Things to do in Liverpool
Liverpool is a distinctive and world-renowned city, recognised for its musical heritage, sporting history and unique Scouse accent.
With two cathedrals, numerous galleries and museums, iconic buildings and more than a few references to the city’s most famous export – The Beatles – the city is the perfect destination for a weekend city break.
Top Liverpool landmarks
Best things to do in Liverpool
Beyond Liverpool
While there's plenty to entertain you within the city itself, the area that surrounds Liverpool is also ideal for adventures. With its proximity to the coast, you can easily take a short trip to the likes of Formby, Crosby and Southport, all of which offer beautiful sandy beaches. Crosby beach is perhaps best known thanks to the Anthony Gormley ‘Iron Men’ sculptures which adorn the sand. Alternatively, Chester is less than an hour’s journey away, and its Roman features and Tudor-style buildings are well worth taking a look at.
Transport in Liverpool
By train
Liverpool’s main train station is Liverpool Lime Street, which is a hub for trains from across the country, including London, Manchester, Birmingham and beyond. The city also has its own Merseyrail network, which allows visitors to access the wider Merseyside area with ease.
By bus
Regular National Express coach services operate to and from Liverpool from across the UK, including services from London, Manchester and Leeds. The city also has a comprehensive bus service, with routes to all of the major landmarks and suburbs available from the city centre.
By plane
The city is served by Liverpool John Lennon Airport, the first airport in the UK to be named after an individual. There are regular bus services between the airport and the city centre.
By car
Liverpool is accessible by car via the M62, which links to both the M6 and M1 to give access from across the country.
Find your perfect Liverpool accommodation
Search for a hostel
Insider tips
Plan a weekend in Liverpool
With so much to see and do, you’ll need a couple of days and nights to feel like you’ve got anywhere close to ticking off the length of your Liverpool list.
Accommodation
YHA Liverpool Albert Dock makes an ideal base for a weekend away by the Mersey. In fact, it could hardly be better positioned, being just a short walk from the city centre and the city’s well-known docks and museums. The hostel has a range of room-types to suit a range of requirements, along with a large social space and bar area. YHA Liverpool Albert Dock also has 24-hour access and free parking, perfect for a city centre location.
Dining out
Dine in at the hostel and you’ll find plenty of choice to please your appetite! Alternatively, if you want to branch out into the city, Liverpool has a growing range of restaurants to satisfy your needs. Bold Street is the home of casual dining in Liverpool, with cuisine from all over the world finding its way to this narrow street. Our favourites include Mowgli Street Food, Bakchich Lebanese and The Italian Club, which all offer great value, high-quality food.
Nightlife
As darkness falls Liverpool really comes to life. The city is renowned for its nightlife and it’s not hard to see why. A night out in Liverpool has even been ranked at number three in Rough Guides’ 50 Things to Do Before You Die. Come for a Friday or Saturday night and the streets are sure to be thronging with people having a great time in the city’s numerous nightspots, particularly in the Baltic Triangle and Concert Square areas of the city where many of the nightspots are concentrated.
Music Scene
Liverpool’s nightlife venues are well complemented by its varied music scene. Its most famous venues are those found in the Cavern Quarter and Mathew Street, with Eric’s and the Cavern still playing host to live music on a almost daily basis. Elsewhere, small venues like Arts Club and the Jacaranda host gigs with flourishing artists, while the Liverpool Philharmonic Hall is a stunning venue for a range of musical productions.
Best budget accommodation in Liverpool
For a city centre location with 24-hour access and free parking, YHA Liverpool Albert Dock is an excellent budget accommodation choice for anyone looking to visit this North West city. Ideally situated to stroll towards the city’s main tourist attractions, YHA Liverpool Albert Dock offers mostly en-suite bedrooms. The hostel is a top choice for families, solo travellers and groups seeking to visit one of the UK’s best-loved cities. Its social areas are vast and bright, with plenty of nods to Liverpool’s vibrant cultural past.
View some of our popular Liverpool blogs
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