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Visit Liverpool – it’s one of England’s friendliest cities. This northwest English city has the right balance of cheese and class with things to do for every type of tourist, traveller, and city breaker.
Put on the map as the birthplace of the Beatles, a visit to their story is definitely a must-see, but there is so much more to Liverpool than just the Fab Four.
Here are my tips on things to do in Liverpool, some of which will help you swerve the stag parties.
The majority of the following cheap Liverpool activities come in at under £20 so they won’t break the bank.
Although we can’t be responsible for the bar tab!
Fun Things to do in Liverpool
1. Albert Docks
Take a stroll along the docks while popping in to see the Fab Four at the Beatles Story, Andy Warhol’s work at the Tate Modern and look out for the 18-foot Liver Birds which soar high in the sky.
The female bird is watching out for the sailors at sea and the male is gawking at the pubs in the city!
2. Ferry ‘cross the Mersey
Sorry, now you have that song in your head.
An informative boat trip across the River Mersey cruises past Liverpool’s ‘Three Graces’, the Port of Liverpool Building, the Cunard Building and the iconic Grade I Liver Building at Pier Head.
A narrator shares stories over the speaker of Liverpool’s industrial and cultural past. A boat ride is definitely one of the recommended things to do on Liverpool docks.
Those interested in boats should check out the Maritime Museum too.
- Address: Liverpool L3 1BY
3. The Beatles Story
The Strangers, Gerry and the Pacemakers and of course The Beatles, Liverpool is home to the beat so no trip to the city would be complete without some kind of music-related activity.
Since Merseyside was the hotbed (and stage) for bands in the ‘60s there are many options for music fans.
Don’t forget to pack your JBL clip travel speaker US / UK for your apartment party!
A visit to the Beatles Story is one of the most popular things to do in Liverpool and it will not disappoint.
The walk-through audio museum lets you plug in and zone out as it talks you through the band’s life, from the Quarry Men to the present day.
Beatle fanatics can even visit Paul McCartney’s childhood home in the suburbs at 20 Forthlin Road.
- Location: Britannia Vaults, Albert Dock, Liverpool L3 4AD
4. Beatles Walking Tour
You can also learn more about the Fab Four and the shenanigans that went down on Matthew Street during this 2-hour walking tour!
It only covers 1K in distance so your dancing feet will be primed for the night ahead.
The magical mystery tour takes visitors to the outside of the infamous Cavern Club where the Beatles played just under 300 times.
Other bands such as Gerry & the Pacemakers, the Merseybeats and national treasure, Cilla Black also took to the stage here.
5. Twist and Shout at the Cavern Club
The Cavern Club is a cheesy choice in the centre of Liverpool. It was made famous by those who graced the dance floor as well as the acts that performed on its stage which makes it one of the prominent points of interest on every Liverpool itinerary.
The Cavern on Mathew Street is open seven days a week with free entry in the morning.
Visitors can get sweaty while listening to cover bands playing songs from the sixties as well as other genres.
The Grapes pub, the popular haunt for the sixties celebs, is over the road from the Cavern.
Note: this is stag and hen party central.
- Address: 10 Mathew St, Liverpool L2 6RE
6. Take a Selfie with Cilla
Lennon, Star, McCartney and Harrison are not the only musicians to come out of Liverpool.
The host of the original Blind Date and two UK number one hits, Cilla Black, stands waiting outside of the Cavern for a snap – one of your free things to do in Liverpool.
If you are in Liverpool this September you can catch Cilla the Musical at the Empire Theatre.
7. Boozy Brunch in Liverlpool
Duke Street, and the streets surrounding, is a cool area for bars and restaurants including the only place to eat the most important meal of the day, Brunch Club.
This hipster cool café has doors for wallpaper and does tasty breakfasts with a glass of mimosas, perfect hair of the dog.
8. Visit Liverpool for the Food
Brunch is not the only meal to look forward to. Liverpool’s food scene caters for every taste and one of my favourite meals was the least expensive, Japanese food at Tokyo at 7 Berry Street.
The portions are massive.
Other popular restaurants include Mowgli Indian Street Food (Bold Street or Water Street), One Fine Day (Cotton Exchange, Old Hall St) and Ma Boyle’s for British food (7 Tower Gardens).
9. Look at the Loos…
…of the grand ornate pub, The Philharmonic. It’s not uncommon to see girls nipping into the men’s with cameras.
- Address: 36 Hope St, Liverpool L1 9BX
10. Sneak to a Speakeasy
Hidden down an alley, you may think there is something a bit fishy about Jenny’s Bar at first glance but once you are through the front door you will be faced with a 70s cool bar that serves potent yet tasty cocktails.
Live DJ spun music at this ‘disco drinking den’.
- The Old Ropery Fenwick Street, Liverpool L2 7LS
11. Sip and Soak up the Sun
There are quite a few beer gardens or bars with rooftops in Liverpool where you can enjoy a pint in the sunshine. Kazimier Gardens is centrally located and bustling.
Across the road is a great cocktail pub that does 2-4-1 during the day!
No stag or hen parties in sight.
- Address: 32 Seel St, Liverpool L1 4BE
12. Karaoke in Liverpool
One of my favourite things to do in Liverpool at night is hit the mic!
While Mr Ho’s karaoke joint has closed its shutters, MBox offers private
13. 24 Hour Party People
The party never stops in Liverpool, unlike Manchester or Edinburgh the disco continues after the chip shops close. Heebies Jeebies (80-82 Seel St, Liverpool L1 4BH) is a fun split-level nightclub open until 4am and the bottom floor plays all things indie.
I’d like to apologise to the DJ for continually giving him an earful for only playing male indie, still not acceptable mind you!
Many of Liverpool’s gay bars are open until 4am/5am including GBar (1-7 Eberle St, Liverpool L2 2AG).
14. Baltic Triangle
‘Two years ago you would not be walking along this street’, a local tells us.
The Baltic Triangle, which takes in Jamaica Street, Greenland Street and Upper Parliament Street, is a gentrified area of Liverpool located a 15-minutes walk from the city centre.
Shops, restaurants and a local modern-day market are tucked into containers and warehouses, filled with art, music and cool-looking people.
Liverpool is now my tenth visited UK city and it has gained a firm top 3 position as one of my favourites, Glasgow and London are just too hard to beat.
I honestly cannot describe how friendly the city is, the music runs through its veins from Mathew Street to the Baltic Triangle and the variety of food and drink options make choosing a challenge!
15. Liverpool Stadium Football Tour
Visit behind the scenes inside one of the world’s most iconic stadiums, Anfield, during this 1.5-hour tour.
Run through the Player’s Tunnel, visit the changing rooms and learn about the history via an audio guide
Tours include entry to the Club’s interactive museum, The Liverpool FC Story, and you also get to see all six European cups.
A must for football fans.
Superfans might prefer this Anfield tour with former player Q&A.
Getting to Liverpool
- Liverpool’s Lime Station has great rail links to London (2 hours), Manchester (30 mins) and Edinburgh (4 hours).
- Liverpool’s John Lennon Airport has a 24-hour bus to city connection.
Getting Around Liverpool
You are rarely more than 8 minutes away from your next destination (according to Google Maps), making by foot the best way to get around the city.
If you like to get your bearings and learn about the city before diving into your independent Liverpool itinerary, there is a hop-on/off bus that drives around Liverpool attractions as far as Penny Lane.
Hotels in Liverpool
City centre Liverpool hotels range from £85 for the cool cruise ship-style hotel, the Liner at Liverpool, up to £500 at the Z Hotel.
Hostels in Liverpool
Like every city, there are hostels for those on a tighter budget or looking to socialise.
Hostel dorm beds in Liverpool range from £22 at the Liverpool International Inn – 8.3 rating, light breakfast included (weekend rates, weekday prices are cheaper) to £36 at the YHA Liverpool, bar onsite – 9.0 rating, check out the best rates and availability here.
There are 15 hostels in the city, check out Hostelworld for more choice.
For availability and the best rates see here
Pin to your Liverpool board to save for later!
Hi!
As someone who lives in Liverpool I’d deffo add:
1) Bold street —for independent shops (e.g. Resurrection) and restaurants (e.g. Pho)
2) Go to the top of either: Liverpool Anglican Cathedral or Radio City Tower to get brilliant views of Liverpool and the surrounding area!
3) Smithdown area (previously only students/ a bit rough around the edges) has been regenerated with new bars and restaurants.
4) The Jacaranda (currently celebrating being open sixty years) is three floors with: comedy club downstairs, bar on the ground floor and a record shop upstairs where you can play their records (for free) while drinking beer/coffee!
5) There are 9 free museums in Liverpool including the Tate!
Brilliant, thanks Robyn. I only had a few days there but definitely up for seeing more soon. I was down recently but for a hen so totally different ballgame as you can imagine!