Most famous for its music, sporting history and culture, Liverpool is jam-packed with things to do for a truly memorable trip.
Whether you’re looking for inspirational museums, art galleries, wild nightlife or great shopping, this much-loved city in the north-west of England is the place for you.
The city has some amazing attractions and many must-see locations that consistently draw a crowd. We’ve researched the best places to visit in Liverpool so you can plan a great day out, a memorable night and a fantastic holiday.
Perfect for culture-lovers and fun-seekers alike.
10 Best Things to do in Liverpool
1. The Royal Albert Dock
Located on the River Mersey, Liverpool was once famous as a thriving port town and an industrial hub. Although the Liverpool docks are much quieter than they once were, this historic area is now a UNESCO World Heritage Site and undoubtedly the No1 thing to see.
Visitors to the docks will find that the area has been renovated and modernised, though there are still several old-fashioned boats to admire. The docks are also home to Tate Modern art installations, making it an excellent area for art enthusiasts.
You will also find the Merseyside Maritime Museum just a short walk from the docks. The museum houses four storeys of exhibits about famous ships built in Liverpool and general maritime history. Perfect for culture lovers who want to learn something new.
2. Anfield Football Stadium
Home of one of the most famous football teams in the world – Liverpool FC – a visit to Anfield is a great day out for hardcore football fans and casual supporters alike.
Tours of the stadium can be pre-booked online and are available on most non-match days. Guests can choose from a range of tour packages and visit the Anfield Museum, the team changing rooms and the players’ tunnel. It’s a great way to view the pitch where so many historic victories have been won and learn more about the club’s trophy-laden past.
Liverpool is also home to Goodison Park, the home ground of rival local team, Everton. Fans can also enjoy a tour of the stadium, which includes the VIP hospitality rooms and the players’ tunnel leading to the iconic pitch.
3. The Beatles Story
Back in the 1960s, Liverpool was known for one thing and one thing only: Beatlemania. Formed in Liverpool and regulars at Liverpool nightclubs like The Cavern, the famous five took the world by storm with their catchy tunes such as Hey Jude, I Want to Hold Your Hand, Let It Be and Love Me Do.
Beatles fans visiting Liverpool can learn all about the band and revel in Beatles paraphernalia at The Beatles Story Museum located on the Royal Albert Dock. The museum features recreations of famous locations where The Beatles liked to play and has family-friendly interactive exhibits that kids will love.
4. World Museum Liverpool
If you’re looking for family-friendly things to do in Liverpool, the World Museum Liverpool is an absolute must. The museum features five floors of exhibits, and entry to the museum is completely free. Throughout the collections, you will find exhibitions about world history, scientific advancements, animals, dinosaurs and space.
The museum also features a planetarium where you can look up at the stars and an aquarium packed with fascinating marine life.
Popular permanent exhibits include a display about the Titanic, which was partially built at the Liverpool docks, and an interactive miniature exhibit where children can play with the model city. Perfect for a family day out.
5. Liverpool Cathedral
If you love exploring historic buildings, Liverpool Cathedral is an ideal place to visit. The magnificent Gothic structure was designed by the famous Victorian architect Sir Gilbert Scott and was completed in 1978. Visitors to the cathedral can wander beneath the imposing pointed arches and view the incredible altarpiece.
If you want to see some more modern religious architecture, you could also head to the Metropolitan Cathedral of Christ the King. This unique architectural site features amazing stained-glass windows that give the interior chapel an almost neon glow. The cathedral also has a futuristic tower and dome that gives it a truly one-of-a-kind look.
6. Speke Hall
Fancy getting out of the city during your trip to Liverpool? Speke Hall is a rare Tudor manor house located around a 30-minute drive from Liverpool City Centre. Visitors to the National Trust site can explore its stunning gardens and grounds or take a tour of the interior. The house dates back to the 16th Century and the rooms inside feature traditional Tudor furniture and décor,
Be sure to check out the lilypad pond and take a walk through the surrounding woods. In the spring, you can admire the bluebells in full bloom. It’s a lovely place for nature lovers and a family day out.
7. The Walker Art Gallery
If you love to see unique art, The Walker Art Gallery is a great place to visit. The gallery features Liverpool’s best art collection with paintings and sculptures dating from the medieval period onward. The Gallery is free to visit and has a café where you can enjoy a coffee and a piece of cake. Perfect for getting off your feet at the end of your tour or taking a break between exhibitions.
8. Mathew Street
As well as being a great tourist centre, Liverpool is renowned for being a fun city to visit for a night out or big celebrations such as stag do’s or landmark birthday weekends.
If you want to see live music, you can hear live music at The Cavern Club, which is located on Mathew Street. The nightspot used to be a regular venue for iconic group The Beatles, who played the venue a whopping 292 times between 1961 – 1963, before they outgrew it.
Tribute band The Cavern Club Beatles play every weekend but you will need to book in advance as it’s very popular.
Mathew Street also has a host of brilliant bars located roundabout and is a notorious party spot in Liverpool.
Other popular bars in the vicinity include The Grapes, Rubber Soul and Flanagan’s Apple. If you’re in the mood for a cocktail, you could also head to the acclaimed Oracle Jazz Bar. It’s the perfect place to start your night out or grab a few drinks before dinner.
9. Liverpool ONE
Hoping to enjoy some serious retail therapy during your Liverpool trip? Liverpool ONE is a fantastic place to shop and has plenty of green outdoor spaces where kids can run around and burn off some energy. The shopping centre is home to numerous luxury boutiques and even has a cinema and indoor golf course. There are tons of places to stop and have a bite to eat, and the open-air design gives a relaxed feel to this incredible shopping complex.
10. Williamson’s Tunnels
This is an ideal option if you’re looking for things to do in Liverpool that are slightly out of the ordinary. You can explore Liverpool from a different perspective when you take a tour of the Williamson’s Tunnels. The exhibit allows you to explore underground tunnels located around 60ft beneath the pavement above. The tunnels were built in the 1800s by a tobacco merchant named Joseph Williamson, although no one knows why they were constructed. The site is preserved by a charitable organisation, and tours of the site can be pre-booked online.
These tours are highly recommended as the guides have vast amounts of fascinating knowledge about the city.
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