Manchester Museum has been confirmed as the most visited attraction in Greater Manchester for the third year running, according to latest figures released by The Association of Leading Visitor Attractions (ALVA).

Figures for 2025 show the Museum welcomed 648,595 visitors throughout the year, meaning it continues to buck the trend, in the face of an overall decline in visitor numbers since 2019.

Manchester Museum’s visitor numbers are up 76% over that period, compared with a decline of 7% across all ALVA member sites.

The total number of visits to 409 ALVA sites in 2025 was 165 million. This did, however, represent a 2% increase on the previous year. This recognition reflects a sustained commitment to cultural engagement, providing welcoming spaces where people can explore ideas, histories and global perspectives.

Since reopening in February 2023, following a £15 million redevelopment, has seen impressive growth in audiences, driven by exciting new gallery spaces, special exhibitions such as The Cat That Slept for a Thousand Years, a rich and diverse events programme and engagement with schools across Greater Manchester.

Find out more:

• To explore current exhibitions, events and learning opportunities, visit manchester.ac.uk/museum