10 Things to Do in Liverpool

Liverpool is set to become one of your favourite cities in the United Kingdom. Located on the north-east coast, it has a magical atmosphere that invites you to immerse yourself in its Victorian streets and 20th-century buildings. You'll love it because it captivates you by sea and land, as you can sail along the calm waters of the River Mersey.

Some unforgettable scenes from Peaky Blinders were filmed here, and it is the birthplace of The Beatles. There are plans for the whole family, and you shouldn't miss a tour on the tourist bus, a Liverpool FC match or a ghost tour. An old World War II submarine also awaits you, but if you still don't know how to organise your trip, read on and find out about its entertainment options.

To get your trip off to a good start, head to the Three Graces architectural complex. You'll love it because it's a window into the 20th century through three Liverpool skyscrapers. Before including it in your itinerary, you should bear in mind that not all the buildings are open to the public, although I promise you they will take your breath away. Let me tell you a little about each building!

• Royal Liver Building: this building dates back to 1911 and has two Liver Birds watching over the city. According to legend, the day these mythological creatures decide to fly away, Liverpool could disappear. No one knows if this prophecy will come true, so if I were you, I would take advantage of the fact that it is the only one of the buildings that can still be seen from the inside. I'll tell you more about it later.
• Cunard Building: Welcome to the former headquarters of the Cunard shipping company, famous for its ocean liners. This building was completed in 1916 and must be impressive inside, but unfortunately it cannot be visited as it now houses offices. Its spectacular neoclassical façade is a testament to Liverpool's commercial and economic boom during this century.
• Port of Liverpool Building: this skyscraper stands out among other buildings and can be seen from the River Mersey. It was built in 1907 and was the former headquarters of the Liverpool Port Commission.

If this is your first visit to the city or you want to explore without worrying about logistics, you can book a guided tour of Liverpool. This is the best option because without a guide or audio guide, you will just be standing in front of beautiful buildings whose significance will be completely unknown to you.

On foot, it is easier to create a dynamic itinerary and discover the city's stories while enjoying fascinating stops along the way.

To get to know the city from end to end, I invite you to hop on the Liverpool sightseeing bus. It's the best option for seeing the main tourist attractions and familiarising yourself with the streets. It has around 14 free stops so you can hop on, hop off and explore at your own pace.

Liverpool is known for its wet and rainy climate, so it's a good idea to take advantage of the lower deck to travel without being held back by bad weather. Although you can always hop on and have fun on the open-top upper deck.

You also have the option of taking the full 50-minute tour, but if you choose to hop on and off, bear in mind that buses run every 15 to 30 minutes. Do not worry about the time! When you purchase tickets for the Liverpool tourist bus, you will have 24 hours to use the service from the moment you activate it, and you are free to create your own itinerary. Below is a list of the stops that may be included so that you have time to plan your trip.

Liverpool Anglican Cathedral

Liverpool Anglican Cathedral is a magnificent place that you should visit at least once. It is one of the largest and most impressive cathedrals in the United Kingdom and houses stained glass windows that contrast with its neo-Gothic architecture, creating a solemn atmosphere. Its main attraction is the panoramic tower, and before visiting it, be prepared to take two lifts and climb 108 steps. I assure you that the 360-degree views are well worth it!

Many people often confuse it with Liverpool Metropolitan Cathedral, a more modern religious monument without an observation tower.

Chinatown

The Chinese community has its own settlement in Liverpool. In fact, this Chinatown is one of the oldest cultural neighbourhoods in Europe. It is not worth going early because most shops and restaurants open quite late. The first thing you will notice is the famous Ceremonial Arch and the streets full of colours, flavours and aromas that seduce the palate. If you are travelling to the city in February, try your luck and lose yourself in its alleys, where you may come across some Chinese New Year traditions and rituals.

St George's Hall

If you want to explore Liverpool's artistic and cultural life, you have to visit St George's Hall, whose rich history will capture your attention. If you have enough time, don't hesitate to enjoy a show inside. The programme varies, but mostly immersive light shows, flamenco evenings and plays are organised.

Gower Street

Travel back in time and lose yourself in the Victorian architecture of Gower Street. This street is often filled with the aroma of freshly baked bread and coffee, as it is home to some of the city's cosiest cafés.

Cains Brewery Village

The tourist bus also takes you to Cains Brewery Village, a former brewery that has been converted into a cultural and gastronomic landmark. Today it is a complex with hotels, restaurants and traditional markets, with a few stops to sample beers made using the original local recipe.

As I mentioned, the Royal Liver Building is one of the Three Graces buildings, and the most interesting due to its legends and the possibility of visiting its interior in a 360-degree experience. It was the tallest in Europe and its architecture is an example of the evolution during the 20th century.

It has an audiovisual exhibition that immerses you in the history of the building, for which you will use an interactive audio guide. You can then enjoy a guided tour with an expert on the 10th and 15th floors to take in the panoramic views of Liverpool and see the inside of the clock tower.

Buying tickets for the Royal Liver Building 360 in advance saves you time at the ticket office and ensures you get the experience, as it is one of the most popular attractions.

If you are planning your next holiday in Liverpool, be sure to include a variety of experiences. Booking a cruise on the River Mersey can be quite enjoyable and a way to see the main tourist attractions from a different perspective. As you sail, you can relax and listen to the audio guide commentary.

The best part is that you can hop on and off at any stops that pique your interest. Or, you can take the full 50-minute tour and marvel at Liverpool from the water.

The experience usually includes admission to the U-Boat Story attraction at the Woodside Ferry Terminal. Here you can discover the history of a German submarine that sank during World War II. This naval gem was recovered in 1993 and is displayed in sections to better appreciate its structure.

You may also be offered the option of adding a visit to the Spaceport to learn about astronomy, see space and enter a space flight simulator. As an additional recommendation, please note that this cruise only departs from Pier Head Harbour, Seacombe Harbour or Woodside Harbour.

The history of The Beatles is closely linked to Liverpool, as the band's early days were spent on its streets. The artists who brought it to life for eight years were born here, so get ready to discover the adventures of John Lennon, Paul McCartney, George Harrison and Ringo Starr.

Did you know that they began to gain popularity thanks to the shows they performed at The Cavern Club? That's why it's a point of interest where tribute concerts are still organised. Something I find wonderful is that if you go to Liverpool in August, you can enjoy International Beatles Week, a festival that includes outdoor shows and indoor tributes, as well as exhibitions and musicals.

The rest of the year, guided tours of Beatles locations are always available, either on foot or by tourist bus. And if you're a museum lover, you're sure to have a great time at The Beatles Story museum.

Liverpool sightseeing bus and Beatles tour

Booking the Liverpool sightseeing bus and Beatles tour is the best way to combine two wonderful experiences.

The pass is valid for 24 hours and has two routes offering completely different experiences. The red line allows you to enjoy a hop-on hop-off tour of Liverpool's main attractions; in fact, it is the same bus I mentioned earlier.

Meanwhile, the blue line is a bus tour with a Beatles-themed itinerary, where you will enjoy an hour and a half and have stops to take photographs. A guide will tell you about the band's favourite locations so you can discover where they created music, shared with fans and made history.

Please note! You don't need to buy two different tickets or pay additional fees. For the same price, you can enjoy both experiences, so you just need to organise your itinerary to make the most of your time.

The Beatles Story Museum

Buying tickets for The Beatles Story museum in Liverpool is another way to connect with the band's history. It has two exhibitions spread across two locations, Albert Dock and Pier Head, but don't worry! Booking in advance also allows you to enjoy transfers between the two locations.

During the tour, you will have a multimedia guide that will tell you anecdotes about the band, from its beginnings to its break-up. In addition, you can learn about the band through unpublished photographs, musical instruments, items from the 1960s and 4D experiences. It will be almost like experiencing the life of the band and its musicians up close.

Museums are a great way to enrich yourself and learn about a new city, and in Liverpool there are endless options to choose from. One of the most interesting is the Western Approaches historical museum. It's an experience that combines learning with fun, as you'll be immersed in a secret World War II bunker.

This experience feels like stepping into a time capsule, as you will be able to see ancient artefacts and familiarise yourself with the monitoring room. Take your time to make the most of its themed spaces and discover the history of the Battle of the Atlantic in the Map Room.

To help you immerse yourself in the period, the museum offers drinks at wartime prices and some traditional games. Bear in mind that buying tickets for the Western Approaches Museum can guarantee you a skip-the-line pass; you will only need to show your ID. You will also have the option to return as many times as you like for 6 months after your visit.

If you're a fan of the Peaky Blinders series, get ready to immerse yourself in its settings! The filming locations hide secrets that never made it to the screen, as well as entertaining anecdotes.

Don't worry if you haven't seen it, you'll love it anyway because it's inspired by a true story and tells of the power that criminal gangs and organised crime gained in the United Kingdom a few years ago.

Booking a Peaky Blinders tour is the best way to discover its connection to Liverpool and visit the most iconic locations. It is completely interactive, and you will feel like a member of the Shelby family as a local guide takes you through Port Sunlight, St. George's Hall, and Stanley Park.

You can also see how Powis Street and Admiral Grove were used to recreate Small Heath, the neighbourhood of the Peaky Blinders. This tour allows you to discover the real stories that inspired the series and delve deeper into the plot.

Music is part of the essence of Liverpool, and you can enjoy it to the fullest by purchasing tickets to the British Music Experience. Here, you will be overwhelmed with nostalgia as you get a close-up look at the personal belongings of famous British artists, dance to their songs, and even learn to play instruments.

You can immerse yourself in British music of different genres such as jazz, pop and rock, and discover the influence of the famous Summer of Love. The museum offers interactive areas and many people come to enjoy the music and history of The Beatles, David Bowie, Adele and Oasis, among others.

If you plan to buy the Liverpool Pass, you will have access to this museum at no extra cost, as well as other fantastic attractions in the city.

Liverpool is famous for its legends and unsolved cases, which has fuelled the theory that it is full of ghosts and haunted places. Of course, it can be scary to do this tour on your own, especially without a specific route, which is why many people prefer to book a ghost tour of the city.

As night falls, a local guide will accompany you to locations that hide spine-chilling events. For example, Rodney Street is said to be the birthplace of ghosts, and St Andrew's Cemetery is said to hide a mysterious pyramid. In the older neighbourhoods, there are those who claim to have heard unexplained noises or to have had the feeling of being watched. Would you dare?

During your trip, you will surely have time to enjoy a Liverpool FC football match. Be sure to check the calendar, as the team plays in different competitions, including the Premier League, the UEFA Champions League and the League Cup. They usually play at Anfield Stadium, which offers comfortable seating and a vibrant atmosphere.

From the moment you arrive, you'll be enveloped by the energy of the fans and you'll be able to sing along to the famous You'll Never Walk Alone, the FC anthem that opens every home match. There are no bad seats in this stadium, but the most sought-after are the Main Stand and Kop sections.