Best places to visit in Liverpool: top attractions you don't want to miss

Liverpool is a genuinely unique British city. Not only has it been voted one of the friendliest cities in the world, but it is also home to the largest collection of art galleries in Britain outside London. Its rich history as a bustling port means it has absorbed influences from all over the world, creating a diverse and fascinating culture. This guide to the 20 best places to visit in Liverpool will ensure you see the best the city has to offer.

Whether you’re visiting Liverpool on a family vacation, having a trip with friends, or on a romantic getaway, you’re sure to find a wide range of activities to enjoy. Visit an authentic underground bunker from World War II, see the famous Anfield Stadium, check out a contemporary sculpture installation on a beach, or visit the Beatles’ childhood homes: there is something for everyone.

Best places to visit in Liverpool for history

1. Western Approaches

With this Western Approaches WWII Museum Ticket, you can experience up-close what life was like in a wartime bunker. This wonderfully curated museum has plenty of authentic wartime artifacts, documents, and tools.

Highlights:

See the bunker where over 300 people worked during WWII, including Commanders, the Women’s Royal Naval Service, and the Women’s Auxiliary Air Force.

Address and opening hours:

1-3 Rumford Street, L2 8SZ. Open daily 10:00 AM-6:00 PM.

2. The Cavern Club

Surely one of the city’s most significant historical sites and best tourist attractions, the Cavern Club music venue is where the Beatles started their career as an unknown band. Located in vibrant Mathew Street, the Cavern Club is still a thriving live music venue.

Highlights:

The Cavern Club is much more than your average music venue, running cultural events, tours, programs, festivals, and installations.

Address and opening hours:

10 Mathew St, L2 6RE. Open Sunday-Wednesday 11:00 AM-12:00 PM, Thursday-Friday 11:00 AM-1:00 AM, Saturday 11:00 AM-2:00 AM.

3. The Museum of Liverpool

If you want to learn about the history of all things Liverpool, this attraction is the place to go. With exhibits ranging from social and community history, archaeology, transport, The Museum of Liverpool is an informative and well-laid out museum, which engages interactively with the Liverpool community.

Highlights:

If you have young children, the Little Liverpool exhibit is a fun and interactive introduction to the city.

Address and opening hours:

Pier Head, Mann Island, L3 1DG. Open Tuesday-Sunday 10:00 AM-5:00 PM.

4. International Slavery Museum

On the 200th anniversary of the abolition of slavery, Liverpool opened the International Slavery Museum at the Royal Albert Dock to inform visitors about the history and legacy of transatlantic slavery. It’s the only museum of its kind and is an important international hub for human rights resources.

Highlights:

The museum has a mission of recognizing and confronting the ugly past of the international slave trade and the role Liverpool played in that as a port city.

Address and opening hours:

Royal Albert Dock, L3 4AQ. Open Tuesday-Sunday 10:00 AM-5:00 PM.

5. Maritime Museum

One of the best sightseeing activities in Liverpool, the Maritime Museum was founded in the 19th century and has been growing ever since. Located on the Waterfront, it comprises four floors of fascinating sea-faring articles and collections.

Highlights:

Check out the Titanic exhibition and learn all about Liverpool’s connection to the famous ship.

Address and opening hours:

Royal Albert Dock, L3 4AQ. Open Tuesday-Sunday 10:00 AM-5:00 PM. Closed Mondays.

Best places to visit in Liverpool for art

6. Tate Liverpool

The Tate is one of Liverpool’s best sights and most popular attractions. There’s a high turnover of temporary exhibits, as well as an impressive permanent collection of modern art, so there’s always something new to see.

Highlights:

There are 4,300 artists whose work is on display at the Tate — make sure you allow enough time.

Address and opening hours:

Royal Albert Dock, L3 4BB. Open daily 10:00 AM-5.50 PM.

7. Walker Art Gallery

One of the largest art collections in the UK outside of London, the Walker Art Gallery boasts an impressive selection of paintings, ranging from the 12th century to the present day. Located in the heart of the Cultural Quarter, it has been a central part of Liverpool’s cultural life since it was founded in 1948.

Highlights:

The gallery features paintings by David Hockney and Banksy.

Address and opening hours:

William Brown St, L3 8EL. Open Tuesday-Sunday 10:00 AM-5:00 PM. Closed Mondays.

8. The Bluecoat Gallery

The Bluecoat Gallery is one of the best places to visit in Liverpool for anyone with an interest in art. It’s both a gallery space and a contemporary art center, where you can see artists working and attend the city’s hippest cultural events.

Highlights:

This dynamic space always has something happening: check the website’s events page to see what they have planned.

Address and opening hours:

Bluecoat Display Centre, 50-51 College Lane, L1 3BZ. Open Monday-Saturday 10:00 AM-5:30 PM, Sundays 12:00 PM-5:00 PM.

9. Open Eye Gallery

For those with an eye for photography, the Open Eye Gallery is the best place to visit in Liverpool. With exhibits of photos dating back to the 1930s, there is an extensive archive, as well as innovative and inspiring exhibitions of contemporary work.

Highlights:

The gallery is housed in a beautiful building that’s a work of art itself. This is not a tourist attraction as such, but rather a central cultural hotspot of the city.

Address and opening hours:

19 Mann Island L3 1BP. Open Tuesday-Sunday 10:00 AM-5:00 PM. Closed Mondays.

10. Sudley House

A beautiful house in its own right, Sudley House was formerly a privately owned property and art collection, which is now open to the public. It’s a great spot for sightseeing, and you can attend a wide range of events and workshops as well as admire the extensive art collection.

Highlights:

Among the many paintings, there are important works by William Turner and Dante Gabriel Rossetti: this is a must-visit for art lovers.

Address and opening hours:

Mossley Hill Road, L18 8BX. Open Tuesday-Sunday 10:00 AM-5:00 PM. Closed Mondays.

Best places to visit in Liverpool for families

11. Little Liverpool

The Little Liverpool Gallery at Liverpool’s National Museum is a fantastic tourist attraction for those traveling with young children. It’s a hands-on fantasy world for children under the age of six — the rest of the museum has plenty to keep older children and adults interested, too.

Highlights:

Special sessions run on different themes, including interactive art activities.

Address and opening hours:

Pier Head, Mann Island, L3 1DG. Open Tuesday-Sunday 10:00 AM-5:00 PM.

12. World Museum

One of the best places to visit in Liverpool, with or without kids, the World Museum
has something for everyone. With collections ranging from world cultures to natural sciences to outer space and everything in between, this is a fun and informative day out for all the family.

Highlights:

The Museum’s Aquarium is a firm favorite with kids of all ages, as is the Planetarium.

Address and opening hours:

William Brown St, Liverpool L3 8EN. Open Tuesday-Sunday 10:00 AM-5:00 PM. Closed Mondays.

13. Quirky Quarter Museum

One of Liverpool’s more offbeat tourist attractions, the Quirky Quarter Museum
is an emporium of the curious and the puzzling. Enjoy interactive experiences, surreal challenges, and fun photo opportunities in this immersive and quirky museum.

Highlights:

Get photos of yourself standing on the ceiling or shrunk to a fraction of your actual height.

Address and opening hours:

The Arch, 142 Duke St, L1 5DR. Open Saturday, Sunday, Monday, and Wednesday 11:00 AM-6:00 PM, Thursday-Friday 11:00 AM-9:00 PM. Closed Tuesdays.

14. Anfield Stadium

Budding athletes and sports fans will be thrilled with a day out to the legendary Anfield Stadium, with this Liverpool Football Club Museum and Stadium Tour. Interact with audiovisual tech, see the dressing rooms, and walk through the Player’s Tunnel onto the pitch.

Highlights:

As a souvenir, you’ll receive a set of LFC earphones.

Address and opening hours:

Anfield Stadium, Walton Breck Rd, L4 0TH. The tour starts at 10:00 AM.

Best places to visit in Liverpool for culture

15. Crosby Beach

For a unique cultural experience, visit Crosby Beach, where you can see the Another Place sculpture installation by Antony Gormley. Consisting of 100 cast-iron life-sized sculptures standing in the sand and gazing out to sea, this is a one-of-a-kind experience.

Highlights:

The piece was made in response to the theme of emigration and expresses the hope and sadness of leaving one’s home.

Address and opening hours:

Mariners Rd, Blundellsands, L23 6SX. Open daily 24h.

16. St George’s Hall

Located opposite Lime Street railway station, this neoclassical edifice is one of Liverpool’s most iconic buildings. Containing concert halls, law courts, and event spaces, St George’s Hall plays a central role in Liverpool life, and is a National Heritage-designated Grade I listed building.

Highlights:

The interior, with its chandeliers, tiles, ornate bronze, and woodwork, is a sight to behold and a must-see tourist attraction.

Address and opening hours:

St George's Place, L1 1JJ. Open Monday-Thursday, 9:30 AM-4:45 PM, and Friday-Saturday, 9:30 AM-5:00 PM. Closed Mondays.

17. Strawberry Field

In the Liverpool suburb of Woolton, there is a Salvation Army property named Strawberry Field. It has gained global importance after being immortalized in the Beatles’ song of the same name and now contains a museum dedicated to John Lennon’s life: check it out with this Strawberry Field Entry Ticket.

Highlights:

John Lennon’s childhood home, which is also open to visitors, is just down the road.

Address and opening hours:

Beaconsfield Rd, L25 6EJ. Open daily, 10:00 AM-6:00 PM.

18. British Music Experience

Britain has produced a huge and diverse range of popular music over the decades, and in particular, its contribution to 20th-century pop and rock music is unparalleled. Learn about this rich legacy with this British Music Experience Ticket, and see the museum’s enormous collection of rock memorabilia, from bands like Queen, the Sex Pistols, and, of course, The Beatles.

Highlights:

The collection includes handwritten lyrics to some of the world’s best-loved songs.

Address and opening hours:

Cunard Building, Pier Head, L3 1DS. Open Saturday-Thursday 10:00 AM-5:00 PM. Closed Fridays.

19. Speke Hall

Speke Hall is one of the finest surviving examples of a wood-framed wattle-and-daub Tudor manor house. It has been standing since the 16th century, with a long, complicated, and at times, violent history. It’s a must-see spot for sightseeing, between the historical house and the colorful garden.

Highlights:

Among its impressive furniture, the house still features early examples of William Morris wallpaper: a must-see for fans of the Arts and Crafts period.

Address and opening hours:

The Walk, Speke, L24 1XD. Open daily, 10:30 AM-5:00 PM.

FAQs

How many days should I spend in Liverpool?

Although the center of Liverpool is not huge, there’s plenty to see and do. Plan to visit the city for at least four days: if you can spend longer, there’s a wide range of day trips to take in the surrounding areas.

What is the best time of year to visit Liverpool?

The winter months can be very cold in Liverpool, and the summer months are the most pleasant time to visit in terms of climate. Plan a trip between April and September for the best weather.

How do I get around Liverpool?

The center of Liverpool is small, and you can comfortably walk around many landmarks. There’s a decent public transport service, with most neighborhoods and the airport easily accessible by bus, and taxis are relatively inexpensive. The Merseyrail train network links the surrounding areas. To take in as much of the city as possible in a short space of time, take a Liverpool City Explorer 24 hour hop-on hop-off Bus Tour.

What are the best neighborhoods to visit in Liverpool?

Liverpool’s Georgian Quarter is a hub of cultural activity, with beautiful architecture, bars and cafes, and great shops. The hippest neighborhood is the Baltic Triangle, home to many indie venues, cafes, and street food: this is definitely worth a visit. Cross the Mersey to visit New Brighton, a quirky ex-seaside resort, now an attractive residential area with nice restaurants and a pretty beach.

What are the best places to go shopping in Liverpool?

Liverpool ONE is the biggest shopping center: you’ll find everything here, from high-end to high-street shops. For more independent shops, head to Bold Street, with indie cafes, vintage stores, and bookshops. For designer clothes, head to the Cheshire Oaks Designer Outlet.