Manchester guide; the best places to go during your stay at the Manchester Marathon

The adidas Manchester Marathon is the UK’s second most popular marathon after the TCS London Marathon and takes place in one of the UK’s most cultural and popular cities. In 2025, the adidas Manchester Marathon and the TCS London Marathon will run on the same day for the first time in their history. With a record number of entrants to the TCS London Marathon 2025, many runners hoping to race in the UK may choose the adidas Manchester Marathon 2025 as their choice to run. Here’s why Manchester is the perfect city to run in and visit…

Visit some of the most iconic sporting landmarks in the world

Manchester is one of the all-time sporting powerhouse cities anywhere in the world. Two of football’s most successful clubs are located on either side of the city, with Manchester United to the west and Manchester City to the east. Situated in two of the most iconic stadiums in Europe, why not combine your trip to Manchester with a stadium tour or take in a match? Our partner sportsbreaks.com offer official Manchester United ticket and hotel packages, allowing you to experience the atmosphere of a Premier League match at one of the most iconic stadiums in the world. Should you prefer the blue side of the city, check out Sports Breaks’ official Manchester City ticket and hotel packages.

If you prefer sports other than football, Manchester has plenty to offer you. There’s another well known sports stadium just a stones throw away from Manchester United, home to some of cricket’s most legendary moments. Old Trafford Cricket Ground is home to Lancashire County Cricket Club, the Lancashire Lightning & Thunder sides and the Manchester Originals, as well as playing host to a number of England men and women’s international fixtures. Our partners at Sports Breaks offer official ticket packages in their own terrace; check out what they offer here.

Soak in some of Manchester’s celebrated culture

Manchester is home to a number of museums, libraries and art galleries situated throughout the city, with many located in beautiful buildings as well. If you’re a sports lover, the National Football Museum next to the Manchester Victoria Railway Station is the perfect place to learn and view the world’s largest collection of football objects and archives. Alternatively if you like learning about how things work, the Science & Industry Museum, located in the city’s Castlefield is a great place to learn about the role that Manchester has played in the development of the world. The museum is free, but does ask for a donation and exhibits 250 years of ideas and creations that started life in Manchester and went on to change the world.

If art or culture is more your thing, Manchester has plenty to offer as well. The Manchester Art Gallery is bang in the middle of the city centre, next door to the tram network’s central stop; St Peter’s Square. The art gallery has stood in the centre of the city for 200 years and highlights the art work that has shaped the city as it has grown all around it. Just a stone’s throw over the other side of St Peter’s Square is the stunning Manchester Central Library. First opened in 1934 and designed to replicate the Pantheon in Rome, the library dominates the Square it sits in and is home to the absolutely beautiful Wolfson Reading Room – well worth a visit as long as you keep the noise down!

Eat and drink in some of Manchester’s most magnificent establishments

If you’re a foodie or a lover of pubs, Manchester is the city for you! The city has a large and varied mix of cultures for every visitor, whether you fancy the city’s cooler Northern Quarter district or the authentic Curry Mile to the south of the city, or anywhere in between!

Northern Quarter/Ancoats – Home to some of the most popular pubs and restaurants in the city, check out the city’s favourite pizza restaurant, Rudy’s, the beautiful gothic pub, the Crown & Kettle or the trendy LA-inspired Ramona and Firehouse.

Spinningfields/Deansgate – The more modern area of the city sees visitors come from far and wide to check out the brand new Sexy Fish restaurant, soak in the sunshine in the huge beer garden at the Oast House or take in the incredible city views at the rooftop bar of 20 Stories.

City centre/Oxford Road – Down every street there are gems to be found, whether it be one of the best Neapolitan pizzas in the UK at Double Zero, drinks in historic pubs like the Peveril of the Peak and the Briton’s Protection, or take the opportunity to sample numerous Manchester food vendors at the popular Society Food and Drink Hall.

Getting around – trams, trains and buses

Manchester has a large public transport network, with trams, buses and trains making the city easily accessible in a short amount of time. The Manchester Marathon start and finish areas are not located in the city centre, but can be easily accessed via tram. Travel to Old Trafford Tram Stop on the Altrincham Line for quick access to the finish line area, or travel to Wharfside Tram Stop on the Trafford Centre Line for your nearest access to the start line area.

The best viewing point for the Manchester Marathon is on Deansgate, easily to get to from Deansgate-Castlefield Tram Stop, which most tram services pass through to destinations including Altrincham, East Didsbury, Manchester Airport and the Trafford Centre. To get to attractions in the city centre, most trams travel through St Peter’s Square Tram Stop. To go to the Northern Quarter, get off at Shudehill Tram Stop. The three main train stations of the city; Manchester Piccadilly, Manchester Victoria and Manchester Oxford Road sit in three separate corners of the city and act as good starting points for those wanting to head in to the city. Manchester Airport has a railway station that provides regular services to Manchester city centre, as well as a direct tram service and the number 43 bus providing another option to get to the city centre.

Still looking for your Manchester Marathon entry? Take a look at our packages here.