Where to Take the Best Photos in Manchester? Our 10 Must-See Spots

Manchester is a city in England that is part of the Greater Manchester metropolitan borough. The city's architecture, culture, music exports, media linkages, engineering and scientific production, social effects, sports clubs, and transportation connections are all noteworthy. It has a ton of beautiful locations! Although it is difficult to pick just ten, we have compiled a list of our top ten locations for stunning photos while you're there.

We're sharing our top picks for breathtaking photo spots in Manchester in this guide. In order to avoid crowds and capture the ideal light, we also advise you on the best time and method to visit each location.

Let's take a tour of the city's most picturesque locations, ideal for making memories along the way.

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1. John Rylands Library

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Part of the University of Manchester, the Unique John Rylands Library is a late Victorian neo-Gothic structure located on Deansgate in Manchester. In honor of her husband, John Rylands, Enriqueta Augustina Rylands founded the library, which became accessible to the public in 1900. The majority of the Special Collections of The University of Manchester Library, the third-largest academic library in the United Kingdom, are currently housed there after it joined the institution in 1972. The particular collections are thought to be some of the biggest in the UK.

• Why is it exotic? 🤔
  A neo-Gothic masterpiece that feels like a scene from Harry Potter.
• Best time to visit 📅
  Late morning for fewer crowds and warm indoor lighting.
• Photography tip 📷
  Capture the reading room from the balcony for dramatic symmetry.

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2. Castlefield Canals

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The River Irwell, Quay Street, Deansgate, and Chester Road all enclose Castlefield, an inner-city conservation area that carries the same name. This region has a wonderful blend of history and beauty thanks to its old bridges, serene lake, and historic brick warehouses. Manchester got its name from the location of the Roman fort of Mamucium, sometimes known as Mancunium. The first railway warehouse opened here in 1831, and the world's first passenger railway came to an end here in 1830 at Liverpool Road train station.

• Why is it exotic? 🤔
  Old canals, brick bridges, and reflections give this area a peaceful, vintage feel.
• Best time to visit 📅
  Sunset is perfect for golden light and long shadows.
• Photography tip 📷
  Shoot from under the railway bridges for layered textures.

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3. Northern Quarter Street Art

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Manchester's street art scene has grown so much that businesses now employ street painters to paint visually striking advertisements on the city's walls. It is the best street art in Manchester's Northern Quarter, which has been voted one of the best cities for street art. Keep in mind that these pieces are constantly changing, so you might see something brand-new! There are colorful murals, oddball stores, and unique nooks all over this neighborhood. Your camera will like each wall, which feels like a fragment of a narrative.

• Why is it exotic? 🤔
  Every wall is covered in colorful murals, making the area feel alive.
• Best time to visit 📅
  Midday, when the light hits the buildings directly.
• Photography tip 📷
  Look up! Some of the best art is high above eye level.

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4. Manchester Town Hall

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Manchester Town Hall is a Victorian, Neo-Gothic municipal structure that contains several local government agencies and serves as the ceremonial headquarters of Manchester City Council. With Manchester Cenotaph facing its southern entrance, the edifice faces St. Peter's Square to the south and Albert Square to the north. The structure houses offices as well as large ceremonial spaces like the Great Hall, which is embellished with striking Manchester Murals by Ford Madox Brown that depict the city's history.

• Why is it exotic? 🤔
  One of the city's most iconic buildings with stunning Victorian design.
• Best time to visit  📅
  Morning for soft light on the front façade.
• Photography tip 📷
  Capture the clock tower with a wide angle from Albert Square.

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5. Manchester Art Gallery

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Built for a learned society, the Manchester Art Gallery is a publicly owned art museum located on Mosley Street. Today, its collection is housed in three interconnected buildings. After the art gallery undertook a significant extension and refurbishment project, it opened in 2002. It is open six days a week, except Mondays, and admission is free. It boasts a collection of over 25,000 items and houses numerous works of both local and global significance.

• Why is it exotic? 🤔
  Home to both classical and modern art, and free to enter.
• Best time to visit 📅
  Weekdays for a quiet and calm experience.
• Photography tip 📷
  Use natural light from gallery windows to frame your shots.

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6. National Football Museum

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The Urbis building in Manchester's downtown serves as the home of England's national football museum, which conserves, displays, and maintains significant collections of football memorabilia. In 2012, the museum relocated to Manchester from its original location in Deepdale, Preston, Lancashire. It is the location of some of the most memorable events in English football history, demonstrating why the game is so important to us.

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• Why is it exotic? 🤔
  A must-visit for football lovers, with cool displays and interactive zones.
• Best time to visit 📅
  Late afternoon, when it’s less crowded.
• Photography tip 📷
  Take shots from the outside — the glass tower reflects the city.

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7. MediaCityUK

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Located in Salford, Greater Manchester, MediaCityUK is a 200-acre mixed-use real estate development situated across the Manchester Ship Canal. Peel Media created the project, and media companies and the Quayside MediaCityUK shopping mall are its main tenants. The development's site was a portion of the Manchester Docks and Port of Manchester. With one of the most popular arts attractions in the UK, it's a location full of innovation and culture.

• Why is it exotic? 🤔
  Modern and sleek, with BBC studios and waterfront views.
• Best time to visit 📅
  Evening, when the buildings light up beautifully..
• Photography tip 📷
  Capture reflections on the water during blue hour.

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8. Manchester Cathedral

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Thirty of the best misericords in Europe date from the 16th century and are housed in Manchester Cathedral. It serves as the city's parish church, the seat of the Manchester Bishop, and the mother church of the Anglican Diocese of Manchester. It is a Grade I listed building located on Victoria Street in the center of Manchester. After the college body was founded in 1421, the old parish church was restored in the Perpendicular Gothic style. James Stanley II was in charge of the reconstruction around the end of the 15th century.

• Why is it exotic? 🤔
  Quiet, peaceful, and filled with beautiful stained-glass windows.
• Best time to visit 📅
  Morning, when light pours through the east windows.
• Photography tip 📷
  Focus on the arches and carved details inside.

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9.  The Lowry Theatre & Footbridge

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Salford Quays, Greater Manchester, is home to the theater and gallery complex known as the Lowry. It bears the name of L. S. Lowry, a painter from the early 20th century who is well-known for his depictions of North West England industrial landscapes. Queen Elizabeth II officially opened the complex in October 2000, after it had opened on April 2000. The rising bridge that spans the Manchester Ship Canal is both an engineering marvel and a moving sculpture. Its primary purpose is to create a pedestrian pathway connecting The Lowry theater and arts center to Trafford Park and the planned Imperial War Museum.

• Why is it exotic? 🤔
  A mix of modern art and architecture right by the water.
• Best time to visit 📅
  Blue hour for dramatic lighting on the buildings.
• Photography tip 📷
  Use the bridge’s lines to frame the Lowry building.

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10. Afflecks

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Afflecks is an indoor market located in the Northern Quarter of the city, at the intersection of Dale Street, Oldham Street, and Church Street/Tib Street. The building houses dozens of separate stalls, boutiques, and small shops. Affleck & Brown, one of the city's main department stores, used to be housed in the building. In 2015, Affleck & Brown opened a bar in the original location.

• Why is it exotic? 🤔
  A maze of indie shops, quirky decor, and vintage treasures.
• Best time to visit 📅
  Afternoon for the full, lively atmosphere.
• Photography tip 📷
  Don’t miss the colorful stairwells and graffiti walls inside.

Final Thoughts

These are the top photography spots you won't want to miss in Manchester. However, there is much more to see and enjoy, as the city offers endless photo opportunities. Take a walk and explore more, and make both your day and your photos amazing. Hopefully, this guide will help you capture your best moments in Manchester.

Ready to explore?
Don’t forget to bring extra storage, as you’ll be taking a lot of photos.

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