More about: Best Things To Do in Liverpool
Liverpool is going to become one of your favorite cities in the United Kingdom. Located on the northeast coast, it has a magical atmosphere that invites you to immerse yourself in its Victorian streets and twentieth century buildings. You'll love it because it 's a land and sea attraction, as it's possible to sail the calm waters of the River Mersey.
Some unforgettable scenes from Peaky Blinders were filmed here and it's the birthplace of The Beatles. There are plans for the whole family and you shouldn't miss a tour bus tour, 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 organize your trip, read on to find out more about the entertainment on offer.
1. Tour the Three Graces
To start your trip off on the right foot, you could head to the architectural complex of the Three Graces. You'll love it because it's a window into the 20th century through three Liverpool skyscrapers. Before you include it in your itinerary, you should consider that you are not allowed to enter all the buildings, although I promise they will take your breath away. I'll tell you a little bit about each building!
- Royal Liver Building: it is a 1911 building that has two Liver Birds in charge of watching over the city. According to legend, the day these mythological creatures decide to fly, Liverpool could disappear. Nobody 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 you can't visit it since it houses offices. Its spectacular neoclassical facade is 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 created in 1907 and was the former headquarters of the Port of Liverpool Commission.
If this is your first contact with the city or you want to walk around without worrying about logistics, you can take the opportunity to book a guided tour of Liverpool It is the most appropriate because without a guide or audio guide you will just be standing in front of beautiful buildings whose significance will be completely unknown.
On foot it is easier to create a dynamic itinerary and discover the stories of the city while taking advantage of fascinating stops.
2. Hop on the Liverpool sightseeing bus
To get to know the city from end to end, I invite you to hop on the Liverpool sightseeing bus. It is the best option to get in touch with the main tourist attractions and familiarize yourself with its streets. It has about 14 free stops for you to hop on, hop off and explore at your own pace.
Liverpool is known for its wet and rainy weather, so it's good to take advantage of the fact that it has a lower level to travel without being stopped by bad weather. Although you can always hop on and have fun on the upper deck which is convertible.
You also have the option of taking the full 50-minute ride, but if you opt to hop on and off, consider that the bus frequency ranges from 15 to 30 minutes. Don't worry about time! When you purchase tickets for the Liverpool sightseeing bus you will have 24 hours to use the service from activation and you are free to create your own itinerary. Here's a hint of the stops that might be included so you have time to better organize yourself.
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 imposing 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 observation tower, and before visiting it, be mentally prepared to take two elevators and climb 108 steps- I assure you the 360-degree views are 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 neighborhoods in Europe. It is not worth going early because most stores and restaurants open quite late. The first thing you will notice is the famous Ceremonial Arch and the streets full of color, flavors and aromas that seduce the palate. If you are traveling to the city in February, try your luck and get lost in its alleys, where you might stumble upon some Chinese New Year traditions and rituals.
St George's Hall
If you want to explore the artistic and cultural life of Liverpool, you must 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 program varies, but mostly immersive light shows, flamenco evenings and plays are organized.
Gower Street
Travel back in time and get lost in the Victorian architecture of Gower Street. This street is often infused with the aroma of baked bread and freshly brewed coffee, as it's home to the city's coziest coffee shops.
Cains Brewery Village
The tour bus also takes you to Cains Brewery Village, a former brewery that has become a cultural and gastronomic landmark. It is now a complex with hotels, restaurants and traditional markets with a few stops to sample beers made from the original brewery recipe.
3. Climb the Royal Liver Building 360, Liverpool's clock tower
As I told you, 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 a sample of the evolution during the twentieth 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 enjoy panoramic views of Liverpool and see inside the clock tower.
Buying tickets for the Royal Liver Building 360 in advance saves you time at the box office and secures the experience, as it is one of the most highly rated.
4. Enjoy a cruise on the Mersey River
If you're planning your next Liverpool vacation, be sure to include varied experiences. Booking a cruise on the River Mersey can be quite enjoyable and a way to get to the main tourist attractions from another perspective. As you cruise you can relax and listen to the audio guide commentary.
The best thing is that you will have free stops to hop on and off at the places that interest you. Or, you can take advantage of 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 story of a German submarine that sank during World War II. This jewel of the navy was salvaged in 1993 and is displayed in sections to better appreciate the structure.
You may also be offered to add a visit to the Spaceport to learn about astronomy, see space and enter a space flight simulator. As an additional recommendation, consider that this cruise only sails from Pier Head Harbor, Seacombe Harbor or Woodside Harbor.
5. Discover the beginnings of The Beatles
The history of The Beatles has a close relationship with Liverpool, as the first steps of the band took place in 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? Hence it is a point of interest where they still organize tribute concerts. Something I think is 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 there are always guided tours of Beatles locations available, either on foot or by tour bus. And if you're a fan of museums, you're sure to have a great time at The Beatles Story Museum.
Liverpool Sightseeing Bus & 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 lines that offer completely different experiences. The red line allows you to enjoy a tour with free stops at the main attractions of Liverpool, in fact it is the same bus I told you about before.
Meanwhile, the blue line corresponds to the bus tour with a Beatles themed itinerary, where you will enjoy an hour and a half and you will have stops to take pictures. A guide will tell you about the band's favorite locations so you can discover where they created music, shared with fans and made history.
Attention! You don't need to take two different tickets or pay additional fees, for the same price you will enjoy both experiences, so you just need to organize your itinerary to make the most of your time.
The Beatles Story Museum
Buying tickets to The Beatles Story Museum in Liverpool seems to me another way to connect with the history of the band. It has two exhibits spread over two locations, the Albert Dock and Pier Head, but don't worry! Booking in advance also allows you to enjoy transfers between the two points.
During the tour you will have a multimedia guide who will tell you the anecdotes of the band, from its beginnings to its separation. In addition, you will be able to document yourself with unpublished photographs, musical instruments, elements of the sixties and 4D experiences. It's almost like experiencing the life of the band and its musicians up close.
6. Take a tour of the Western Approaches historical museum
Museums are a 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'll get to see old artifacts and become familiar 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 immerse yourself in the era, the museum offers drinks at wartime prices and some traditional games. Consider that buying tickets to the Western Approaches Museum can ensure you a skip-the-line pass, as you will only need to show your ID. In addition, you will have the option to return as many times as you want during the 6 months following your visit.
7. Follow in the footsteps of Peaky Blinders in Liverpool
If you're a fan of the Peaky Blinders series, get ready to delve into its sets! The filming locations hide secrets that never made it on screen, as well as amusing 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 the story of the power of criminal gangs and organized crime in the UK a couple of years ago.
Booking a Peaky Blinders tour is the best way to discover its relationship with Liverpool and visit the most iconic locations. It's fully interactive and you'll feel like a member of the Shelby family as a local guide takes you through Port Sunlight, St. George's Hall or Stanley Park.
Plus, you can see how they used Powis Street and Admiral Grove to recreate Small Heath, the Peaky Blinders' neighborhood. This tour allows you to discover the real stories that inspired this series and delve deeper into the plot.
8. Discover the secrets of British music at British Music Experience
Music is part of the essence of Liverpool and you can enjoy it to the fullest when you buy tickets for the British Music Experience. Here you'll be filled with nostalgia as you get up close and personal with 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, rock and discover the influence of the famous summer of love. The facility offers interactive areas and many people come to enjoy up close 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.
9. Catch the ghosts of the city
Liverpool is famous for its legends and unsolved cases, which has fueled the theory that it is full of ghosts and haunted places. Of course it's frightening to go this route on your own, especially without a specific direction, which is why many people prefer to hire a ghost tour of the city.
As night falls, a local guide will escort you to locations that hide spooky happenings. For example, Rodney Street is said to be the home of ghosts and St. Andrew's Cemetery hides a mysterious pyramid. In the older neighborhoods there are those who claim to have heard unexplained noises or have had the sensation of being watched. Would you dare?
10. Attend a Liverpool FC match
During your trip there will surely be time to enjoy a Liverpool FC soccer match. You should check the schedule, as the team plays in different competitions including the Premier League, UEFA Champions League and League Cup. They usually do so at Anfield Stadium which offers comfortable seating and a vibrant atmosphere.
From the moment you arrive, you will be enveloped by the energy of the fans and chant the famous You'll Never Walk Alone, the FC anthem that opens every home game. There are no bad seats in this stadium, but the most sought after are the Main Stand and Kop sections.