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The birthplace of the Industrial Revolution and home to one of the UK’s most exciting music scenes, there’s a whole lot to see and do in Manchester. Hit the bars of the Northern Quarter, stroll along the canal, and if you’ve had too much of the hustle and bustle, you’ve got the stunning Peak District right on your doorstep.
Though there’s no shortage of hotels, it’s all the usual chain suspects. For a little more character and personality, check out vacation rentals in Manchester. Cast your net a little out of the city centre, and you’ll get to explore delightful neighbourhoods such as Didsbury and Chorlton.
It can be a little overwhelming deciding where to stay, but not if you let us help you! We’ve put together a list of the best Airbnbs in Manchester. Not only that, but we’ve also found five of the city’s best Airbnb Experiences. Let’s go!
Photo: Nic Hilditch-Short
The Broke Backpacker is supported by you. Clicking through our links may earn us a small affiliate commission, and that's what allows us to keep producing free content 🙂 Learn more.
Quick Answer: These are the Top 5 Airbnbs in Manchester
Whitworth Locke City Studio Apartment
- > $$
- > 2 Guests
- > Central location
- > King bed
Cosy King Size Room in Chorlton
- > $
- > 2 Guests
- > King bed
- > Free parking
Unique Luxury City Boudoir
- > $$$$$$$
- > 6 Guests
- > Cool and unique
- > Great for hen parties
Private Room in Heart of Manchester
- > $
- > 1 Guest
- > Laptop-friendly workspace
- > Access to kitchen
Comfy Room near Unis and Hospitals
- > $
- > 2 Guests
- > Dedicated workspace
- > Close to Manchester University and MMU
What to Expect from Airbnbs in Manchester
Manchester is a fast-moving city. While there is a huge range of Airbnbs to choose from, it’s hard to find an Airbnb in the very centre that isn’t managed by a business. Think serviced apartments, entire flats, and boutique hotels. Once you get a little further away, that’s where you get the most interesting properties.
Staying in Manchester can also be quite expensive, so looking a little further out can get you better value for money. A homestay in Withington or Fallowfield is close to the city’s universities and great for solo travellers, partygoers or if you’re here for one of the many festivals in Manchester. Houses in Didsbury or Chorlton are a good bet for families, and both these suburbs have their own quirky centres to explore as well as Manchester.
A popular choice for most Airbnb users, an entire flat usually ensures you get a central location (though if you want to stay further out, that won’t be a problem), lots of facilities, and the privacy you wouldn’t get in a hotel or hostel.
A great option if you’re travelling as a family or group of friends, houses are dotted around Manchester’s suburbs. If you want to make the most of the nightlife, look at an area such as Fallowfield or Withington. They’re super accessible from town but have their own clubs and bars.
If you’re in England on a budget or travelling solo and can’t justify booking out an entire house, just search for private rooms instead. You’ll get a local host to help you find your way around, too!
Want a really unique stay in Manchester? Look out for a boat. There are only a few boats available, so once you find one you like, you’ll have to snap it up pretty quickly!
The Top 15 Airbnbs in Manchester
Now that the admin is out of the way, let’s get to the part you’ve all been waiting for. Here are the 15 best Airbnbs in Manchester. Choose carefully!
Whitworth Locke City Studio Apartment | Overall Best Value Airbnb in Manchester
Located in central Manchester, this excellent value Airbnb is right near all the action – whether that’s the city’s monuments or nightlife. You’ve got a kitchenette, private bathroom, and a king-size bed. It’s best suited to a couple or a solo traveller. There are some nice touches on arrival, such as a welcome gift, complimentary toiletries, and some tasty treats in a Locke bag.
Cosy King Size Room in Chorlton | Best Budget Airbnb in Manchester
Chorlton is one of Manchester’s coolest neighbourhoods, and it’s packed with Bohemian bars and cute restaurants. There are several independent shops, too. Though it might look quite a distance on the map, it’s actually only 15 minutes away on the Metrolink. For a small outlay, you get quite a large bedroom in a friendly family home with free parking. You’ve got access to the kitchen and living areas, too – including a small and pleasant garden.
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Want more deetz on why these packs are so damn perfect? Then read our comprehensive review for the inside scoop!
View on OspreyUnique Luxury City Boudoir | Over the Top Luxury Airbnb in Manchester
Probably best suited to a girls night, but hey we don’t judge! Always wanted a stylish place to stay on your hen do? This unique option in the Ancoats (voted as one of the coolest 50 neighbourhoods in the world by Time Out) means there’s loads of nightlife on your doorstep, but you can just as easily pamper yourself at your Airbnb. Who’s up for a movie night with popcorn?!
Private Room in Heart of Manchester | Perfect Airbnb for Solo Travellers
Travelling solo in the UK? A homestay is the best way to meet locals and get their recommendations on how to fill your Manchester itinerary while keeping your costs manageable. So, check out this lovely city centre flat near Oxford Road train station. You’ve got access to your host’s kitchen, and there are loads of cheap eats right on your doorstep. The laptop-friendly workspace is perfect for digital nomads on a budget.
Comfy Room near Unis and Hospitals | Perfect Airbnb for Digital Nomads
Manchester is a real student city and, in fact, one of the best cities in the UK to live in, so it’s not hard to find a room that would suit a digital nomad. It’s best to look around the universities, Fallowfield, and Withington should you need a laptop-friendly workspace and rapid Wi-Fi. You’ll be able to work during the day and easily meet people or get good (and cheap) food if you want to. You’ve got access to the backyard, kitchen, and living room here.
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It looks exactly like a normal belt except for a SECRET interior pocket perfectly designed to hide a wad of cash, a passport photocopy or anything else you may wish to hide. Never get caught with your pants down again! (Unless you want to…)
Hide Yo’ Money!More Epic Airbnbs in Manchester
Here are a few more of my favorite Airbnbs in Manchester!
Luxe New York Boutique Apartment | Most Romantic Airbnb for Couples
A cool and modern apartment with industrial touches, this apartment is romantic yet perfectly captures the essence of Manchester. The city was formerly known as Cottonopolis, and the apartment is in Europe’s oldest working cotton mill. Even if you’re not impressed by the history, you’re sure to love the comfy and squishy king bed, the lovely living area, and the fully equipped kitchen. A proper romantic love nest for the happy couple!
The Scandi House | Best Airbnb in Manchester for Families
This Scandinavian inspired house is a little outside the city centre. Based between Fallowfield and Withington, this leafy suburb is charming, and there are loads of parks where you can go with the kids. The house can sleep up to 12 guests, which is good for a large family gathering. The price is more manageable if you split it multiple ways, too. We particularly love the open-plan kitchen and living room, where the family can spend quality time together over food.
Luxury Central Conversion | Best Entire Flat in Manchester
It’s rare to find an entire flat at such a reasonable price in central Manchester, so don’t hesitate to book if you like the look of this place. The fourth-floor penthouse is ideally positioned for the city’s famed annual Christmas Markets, but it’s a great option year-round. You’re close to the business district of Spinningfields, so it’s ideal for business travellers, too.
Boutique Mews Cottage, West Didsbury | Best House in Manchester
West Didsbury is one of Manchester’s hippest neighbourhoods. Along the Burton Road strip, you’ll find some of the city’s coolest restaurants and atmospheric bars. If you stay down here, you might love it so much you won’t get into central Manchester! This mews house has been designed by an architect and is the luxurious escape that you really deserve!
Boutique City Centre Narrowboat | Best Boat in Manchester
Honeymooners and couples who want to step outside of the mainstream should consider this cool narrowboat in Piccadilly Basin. Ideally located for visiting the city’s museums and nightlife, you’ll get a bit of peace and quiet at night. A lovely touch is the honesty bar – there are wine, beer, and spirits you’re welcome to enjoy on arrival. Just be sure to pay a fair price!
Beautiful and Stylish Flat | Best Airbnb for LGBTQ+ Travellers
Manchester is a very gay-friendly city, and it’s likely that most properties you’ll find will be LGBTQ+ friendly. But you may as well go all the way and pick somewhere in the heart of the Gay Village! This stylish flat means there’s no need for a taxi in getting to the city’s best gay bars and clubs such as G-A-Y, Bar Pop, and New York New York. The property is located in a Grade II listed building and darling; it’s fabulous!
Cozy Modern Studio | Best Airbnb for a Weekend in Manchester
When it comes to a weekend in Manchester, chances are you won’t spend too much time in your Airbnb. However, you still want somewhere comfortable and cosy to come back to. Look no further than this cosy and modern studio. There’s free tea and coffee included so you can take five when you arrive back from exploring. It’s also right near Oxford Road Train Station, so you can easily get out to the Peak District if you fancy a hike!
Converted Warehouse | Best Airbnb with a Jacuzzi
This extravagant Airbnb is one of the most fun properties in Manchester. Ideally suited to hen and stag parties or large group gatherings, it’s got loads more than just that jacuzzi. There’s also a bar and a DJ booth, so plug in your phone and blast your best Spotify playlists. It’s in the Northern Quarter too, one of Manchester’s most sought after locations.
Boutique Penthouse Loft | Best Airbnb in Northern Quarter
You’ve probably noticed quite a few apartments in Manchester’s Northern Quarter on this list; that’s because it’s where everybody wants to be. A stylish and minimalist apartment, you’ll be just as tempted to spend a night in the cosy living room reading one of the huge coffee table books as you would to sink a few cocktails at the nearby bars. If the weather’s good, take in your surroundings over a morning coffee from the balcony.
Northern Quarter Penthouse | Best Airbnb in Manchester for a Group of Friends
Okay, we promise this is the last Northern Quarter flat we’re going to show you. In fact, it’s the last Manchester flat on our list. But don’t worry; it’s a good one. With space for ten people, you can bring a decent-sized group here. The living area is comfortable should you fancy a night in, while the balcony offers city views on the handful of days of the year that Manchester is sunny!
What To Pack For Manchester
Pants, socks, underwear, soap?! Take it from me, packing for an Airbnb stay is not always quite as straightforward as it seems. Working out what to bring and what to leave at home is an art I have perfected over many years.
Ear Plugs
Snoring dorm-mates can ruin your nights rest and seriously damage the hostel experience. This is why I always travel with a pack of decent ear plugs.
Hanging Laundry Bag
Trust us, this is an absolute game changer. Super compact, a hanging mesh laundry bag stops your dirty clothes from stinking, you don’t know how much you need one of these… so just get it, thank us later.
Sea To Summit Micro Towel
Hostel towels are scummy and take forever to dry. Microfibre towels dry quickly, are compact, lightweight, and can be used as a blanket or yoga mat if need be.
Monopoly Deal
Forget about Poker! Monopoly Deal is the single best travel card game that we have ever played. Works with 2-5 players and guarantees happy days.
Grayl Geopress Water Bottle
Always travel with a water bottle! They save you money and reduce your plastic footprint on our planet. The Grayl Geopress acts as a purifier AND temperature regulator. Boom!
Don’t Forget Your Manchester Travel Insurance
ALWAYS sort out your backpacker insurance before your trip. There’s plenty to choose from in that department, but a good place to start is Safety Wing.
They offer month-to-month payments, no lock-in contracts, and require absolutely no itineraries: that’s the exact kind of insurance long-term travellers and digital nomads need.
SafetyWing is cheap, easy, and admin-free: just sign up lickety-split so you can get back to it!
Click the button below to learn more about SafetyWing’s setup or read our insider review for the full tasty scoop.
Final Thoughts on Manchester Airbnbs
Well, there you have it. Those are the best Airbnbs in Manchester, with a few awesome experiences thrown in, too. Whether you want to stay in a cool Northern Quarter loft, on a houseboat on the canal, or opt for a wild night out in the Gay Village, there’s an Airbnb in Manchester for you.
Still struggling to decide which one is for you? Go for our overall favourite Airbnb in Manchester. That’s the Whitworth Locke Studio City Apartment. Not only do you have a great central location, but it also offers excellent value for money.
We hope that wherever you decide to stay in Manchester, you have a fantastic vacation. Though Manchester is quite a safe city, make sure to protect yourself and your belongings too with a travel insurance policy from World Nomads!
- Check out our Backpacking UK guide for in-depth info for your trip.
- Use our Where to Stay in Manchester guide to plan your adventure.
- Backpackers and frugal travellers can use our budget travel guide.
- Make sure you visit the other best places in Manchester too.
- That will of course include many of the stunning National Parks of UK.
Buy Us a Coffee!
A couple of you lovely readers suggested we set up a tip jar for direct support as an alternative to booking through our links. So we created one!
You can now buy The Broke Backpacker a coffee. If you like and use our content to plan your trips, it’s a much appreciated way to show appreciation 🙂
