Manchester’s rich history is best unlocked through its fantastic array of free walking tours. To truly understand the city, there is no better way than joining a local guide who can weave fascinating narratives about this unique British metropolis while you stroll through its opulent streets and grand squares.
For budget-conscious travellers, Manchester offers plenty of pedestrian-friendly options, including “pay-what-you-feel” excursions. Alternatively, you can explore independently or utilise digital tours and apps. Read on for the best ways to discover the city, courtesy of iManchester.
Guided Walking Tours
Manchester boasts a wide selection of organised walking tours that are incredibly popular with visitors. One of the standouts is the Free Manchester Walking Tour. This tour departs daily at 11:00 am from the Alan Turing Memorial in Sackville Gardens. It is a unique experience, with a route originally crafted in the mid-2010s by a passionate team of local historians and enthusiasts.
The tour lasts for three hours, taking you past stunning landmarks such as the Town Hall precinct, the Royal Exchange Theatre, the John Rylands Library, and the city’s famous canals. It also includes a look at vibrant street art and the quirky sculpture dedicated to Vimto—the iconic soft drink invented right here in Manchester. This overview demonstrates Manchester’s dramatic transformation from an industrial powerhouse to a modern hub of football, science, and museums.
Walks are conducted in English, traverse flat city-centre streets, and run come rain or shine, making them accessible to almost everyone. Private and LGBT-specific tours are also available. While there is no upfront cost, you are welcome to tip the guide at the end.
Another brilliant option is Si Manchester Free Walking Tours, which offers excursions in both English and Spanish. These start at 10:00 am from Piccadilly Gardens. The Spanish-language version, in particular, has garnered rave reviews and high ratings on platforms like Freetour.com, TripAdvisor, and Yelp. The route covers the entire city centre, ensuring you see the most picturesque spots.
Self-Guided Routes
If you prefer to explore at your own pace, grab a map and follow a planned route. The official “Visit Manchester” website offers a plethora of self-guided trails, allowing you to curate a journey through the sites of the Industrial Revolution or the historic heart of the city. These maps can be downloaded for free at any time.

You can easily spend two hours wandering past the statue of Queen Victoria, the former cotton warehouse that now houses the Britannia Hotel, the Chinese Arch, the Turing Memorial, the Emmeline Pankhurst statue, the Central Library, and Albert Square. It is also well worth plotting a path to see locations tied to British rock music history or even the city’s haunted hotels.
Highlights you can see on a free tour plan include:
- Manchester Town Hall and Albert Square: A historic plaza dominated by a neo-Gothic masterpiece.
- Royal Exchange Theatre: A cultural hub rising from the floor of the former commodities exchange.
- The Gay Village: A district with deep LGBTQ+ history and a thriving modern culture.
- John Rylands Library: A stunning neo-Gothic library housing collections of rare books.
The best way to end such a walk is in a historic pub, where you can rest your feet and grab a bite to eat. It’s the perfect way to soak up the beauty of the architecture at a leisurely pace.
Digital Tours
In our digital age, your smartphone can be the ultimate travel companion. Thanks to specialised apps, creating a city route is effortless. For instance, the free app from the Modernist Society offers a tour dedicated to 20th-century modernist architecture. This route guides tourists to notable structures such as the Express Building, the CIS Tower (once the tallest office block outside London), the Renold Building at the university, and the former Kendals department store.

The app is free and ideal for architecture lovers. Along the way, you’ll spot some of the best places to sample traditional British cuisine, including Cornish pasties and fish and chips.
There is also the option of downloading a PDF route from “TransPennine Express”, which suggests a walk from Piccadilly Station into the centre. These digital tools are incredibly convenient; on a rainy day, you can plan your future excursion from the comfort of your home, perhaps under a warm duvet, while deciding whether to focus on industrial heritage or the music scene.
Exploring on foot helps you dive deep into the life of this dynamic metropolis and understand why it remains one of the UK’s most exciting locations. Walking is a fantastic way to acquaint yourself with the city from the very first minute, revealing architectural gems often missed by standard guidebooks.
Ultimately, Manchester offers a wealth of free touring options. They are an excellent way to see the landmarks, absorb the atmosphere, learn the history, and even chat with locals to hear their life stories. Thanks to these free excursions, the city is accessible to everyone. Whether via an app, solo, or with a guide, the beauty of Manchester is sure to impress.
Sources used
- https://www.freetour.com/manchester/free-manchester-tour?utm_source
- https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/article/2024/aug/20/free-app-offers-tour-of-modernist-manchester
- https://www.visitmanchester.com/listing/free-tour-manchester-%7c-si-manchester-free-walking-tours/37676101/
- https://www.visitmanchester.com/listing/free-manchester-walking-tours/36608101/
- https://manchestersightseeingtours.com/tour/free-manchester-walking-tour-secrets-of-the-city/