In a nutshell
- Liverpool is one of the most exciting cities in Great Britain and a hotspot for fans of all kinds. Expect iconic docks and world-class museums, everything Beatles, Anfield Stadium, and the legendary Cavern Club.
- A guided tour is a great way to get even more out of Liverpool. We especially recommend the Peaky Blinders Tour and the Liverpool Sightseeing River Cruise.
- Our top hotel pick for Liverpool: Cove Paradise Street — a stylish hotel right in the heart of the city.
Our Top 10 Attractions in Liverpool
From the harbor to the legendary Cavern Club: We’ll show you all the must-see things to do in Liverpool that you simply can’t miss.
Royal Albert Dock
The harbor is an absolute must-see in Liverpool. When it was built in the 18th century, it was considered one of the most modern in the world — and in the 19th century, nearly half of the world’s trade passed through here.
In the 1970s, the docks had to close due to wartime destruction and a worsening economic situation.
Today, the Royal Albert Dock is once again the pulsing heart of the waterfront, where you can stroll among cranes and old industrial buildings or grab a great meal at one of the trendy restaurants.
Pier Head
Also part of the historic harbor is Pier Head. This is where the city’s most iconic buildings stand: the Liver Building, the Port of Liverpool Building, and the Cunard Building — collectively known as the Three Graces.
Tear yourself away from the Graces and you’ll find the Museum of Liverpool (more on that in a moment), as well as the Beatles Statue and the Titanic Memorial, dedicated to the engine room crew of the Titanic.
The White Star Line shipping company, which owned the ocean liner, had its offices right here at the Liverpool waterfront.
Our tip: From the observation platform of the Liver Building, you get a fantastic panoramic view of the city. At £15 it’s not cheap, but it’s absolutely worth it.
Maritime Museum
In the heart of the historic docks at Pier Head, the Maritime Museum tells the story of seafaring. Part of the exhibition is dedicated to the Titanic and Liverpool’s deep connections to the world’s most famous ocean liner.
Another ill-fated ship featured prominently here is the RMS Lusitania, sunk by German submarines during World War I.
Directly attached is the International Slavery Museum, which tackles the topic of slavery — inextricably linked to maritime history — and puts the personal stories behind the facts front and center.
Both museums are free.
The Maritime Museum is currently closed for renovation.
Museum of Liverpool
Harbor, industrial revolution, music — if you want to dive a little deeper into the city’s eventful past, the Museum of Liverpool is the place to do it.
If the thought of dusty museums already has you yawning, give this one a chance anyway. It’s considered the world’s best urban history museum — and it earns that title.
Instead of endless walls of text, there’s plenty to look at, listen to, and interact with, plus an interactive area for children up to age six in “Little Liverpool.” Perfect for vacations with kids — and for anyone who’d normally steer clear of museums.
And admission is free.
The Beatles Story
From Liverpool, the Fab Four conquered the world — and the city is still pretty proud of that. The Beatles Story takes you on a journey from the band’s first performances here to their international mega-success as the most successful band in the world.
The museum is anything but conventional: guided by an audio tour narrated in the original voice of John Lennon’s sister Julia, you move from location to location.
Some of the most important places in the band’s history have been faithfully recreated — including the Cavern Club.
At £18, admission isn’t cheap, but for Beatles fans it’s an absolute Liverpool highlight.
Get your online ticket and skip the line for The Beatles Story
20 pounds
Beatles Museum
Still can’t get enough of the Fab Four? The Beatles Museum has even more. While The Beatles Story is more of a journey through the band’s history, the Beatles Museum is where you’ll find numerous original artifacts up close.
The focus here is primarily on the band’s early years in Liverpool and Hamburg. You can get close to instruments, letters, furniture, and personal belongings — an authentic glimpse into the lives of Liverpool’s most famous sons.
Get your online ticket for the Beatles Museum
17 pounds
Cavern Club
The Cavern Club on Mathew Street is considered the birthplace of pop music. It was here that the Beatles played their first concert on February 9, 1961, fresh back from Hamburg. The band performed on this stage nearly 300 times between 1961 and 1963.
The original club was demolished in 1973, but experienced a revival in the ’80s — and the music hasn’t stopped since.
Mathew Street in general is a seriously lively scene. This is where you sip your IPA or ale, listen to live musicians, and get swept up in the energy.
Some say: if you went to Liverpool but didn’t make it to Mathew Street, you haven’t really understood the city. So: Cheers!
Mon–Sun from 11 AM
Anfield Stadium
If you Google Liverpool, you’ll find results for Liverpool FC before you find information about the city itself. Liverpool FC, also known as The Reds, became one of the country’s most successful soccer clubs under Jürgen Klopp.
Anfield Stadium is therefore as inseparable from Liverpool as the Eiffel Tower is from Paris.
The best way to experience it is at a live match — English soccer in full voice is something else entirely.
If there’s no match on, a stadium tour gives you a behind-the-scenes look at this legendary venue. The program includes the locker rooms, the press room, and the players’ tunnel, with the museum rounding things out with plenty of background.
Book a guided tour of Anfield Stadium with a former player
from 25 pounds
Liverpool Cathedral
Liverpool is home to not one but two impressive cathedrals!
The Anglican Liverpool Cathedral was built in the 20th century in the Neo-Gothic style. Just a short walk away at the other end of the street, you’ll find the more modern, Catholic Liverpool Metropolitan Cathedral.
Liverpool Cathedral holds several world records: it’s the largest cathedral in the country, the second-largest Anglican cathedral in the world, and the fifth-largest cathedral overall.
It also boasts the highest Gothic arches ever built, the highest and heaviest ring of bells, and the largest organ in the world. Trust us — this one is not to be missed.
Crosby Beach
Had enough museums and pubs? In just 30 minutes, you can hop on a train north and out of the city to Crosby Beach. Despite the stereotypes, England does have sunny days — and this is a great spot to enjoy them.
But even in typical English weather, a beach stroll lets you breathe in the salty air — and take in some art along the way: Another Place brings together 100 iron figures by artist Antony Gormley, standing at various spots in the water and on the sand.
They all stare toward the horizon, and depending on the tide, the large human figures stand more or less deeply in the water. The scene is a little surreal and absolutely worth seeing!
Want even more beautiful beaches in England?
Activities in Liverpool
Beyond the classic sights, there’s so much more to discover in Liverpool and the surrounding area. Here are our recommendations for what to do in Liverpool.
Take a Guided Liverpool Tour
Sightseeing River Cruise: Explore Liverpool at a leisurely pace along the Mersey by boat — a seriously relaxing way to see the waterfront.
Liverpool Walking Tour: A knowledgeable local guide will show you the city’s best corners — local insider tips included.
Beatles Tour: Walk in the footsteps of the Fab Four and explore the most important locations in the band’s history.
Peaky Blinders Tour
Even though the gangster series is set in Birmingham, many scenes were actually filmed in Liverpool. On a half-day or full-day tour, you’ll get up close to the filming locations — including the houses of Polly and Ada.
Royal Liver Building Tour
The Royal Liver Building 360 Tower Tour offers a spectacular panoramic view from the observation platform on the 15th floor. At the visitor center, you’ll learn more about the building’s history, and there’s an audiovisual show in the historic clock tower.
Book the Royal Liver Building Tour
Experience Nature in Wales
From Liverpool, the countryside is surprisingly easy to reach. On a day trip, you can get a breath of fresh air in the Welsh Snowdonia National Park — and at Conwy Castle, you can step back into a long-gone era.
Our Top 3 Hotel Picks for Liverpool
Read our full hotel tips for Liverpool here
Practical Tips for Liverpool
Liverpool has around 500,000 residents, so it’s not exactly small — but the city center is manageable and well connected to John Lennon Airport, located about 14 kilometers outside the city. Here are a few more things to know:
How to get from the airport to the city
The easiest and most affordable way into the city is by bus. Several Arriva buses depart from in front of the arrivals terminal heading toward the city center.
The fastest is the Express Bus 500. It runs twice an hour and takes 30 minutes to reach Liverpool One Bus Station, near Albert Dock. You can buy tickets — including day and multi-day passes — directly from the bus driver.
If you’re renting a car, you can reach the airport quickly via the Mersey Gateway Bridge — but be aware that it’s a toll road (£2).
The most comfortable option is a taxi. For around £20, you’ll reach the city center in about 25 minutes. It gets a bit more expensive at night, between 11 PM and 6 AM.
Buy a Liverpool Pass
If you want the full sightseeing experience, the Liverpool Pass can help you save quite a bit of money. It gives you free entry to attractions such as The Beatles Story and the Liverpool FC Museum. Tours like the River Explorer Cruise and the City Explorer bus tour are also included.
It’s worth checking the details carefully though: for Anfield, for example, museum entry is included but the stadium tour is not. Think realistically about how much you can cover in a day, and consider the two-day pass. The 24-hour ticket costs £54.99, while the 48-hour ticket is £79.99.
