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City in Merseyside, England
Photo: Peter Tarleton, CC BY-SA 2.0 via Wikimedia Commons
Liverpool is a big city in Merseyside, England famed for its football teams, the Grand National horse race, music (including The Beatles), vibrant nightlife, and its links with the arts and culture.
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A large museum all about the city of Liverpool and its history from ancient inhabitants of the area to its modern revival. Not to be confused with the World Museum, which is more "general" in scope.
Iconic symbol of Liverpool waterfront. This 1911 skyscraper still dominates the distinctive Liverpool skyline. It is the home of the legendary Liver Birds that sit on top of the building looking out across to the Wirral. The river-facing face of the clock is six feet larger in diameter than that of the clock tower at Westminster.
Fab4D Cinema
A film telling a story using The Beatles as a theme.
Runs the entire length of the Three Graces frontage and consists of a boulevard of maple trees with plaques laid into the pavement listing the Canadian ships lost during the Second World War.
An exhibition telling the history of British rock and pop music since 1945.
This is one of the more sophisticated places in Liverpool and is situated in the largest collection of Grade I listed buildings in the UK. Old warehouses have been converted into shops, apartments, restaurants, pubs, hotels, galleries and museums. For fans of the old This Morning with Richard and Judy TV programme, this is also where the 3D island weather map was in the centre of the dock on the water.
Museum with permanent gallery devoted to the Titanic, Lusitania and Forgotten Empress.
60 m Ferris wheel.
A mammoth of a Greco-Roman-style building which was built by wealthy merchants for the people of the city. It is arguably the finest neo-classical building in Western Europe, and has been thoroughly restored for Capital of Culture Year. Inside it has one of the best church organs in Europe. On the outside it has a selection of classical murals which were thought quite shocking in their day (due to the shameful female nudity).
This is a fine building and well worth a visit. It contains an excellent collection of British rocketry exhibits, as well as the best Egyptological collection outside London.
This is another fine building, boasting a beautiful circular reading room.
A nice neoclassical building opened in 1871, which forms an ensemble with the Central Library.
Built in 1754, the Official Residence of Liverpool's Lord Mayor is an elegant stone building, having two fronts; one towards Castle Street, the other towards the area formed by the New Exchange Buildings. Each front consists of an elegant range of Corinthian columns, supporting a pediment, and are themselves supported by a rustic base. Between the capitals are heads, and emblems of commerce in basso-relievo; and on the pediment of the grand front is a noble piece of sculpture representing Commerce committing her treasures to the race of Neptune.
The University of Liverpool's museum comprising their art collection and artefacts housed in an amazing Gothic building which coined the term 'red brick university'.
In the early 1800s, a Liverpool tobacco merchant, Joseph Williamson, funded the construction of an enormous labyrinth of tunnels under the Edge Hill area of Liverpool. Nobody knows his reasons for doing so though many guess it as an act of philanthropy, using his wealth to provide jobs and training for thousands of Liverpool workers. There is also a Williamson's Tunnels Heritage Centre.
The Bluecoat is the oldest Grade 1 listed building in Liverpool’s city centre, dating back to 1717. Following a £14.5 million redevelopment, it re-opened in March 2008 with a new wing of galleries and a state-of-the-art performance space. It showcases talent across artistic disciplines including visual art, music, literature, dance and live art. It helps nurture new talent by providing studio spaces for artists.
Foundation for Art and Creative Technology
Offers exhibitions, film and participant-led art projects. The building is home to three galleries (showing four exhibitions per year), a beautiful café operated by the team behind LEAF on Bold Street, a cosy bar and four film screens.
This is the city's parish church and home to the third Liver Bird (there are in fact three of them, not two).
Paddy's Wigwam
Catholic. Affectionately known by the locals as Paddy's Wigwam or "the Pope's launching pad". Visit on a sunny day as the stained glass ceiling looks fantastic!
Anglican Cathedral
It may not look like a wigwam, but is so imposing that the architect of Lord Derby's tomb claimed that no self-respecting church mouse would live there. As a result, he incorporated a mouse into the design of the tomb - it's just under Lord Derby's pillow. Liverpool Cathedral is one of the finest examples in the world of Gothic revival architecture. The building is truly vast, as the largest religious building in the UK and one of the largest cathedrals in the world. On a clear day, the tower affords breathtaking views over Liverpool, Merseyside and beyond, with some of Manchester's skyscrapers visible if weather permits.
Liverpool Old Hebrew Congregation
This is an impressive combination of Gothic and Moorish architecture by the Audsley brothers. The colourful interior has to be seen to be believed. Tours can be arranged through their web site.
Dedicated to St Nicholas the patron saint of seafarers. Built between 1865 and 1870, it was the second purpose built Greek Orthodox Church in England. The architecture of the building is a typical example of the Byzantine style as used in many Eastern Greek Churches. A typical feature is the four domes of the building. Henry Summers, a master builder who built many fine buildings in the city, was commissioned to build the church.
Byzantine inspired design, built between 1914 and 1920
Gustaf Adolfs Kyrka, or locally as the Swedish Church
The Bombed-Out Church, Church of St Luke
St Luke's Church was badly damaged during the Liverpool Blitz in 1941, and remains as a roofless shell. It now stands as a memorial to those who were lost in the war, and is also a venue for exhibitions and events (such as, open-air cinema).
A half-timbered Tudor house with parts dating back to the 1530s, lavishly furnished and decorated with tapestries. The self-guided tour is much improved by the volunteers on hand in most rooms, who are happy to explain and answer questions. Speke Hall, now owned by the National Trust, is set in large grounds that have a mixture of formal lawns, a maze, and woodland (plenty of bluebells in late spring!) A short walk offers views over the Mersey and the end of the runway. The shop, cafeteria, picnic spots and play areas make this an ideal place to chill before an evening flight.
This is one of Liverpool's most important heritage sites, one of "the finest working country estates in the North West" and was the winner of the European Capital of Culture 2008. The park is at the heart of what was once a great country estate stretching hundreds of square miles and was the ancestral home of the Molyneux family, the Earls of Sefton. After the death of the last Earl it was given to the City of Liverpool. The estate has four main attractions - The Historic Hall, Croxteth Home Farm, the Victorian Walled Garden and a 500-acre country park including the new Croxteth Local Nature Reserve. A new addition to what's on offer at Croxteth is the West Derby Courthouse. Dating from the reign of Elizabeth I, this is one of the oldest public buildings in Liverpool.
Grade II* listed conservatory of exotic plants with cafe and public events.
An art gallery which contains the collection of George Holt in its original setting. It includes work by Thomas Gainsborough, Joshua Reynolds, Edwin Landseer and J. M. W. Turner.
They have 4 scheduled tours, all of which run in small groups of no more than 10 people. Discounts may be available by email.
This offers three different tours around Liverpool. The Hope Street shivers is based around the Cathedrals, Auld city shivers starting from the slaughterhouse pub on Fenwick Street and Shiver me Timbers based around the Albert Docks. Wrap up warm. Prior booking required.
Offers personal tours that take you back in time to the childhood homes of the Fab Four.
Replica of John Lennon's Rolls Royce
The Bluecoat (not to be confused with The Bluecoat School, which is a grammar school in Wavertree) is a world-famous prestigious school dating back to the 18th century, and is one of the oldest arts schools in Europe. It hosts arts exhibitions as well as music and literary events, but also offers tuition in fine art, music and literature.
M&S Bank Arena
11,000-capacity arena for music, comedy and theatre performances.
Immortalised by the hit song "Ferry Cross the Mersey" by Gerry & the Pacemakers, the ferries offer a fun 50-minute cruise with commentary up and down the river and across to Birkenhead, where you may disembark. There's no better way to see Liverpool's skyline. No matter the time of year or the weather conditions on land, bring warm clothing. See Mersey Ferry for more.
Liverpool Phil
Home to one of the world's great orchestras. Go for a pre-concert drink in the Philharmonic pub over the road then sit back and let the music carry you away.
Liverpool Phil
Small space (190-250 capacity) adjunct to the Phil. Opened 2015.
Yoko Ono Lennon Centre
World class dedicated concert hall with 400 seated capacity opened in 2022.
A venue which hosts rock, jazz and reggae concerts with well-known artists. Accommodates up to 1,300 people and there are no seats. Much of the venue is wheelchair accessible.
Art Nouveau former Wesleyan central hall, which hosts up to 4,000 people.
The Empire plays host to a wide range of shows, including many UK tours of large-scale musicals.
FACT Cinema
Cafe, multiscreen cinema and galleries of modern art.
A fine modern art gallery. A definite visit for arty folk. The Turner Art Prize was hosted here in 2007-2008, the first time the award was held outside of London.
Royal Institute of British Architects
Discover more about architecture in the heart of Liverpool's waterfront. The centre offers a variety of walking tours around the local area.
Dedicated to the maritime history of the city, complete with galleries on customs and excise and emigration to the New World. There are also a number of vessels to see, such as the Mersey river tug Brocklebank and the river cargo carrier Wyncham. For World War II buffs there's a good-sized exhibit on The Battle of The Atlantic, including Liverpool's link. A museum permanent gallery is devoted to the Titanic, Lusitania and Empress of Ireland, ocean liners lost at sea from 1912-1915 with a total of 3,700 fatalities.
"Our aim is to address ignorance and misunderstanding by looking at the deep and permanent impact of slavery and the slave trade on Africa, South America, the USA, the Caribbean and Western Europe. Thus we will increase our understanding of the world around us." Dr David Fleming OBE, director, National Museums Liverpool
During World War II, a top-secret underground command centre in Liverpool was the key communication point to Allied naval and merchant ships in the Atlantic Ocean, during the fight against the U-Boat menace to keep supply lanes open. Restored to its wartime appearance, this fascinating museum now tells the story in the rooms where it all happened.
The Beatles began in Liverpool. The Beatles Story is the only museum in the world that is entirely Beatles-themed, with exhibitions such as their instruments and other artifacts. Other attractions based on The Beatles include their homes, Penny Lane, commemorative statues, Strawberry Fields and others.
Liverpool play soccer in the Premier League, England's top tier. They are officially the most successful club in the country, having won 50 major trophies including 6 European Cups and 19 domestic league titles. Their fans are famous for the atmosphere they create at the iconic Anfield stadium (capacity 61,000) and their anthem of "You'll Never Walk Alone". The Anfield Stadium Tour is very popular for people visiting the city. While the rivalry with nearby Everton is intense (though famously friendly), it is the rivalry with Manchester United that is taken most seriously by the fans. Liverpool women play in the Women's Super League, their top tier, but their home ground is Prenton Park in Birkenhead shared with Tranmere Rovers.
"The Toffees" play soccer in the Premier League, the top tier, and hold the record for spending the most seasons at that level. The Hill Dickinson Stadium, capacity 52,888, opened in 2025; it's 1.5 miles north of city centre.
They play in the Women's Super League, their top tier. Goodison Park (capacity 40,000) was home to the men's team from 1892 to 2025, and the original plan was to demolish it once the new stadium opened. But the owners see a big future for the women's game and are prepared to forego the sale price to give this team a big central stadium.
This course is renowned as home of the Grand National, the most formidable jumps race in the world, held in April each year. (Liverpool is mobbed when it's on.) They hold other jumps races in winter.
This is played on grass over four days in June. Top players compete as a warm-up for Wimbledon.
Bluecoats
Offering seasonal food and a great wine list in a creative setting. Also offers a special children's menu (under 12s).
Bluecoats
Offering Illy coffee, Jing leaf teas, Monbana hot chocolate and a range of soft drinks together with a selection of sandwiches, salads, homemade cakes and biscuits that are freshly made on the premises and able to be eaten on site or taken away. Also available, is a fine selection of alcoholic beverages ranging from locally produced bottled lager to wines by the glass or by the bottle.
Fine dining.
Look for the entrance opposite the NCP Car Park on Mount Pleasant for one of Liverpool's favourite student cafes. It has a fine selection of western foods (a superb Club Sandwich) and Arabic foods (cous cous and kebabs). There is also a smaller branch nearby the University of Liverpool.
Middle Eastern cuisine.
Combined coffee shop and micro roastery. One of the better places to drink coffee. Nice toasted bagels for breakfast.
Indian restaurant. Delicious Indian food all served in your own private booth with a curtain, to get the waiters attention press the button in your booth.
Very good and fresh Japanese cuisine, really high standard, and delicious. The interior is a very successful fusion of the presumably Victorian style of the building and Japanese aesthetics. Highly recommended.
Large and quite popular cafe which caters to a modern population (there is even a vegan English breakfast as a matter of course) and also hosts cultural events. Quite loud downstairs, but can be peaceful upstairs if there is nothing on.
Caribbean food. Easy to miss as the entrance is a yellow door with stairs leading down. Well kept secret.
A modern Hong Kong-style tea house serving cheap and tasty Chinese meals, snacks and drinks.
Chinese food.
Italian cuisine.
Japanese cuisine.
Mexican.
Sometimes inconsistent hours but quality, authentic-seeming products made on-site. Only takes cash and WeChat Pay.
Popular gastro-pub serving good British food from rabbit and boar right through to the local delicacy, scouse. All washed down with a pint of ale.
Thai cuisine
Japanese cuisine.
Darts
Mexican cuisine.
Italian cuisine.
French cuisine.
Brazilian cuisine.
Italian cuisine.
Catalan cuisine.
43a Paradise Street, L1 3DN
Classic British cuisine.
Burgers.
Choose from daily lunch, à la carte or table d'hote menu.
Hard Days Night Hotel
Good Italian food and wines. All served in a friendly warm restaurant. Try to get one of the plush red booths. Booking recommended.
One of the finest pubs in the city offering a selection of local and world beers plus a fantastic food menu. The "proper chips" offered with the battered fish are excellent.
The Racquet Club (Commercial District)
Asian
Choose from daily lunch, à la carte or table d'hote menu.
Liverpool's first floating restaurant.
Bills itself as The first choice cafe for veggies. The only non veggie item on their dishes and snacks is tuna. It's a great place for lunch in a friendly atmosphere for both veggies and non-veggies. Seems to be locally-owned.
A modern lounge restaurant.
Victorian pub serving pub grub at reasonable prices.
Keith's
Plays an eclectic mix of music, a relaxed atmosphere and family friendly. Good, freshly prepared food.
Italian.
A small, often cramped. This is a traditional Liverpool pub, with no-nonsense barmaids. Usually busy after 5PM and during the weekend, acting as a refuge for husbands abandoned by, or having escaped from, their shopping-mad spouses. Always a good variety of guests.
JD Wetherspoons
Next to the station. Most likely the first pub you will see upon arriving in Liverpool.
Established for about 200 years, this small and homely pub was named after Lord Carnarvon. Packed full of collectors items - model cars, lorries, handcuffs and truncheons - it attracts a mixture of clientele. Serving good quality real ales, the pub is also popular for its range of hot snacks including the well-loved Carnarvon toasties.
An unusual and old-world hideaway can be found just outside the city centre. Built 150 years ago, the walls are adorned with art deco murals painted in 1929 and the snugs are themed with various artefacts such as musical instruments and chamber pots. The friendly atmosphere makes this a favourite with artists, locals, travellers and musicians. George Melly, a famous jazz player is known to frequent this pub when visiting the city. If you're in for a traditional English breakfast, this pub serves great black pudding and all the fixings from noon to 4PM.
Most nights has a gay friendly bar serving cheap cocktails upstairs from the main pub.
Friendly pub famous for its steak and mixed grill meals. Great for watching sports as there are three TVs including one big screen.
A small cocktail bar in a basement room. Combines the feeling of being in a bombed-out house with that of being in a living room.
A large, lively, destination venue with live music and open air courtyard. Open until 4AM at weekends. (Photo ID required for entry.)
A late night bar-come-club playing a broad spectrum of electronic music including Hip Hop and indie. No drink costs more than £2.50. Open F Sa until 5AM and Tu-Th until 4AM. (Photo ID required for entry.)
Although the original Cavern Club—a former bomb shelter in the basement of a Liverpool warehouse—was filled in in the 1970s, it was re-excavated and recreated in the 1980s using many of the same bricks. Today it continues as a live music venue, not to mention a tourist attraction. Many of Britain's most popular groups played its stage in the 1960s, most famously The Beatles, who made almost 300 appearances here between 1961 and 1963.
Sister pub of the Cavern Club opposite. Similar atmosphere with another stage and memorabilia on the walls.
The Beatles' favourite pub. They would drink here before and after their many gigs at the Cavern Club, and there is a corner of the pub dedicated to them. It even has a photo of them sitting down in seats that are still there today.
JD Wetherspoons
Consistently voted one of the top cask ale pubs in Liverpool by the Merseyside branch of CAMRA. Has a wide, and frequently changing, variety of guest ales. It also has a large selection of bottled foreign beers (though this selection pales slightly in comparison to that of other pubs in the area). Hot and cold food is served in the afternoons and evenings.
Over a hundred years old, this old Victorian pub has several original features, many of which would interest the historian as much as the beer lover. The tall ornate ceilings, wood panelling and traditional bar create an inviting and impressive atmosphere. Surrounded by stained glass windows, the lounge, snug and dining areas are well decorated. An open fireplace and displays of old prints add to the comfortable ambience.
Secluded pub in the business area of the city. Set below street level, the high ceilings and terracotta walls create a relaxing ambience with a separate dining area and a cosy drinking den. The much-acclaimed menu includes dishes such as hot lamb and mint sauce pitas, and of course the local delicacy of Scouse and red cabbage.
Excellent pub for ale with a historic interior.
Just over the road from the Albert Dock, this unique pub is a great place to escape from the glossy and expensive bars on the Albert Dock. Serving good food and real ale at good prices, and with a friendly atmosphere.
Wine Club
Part bar, part club, split between two floors. Upstairs there is the lush front area replete with orange leather booths and over-table televisions which usually stream the live action from downstairs. At the back is the kitchen, which during the day serves a range of freshly cooked meals. Downstairs the intimate gig venue has hosted some of the biggest names in music, and is an important venue for local musicians. Free Wi-fi.
Underground, alternative music venue in a pub. DJs and live bands throughout the week. First Friday of every month is the infamous "It's Not Bangin", with classic dub reggae, soul and disco playing. Well worth a visit.
This pub was a favourite haunt of John Lennon's uncle and hasn't changed much since then. Can get quite dodgy at night.
The Raz
Popular with students especially student doctors.
Home of the legendary Bongo's Bingo nights which are now franchised out all over the UK (must be booked in advance).
Tiny and cosy art-filled micro-pub owned by an artist couple who are also the only staff. Very friendly atmosphere with selection of craft beers.
Blacklight-lit, irreverent, junkyard themed indoor mini-golf course and bar (games must be booked in advance).
Outdoor bar with cocktails and street food vendors.
Spanish wine bar.
Pirate-themed bar.
A B&B run by an old lady. Basic room. Shared toilet and shower. Price includes full English breakfast in the downstairs living room. 2 minutes from Lime St. station.
This hostel features free coffee, tea, and toast (with jam and peanut butter). Very comfortable beds (dormitory style), and a great mix of international travellers to befriend. The hostel has friendly staff, led by their wonderful boss and hostel proprietor, Kevin who tells a Beatles story or two, and leads a free Beatles tour every Thursday night which ends up at The Cavern Club.
About 2 km from the city centre. All rooms are private. Free internet/Wi-Fi.
Dormitories only.
Cheap hostel accommodation near to town.
Breakfast from 7:30-9AM weekdays, 7:30-10AM weekends. Close to the convention centre and easy enough to walk to the city centre. Bar at the hostel, so cannot bring own alcohol back.
A hotel without breakfast. Staff is there 24 hrs and usually not very busy, very friendly and willing to help with minor quirks. Single room (2024) £90
A rather good hotel, well located.
formerly Marriott
A short drive from Liverpool John Lennon Airport, this makes fabulous use of its Grade II listed art deco building which was the old airport terminal and control tower. If you are looking to eat out of the hotel then Damon's is a restaurant on the same site which you will enjoy if you like American kitsch and microwaved food. Apart from that, there is a retail park with the typical fast food restaurants just a short walk from the hotel. Grade II listed building.
Claims to be a 4-star property but is now a little tired. The Marriot is surrounded by the Queen's Square complex with its bars and restaurants.
209-bedroom city centre location, restaurant, bar and pool, 10-minute walk from Echo Arena.
On the old St. Paul's Eye Hospital site in the business district of the city. A small part of the original building has been retained and incorporated into the hotel.
Grade II listed building
Beautifully-designed little B&B in 1826 townhouse near Philharmonic, no children under 10 or dogs.
The hotel is in original warehouse, has been well transformed and has the vaulted ceilings. While room allocation is mostly luck some rooms have classic views over the dock; others of the new Liverpool Arena. Early booking essential; cheap/discounted rooms now impossible to find because of the high demand/location. No hotel parking - nearby at about £12/day. Grade I listed building, Britannia Pavilion.
Grade I listed building, Britannia pavilion.
IHG
Grade II* listed building
formerly The Nadler
Slick hotel in an old printworks. Assistance dogs only. No onsite restaurant, they issue vouchers for the many nearby eating places.
Hen parties
Grade II listed building.
Boutique hotel in the City Centre
Close to shops, restaurants and nightclubs. Adjacent to both universities and two cathedrals.
The Beatles-themed hotel boutique hotel in Liverpool City Centre. Grade II listed building.
Buzzing modern hotel behind a palazzo facade, with good restaurant.
North Western Hotel
formerly Jury's Inn
Grade II listed building
Plush hotel in a 19th century brick warehouse, with spa, restaurant, and Titanic memorabilia. Great reviews for comfort and service.
Upscale hotel in the former headquarters of White Star Line, owners of Titanic. Mixed reviews for comfort and cleanliness.
Landmark development opened in 2008, redefining the city with three levels of shopping and entertainment and even a park. Offers a mixture of familiar highstreet chains and fashionable boutique stores
This shopping centre focuses on designer-label fashion and has more than 40 stores.
Located in the heart of Liverpool's shopping district, the Bluecoat houses a number of specialist independent retailers offering an eclectic range of products. Stocking the best in contemporary craft, design, fashion and homewares, the shops at the Bluecoat should be your first destination in the city for the unique and the unusual: Display Centre, Drum, Landbaby, Purlesque, Robert Porter.
A left-leaning bookshop which is impressively stocked on political topics (even as regards journals and newspapers), but has an interesting choice of books on other topics, too.
The famous Cavern Club is part of the shopping centre
By train
Wikivoyage has a guide to Rail travel in Great Britain.
By bus
A Park and Ride scheme aims to provide easy access to the city centre, for more information see National Park and Ride Directory.
By car
Liverpool has good motorway connections, being served by the M62 (from the M6), M53, M57 and M58.
By boat
Isle of Man Ferry Terminal is on Triskelion Way off Waterloo Rd. This has ferries from Douglas operated by IOM Steam Packet, with two sailings a day taking three hours.
By public transport
Buses run out from the centre regularly from Liverpool One Bus Station in Canning Place (mainly to the south) and Queen Square Bus Station in Roe and Hood St. (mainly north/east).
By bike
National Cycle Route 56, National Cycle Route 62 and 810 run into Liverpool.
Choose an airport to see hotels, stations, taxi ranks and car rental desks around it.
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