Things to Do in Liverpool (2026 Guide)

Last Updated on 24/10/2026 by Mayi

Liverpool has great architecture, great art, plenty of places to grab a coffee or a meal, and friendly people who make you feel right at home. I first wrote this guide after a short break in 2018, and I’m back in the city in autumn 2026 to see what has changed. Quite a lot, it turns out: some favourite museums are closed for major redevelopment, and there are new places worth your time.

I came back to join my sister, who was there on a business trip. The city is still undergoing a major transformation, and it’s becoming even more vibrant.

Why I came back

My first visit started with a conference. As you’d expect, I saw almost nothing: train station, hotel, conference venue, train station. Since I’d stayed near the waterfront, I was determined to enjoy what the city had to offer, so I booked a short break. This updated guide combines that trip with what I found on my return, when I came back to join my sister on her business trip.

1. The Waterfront and Royal Albert Dock

The waterfront is where Liverpool’s biggest regeneration happened, and it’s still the best place to start. The Royal Albert Dock, once a run-down warehouse complex, is now the largest group of Grade I listed buildings in the UK. Sitting right on the River Mersey, it’s lovely for a stroll on a sunny day, with shops, cafes, bars, restaurants, hotels and galleries all in one place.

One thing has changed since my first visit: Liverpool lost its UNESCO World Heritage status in 2021, after years of debate over new development on the docks. It doesn’t make the waterfront any less impressive, but you’ll see older guides still describe it as a World Heritage Site.

The waterfront also hosts festivals and events throughout the year. On my first visit, I happened to catch the Clipper Round the World Yacht Race fleet arriving, with hundreds of people cheering the crews on.

The waterfront is still undergoing a transformation, so there is construction work around the Royal Albert Dock, the International Slavery Museum, the Maritime Museum and the Museum of Liverpool. I found that most of Liverpool’s appeal lies in its beautiful waterfront. With the brick warehouses, the quays, the views across the Mersey and the grand facades that speak to the city’s maritime prosperity, it’s one of the most photogenic waterfronts you’ll find. It’s simply beautiful to see, and easy to explore too.

2. Museums and galleries

Liverpool’s museums still won’t disappoint, but check what’s open before you plan your day. Two of the big waterfront museums are closed for a major redevelopment.

Museum	Status (September 2026)
Museum of Liverpool	Open, free
Walker Art Gallery	Open, free
World Museum	Open, free
Tate Liverpool	Dock building closed; open at RIBA North, Mann Island
Merseyside Maritime Museum	Closed since January 2025, expected to reopen 2028–29
International Slavery Museum	Closed since January 2025, expected to reopen 2028–29

The National Museums Liverpool venues are open 10am to 5pm, Tuesday to Sunday, plus Mondays in school holidays.

Museum of Liverpool. This museum tells the story of the city: the growth of the port, the industrial revolution, Liverpool’s role in the transatlantic slave trade, and the decline of manufacturing. On my first visit, a short film about Tate & Lyle sugar made me realise, a little embarrassingly, the link between the sugar brand and the Tate galleries. The top floor is dedicated to the Beatles and football, with 360º films about the Liverpool–Everton rivalry and the story of the Fab Four. You can also see the plans of John Lennon’s childhood home here.

Tate Liverpool + RIBA North. Tate’s building on the Royal Albert Dock is closed for refurbishment and is due to reopen in 2027. In the meantime, Tate has moved into RIBA North, the national architecture centre on Mann Island. The space is much smaller, with two galleries and a family area, but it’s a nice mix of art and architecture.

Maritime Museum and International Slavery Museum. Both closed in January 2025 for a major redevelopment. When they reopen, the International Slavery Museum will have its own entrance in the Dr Martin Luther King Jr Building, giving it a much stronger presence on the waterfront. I visited both in 2018, and the displays on the Lusitania and Titanic, and on the city’s role in slavery, were among the most powerful things I saw. They’ll be worth returning for.

Walker Art Gallery and World Museum. With two waterfront museums closed, this is a great time to head up to William Brown Street. The Walker has a strong collection of fine art, and the World Museum sits next door.

I didn’t visit any of the museums on this occasion, as I had already seen them on previous visits.

3. Architecture and the two cathedrals

Liverpool is architecturally one of the most beautiful cities in the UK, with thousands of listed buildings in Victorian, Neoclassical and Edwardian styles. The impression starts the moment you step out of Lime Street station and face St George’s Hall. Whether you’re into architecture or not, the scale of the buildings will stop you in your tracks.

Much of this grandeur comes from the 19th century, when Liverpool was one of Europe’s major ports. Wealth from trades in enslaved people, sugar, cotton and tobacco flowed through the city. Merchants wanted their status reflected in enormous buildings, and the city built accordingly.

The Three Graces. At Pier Head, the Royal Liver Building, the Cunard Building and the Port of Liverpool Building contrast beautifully with the modern waterfront around them. The best view is from the water, so take the ferry if you can (see below).

The two cathedrals. Hope Street links Liverpool’s two very different cathedrals. The Anglican Liverpool Cathedral is vast and Gothic, and its tower offers one of the best views over the city. At the other end, the Metropolitan Cathedral is a striking modern circular building with a crown-shaped lantern tower.

The Bombed Out Church. St Luke’s lost its roof in the Blitz in 1941 and has stood as a shell ever since. Today it’s a memorial and an atmospheric venue for events.

I really liked the Bombed Out Church, even though it’s just the shell of the former church. It felt eerie in a good way. There was a vintage record sale at the time of my visit, so I spent some time browsing the different stands.

4. Experience Beatlemania

When you think of Liverpool, the first thing that comes to mind is probably football or the Beatles. John, Paul, George and Ringo became the most influential band in the world, and the city makes the most of it.

The Beatles Story. Start at this museum on the Royal Albert Dock, which covers the band’s story from the early days to global fame.

Mathew Street and the Cavern Club. Next, head to Mathew Street and have a drink at the Cavern Club while a tribute band plays the classics.

The Beatles statue. The statue of the Fab Four at Pier Head is still the city’s most popular selfie spot.

Penny Lane and Strawberry Field. A Beatles tour will take you to places that inspired their songs, including Penny Lane and the members’ childhood homes. Strawberry Field, the site behind the song, is now open to visitors with an exhibition and gardens.

I still didn’t manage to do the Strawberry Field tour, so maybe next time. Even casual fans will get a sense of how deeply the Beatles’ music is rooted in people’s DNA.

5. Football

Music and football are the two things that put Liverpool on the tourist map. Even if you’re not a fan, the atmosphere on match day is something else.

Anfield. Liverpool FC’s home offers stadium tours and a museum, a must for fans.

Everton’s new stadium. Everton have left Goodison Park for a brand-new stadium at Bramley-Moore Dock on the northern waterfront. It’s an easy walk along the river from Pier Head, and the building itself is worth seeing, whatever team you support.

I didn’t visit the stadiums. I tried to walk to Everton’s new stadium but ran out of time, so I turned back halfway to grab my suitcase for the train station. I could have walked there and taken a cab back to the hotel, but I’d have stayed for less than five minutes, which wasn’t worth it.

6. Neighbourhoods to explore

Once you’ve done the big sights, spend some time in the city’s neighbourhoods. This is where Liverpool feels most alive.

The Baltic Triangle. This former warehouse district south of the city centre is now Liverpool’s creative quarter. Expect street art, independent bars, food halls and studios.

The Baltic Triangle was my favourite neighbourhood. I had lots of fun wandering the streets and admiring the street art. I stopped by Boxpark hoping to get a light snack, but the music was too loud for my taste, so I went to Le Viet Social instead.

Bold Street and the Ropewalks. Bold Street is lined with independent cafes, restaurants and vintage shops, and it’s great for an afternoon wander.

Chinatown. Liverpool is home to Europe’s oldest Chinese community, as well as one of the UK’s oldest Black communities, which reflects the city’s long history as a port. Look out for the ornate arch on Nelson Street.

Open-air sculptures. Keep an eye out for public art as you walk around, including the Billy Fury statue, a twin-tailed mermaid and a cow sculpture on the dockside.

7. Beyond the city centre

Mersey Ferry. A trip across the Mersey is a Liverpool classic. It also gives you the best view of the Three Graces and the whole waterfront skyline.

Crosby Beach. If you have half a day to spare, take the train out to Crosby to see Antony Gormley’s Another Place: 100 iron figures standing along the shore and gazing out to sea. It’s especially atmospheric at sunset.

Summer fun fair. In the summer months, a small fun fair sets up at Pier Head, with rides and plenty of junk food, much like a seaside town.

8. Shopping

Whenever I visit a city, I always check out the shopping district, especially when I’m travelling with my sister. Liverpudlians are known for taking care of their looks, so it’s no surprise there’s plenty of choice. For high street or designer brands, head to Liverpool ONE, the open-air shopping centre around Paradise Street, South John Street and Peter’s Lane. On a Saturday afternoon, it feels like the whole city is there. For something more independent, try Bold Street.

9. Where to eat

After all that sightseeing, you’ll need fuel, and there’s no shortage of options.

Mowgli, Bold Street. Mowgli is beautifully designed, with wooden tables, ropes and cage lamps, and the staff are friendly. The Indian street food is fantastic and reasonably priced.

Here are the places I stopped by for coffee and dinner this time:

• Le Viet Social: I had Vietnamese coffee for the first time and really liked it, even though I usually have my coffee without sugar. It was quiet when I visited, but it sounds like it gets busy, and it looks like they have live performances too.
• Tsujiri Matcha House: I had a matcha bubble tea.
• Out to Lunch: I stopped here on my way to the train station to grab a tuna sandwich, which I ate on the train back to London.
• Pho: We had chicken pho, spring rolls and chicken rice balls. We’d planned to eat in, but they were short-staffed and not taking sit-down customers, so we took our food back to the hotel.
• Gino D’Acampo: We enjoyed the food and service, although the ricotta and spinach ravioli portion felt small for the price. Read more in my INNSiDE Liverpool review.

Where to stay

This time I stayed at INNSiDE by Meliá Liverpool on Old Hall Street (read my full INNSiDE Liverpool review). On my first visit, we stayed at the Pullman Liverpool at Kings Dock, a five-minute walk from the Royal Albert Dock. It’s connected to the ACC Liverpool convention centre and handy for the M&S Bank Arena. The reception is clean and airy, the decor is stylish, and breakfast and bar snacks were good.

Getting there

Liverpool is easy to reach. Avanti West Coast runs direct trains from London Euston to Liverpool Lime Street in around two and a quarter hours. You can also fly into Liverpool John Lennon Airport.

So, is Liverpool worth a visit?

Yes. With its pop culture, museums, football and maritime heritage, Liverpool makes a great weekend trip or short getaway. If you’re still wondering whether to visit, the city has plenty to offer.

Thanks for reading! Have you been to Liverpool recently? Let me know your favourite spots in the comments.

Written by

Mayi

Mayi is the writer and photographer behind SecretMoona — a space for travellers who care more about culture and quiet corners than tick-box sights. She writes honest, first-hand guides to France, Japan and beyond, a journey that began with a solo trip to Japan in 2017.

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