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Bucket list destination:

Last updated: 18 June, 2023
Expert travel writer: David Atkinson

Culture. Nightlife. Sport. Renaissance Liverpool has been reborn since its tenure as the European Capital of Culture in 2008 — and the cultural evolution continues apace.

Sited on the banks of the river Mersey, with a rich maritime heritage, it retains a friendly reputation and wide-ranging appeal — from hedonistic nightlife to heritage architecture (some 27 Grade I-listed buildings), plus an annual programme of lively sporting and cultural events.

Football aside, it’s best known as the birthplace of the world’s greatest-ever band – the Beatles. Many of their greatest worldwide hit songs were inspired by the city landmarks – and fans come from the world over to walk in the footsteps of the Fab Four.

Orientation

The city centre divides into a series of quarters — all of them accessible on foot. Only the outlaying Baltic Quarter makes for a long walk.

The Waterfront has the most obvious draw for visitors with a series of attractions and museums along the River Mersey. The Cavern Quarter, meanwhile, is small but bustling with Beatles fans and the Georgian Quarter is quieter with some international standard hotels and visits to the city’s twin cathedrals. Moorfields, finally, is business district with fewer attractions but some excellent places to stay and eat, plus fine examples of heritage architecture.

Our selection of the best Viator tours of this destination, plus helpful tickets and transfers

Liverpool: 50-Minute Mersey River Cruise

Liverpool

Liverpool: 50-Minute Mersey River Cruise
Join us for a River Explorer Cruise aboard our world-famous Mersey Ferry. For just under an hour, you can sit back, relax and soak in the riverside scenery and landmarks that have put Liverpool on the map. Our expert recorded commentary will make you feel right at home as you discover the things that make our city region so vibrant today. The cruise is a 'must do' as part of any visit to Liverpool. Your ticket is valid at any time during the day that you have booked. The cruises depart every hour on the hour from Liverpool Pier Head Gerry Marsden Terminal (just arrive at least 20mins prior to departure to redeem your voucher) Language translation sheets are available on request at the ferry terminal.

Price: £12

Min age: 5

Rating 4.17 / 5 [793 ratings]

Tour supplied by:

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Liverpool City Sights Hop On Hop Off City Tour - 24hr Ticket

Liverpool

Liverpool City Sights Hop On Hop Off City Tour - 24hr Ticket
This tour has been designed to point out and talk you through the historical landmarks and attractions including our iconic UNESCO waterfront.  Hop-Off at any of our 14 Stops including The Royal Albert Dock, The Three Graces, Western Approaches, Liverpool One Shopping Centre, The Cavern Club, William Brown Street (World Museum, Central Library, Walker Art Gallery), St Georges Hall, Adelphi Hotel, Metropolitan Cathedral, The Philharmonic Dining Rooms (where all our customers receive a free glass of bubbly just show the bar staff a valid bus ticket,18 plus ID maybe required), The Liverpool Cathedral, St Luke's Church, China Town, The Cains Brewery Village (Peaky Blinders Bar) and much more.

Price: £12

Min age: 3

Rating 4.65 / 5 [847 ratings]

Tour supplied by:

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A Walk Through Time: History of Liverpool Walking Tour

Liverpool

A Walk Through Time: History of Liverpool Walking Tour
Come and join us on a Walk through Time. Discover and Learn the Full Real History of Liverpool through the ages with our History Walking Tour through Time. Discover how Liverpool developed from a Medieval Trading Town to the Second City of the British Empire from 1207-Present. See and Learn the Fascinating History of the City with your own Professional Tour Guide. We provide a Unique and Entertaining Experience for all ages that’s Fun for the whole family. Our Tour Guides are Professional Local Historians trained to Post-Graduate Degree Level. Our Tours provide an in- depth History of Liverpool and are a great way to see its heritage, famous sites and streets. For the price of just one ticket for £16.00 you will receive your own Tour and Professional, Historian Tour Guide for Liverpool. Take advantage of this Quality and Affordable service now and visit Liverpool in style.

Price: £14

Min age: 0

Rating 4.90 / 5 [522 ratings]

Tour supplied by:

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Liverpool Guided Walking Culture and History Tour

Liverpool

Liverpool Guided Walking Culture and History Tour
Immerse yourself in the rich heritage, culture, and history of this vibrant and colourful city. This walking tour is perfect for visitors to Liverpool, or anyone who wants to get to know some interesting facts and history about their own city. Our experienced and local guides are passionate about their city and want to make each tour fun, interesting and memorable for everyone. They will share with you, personal stories that will really bring to life the history and culture of Liverpool. You will have great photo opportunities, as the tour stops at many of the city’s iconic buildings and landmarks, show casing some amazing architecture both historic and new. Our guides will share with you some fascinating stories from the past and point out for intriguing and fun facts along the way. You will learn of the city’s musical influence on the world and be able to walk in the footsteps of The Fab Four as the tour passes by the famous Cavern Club on Mathew Street.

Price: £19

Min age: 0

Rating 4.94 / 5 [272 ratings]

Tour supplied by:

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Liverpool Hidden History and Dead House Evening Walking Tour

Liverpool

Liverpool Hidden History and Dead House Evening Walking Tour
Audiences can expect a 90-minute, theatrical, walking tour with the infamous and distinctive flavor of street theater-style guiding with exclusive access into the city's darkest and less well-known avenues within the boundary of the city's seven original streets. Locations include the lofty banking halls of Castle Street, the regal opulence of Town Hall, the crooked alley-ways, and sulfuric lamp-lit lanes in the now bustling commercial district. Ending the immersive tour experience within the boundary of a medieval garden hidden beneath a Gothic spire, entered through a trapdoor, and named by Herman Melville himself...The Dead House.

Price: £20

Min age: 0

Rating 4.95 / 5 [122 ratings]

Tour supplied by:

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Liverpool: River Cruise & Sightseeing Bus Tour

Liverpool

Liverpool: River Cruise & Sightseeing Bus Tour
See the best of Liverpool's unique views and explore its fascinating history with this combo-sightseeing ticket. Join us for a River Explorer Cruise aboard the world-famous Mersey Ferry. Sit back, relax and soak in the riverside scenery and landmarks. The cruise gives you the opportunity to see the stunning Liverpool waterfront from the river. Your ferry ticket is valid at any time during the day that you have booked. The cruises depart every hour on the hour from Liverpool Pier Head Gerry Marsden Terminal (just arrive at least 20mins prior to departure to redeem your voucher) Language sheets are available on request at the ferry terminal. Following the cruise take the City Explorer Open Top Bus Tour and discover the best sights of this fascinating city. The hop-on hop-off bus provides views of all of the main sights and attractions. Your City Explorer Bus Tour can be used on the same day as your cruise and the following day giving you maximum sightseeing opportunity.

Price: £22

Min age: 5

Rating 4.53 / 5 [390 ratings]

Tour supplied by:

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History Guided Tour of Liverpool and the Beatles

Liverpool

History Guided Tour of Liverpool and the Beatles
This Beatles and History Tour will take you on a day you'll never forget! If you visit Liverpool, this is a must for you. We will start Outside the Liverpool Central Library, where our guides with a colourful umbrella will be waiting for you. You will be guided by a local Qualified Tour Guide who will show you Liverpool's hidden gems. American History in William Brown Street outside Walker Art Gallery, World Museum and the stunning Victorian Round Reading Rooms. Enjoy the history and architecture during your walkthrough Liverpool's World Heritage Site Guided walk through the Royal Albert Dock. Learn how and why the city has now emerged as the most vibrant UK city outside London. Mini Magical History Walk along Mathew Street and see outside the famous Cavern Club. Selfie at the new Beatles statues on Liverpool Waterfront in front of the iconic Liver Birds

Price: £28

Min age: 0

Rating 4.94 / 5 [122 ratings]

Tour supplied by:

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Half-Day Peaky Blinders Tour of Liverpool

Liverpool

Half-Day Peaky Blinders Tour of Liverpool
4- hour guided tour of Peaky Blinders TV locations from the award winning BBC show. See over 10 locations including the homes of Polly and Ada, the site of the Garrison, locations from Series 1-6 and much more. Tour includes transportation by coach.

Price: £37

Min age: 16

Rating 4.9 / 5 [370 ratings]

Tour supplied by:

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Beatles Early Years Tour of Liverpool by Private Taxi

Liverpool

Beatles Early Years Tour of Liverpool by Private Taxi
Begin your tour at the registry office where John married his first wife! Then, step back in time and see the place where Lennon was born. See Brian Epstein’s old flat and discover which Beatles song was written here. Check out Paul McCartney and George Harrison’s old school. Your knowledgeable & talented driver guide will entertain you with a host of anecdotes and trivia about the Beatles and Liverpool. Just around the corner is the attractive 19th century terraced house where Lennon and Stuart Sutcliffe shared a student flat. The final location on your tour is the beautiful Georgian street where Brian Epstein, the Beatles manager was born.​ As with all of our tours, you'll hear Beatles songs and find out about the events that inspired these. Whether you have time in between meetings, before catching your train or you’re simply looking for something different to try, this tour is a Fab way to spend 60 minutes.

Price: £110

Min age: 0

Rating 4.94 / 5 [17 ratings]

Tour supplied by:

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Peaky Blinders 4 Hour Private Tour of Liverpool

Liverpool

Peaky Blinders 4 Hour Private Tour of Liverpool
Enjoy a four hour fully guided tour of Peaky Blinders filming locations in Liverpool with your own expert driver guide. Picked up from a location of your choice in central Liverpool you will be whisked off on a grand tour of filming locations around the Merseyside capital visiting sites featured in all 5 series of the show. You'll also get to see the scenes from key storylines and picture perfect locations such as Port Sunlight, Cains Brewery and panoramic views of Liverpool across the River Mersey.

Price: £248

Min age: 16

Rating 4.8 / 5 [40 ratings]

Tour supplied by:

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When to go

Liverpool is a year-round city. Clearly, it’s busier during school holidays with child-friendly activities staged at many of the galleries and museums. That makes early spring and autumn the optimum times to visit.

It’s busy when the city’s two Premiership teams are playing home games, and when headline acts are playing live events at the Echo Arena, so expect accommodation to come at a premium.

The excellent museums are ideal for rainy days, but the city really comes alive from spring, the perfect time for mooching around the street art of the Baltic Quarter or summer-evening strolls along the waterfront, marvelling at the architecture with drinks to follow.

Getting there and away

Most international arrivals to the Merseyside region are coming via Liverpool John Lennon Airport (transfer: 45 mins by bus), or the Cruise Terminal (conveniently, located right on the waterfront). UK visitors transit through the busy Lime Street mainline rail hub and a small network of underground stations loops around four stations across the city.liv

Getting around

Most of the main attractions are accessible on foot with the majority within the city centre and waterfront areas.

There are regular bus services, centred on the Liverpool ONE interchange, to attractions in the outlying areas, such as Woolton for the Beatles homes and Anfield for the stadium tour.

The Liverpool metro has four stations, including James St for the waterfront. Otherwise, pick up an Uber. Public parking is plentiful but only some hotels have private parking and city-centre traffic is busy.

Where to stay

Picking your district is key. The best is the architecturally interesting Georgian Quarter, which offers a classy counterpoint to the city-centre chain hotels. It’s quieter, away from the stag parties, and handy for performances at the Liverpool Everyman theatre and Liverpool Philharmonic concert hall. It’s also a short walk to attractions, such as the twin cathedrals.

The Moorfields business district is lesser-known but has some great hotels within easy walking distance of the waterfront area. Expect to pick up taxis to get you to dinner reservations and live events — unless you’re heading for the Albert Dock.

The Cavern Quarter is the hub for Beatles fans but expect hotel rates to target high-spending international guests. Avoid Lime Street. While it’s the main rail interchange, it’s not the best district to stay.

Where to eat or drink

Bold Street, behind Central Station, is the foodie hub with al-fresco dining, world-food options, and prices for all budgets. The Ropewalks area a few streets across is lively for late-night action but beware the weekend stag parties.

The Albert Dock has a host of independents, plus outdoor dining, buzzy early-evening bars and sunset views with your cocktails. The London Carriage Works, located near the Philharmonic, remains the centrepoint of Hope’s Street understated yet solidly upmarket restaurant scene.

Where to shop

The behemoth Liverpool ONE shopping centre has all the big-name brands. Alternatively, head to Bold Street for vintage clothes, art supplies and a radical bookshop from the growing band of Liverpool indies.

The Baltic Quarter is also a good hunting ground with the Red Brick Vintage market open daily. Finally, the Albert Dock has some interesting boutiques and galleries for local crafts — plus the Tate Liverpool store.

Health & Safety

Central Liverpool is generally safe and compact to explore on foot, although it’s wise to always take sensible precautions. There are generally plenty of people about after a performance at one of the theatres, for example, and train services run until after 11pm.

You may want to avoid the streets around Ropewalks and Bold Street, however, at kicking-out time when the stag and hen parties are at their well-oiled worst.