Best Things to Do in Liverpool – The Perfect Weekend Getaway

Liverpool is a vibrant city in NW England, known for its rich history, world-class music scene, iconic football clubs and impressive waterfront. With its compact size, friendly atmosphere, and range of things to do, Liverpool is the perfect weekend escape. During the years of the big-C, I used the opportunity of international travel restrictions to explore my own country. A few friends and I decided on Liverpool and booked 4 nights in this incredible city. It blew me away with the amount of things to do, fun nightlife and the friendliest people. It’s also a must for any Beatles fans! From exploring its cultural gems to enjoying its thriving food and nightlife scenes, this lively city guarantees a memorable trip for all kinds of travellers. Here’s a list of everything we got up to during our city break in London…with a few added bits we didn’t have time for.

1. Walking Tours in Liverpool

I love a walking tour and always find it a fantastic way to see a new city, learn about its history and get local-insider tips! We knew a walking tour was a must for our time in Liverpool, and it ended up being one of the best things we did. There are many different walking tours available in Liverpool, depending on your time frame and interests. We chose a Beatles walking tour and a Liverpool walking tour. Both were brilliant and we spent several hours learning about this beautiful city and the legendary Beatles.

If you’d rather have the independence and freedom of a self-guided walking tour, check out GPS my city for different pre-planned routes; including historic sites, religious tours and everything Beatles. I always love to plan a guided or independent walking tour at the start of my time in a new city. I find this helps plan the rest of your time somewhere.

The Cavern Club Tour also host a fantastic tour that explores this venue’s history and it’s role in the Beatles rise to international fame. After the tour, be sure to visit the Cavern Pub or The Grapes opposite. These are well renowned pubs opposite the Cavern where the Beatles would regularly visit. The Cilla Black statue is found here too. We enjoyed seeing these spots on our tour.

2. Formby Day Trip

After spending time in Liverpool City Centre, consider heading to one of the beach areas. One we opted for was Formby. I love exploring this cute coastal town, its pristine beach, striking sand dunes and an expansive pinewood forest. Located just 30 minutes from Central Liverpool, Formby makes for the perfect day trip.

Formby beach is 150 acres long, with a surrounding landscape of sand dunes and pine forests. There’s plenty of space to sunbathe, have a picnic or go for a long walk. The beach’s high dunes provide for excellent views over the Irish Sea, and on clear days, you can see as far as the Cumbrian Mountains.

Protected by the National Trust, Formby Pinewoods is beautiful pine tree forest – ideal for walks, cycles and red squirrel spotting. The area has numerous trails for long walks and cycling, which can be found at the forest’s entrance. There are options to rent bicycles if you don’t have one.

Tips to see the red squirrels – go in the morning and stay off the main paths. We wandered off the trail paths into the bushy forest and saw two red squirrels!

It’s possibly to drive here from Liverpool, but beware of the limited parking spaces, particularly during the summer. Traffic leading up to beach, lack of parking and £7.50 charges, makes the quick 30 minute direct train during more appealing. If you do decide to drive, get there early to guarantee a parking spot and to avoid queues leading up to the forest.

Formby is the perfect day trip if you’re looking to escape the hustle and bustle of city life in Liverpool. We paired this with a trip to the nearby Crosby Beach to see the dramatic sculpture exhibition along the waterfront.

3. Crosby Beach

After Formby, we headed to another gem on the Merseyside coastline, Crosby Beach. Found between Formby and Liverpool, Crosby is only a 17 minute train ride from the city centre and makes for a great day trip. The main attraction we went to see was the Antony Gormley’s exhibition ‘Another Place’. This eerie art installation comprises of 100 cast-iron, life-size figures that line this sandy beach. Spanning across 3km along the sand, and 1km out to sea, these statues make for an interesting and unusual experience! I recommend visiting during low tide to get the most out of it.

Crosby beach is a dog-friendly, 4km stretch of sandy beach…perfect for walks or just relaxing. St John’s Road is a short walk away and home to many restaurants, tea rooms, a pub and a few vintage shops. We went for an amazing roast lunch here! I recommend Formby over Crosby is you’re short on time, purely for the greater variety of things to do.

4. Merseyside River Tours & Boat Trips

The Mersey River stretches for 70 miles, from Stockport to Liverpool Bay. There are a number of river cruises available, providing a great opportunity to explore the historic docklands and surrounding areas. One of the most popular tours is the 50-minute daily River Explorer Cruise. This tour focuses on the River Mersey’s fascinating history and gives incredible views of the Albert Docks.

Another bucket-list worthy trip is the Dazzle Ferry snowdrop. Created by Sir Peter Blake, this striking ferry is made up of colourful and monochrome designs. Ride the Dazzle Ferry five minutes across the Mersey River to Seacombe for impressive skyline views of Liverpool and the dock. Although it’s a short trip, the views are worth it!

For a unique dining experience along the ride, take a ride on the Floating Grace. Liverpool’s only floating restaurant and bar boat, offering stunning views of Albert Dock and the City. From afternoon tea and sunny lunches, to Christmas parties and evening fine dining, there’s something for everyone.

5. The Albert Docks

The Albert Dock is arguably the heart of Liverpool. Since its opening in 1846, the Albert Docks have undergone numerous transformations and developments to become what it is today. From it’s role during WWII, up until its UNESCO World Heritage Site recognition in 2004, the docks are full of history. We were spoilt for choice for places to eat, drink, visit and stay in this area. Smuggler’s Cove and Revolucion de Cuba are two great bars/restaurants worth checking out. Many of Liverpool’s best museums and galleries are found in this area too, including the Tate, the International Slavery Museum and Museum of Liverpool.

6. Visit the Main Cathedrals

Liverpool is home to two cathedrals: Liverpool Anglican Cathedral and the Metropolitan Cathedral of Christ the King. The former is the largest in Britain and 5th largest in world, at 189m long. It is also the permanent home to a neon pink sign by Tracey Emin that reads ‘I felt you and I knew you needed me’. The Metropolitan Cathedral is very modern and features works of art and multi-coloured window.

The striking contrasts between the two cathedrals’ architecture makes it worth visiting both for comparisons. Plus, they’re within a short walk of each other! However if you’re pushed for time, and can only visit one, I would recommend visiting the Anglican Cathedral. Both cathedrals are free to visit but welcome donations!

7. Museums and Galleries

Liverpool boasts an impressive number of museums and galleries throughout the city. Many of which are free to visit! I’ve included some of the most noteworthy below.

Best Museums in Liverpool

International Slavery Museum: Located by the Albert Dock, the International Slavery Museum aims to educate on the history and legacy of the transatlantic slave trade. The museum primarily focuses on slavery between 1500 and 1865, with emphasis on Liverpool’s role as a major slaving port. Admissions: free. For more info, check out their official site
Museum of Liverpool: A museum showcasing the diverse and interesting history of Liverpool. Modern designed building sitting alongside the stunning waterfront. Admissions: free. Visit their site for more information.
Liverpool Beatles Museum: As the name suggests, this museum is dedicated to the Beatles and is suitably located by the Cavern Club on Mathew Street. Expect to learn about the Beatles’ origin and how they rose to become on of the most well-known and loved bands in the world. Spanning across three floors, in a stunning Grade II listed building, this museum houses a large collection of their memorabilia. Admissions: £15/£7.50 (adult/child) Accessibility: As it’s a listed building, there are no lifts. Buy your tickets through their site.
Merseyside Maritime Museum: This museums explores the rich maritime history of the city. It was the first public building to open at Albert Dock. Expect to see ship models, paintings and even a full sized vessel. Admissions: free. Read more on their site.
World Museum: Opening in 1853, this is the oldest museum in Liverpool and is set in a beautiful building. Visit for their planetarium, Ancient Egypt gallery, Natural History centre and more. Check their site for more information on visiting hours and current exhibits. Admissions: free.

Best Art Galleries in Liverpool

Tate Liverpool: For the best modern and contemporary art, head over to the Tate Liverpool by the Royal Albert Dock. The Tate’s four floors are filled with continuously changing exhibitions and events. Admissions: free, except for some exhibitions. Check the Tate’s site for more details and opening times.
Walkers Art Gallery: Established in 1877, the Walkers Art Gallery homes one of the largest art collections in England. With an impressive collection of paintings and sculptures, spanning six hundred years, this is a must do for an art lovers. Admissions: free. Their site has more information on displays and visiting times.
Victoria Gallery & Museum: The Gothic building at the University of Liverpool houses everything from fine art to dentistry through the eras. Their site has details on events and current exhibits.

8. The Penny Lane Sign

Growing up with Beatle-obsessed parents meant I couldn’t visit Liverpool without checking out key Beatles places. Penny Lane being no exception. The street made famous by the Beatles 1967 song ‘Penny Lane’ is great photo-worthy spot. I loved learning about this on our earlier Beatles Tour – the Penny Lane song was originally inspired by John Lennon and Paul McCartney’s shared childhood memory of meeting at Penny Lane to catch a bus into the city centre.

Although the Penny Lane sign was worth visiting, I would say to make the journey from the city centre worth it, visit the nearby Strawberry Fields Museum too. Otherwise the Penny Lane street sign is located in a quiet, residential area with not much else around to see.

9. Strawberry Fields Museum

After checking out the Penny Lane sign, we headed over to the Beatles’ Strawberry Fields Museum. The famous ‘Strawberry Fields’ song was inspired by an orphanage in the Liverpool suburb of Woolton. Although John Lennon never attended here, his childhood home was only a short distance away.

The once former Salvation Army children’s home is now a interactive exhibition showcasing the story behind John Lennon’s ‘Strawberry Fields Forever’. We bought tickets for £8.20, which included access to the audio tour/museum of Lennon’s childhood and early writings of the song. It also included the gardens with the famous red gates. Be sure to check out their official site, as opening times change throughout the year.

Although I’m not the biggest Beatles fan, I found it really cool to learn more about the foundation years that helped form the band and the music.

10. Rooftop Bars & Nightlife

Liverpool’s nightlife was excellent and there were such a variety of places to go – from family pubs to all-night clubs and everything in between. We loved enjoying great views over the city at the rooftop gardens Oh Me Oh My. Situated in a former bank, this sophisticated tea room has a stunning roof garden offering some of the best views of Liverpool. Buy drinks on the ground floor before catching a lift to the top and enjoy this quirky outdoor space. We also loved going to Heebie Jeebies for a more lively atmosphere. However there are so many bars and pubs to choose from, you’ll easily find something to suit your needs and budget. I’ve added a list of places to go based on where we enjoyed and recommendations provided to us by locals.

Fun Bars:

The Alchemist: The Alchemist is a classic chain bar that serves quirky chemistry-style cocktails. I’ve been to these bars many times in London, so gave it a miss during our Liverpool trip. However, if you’re new to the UK, or just haven’t been yet, I’d highly recommend going.
Peacocks: Good cocktails, pizza and a DJ set in a quirky, exposed brick bar.
Alma de Cuba: Alma de Cuba is an iconic bar serving Latin American inspired cocktails, tapas and dishes.
Heebie Jeebies: A bar/club hosting different DJ nights and live music, with great cocktails in the basement. We were highly recommend this and EBGBs by a friend living in Liverpool and it didn’t disappoint! We had a great night here.
E.B.G.Bs: A great lively bar underneath Heebie Jeebies.
Smuggler’s Cover: Found in the heart of the Albert Docks, this pirate-themed bar and restaurant is famous for in rum cocktails and delicious deli boards.
City Wine Bar & Kitchen: Wine bar that also serves fantastic lunch and afternoon tea during the day.
Bunch Wine Bar: Classy, small wine bar with very knowledgable staff. Great little spot hidden away for good quality wine or inventive cocktails.

Best Pubs in Liverpool:

The Grapes: Established in 1804, the Grapes is one of Liverpool’s oldest and most famous pubs. It’s well known connection with the Beatles, great Mathew Street location and newly refurbished decor (2019), make it a great place for a drink or two.
The Cavern Pub: Opposite the Cavern Club, this venue has great live music and plenty of Beatles memorabilia. Although we didn’t have drinks here, we enjoyed our time visiting during a walking tour and I definitely need to go back to enjoy it properly.
Shenanigans: One of Liverpool’s best Irish bars and a great places to watch sports games.
Fly in the Loaf: This pub is known for its many world beers and its sports TVs.

Among the many eateries in the city, Bundobust was our favourite! This reasonably priced Indian restaurant has many delicious sharing dishes, perfect for groups meals! We also had a fantastic breakfast/brunch at The Quarter, which goes on to serve Mediterranean cuisine later in the day.

11. Vinyl Stores & Shopping

Like any big city in the UK, Liverpool has numerous large shopping centres and high streets filled with chain stores. However, what differentiates shopping in Liverpool is the large number of vintage and vinyl stores. With a whopping 19 vinyl stores, in the compact city centre, this is a definite must-do for any music lovers or record collectors. Some of the most popular stores include Dig Vinyl, Defend Vinyl, 3B Records, Probe Record Shops and Jacaranda Records.

How to Get to Liverpool?

Liverpool is very easy to get to by train from any major city, including London, Manchester, Glasgow and Leeds. We got the train from London and reached Liverpool in under 3 hours. Additionally, Liverpool is well connected to the UK motorway network, with London just shy of four hours away. There’s even a local airport with regular domestic flights from around the country.

Once in Liverpool, it’s easy to travel around given how the amount of transport links within the city. Local buses, cheap taxis, underground and overground train networks allows for cheap and easy travel. We found it to be a very walkable city too, with most key sites and eateries accessible by foot.

Where to Stay in Liverpool?

There are plenty of accommodation options throughout the city depending on your budget and needs. During my trip in the summer, we stayed in a lovely AirBnB in the heart of everything. Located between Ropewalks and the Knowledge Quarter, we were central to all sites, transport links, restaurants and nightlife. Despite the central location, we didn’t have any issues with loud streets at night either. There are so many hotels around the city centre and along the waterfront, so there should be plenty of options to choose from.

I hope this helps to highlight some of the fun things to do in Liverpool. I had a great few days exploring! Other fun places to check out in the UK, include Bath and Cambridge.