The beautifully designed Whitworth Art Gallery is a true gem of a place. Its impressive art collection is presented alongside a changing programme of contemporary exhibitions, whilst the spectacular ‘café in the trees’ is well worth a visit alone.

A small but influential gallery, Castlefield presents thought-provoking work by local, national and international artists at key stages in their career. It includes Turner Prize winners, such as Ryan Gander, among its alumni.

Saan1 is an independent art space in Manchester’s Northern Quarter. A bright and professional space, it hosts an incredibly busy programme of events, from pop-ups and workshops to longer term exhibitions.

Positioned at the very heart of the city, Manchester Art Gallery houses six centuries worth of fine art, ceramics, glass, furniture and costume, and presents a year-round programme of contemporary exhibitions by world-leading artists.

Paradise Works is a community-focused gallery space and studios on the banks of River Irwell, with over 40 artists’ studios and a regular programme of exhibitions and associated events.

Manchester’s much-loved multi-arts centre HOME has a fantastic programme of exhibitions throughout the year. With the multitude of styles throughout the different temporary exhibitions, HOME’s galleries are always worth a visit.

Possibly one of the city’s most mysterious art galleries, texture is a small and perfectly-formed independent space in Ardwick. Catch it before it moves from its current location at the end of 2025.

Another gem on the city’s map of small galleries, Black Redstart is an independent space that showcases the work of emerging and established artists in a very professional setting.

Tucked away at the end of Thomas Street in the Northern Quarter, esea contemporary is the number one place for experiencing East and Southeast Asian contemporary art in the UK.

Oceans Apart is an artist-led gallery dedicated to showcasing the breadth of contemporary painting and bringing the work of previously unseen artists to the Salford area.

Keep an eye on updates from the Manchester School of Art’s lovely Holden Gallery for its regularly changing, short-term exhibitions, often showcasing the School’s students’ work. The space itself is worth an admiring look.

Saul Hay Gallery, located one of Castlefield’s beautiful Victorian red brick buildings, is one of Manchester’s most important commercial galleries.

Once a favourite haunt of the great LS Lowry, Salford Museum & Art Gallery is a friendly destination with special appeal to families, with temporary exhibitions of new art and collections focusing on Victorian art and local history.

This grand neoclassical building is home to temporary exhibitions of contemporary and historical collections and a beautifully-curated shop.