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

Should you visit Manchester or Milan?

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 Milan can help you decide which place is right for you.

Manchester

Manchester is a vibrant, dynamic, and diverse city. As it's a big city, visitors will find plenty to do, too. It's also popular because of the nightlife, live music, and food.

Milan

Milan is a cultural, trendy, and chic city. It's an amazing and huge city with tons of activities and things to do. Many visitors also come because of it's amazing beauty. Other reasons to visit include shopping, museums, and nightlife.

Manchester and Milan: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Manchester or Milan?

You'll generally find more things to do in Milan than Manchester. Milan is bigger than Manchester, and it also has more attractions and activities for travelers. Manchester is well known for its strong music culture as well as being home to the world-renowned Manchester United Football Club. Milan is well known for its grand squares, dramatic architecture, and its leadership in the fashion world. Also, Milan is famous for Piazza del Duomo.

How is Manchester different from Milan?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

Let's take a look at the differences and similarities between Milan 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 Milan?

Spend time exploring the superb sights and museums in either Manchester or Milan.

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.

With a variety of museums, monuments, and historical sights, a trip to Milan can be an interesting and educational experience. The Milan Cathedral is the most famous landmark in the city, but other sights include Castello Sforzesco, Pinacoteca di Brera, and Sant'Ambrogio.

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

Milan 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.

Milan has long been recognized as a culinary destination with great restaurants. The city has a mix of traditional dishes combined with modernized, trendy restaurants. You can try a new dish by a groundbreaking chef, or sample a long running favorite like risotto alla Milanese.

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 Milan Better for Nightlife?

Milan is very popular for nightlife. Also, Manchester is not as popular, but is still a nice city for nightlife and partying.

Milan is a party destination, and you'll find plenty of activity all night long. The city has a huge number of students and young professionals, which make it a fun place with an active nightlife. There are cocktail bars, trendy clubs, and relaxed pubs that you can chose from.

Manchester has plenty to do after the sun goes down. 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.

Is Manchester or Milan Better for Music?

Milan is very popular for live music. Also, Manchester is not as popular, but is still a nice city for its live music scene.

Milan is known as a music capital around the world. The diversity of music ranges from classical concerts to techno raves. Popular venues include Blue Note Milan, Santeria Social Club, and Spirit de Milan.

If you love music, you'll find something to enjoy in Manchester. There's a long running music reputation here. Some of the iconic bands that began here include Oasis and Stone Roses.

Is Manchester or Milan Better for its Old Town?

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

Milan has a world-famous historical area. Known as the Centro Storic, this area is the most popular with tourists. It's where you'll find the most historic buildings and beautiful sights in the city.

Manchester does not have a historic old town.

Is the Shopping Better in Manchester or Milan?

Milan is very popular for shopping. Also, Manchester is not as popular, but is still a nice city for its shopping opportunities.

People travel from around the world to go shopping in Milan. Famous as the fashion capital of Italy, shopping is the thing to do here. There are many streets that are lined with the biggest designers in fashion. Make sure you check out Via Monte Napoleone, Via Della Spiga, and Corso Buenos Aires.

Manchester is a popular shopping destination with plenty of stores. 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.

Is Manchester or Milan Better for Families?

Manchester is great for its kid-friendly activities. Also, Milan is not as popular, but is still a nice city for its family-friendly activities.

You'll find plenty of family-friendly things to do in Manchester. 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.

Milan is a family-friendly place to visit. The city has a science museum and a children's museum, MuBa, that is great for the kids. There are also a number of parks to explore as well as playgrounds where the kids and get out their energy.

Is Manchester or Milan Better for Couples?

Both Manchester and Milan are superb destinations to visit as a couple.

Manchester is a great city if you're traveling as a couple. 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.

Milan is a very popular place to visit for couples. There are many beautiful buildings, excellent shopping, and romantic restaurants that make for a wonderful couple's getaway.

Is Manchester or Milan Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Milan is great for backpackers and budget travelers. Also, Manchester is not as popular, but is still a nice city for backpackers.

Milan is very popular with the backpacker crowd. While not as popular with backpackers as some Italian city's, there are a number of hostels and great activities that are fun for visitors.

It's common for backpackers to visit Manchester. You'll find hostels around town and a number of visitors, particularly during the sports season.

Is Manchester or Milan Better for Students?

Milan is very popular for its student-friendly activities. Also, Manchester is not as popular, but is still a nice city for students.

Students come from all over the world to visit Milan. It is one of the more popular city's for international students in Italy. It is very livable with a lot of culture and a fun nightlife, so you're sure to have the experience of a lifetime.

Manchester is a great city to visit as a student. 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.

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

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

Milan has an effecient and thorough public transportation system which can take you anywhere in the city. Options include metro, bus, tram, and train lines.

Public transit in Manchester can get you to some places easily. The city has bus, train, and tram options for travel.

Is Manchester or Milan a more walkable city?

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

Milan is a very easy city to get around on foot. In particular, the city center is walkable.

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 Milan Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Milan or Manchester?

How long in Manchester or Milan?

In either Manchester or Milan, you'll find plenty of activities to fill your time. Most visitors tend to spend more time in Milan than Manchester because of the overall number of sights and activities. Usually, 2-4 days is a good amount of time for Manchester, and 1-5 days is enough time in Milan.

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

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

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Milan than Manchester 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 Milan.

One day in Manchester or Milan?

Each neighborhood in Manchester has its own distinct appeal, so there are pleny of areas to explore. This city offers a variety of activities to choose from. Since there is so much to do in the area, one day is probably not enough for all of it.

With live music and food around the trendy city of Milan, there's plenty to do. Anyone can find something fun to do here. Make sure you visit the old town while you're here. While some people choose to spend more or less time in Milan, one day is sufficent for most.

A weekend in Manchester or Milan?

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Manchester. For many, it makes a great getaway for a weekend. This would be the perfect place to spend a weekend, as it has just the right amount of activities. The length of your ideal trip is an individual decision.

With food and shopping around the big city destination of Milan, there's plenty to do. Most visitors spend time around the old town while in the area. It offers something for everyone. Many people spend a weekend here. In a weekend, you should have a good grasp of this city.

Five days in Manchester or Milan?

Manchester is a fun place to experience. Travelers enjoy the shopping and museums when visiting the big city destination of Manchester. Most people find that five days is more than enough time to see everything.

Milan, a popular city, is full of activities for travelers. This is a popular place to visit for five days. Visiting the old town is also a must. In five days, you should have a good grasp of this city. Your budget might influence how long you stay.

A week in Manchester or Milan?

You'll find museums and nightlife around the cultural big city of Manchester. Take your pick from the many activities offered here. One week is plenty of time to see everything, even with extra days to spare.

Milan is a popular place that is full of things to see and experience. 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 Sightseeing Tours in Italy, and The Best Vineyard & Wine Tours in Italy.

When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Manchester and Milan, we can see that Manchester is more expensive. And not only is Milan much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Milan would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Milan 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 Milan.

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

Which is Bigger, Manchester or Milan?

Milan has a larger population, and is about 3 times larger than the population of Manchester. When comparing the sizes of Manchester and Milan, 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 Milan?

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 Milan in the Summer?

Both Milan and Manchester are popular destinations to visit in the summer with plenty of activities. Many travelers come to Manchester for the city activities, the music scene, and the family-friendly experiences. Also, many visitors come to Milan in the summer for the city activities, the music scene, and the family-friendly experiences.

In July, Manchester is generally cooler than Milan. Daily temperatures in Manchester average around 16°C (62°F), and Milan fluctuates around 23°C (73°F).

It's quite sunny in Milan. Manchester usually receives less sunshine than Milan during summer. Manchester gets 176 hours of sunny skies, while Milan receives 250 hours of full sun in the summer.

In July, Manchester usually receives around the same amount of rain as Milan. Manchester gets 65 mm (2.6 in) of rain, while Milan receives 60 mm (2.4 in) of rain each month for the summer.

Should I visit Manchester or Milan in the Autumn?

Both Milan and Manchester during the autumn are popular places to visit. Many visitors come to Manchester in the autumn for the city's sights and attractions, the shopping scene, and the music scene. Also, most visitors come to Milan for the city's sights and attractions, the shopping scene, the music scene, and the natural beauty of the area during these months.

Manchester is cooler than Milan in the autumn. The daily temperature in Manchester averages around 11°C (52°F) in October, and Milan fluctuates around 15°C (58°F).

In the autumn, Manchester often gets less sunshine than Milan. Manchester gets 97 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Milan receives 152 hours of full sun.

Milan gets a good bit of rain this time of year. Manchester usually gets less rain in October than Milan. Manchester gets 78 mm (3.1 in) of rain, while Milan receives 103 mm (4 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Manchester or Milan in the Winter?

The winter attracts plenty of travelers to both Manchester and Milan. Most visitors come to Manchester for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine during these months. Also, the winter months attract visitors to Milan because of the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

The weather in Milan can be very cold. Manchester can be very cold during winter. In the winter, Manchester is cooler than Milan. Typically, the winter temperatures in Manchester in January average around 4°C (39°F), and Milan averages at about 5°C (41°F).

Manchester usually receives less sunshine than Milan during winter. Manchester gets 53 hours of sunny skies, while Milan receives 119 hours of full sun in the winter.

In January, Manchester usually receives around the same amount of rain as Milan. Manchester gets 69 mm (2.7 in) of rain, while Milan receives 68 mm (2.7 in) of rain each month for the winter.

Should I visit Manchester or Milan in the Spring?

The spring brings many poeple to Manchester as well as Milan. The spring months attract visitors to Manchester because of the activities around the city. Also, the activities around the city and the natural beauty are the main draw to Milan this time of year.

In April, Manchester is generally much colder than Milan. Daily temperatures in Manchester average around 8°C (46°F), and Milan fluctuates around 13°C (55°F).

In the spring, Manchester often gets less sunshine than Milan. Manchester gets 144 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Milan receives 176 hours of full sun.

Manchester usually gets less rain in April than Milan. Manchester gets 51 mm (2 in) of rain, while Milan receives 76 mm (3 in) of rain this time of the year.

Typical Weather for Milan and Manchester