A Couple's Guide To Manchester UK

Manchester is a great place to be a couple, with plenty of options for romantic dates or days out for two. From cocktails to romantic walks and cool hotels, here’s our guide to the best of them.

Step outside your comfort zone when you’re looking for somewhere to rest your heads, and opt for one of Manchester’s most glamorous hotels, Hotel Gotham. Perfect for couples, the luxurious suites in the 1920’s themed building not only feature roll-top baths in the bedrooms, they also have ‘intimacy kits’ in the mini bar; perfect if you’re still in the honeymoon period or indeed are on your honeymoon. Take advantage of your luxurious surroundings and order room service cocktails before heading out to explore the city.

If you’re blessed with sunshine, head to one of the city’s suburbs to make the most of the good weather. It’s easy to hop on a tram to the bohemian district of Chorlton, making it the ideal choice for a morning spent outdoors. Pop into Barbakan deli on Manchester Road to stock up on freshly made bread, cheeses, olives and other delicacies to take to the meadows with a bottle of wine for a romantic lunchtime picnic. Take some time to wander around the small paths that weave through the woods and around Chorlon Ees before settling on a secluded sunny spot for a relaxing feast.

Before heading back to your hotel to freshen up for the night ahead, take a wander through the Northern Quarter, perhaps treating each other to some new threads or a beloved record? Take some time to point out your favourite street art to one another, before popping into alternative department store Affleck’s, to indulge in a luxurious ice cream sundae at Ginger’s Comfort Emporium.

There’s plenty of romantic restaurants to choose from, but if you’re looking for something a little special, we recommend booking a table at recently opened restaurant, The Refuge. The beautiful surroundings of the Winter Garden and the delicious food on offer are both sure to impress your date, and if you’re feeling generous you could opt for a selection of small plates to share with each other.

If you’d rather not indulge in an evening of drinking, there are plenty of other options available, such as catching a show at the Palace Theatre next door or wandering down the road to challenge each other at bowling at the infamous Dog Bowl. We love the idea of taking a taxi out to Heaton Moor to snuggle up on one of the cosy two-seater sofas in the Savoy, a luxury boutique cinema.

For cocktails with an unparalleled romantic view of the sun setting over the city, head to either Manchester House or Cloud 23 to experience two of the most exclusive settings to enjoy a cocktail in Manchester. Sip a gin and tonic on the Manchester’s House’s balcony or order the most inventive cocktail on the menu and admire the panoramic views from the 23rd floor of the Hilton Hotel.

Fancy discovering relaxing and romantic hotels in Manchester? Check out our guide to the most relaxing spa breaks to book in Manchester, UK, bookable with Culture Trip.

Since you are here, we would like to share our vision for the future of travel - and the direction Culture Trip is moving in.

Culture Trip launched in 2011 with a simple yet passionate mission: to inspire people to go beyond their boundaries and experience what makes a place, its people and its culture special and meaningful — and this is still in our DNA today. We are proud that, for more than a decade, millions like you have trusted our award-winning recommendations by people who deeply understand what makes certain places and communities so special.

Increasingly we believe the world needs more meaningful, real-life connections between curious travellers keen to explore the world in a more responsible way. That is why we have intensively curated a collection of premium small-group trips as an invitation to meet and connect with new, like-minded people for once-in-a-lifetime experiences in three categories: Culture Trips, Rail Trips and Private Trips. Our Trips are suitable for both solo travelers, couples and friends who want to explore the world together.

Culture Trips are deeply immersive 5 to 16 days itineraries, that combine authentic local experiences, exciting activities and 4-5* accommodation to look forward to at the end of each day. Our Rail Trips are our most planet-friendly itineraries that invite you to take the scenic route, relax whilst getting under the skin of a destination. Our Private Trips are fully tailored itineraries, curated by our Travel Experts specifically for you, your friends or your family.

We know that many of you worry about the environmental impact of travel and are looking for ways of expanding horizons in ways that do minimal harm - and may even bring benefits. We are committed to go as far as possible in curating our trips with care for the planet. That is why all of our trips are flightless in destination, fully carbon offset - and we have ambitious plans to be net zero in the very near future.