Manchester named in top 15 places to visit in the UK by Time Out Magazine

Rightly so, Manchester is getting a lot of attention from the world right now.

Lonely Planet has been singing our praises, as have National Geographic, and Time Out.

But once again we’ve been recognised by Time Out as one of the top places to visit in the UK for 2023.

We’ve been lauded for being a great place to relax, see some great artworks, hang out with pals and a great place to explore.

Deservedly so.

Manchester landed at number four on Time Out’s best places to visit in 2023.

Here’s what they wrote about us.

Manchester in a word? Definitely ‘fun’. And 2023 promises to be one of the funnest years to visit, ever. In February, the Manchester Museum will finally reopen following a huge £15 million transformation, while in June the brand-new Factory International will host ‘You, Me and the Balloons’, the largest-ever immersive exhibition from cult artist Yayoi Kusama. Later in the year, it will also be putting on a stage-show adaptation of The Matrix directed by Danny Boyle. Two brand-new green spaces – Mayfield Park and the Castlefield Viaduct – are proof that Manchester takes its green credentials as seriously as its culture.

The perfect day Stroll around the Northern Quarter and grab coffee and a pastry at Ezra and Gil before browsing the stylish wares at the Manchester Craft and Design Centre (pick up something to eat in the café while you’re there). Spend the afternoon on a guided tour of Unesco City of Literature sites before heading to HOME for a film and a pizza.

Plan your trip Time your visit to catch a show at Manchester International Festival (June 29 to July 16), which has its new base at Factory International. —Rob Martin

📍Discover the best things to do in Manchester

What do you reckon to their “perfect day in Manchester”?

We’d love to hear yours. Email [email protected] with your itinerary for a chance to be featured.

You can see the full list by clicking here.

Coming top of Time Out’s 15-strong list of the top UK destinations to visit next year is Eastbourne, selected due to its rising status as a creative and cultural hub with events and festivals in the East Sussex town next year including the hosting of the 2023 Turner Prize at contemporary art gallery, Towner Eastbourne, from September.

Second on Time Out’s Best Places to Visit UK 2023 list is Birmingham, which Time Out notes for its “most underrated food scene in the UK” and the return of the Ashes in June next year as some of the key rationale given to visit.

Cardigan in West Wales has been named by Time Out as the third best UK place to visit in 2023. The town is described by the Time Out UK team as having a “dazzling creative streak”, plethora of independent businesses and a renovated Cardigan Castle and “stunning” Guildhall Market to explore. The Other Voices festival in November, a celebration of Celtic creativity and music, is also listed as an extra motive to visit in the autumn.

Huw Oliver, Time Out’s UK Editor explains why the places on the 2023 list have made the cut; “Rather than the usual hotspots, we want to highlight places, many of which are ludicrously underrated, which people don’t automatically think to go to.

“|In all of the places on the list, you will find interesting things to see and do, eat and drink during the day and night, a friendly welcome and a community spirit which enables you to connect with locals and really get to know a place.

“We recommend that you definitely put one or more of these destinations on your travel list for next year”.