of everything, all the main attractions like the Manchester Opera House and the Manchester Art Gallery, and the best shopping hubs such as the popular market street.

In Manchester City Centre you’ll have some of the best nights of your life, having dinner in delicious restaurants offering traditional or international cuisines, drinking wines and beers in local pubs and dancing the night away in trendy nightclubs. The city center also hosts the highest number of accommodation options, with hotels located in charming 19th and 20th-century buildings.

The perfect example of that is The Free Trade Hall, the previous public hall and the site of the Peterloo Massacre, it is now the Edwardian Manchester hotel where people go to enjoy a quiet afternoon tea… crazy right?

What’s more, Piccadilly Train Station and other excellent transportation modes such as trams and buses are located right in Manchester City Centre, so you just have to take one to reach any other area… staying in the city center couldn’t be more convenient!

Other accommodation in Manchester City Centre

Since the City Center is one of the most popular and touristic neighborhoods, here are 4 more accommodation options to stay in Manchester in case the ones above are already booked out:

• Luxury: Stock Exchange Hotel – Live a unique experience and get quality service in an exquisite baroque building, set within the former Manchester Stock Exchange. 
• Mid Priced: Native Manchester – The winner of the Best place to stay in the north offers spacious rooms and studios!
• Budget: Ibis Manchester Centre – Modern rooms and amazing breakfast right in the middle of Manchester city center!
• Airbnb: Contemporary Home – Enjoy your own private heritage apartment with free wifi and a washing machine

Things to do in Manchester City Centre

• Have a stroll around King Street looking at its architectural wonders
• Check out the stained glass windows of the Manchester Cathedral
• Watch a unique show at the Manchester Opera House
• Go shopping in the busy Market Street
• Attend an event at the famous Manchester Central Convention Centre
• View the historical and contemporary art at the Manchester Art Gallery
• Check out the political monuments of Albert Square and St Peter’s Square
• Learn something interesting at the People’s History Museum

2. Northern Quarter – the coolest place to stay

Street art everywhere, bohemian vibes, independent trendy shops, and restaurants… welcome to the coolest area of Manchester and the hipster’s favorite neighborhood: the Northern Quarter! Located northeast of the city center and close to the gay village, Northern Quarter distinguishes itself with its creative character and unique charm.

Who loves alternative shopping? This area is home to fashion and vintage stores, independent record shops, cafés, bars, and restaurants, and the world-famous Afflecks Palace, a real totem of indie commerce across four floors!

Here you’ll find a lot of warehouses that have been renovated to become artistic or cultural buildings. One of these which is definitely worth a visit is the Manchester Craft & Design Centre, hosting artist-run studios with the best in local design, jewelry, bags, and accessories!

Other than alternative shops, The Northern Quarter has a big variety of independent restaurants and bars, where you’ll have a unique experience after dark. From quirky and cool bars to relaxed pubs and dancing clubs, you’ll just be spoiled for choice! …Are you cool enough for this neighborhood? If yes, take a look at the following amazing hotels and make sure you book your favorite immediately!

Other accommodation options in Northern Quarter

Things to do in the Northern Quarter

• Do some vintage shopping at Retro Rehab
• Get inspired in the creative Media City Center!
• Go alternative shopping at the crazy Afflecks Palace!
• Have dinner and a drink at Trof, in a relaxed yet quirky atmosphere
• Dance the night away at Canal Street, which hosts all the best clubs and bars, and one of Europe’s oldest LGBT communities!
• Support the local artists at Manchester Craft & Design Centre
• Attend music or cultural events at Piccadilly Gardens, which is close to Piccadilly rail station (the hub of Manchester’s public transport system)!

3.  Salford Quays & Old Trafford – where to stay for sports

Previously known to be the dock area of Manchester, Salford Quays has grown into one of the best areas of the City, being close to one of the most popular attractions in North West England. Both neighborhoods are located southwest of the city center, and you just have to cross the river to pass from one to the other.

I am sure Football fanatics already know what I am talking about… this area is just 20 minutes walking distance from the famous Manchester United Football Club home, Old Trafford!

Old Trafford neighborhood is the ultimate sporting destination in Manchester, receiving hundreds of thousands of tourists each year, especially during the English premier league season (between September and May). Apart from the stadium, there is another attraction that will make sports enthusiasts happy: the Chill Factore, nothing less than UK’s longest and widest indoor snow slope!

But the neighbor Salford Quays is not far behind, hosting world-class entertainment spots, such as the water sports center, boat excursions on the canal, and a wide range of sporting activities. For those who are more into the culture, the area also has several cultural facilities on offer, including the Imperial War Museum North, Emirates Old Trafford, The Lowry, and Ordsall Hall.

If you happen to be here during summer sunny days, don’t miss the chance to catch a 5-hour ferry trip from The Quays to Liverpool, another British city that competes with Manchester in terms of coolness!

Other accommodation options in the Salford Quays

Things to do in Salford Quays and Old Trafford

• Go indoor skiing at the Chill Factore!
• Watch a football game at the Manchester United Football Club  
• Take a tour of the Etihad Stadium (if you’re a Manchester fan!)
• Check out the stories from war at the Imperial War Museum North
• Attend an amazing event at the Emirates Old Trafford
• Watch an Opera or a Musical at the Lowry Theatre
• Attend a crazy concert at the Trafford Cricket Ground!

4. Castlefield – best neighborhood for history

Castlefield, located at the southwest end of the city center (just 5 minutes by tram or metro), is the industrial and Roman heart of Manchester. The Roman fort, networks of canals, and old mills will immediately bring you back to the past… after all, its name is just the contracted version of its previous name Castle-in-the-field!

This is the right neighborhood if you love visiting the city’s cultural and historic attractions! Here you can spend your day visiting the Castlefield Bowl (a rock music arena), the Science & Industry Museum or the Mamucium Roman fort remains while enjoying new bars and sophisticated restaurants at night with an amazing view of the canals!

Castlefield is also the quietest suburb to stay in Manchester, where you can have a slower and more relaxed pace of life, surrounded by flower-decked canal boats! This is because the neighborhood was proclaimed the UK’s first Urban Heritage Park in 1982, which safeguarded canals and transformed it into a largely traffic-free haven. Simply perfect in my opinion!

Other accommodation options in Castlefield

Things to do in Castlefield

• Check out the thought-provoking art at the Castlefield Gallery
• Visit the Science & Industry Museum
• Attend an event or a concert at the Manchester Castlefield Bowl
• Explore the ancient Roman fort remains
• Take a walk along the channels and enjoy the beautiful trees
• Have a traditional beer with your friends at Cask pub, Liverpool Road

Frequently asked questions about Manchester

Conclusion

We are at the end of our amazing journey through Manchester’s diverse and unique neighborhoods: the vibrant city center, the bohemian Northern Quarter, the sport fanatic favorite Salford Quays and Old Trafford, and the historical charming Castlefield! All of them offer great accommodations for any budget, interest, and traveler, have you made your choice?

If you still don’t know where to stay in Manchester I don’t blame you, we went through so many options! So let me help you and give you my favorite hotels, with great location and reviews:

• Stock Exchange Hotel – get a luxurious unique experience without having to renounce comfort!
• Dakota Manchester – chic hotel with great central location, only a 30-minute drive from Manchester Airport

I hope you enjoyed my guide and that it will help you have an unforgettable stay in Manchester, an original and lively city! Once you find the perfect option for your holiday, I strongly suggest you book your accommodation immediately, this is a much-loved tourist destination in northern England and places go fast!

If you have any questions, thoughts, or tips about Manchester or a particular hotel, please leave them in the comments. I am looking forward to receiving new inputs and answering you!

Have a wonderful trip,

Elena