A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Manchester vs. Annecy for Food, Couples, Attractions, and Nightlife

Should you visit Manchester or Annecy?

Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?

Which city is more affordable and which is best for your travel style? If you're trying to figure out where to go next, comparing the travel costs between Manchester and Annecy can help you decide which place is right for you.

Manchester

Manchester is a vibrant, dynamic, and diverse city. Travelers will also find plenty of sights and attractions here, as it's a big city that attracts lots of visitors. Visitors also love the shopping, museums, and nightlife.

Annecy

Annecy is a storybook, charming, and stunning alpine town. Since it offers so much small town charm with a variety of activities, it attracts plenty of visitors, too. Many visitors also come because of it's amazing beauty. Other reasons to visit include shopping, museums, and nightlife.

Manchester and Annecy: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Manchester or Annecy?

Travelers will usually find more to do in Manchester. Although Manchester and Annecy are popular destinations, Manchester has more sights and attractions for tourists. Manchester is very popular for its museums, nightlife, music, shopping, and big city activities, while Annecy attracts visitors for its food, historical sights, hiking, small town charm, and impressive beauty. Annecy is more touristy than Manchester and is known for its charming old town and its beautiful, lakefront, alpine setting. Manchester is famous for its strong music culture as well as being home to the world-renowned Manchester United Football Club. It is also well known for The National Football Museum.

How is Manchester different from Annecy?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

Let's take a look at the differences and similarities between Annecy and Manchester. Then, you can decide for yourself which place is better for your next trip.

Are the Museums and Historical Sights Better in Manchester or Annecy?

Manchester is a great city for its historical sights. Also, Annecy is not as popular, but is still a nice alpine town for its sights and museums.

Many visitors head to Manchester specifically to visit some of its top-rated museums and other sights. Head to the Science and Industry Museum, the Imperial War Museum North, Manchester Cathedral, or John Rylands Library & Manchester Central Library to see some of the cities most interesting sights.

If you're looking for an educational opportunity, there are a decent number of museums and historical sights around Annecy. The old town and lakefront setting is what brings the tourists, but there are several unique landmarks around town as well. Palais de l'Île is the most photographed spot in the old town. Also worth visiting are Musée-Château d'Annecy, Eglise Saint-Maurice, and Cathédrale Saint-Pierre.

Is the Food Better in Manchester or Annecy? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

Annecy is very popular for its local flavors and cuisine. Also, Manchester is not as popular, but is still a nice city for its local cuisine and restaurants.

Annecy has long been recognized as a culinary destination with great restaurants. Fresh caught fish and local French specialties make this town a wonderful culinary destination. The old town is filled with restaurants, cafes, and markets where you can enjoy local ingredients. There are many local dishes to try with some of the most popular being Tartiflette, Raclette, and Gratin de crozets. Fondue is also popular. You'll find cheese is a common component in many dishes.

Eating is part of the travel experience when you visit Manchester. You'll find a great food scene with diverse restaurant options that include international flavors, vegetarian options, and more. There are also many great places to try craft beer.

Is Manchester or Annecy Better for Nightlife?

Manchester is a great city for nightlife and partying. Also, Annecy is not as popular, but is still a nice alpine town for its evening party scene.

The nightlife in Manchester has something for everybody. The nightlife scene is diverse and high energy. Head to Deansgate or the Northern Quarter for some of the best nightlife venues. You'll also find a huge rave scene in town.

There's a variety of activities in the evening in Annecy. There are bars and pubs to visit with one of the most popular bar-hopping streets being Rue Sainte-Claire.

Is Manchester or Annecy Better for Music?

Manchester is a great city for its live music scene. However, Annecy is not a live music destination.

Manchester has a thriving music scene. There's a long running music reputation here. Some of the iconic bands that began here include Oasis and Stone Roses.

Annecy is not a live music destination.

Is Manchester or Annecy Better for its Old Town?

Annecy is very popular for its historic old town. However, Manchester does not have a historic old town.

Annecy has a world-famous historical area. This is among the most beautiful old towns in Europe. It sits along the banks of Lake Annecy and the water integrates beautifully into the setting.

Manchester does not have a historic old town.

Is Manchester or Annecy Better for Hiking?

Annecy is great for hiking. However, Manchester is not a hiking destination.

Many visitors go to Annecy for the hiking trails. There are a range of hikes just out of town that cover all ability levels. There are flat, waterfront strolls as well as more strenuous mountain treks. La Tournette is one of the most famous hikes in the area. Other options include Circuit des 3 Croix de Sevrier and Gorges du Fier.

Manchester is not a hiking destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Manchester or Annecy?

Manchester is a great city for its shopping opportunities. Also, Annecy is not as popular, but is still a nice alpine town for its shopping areas.

Manchester is well-known for its shopping. From jewelry to boutique clothing outlets, there are many places to shop around town. Head to Manchester Arndale, Trafford Centre, or Market Street for some of the best shopping.

Many visitors go to Annecy to go shopping. Three times a week you can check out the Old Town Market. Another popular shopping street is Rue Royale.

Is Manchester or Annecy Better for Families?

You'll find very good kid-friendly activities in either Manchester or Annecy.

Manchester is a very family-friendly destination. You'll find a number of kid-friendly activities around town including the popular Legoland Discovery Center. Another fun activity is taking a behind the scenes CBBC interactive tour at MediaCityUK. Animal lovers will enjoy visiting the SeaLife Aquarium or the Chester Zoo and sports enthusiasts will not want to miss a visit to the National Football Museum or doing a tour of Old Trafford where you can also visit the Manchester United Museum.

Annecy is a very kid-friendly city. Families can enjoy getting out on the lake by renting a boat or going for a swim. Check out Wibit Water Park or let the kids play at Leisure Center Orange Montisel. There's also a great playground for kids right by the waterfront. Hiking and exploring are also fun for the whole family.

Is Manchester or Annecy Better for Couples?

Annecy is very popular for romance. Also, Manchester is not as popular, but is still a nice city for its romantic activities.

For those traveling as a couple, Annecy has plenty to offer. It's a romantic French mountain town with beautiful scenery and a wonderful lake. Couples can enjoy outdoor activities or wandering through one of the best old towns in the region. The beauty and natural setting make this a wonderful couples destination.

Manchester is a very popular place to visit for couples. Couples can enjoy a visit to a spa, a nice meal out, or simply wandering down the canal. For a unique experience, you can hit to slopes at Chill Factore.

Is Manchester or Annecy Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

For backpackers, both Manchester and Annecy are nice places to visit.

Manchester is popular with backpackers and budget travelers. You'll find hostels around town and a number of visitors, particularly during the sports season.

It's common for backpackers to visit Annecy. It's a world class mountain destination that attracts families and vacationers, but there aren't as many hostels around town as backpackers would like.

Is Manchester or Annecy Better for Students?

Manchester is a great city for its student-friendly activities. However, Annecy is not popular with students.

Manchester is very popular with students. There's a large number of students as well as a great music scene and tons of festivals that make this a great city to do your studies.

Annecy is not popular with students.

Is Manchester or Annecy Better for Public Transit? Which Is Easier to Get Around Without a Car?

Manchester is a great city for times when you don't have a car. Also, Annecy is not as popular, but is still a nice alpine town for its public transit.

Manchester has some very good public transit options. The city has bus, train, and tram options for travel.

Annecy has a few public transit options. The Sibra public transport system offers buses that travel through Annecy and around the lake, stopping at many towns along the way.

Is Manchester or Annecy a more walkable city?

Annecy is great for its walkability. Also, Manchester is not as popular, but is still a nice city for its high level of walkability.

Annecy is very walkable. The old town is filled with pedestrian streets that are perfect to explore on foot.

Manchester is a somewhat walkable place. Some neighborhoods are more walkable than others.

For even more information, also check out Is Manchester Worth Visiting? and Is Annecy Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Annecy or Manchester?

How long in Manchester or Annecy?

It's fun to spend time in either Manchester or Annecy. In our opinion, Manchester has more to see and do, so we recommend that you spend more time in Manchester than Annecy. However, 2-4 days is a good amount of time to spend in either destination.

Families should spend more time in Annecy than Manchester. Because of the many family-friendly attractions and fun things to do for kids in Annecy, it's a great place to visit with the whole family.

Couples should spend more time in Annecy than Manchester. You'll find plenty of romantic sights and fun activities in Annecy that are perfect for a weekend getaway or a longer couple's trip.

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Manchester than Annecy if your budget allows for it. With a larger number of budget-friendly sights, good nightlife, and active things to do, anyone traveling on a budget would have a good time in Manchester.

One day in Manchester or Annecy?

Manchester is a bustling city that offers something for everyone. But since there are so many activities, you'll likely want to spend more than one day exploring.

Annecy might be a small town, but there's plenty to do in the area. Anyone can find something fun to do here. One of the main draws to the area is the food. Make sure you spend some time hiking while you're in the area. But since there are so many activities, you'll likely want to spend more than one day exploring.

A weekend in Manchester or Annecy?

Manchester is a great place to explore. It is common to spend a weekend here. With all of its activities, you can easily fill a weekend here. Your budget might influence how long you stay.

Even though Annecy is a small town, it has plenty of activities to choose from. Most visitors spend time around the old town while in the area. It offers something for everyone. Many people spend a weekend here. One of the main draws to the area is the food. In a weekend, you should have a good grasp of this alpine town.

Five days in Manchester or Annecy?

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Manchester. Five days may feel like too much time unless you plan to do a lot of relaxing. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do.

Annecy, a popular alpine town, is full of activities for travelers. Hiking can easily take up a good amount of your time here, too. Most people find that five days is more than enough time to see everything. Your budget might influence how long you stay.

A week in Manchester or Annecy?

Travelers enjoy the nightlife and live music when visiting the dynamic big city of Manchester. This city offers a variety of activities to choose from. Most people find that one week is more than enough time to see everything.

Annecy is a popular place that is full of things to see and experience. One of the main draws to the area is the food. One week is plenty of time to see everything, even with extra days to spare. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best 2-Week Tours from Edinburgh, The Best Family-Friendly Tours to United Kingdom, The Best Historical Tours in France, and The Best 10-Day Tours in France.

When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Manchester and Annecy, we can see that Manchester is more expensive. And not only is Annecy much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Annecy would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Annecy and be able to afford a more luxurious travel style by staying in nicer hotels, eating at more expensive restaurants, taking tours, and experiencing more activities. The same level of travel in Manchester would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Manchester than you might in Annecy.

If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Manchester Expensive? and Is Annecy Expensive?.

Which is Bigger, Manchester or Annecy?

Manchester has a larger population, and is about 8 times larger than the population of Annecy. When comparing the sizes of Manchester and Annecy, keep in mind that a larger population does not always imply the destination has more attractions or better activities. So, always research the type of place that you want to visit along with the activities and attractions that interest you.

When is the best time to visit Manchester or Annecy?

Both destinations experience a temperate climate with four distinct seasons. And since both cities are in the northern hemisphere, summer is in July and winter is in January.

Should I visit Manchester or Annecy in the Summer?

Both Annecy and Manchester are popular destinations to visit in the summer with plenty of activities. The summer months attract visitors to Manchester because of the city activities, the music scene, and the family-friendly experiences. Also, the hiking, the small town charm, and the family-friendly experiences are the main draw to Annecy this time of year.

In the summer, Manchester is cooler than Annecy. Typically, the summer temperatures in Manchester in July average around 16°C (62°F), and Annecy averages at about 22°C (71°F).

It's quite sunny in Annecy. Manchester usually receives less sunshine than Annecy during summer. Manchester gets 176 hours of sunny skies, while Annecy receives 285 hours of full sun in the summer.

In July, Manchester usually receives around the same amount of rain as Annecy. Manchester gets 65 mm (2.6 in) of rain, while Annecy receives 61 mm (2.4 in) of rain each month for the summer.

Should I visit Manchester or Annecy in the Autumn?

Both Annecy and Manchester during the autumn are popular places to visit. The city's sights and attractions, the shopping scene, and the music scene are the main draw to Manchester this time of year. Furthermore, many travelers come to Annecy for the hiking trails, the shopping scene, the small town atmosphere, and the natural beauty of the area.

In October, Manchester is generally cooler than Annecy. Daily temperatures in Manchester average around 11°C (52°F), and Annecy fluctuates around 14°C (56°F).

In the autumn, Manchester often gets less sunshine than Annecy. Manchester gets 97 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Annecy receives 127 hours of full sun.

Manchester usually gets around the same amount of rain in October as Annecy. Manchester gets 78 mm (3.1 in) of rain, while Annecy receives 78 mm (3.1 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Manchester or Annecy in the Winter?

The winter attracts plenty of travelers to both Manchester and Annecy. Many travelers come to Manchester for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine. Furthermore, many visitors come to Annecy in the winter for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

Annecy can get quite cold in the winter. Be prepared for some very cold days in Manchester. Manchester is around the same temperature as Annecy in the winter. The daily temperature in Manchester averages around 4°C (39°F) in January, and Annecy fluctuates around 4°C (39°F).

Manchester usually receives less sunshine than Annecy during winter. Manchester gets 53 hours of sunny skies, while Annecy receives 62 hours of full sun in the winter.

In January, Manchester usually receives more rain than Annecy. Manchester gets 69 mm (2.7 in) of rain, while Annecy receives 55 mm (2.1 in) of rain each month for the winter.

Should I visit Manchester or Annecy in the Spring?

The spring brings many poeple to Manchester as well as Annecy. Many visitors come to Manchester in the spring for the activities around the city. Additionally, most visitors come to Annecy for the small town charm and the natural beauty during these months.

In the spring, Manchester is cooler than Annecy. Typically, the spring temperatures in Manchester in April average around 8°C (46°F), and Annecy averages at about 11°C (53°F).

In the spring, Manchester often gets less sunshine than Annecy. Manchester gets 144 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Annecy receives 174 hours of full sun.

Manchester usually gets less rain in April than Annecy. Manchester gets 51 mm (2 in) of rain, while Annecy receives 65 mm (2.6 in) of rain this time of the year.

Typical Weather for Annecy and Manchester