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

Should you visit Manchester or Siena?

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

Manchester

Manchester is a dynamic, diverse, and cultural city. It's a large city with plenty of activites for visitors as well. It's also known for shopping, museums, and nightlife.

Siena

Siena is a romantic, charming, and medieval city. Many visitors also come because of it's amazing beauty. Other reasons to visit include museums, nightlife, and food.

Manchester and Siena: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Manchester or Siena?

Travelers will usually find more to do in Manchester than Siena, as it is bigger with more sights, attractions, and activities for visitors. Manchester is more popular for its nightlife, music, shopping, and big city activities, while Siena is known for its historical sights and impressive beauty. Siena is more touristy than Manchester and is popular for its beautiful medieval architecture, its delicious local restaurants, and the twice yearly Palio horserace. Manchester is popular for its strong music culture as well as being home to the world-renowned Manchester United Football Club. It is also home to The National Football Museum.

How is Manchester different from Siena?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Spend time exploring the very good sights and museums in either Manchester or Siena.

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 Siena can be an interesting and educational experience. At the heart of the city is Cathedral of Santa Maria Assunta and Piazza del Campo. Other world famous sights include Palazzo Pubblico and Museo Civico, Torre del Mangia, and Pinacoteca Nazionale.

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

Both Manchester and Siena offer very good local cuisine and restaurants.

The food selection at local restaurants is excellent in 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.

Eating is part of the travel experience when you visit Siena. The town is all about local flavors and many restaurants use local ingredients in their dishes. Pecorino of Pienza is the local cheese, and you'll also find many cured meats. Local pasta dishes include wild boar ragu and a local spaghetti. You'll also find local meats such as lamb, rabbit, chicken and pork.

Is Manchester or Siena Better for Nightlife?

Manchester is notable for nightlife. Also, Siena is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for nightlife and partying.

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.

With a handful of venues, visitors can find a fairly lively vibe in Siena. The nightlife is laid back and relaxed. Most visitors enjoy socializing in the evening and meeting friends at Piazza del Campo. There are often live performances which you can enjoy as well as many cafes and wine bars around town.

Is Manchester or Siena Better for Music?

Manchester is notable for live music. However, Siena is not a live music destination.

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.

Siena is not a live music destination.

Is Manchester or Siena Better for its Old Town?

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

Siena has a world-famous historical area. The beautiful old town is filled with medieval brick buildings. At the heart of the city is Piazza del Campo, which is a lively square with many neighborhoods spreading out from there.

Manchester does not have a historic old town.

Is the Shopping Better in Manchester or Siena?

Manchester is notable for shopping. Also, Siena is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for its shopping opportunities.

Manchester is an extremely popular place for shoppers. 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.

Shopping is a popular activity when visiting Siena. The main shopping street in town is Via Banchi di Sopra, which has many boutiques that sell clothing, bags, and other items. The town also has many leather goods, ceramics, and other local items available.

Is Manchester or Siena Better for Families?

Manchester is notable for its family-friendly activities. However, Siena is a mediocre city for its kid-friendly activities.

Manchester is a very family-friendly place to visit. 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.

Siena is not always a place people visit with their families. The beauty and history may be lost to the little ones but there is a great atmosphere that even the young ones will appreciate. Kids will enjoy climbing to the top of Torre del Mangia or visiting one of the many playgrounds around town.

Is Manchester or Siena Better for Couples?

Siena 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, Siena has plenty to offer. With its impressive beauty and long running history, this is a truly romantic city. The atmosphere is relaxed and there are plazas and neighborhoods that are great for exploring. There are also many great restaurants, superb wine, and world class sights that are not to be missed.

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 Siena Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

For backpackers, both Manchester and Siena are good 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 Siena. Many backpackers visit Siena as a daytrip from nearby Florence. While there are some affordable places to stay here, the atmosphere isn't as backpacker friendly as nearby Florence.

Is Manchester or Siena Better for Students?

For students, both Manchester and Siena are very good places to visit.

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.

Siena is a great city to visit as a student. It's home to one of the oldest universities in Italy, and it's a wonderful study abroad destination for any student who wants to spend some time in Italy.

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

Manchester is notable for its public transit. Also, Siena is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for times when you don't have a car.

Public transit in Manchester is fairly effecient and thorough. The city has bus, train, and tram options for travel.

Siena has some public transit options. TIEMME is the bus service that runs in and around town. Many lines pass through the train station and provide service from there.

Is Manchester or Siena a more walkable city?

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

Siena is very walkable. The compact town center is best explored 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 Siena Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Siena or Manchester?

How long in Manchester or Siena?

You'll be able to find lots of things to do in Manchester or Siena to fill your time. Many travelers usually spend more of their time in Manchester than Siena because of the number of activities and things to do in the area. Usually, 2-4 days is a good amount of time for Manchester, and 1-2 days is enough time in Siena.

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

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Manchester than Siena 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 Siena?

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 museums and nightlife around the medieval city of Siena, 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 Siena, one day is sufficent for most.

A weekend in Manchester or Siena?

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 nightlife and food around the destination of Siena, 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 Siena?

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.

Siena, a popular city, is full of activities for travelers. Visiting the old town is also a must. 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 Siena?

You'll find museums and nightlife around the vibrant 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.

Siena 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 Family-Friendly Tours to Italy, and The Best Hiking & Trekking Tours in Italy.

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

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

Which is Bigger, Manchester or Siena?

Manchester has a larger population, and is about 8 times larger than the population of Siena. When comparing the sizes of Manchester and Siena, 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 Siena?

Both places have a temperate climate with four distinct seasons. As both cities are in the northern hemisphere, summer is in July and winter is in January.

Should I visit Manchester or Siena in the Summer?

Both Siena and Manchester during the summer are popular places to visit. The summer months attract visitors to Manchester because of the city activities, the music scene, and the family-friendly experiences. Also, the family-friendly experiences are the main draw to Siena this time of year.

Manchester is cooler than Siena in the summer. The daily temperature in Manchester averages around 16°C (62°F) in July, and Siena fluctuates around 23°C (73°F).

In Siena, it's very sunny this time of the year. In the summer, Manchester often gets less sunshine than Siena. Manchester gets 176 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Siena receives 316 hours of full sun.

Manchester usually gets more rain in July than Siena. Manchester gets 65 mm (2.6 in) of rain, while Siena receives 45 mm (1.8 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Manchester or Siena in the Autumn?

The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Manchester and Siena. The city's sights and attractions, the shopping scene, and the music scene are the main draw to Manchester this time of year. Also, many travelers come to Siena for the shopping scene and the natural beauty of the area.

In the autumn, Manchester is cooler than Siena. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Manchester in October average around 11°C (52°F), and Siena averages at about 16°C (61°F).

Manchester usually receives less sunshine than Siena during autumn. Manchester gets 97 hours of sunny skies, while Siena receives 177 hours of full sun in the autumn.

In October, Manchester usually receives less rain than Siena. Manchester gets 78 mm (3.1 in) of rain, while Siena receives 87 mm (3.4 in) of rain each month for the autumn.

Should I visit Manchester or Siena in the Winter?

The winter brings many poeple to Manchester as well as Siena. Many travelers come to Manchester for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine. Also, many visitors come to Siena in the winter for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

Be prepared for some very cold days in Manchester. In January, Manchester is generally much colder than Siena. Daily temperatures in Manchester average around 4°C (39°F), and Siena fluctuates around 7°C (45°F).

In the winter, Manchester often gets less sunshine than Siena. Manchester gets 53 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Siena receives 105 hours of full sun.

Manchester usually gets more rain in January than Siena. Manchester gets 69 mm (2.7 in) of rain, while Siena receives 64 mm (2.5 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Manchester or Siena in the Spring?

Both Siena and Manchester are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities. Many visitors come to Manchester in the spring for the activities around the city. Also, most visitors come to Siena for the natural beauty during these months.

Manchester is cooler than Siena in the spring. The daily temperature in Manchester averages around 8°C (46°F) in April, and Siena fluctuates around 12°C (54°F).

Manchester usually receives less sunshine than Siena during spring. Manchester gets 144 hours of sunny skies, while Siena receives 192 hours of full sun in the spring.

In April, Manchester usually receives less rain than Siena. Manchester gets 51 mm (2 in) of rain, while Siena receives 70 mm (2.8 in) of rain each month for the spring.

Typical Weather for Siena and Manchester