Last Updated on 04/07/2026 by Mayi

Liverpool is a city with great architecture, great art, plenty of places to grab a coffee or food and friendly people to make you feel right at home. Here are some of the things to do in Liverpool, England.

Things to do and see in Liverpool

Last June, I attended a conference in Liverpool. As you would expect, I didn’t get to see anything, and my route was more like the following: train station – hotel – conference venue – train station. Since I stayed near the Waterfront, I was determined to enjoy what the city offered, so I booked a short break.

So what are the things to do and see in Liverpool?

Explore the Waterfront

Follow the Beatles Trail

You cannot come to Liverpool and ignore the Fab Four. The Beatles Story museum at the Albert Dock tells the band’s journey from Mathew Street to the world stage, while the Cavern Club — still hosting live music daily — and the Beatles statue at Pier Head are essential photo stops for any music lover.

Visit the Two Cathedrals

Liverpool bookends its elegant Hope Street with two dramatically different cathedrals. The vast Gothic-style Liverpool Cathedral is Britain’s largest, with a tower you can climb for views across the Mersey; at the other end, the Metropolitan Cathedral’s striking modernist “wigwam” crown could not be more different. Walking between the two along the Georgian Quarter is one of the city’s loveliest strolls.

Explore Free Museums and Galleries

Liverpool’s museum scene punches well above its weight, and most of it is free. The Walker Art Gallery houses one of the finest art collections in England outside London, the Museum of Liverpool on the waterfront tells the city’s story from port to pop, and Tate Liverpool brings modern art to the Albert Dock.

Take the Ferry Across the Mersey

Yes, the one from the song. The Mersey ferry is the cheapest cruise you will ever take, and the skyline view of the Three Graces — the Royal Liver Building, the Cunard Building and the Port of Liverpool Building — from the water is the definitive Liverpool postcard.

Wander the Georgian Quarter

Around Hope Street and Rodney Street you’ll find handsome Georgian terraces, independent restaurants and the Philharmonic Dining Rooms — a pub so ornate it’s Grade I listed. It’s the perfect area for dinner after a day of sightseeing.

When to Visit Liverpool

Liverpool is a year-round city break, but a few dates change its rhythm entirely. Match days at Anfield or Goodison flood the city with football fans (book accommodation early), while summer brings festivals to the waterfront and Sefton Park. If you want the museums and docks at their calmest, aim for a midweek visit outside the school holidays — and pack a raincoat whatever the season, this is the north-west of England after all.

Practical Tips for Visiting Liverpool

The city centre is compact and very walkable — everything above is within half an hour on foot. Direct trains from London Euston take around 2 hours 15 minutes, and Liverpool pairs brilliantly with Manchester (35 minutes away by train) for a northern city-break double bill.

The most considerable regeneration in Liverpool happened at the Waterfront. The Albert Dock, which used to be an abandoned warehouse, has been upgraded into a great tourist attraction. The World Heritage Site, house to the largest group of Grade 1 listed buildings in the United Kingdom, is just located by the river Mersey. The Waterfront and its Albert Dock are great places to stroll or wander around on a lovely sunny day. In addition, it provides visitors with a selection of souvenir shops, cafes, bars, restaurants, hotels, galleries and museums.

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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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