Walking Tours around Manchester... Explore the city like you’ve never seen before.

Book your guided walking tour of the city of Manchester…

Manchester City Tours like you’ve never seen before

Looking for things to do in Manchester? This is such an incredible city to explore, so do it properly!

There are so many incredible stories to hear and amazing history to hear about from our guides. So if you’re looking for the best way to explore Manchester, come on an Invisible Cities walking tour with one of our guides.

We offer friendly walking tours of the city that showcase the city’s historical landmarks and explore the music, art, culture and progression, as well as the social projects that make the city what it is.

Our experienced tour guides, all of whom have been affected by homelessness, simply live and breathe the city, and offer their own personal insight into Manchester’s past, present and future.

Our guides Andy, Nic and Ste – plus trainee kitten tour guide Angel, are ready to welcome you to Manchester and tell you all about the music, culture, art, canals, buildings and history of the city.

See what people say about the Invisible Cities Manchester walking tours and check out their photos.

Oasis: Live Forever in Manchester Tour

From£15
If you're looking for a proper good way to walk the streets of Manchester as Oasis did, then this is absolutely the best Oasis walking tour to take!
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A woman standing in front of a yellow building.
Manchester

Marvellous Manchester Memories: Andy’s History of Pubs

From£15
Andy leads you on a guided tour of Manchester, taking the route of his nights out in the 1980s, but reflecting on how the venues have played a significant role in shaping Manchester’s history.
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Nic and a group of people enjoying a Wonderwalk on the streets of Manchester, engaging in lively conversations.
Manchester

Wonderwalk Through Manchester with Nic

From£15
This tour of Manchester maps the city’s illustrious history of music and art, focusing on the venues and musicians which have helped to shape Manchester’s music scene.
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Manchester

We Built This City From Depression

From£15
This tour transports you back to a time where Manchester looked very different. We Built This City From Depression uncovers the tombstones that the Northern city’s roots have grown over.
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A group of people posing in front of a starbucks.
All Destinations

Gift or Give

From£10
Gift one of our tours to your loved ones or colleagues. Valid in any of our cities for any of our tours.
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What Our Customers Say

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UNILAD Original Documentary

Goodness: Homeless Tour Guides

A man in a blue jacket walking down a street in edinburgh.
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    What our guides say: Meet Nic

    Invisible Cities walking tour guide in Manchester, Nic
     
    What’s your favourite hidden gem or lesser-known spot in the city that most tourists miss?
     
    The Dance House theatre because they don’t realise that it used to be the first multi-screen cinema in existence!
     
    What does being a tour guide with Invisible Cities mean to you personally?
     
    It’s a mix between being a shepherd, a teacher and a good friend.
     
    What’s one historical fact or story you love to tell on your Manchester tour?
     
    The story of Ernest Rutherford who managed to split the atom first before Einstein came along.
     
    How do you think your tour helps people to see Manchester differently?
     
    I think people are usually busy with their own journey, so it’s easy to overlook things that have been in your backyard all along so it’s good to point them out. When I did my own research I was like wow, I never knew all this stuff happened here.
     
    Why do you think it’s important for visitors to learn about homelessness during their trip?
     
    Because it’s a very visible situation and in this day and age with all of the internet and YouTube coverage it’s important to tell the stories of people with tenacity who have been able to change their lives.
     
    What’s your favourite reaction you’ve had from someone on a tour?
     
    When I tell them there was a haunted mummy display at the Manchester Museum once!
     
    How has being a guide with Invisible Cities changed your life or perspective?
     
    I realised how wonderful being a tour guide is because people want their tour guide to be a friendly face to guide them and tell them stories and share a little bit of their knowledge.

    What our guides say: Meet Andy

    Invisible Cities Manchester walking tour guide Andy who talks about the history of pubs and the history of the city
     
    What’s your favourite hidden gem or lesser-known spot in the city that most tourists miss?
     
    The secret underground tunnels under the city of Manchester – there is loads of great content about them on YouTube.
     
    Can you share a powerful story from your tour that has really stayed with you?
     
    It has to be The Peterloo Massacre. So many people don’t know about it – tens of thousands of people marched for the right to vote and be free from oppression – hundreds were injured and there were some fatalities too. 
     
    What does being a tour guide with Invisible Cities mean to you personally?
     
    It’s very empowering.  I really enjoy being part of a family and I feel very cool when people enjoy listening to what I’ve got to say and find my tour interesting to listen too and they hang on every word. I feel very appreciative of that.
     
    What is the one part of your walking tour that surprises people the most?
     
    There is one that shocks (and disgusts) people! It’s around the legend of Tommy Ducks – but you’ll just have to come on my tour to find out more about it.
     
    How do you think your tour helps people to see Manchester differently?
     
    I take people to see places they might not usually get to see and show that there is far more to Manchester than music and football – there is so much important history here that people enjoy discovering.
     
    Why do you think it’s important for visitors to learn about homelessness during their trip?
     
    Because it’s a growing issue, and it’s not as black and white as people think. There are far more homeless people than you think, it’s not just the people you see on the street.  its so easy to become homeless these days.
     
    What’s your favourite reaction you’ve had from someone on a tour?
     
    I had an amazing couple from Minneapolis come on a tour – they’d come to Manchester to see the Pet Shop Boys and we talked for ages about 1980s music!
     
    How has being a guide with Invisible Cities changed your life or perspective?
     
    How important it is to be part of a family and different groups where you can socialise and meet new people regularly. My partner Adele really enjoys coming along when we meet up with the other guides and team.

    5 alternative things to do in Manchester:

    • Take a social impact walking tour with Invisible Cities
      A guided walk led by people with lived experience of homelessness, sharing hidden stories of the city beyond the Royal Mile.

    • Explore Dean Village
      A peaceful former milling village on the Water of Leith that feels worlds away from the busy Old Town.

    • Visit Dr Neil’s Garden
      A beautiful and surprisingly quiet garden beside Duddingston Loch, often called Edinburgh’s “secret garden”.

    • Climb Calton Hill at sunset
      Less crowded than Arthur’s Seat and full of unusual monuments with sweeping views over the city.

    • Discover independent art at Summerhall
      A former veterinary school turned creative hub with galleries, performances, and experimental exhibitions.