The 14 best things to do in Liverpool

Liverpool is one of the UK's most vibrant cities, famous for its history and culture. It's known worldwide for being the home of The Beatles. But there's much more to Liverpool than the 'Fab Four'. The city has a fascinating maritime history and two iconic football clubs – Liverpool and Everton. It also houses various picturesque buildings and landmarks, from Liverpool Cathedral and the Royal Liver Building to the Albert Dock and Radio City Tower. 

When visiting Liverpool, you'll find diverse activities to keep you occupied. Check out enthralling museums, explore gorgeous green spaces and immerse yourself in guided tours. The city also offers fantastic nightlife, a thriving music scene, top-class restaurants and unique bars.

Are you thinking of booking a trip to Merseyside's number one city? Discover 14 of the best things to do in Liverpool in our in-depth guide and tips for Liverpool hotels.

Liverpool’s best tourist attractions, landmarks and things to do

You’ll find an array of fantastic landmarks, attractions and things to do in Liverpool. From museums and galleries to sports tours and river cruises, there’s plenty worth checking out in this iconic northwestern city.

1. Hop aboard the Dazzle Ferry

Soak up fantastic views of Liverpool on the Dazzle Ferry, designed by Sir Peter Blake, creator of the Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band album cover. Climb aboard at Liverpool Pier Head and see many of the city’s iconic landmarks as you glide across the River Mersey, including both cathedrals, Albert Dock and The Three Graces.

A tour guide provides commentary throughout the cruise, discussing everything from smuggling tales to stories about The Beatles’ cruise performances in the 1960s.

2. Wander around Sefton Park

Escape the hustle and bustle of Liverpool city centre with a trip to Sefton Park. The Grade I-listed park is perfect for a relaxing stroll, with 200 acres of beautiful scenery to explore. Check out the park's landmarks as you wander around, including a bandstand, Eros Fountain, and the William Rathbone Memorial. Tennis, cricket and touch rugby clubs are also perfect for sports lovers.  

Head to the park's heart and find the Victorian palm house. It features a stunning botanical collection, mesmerising statues and even a giant chess board! There's also a picturesque café underneath a handful of palm trees – a perfect place to grab light snacks and drinks.

3. Enjoy live music

Liverpool is famous for its music scene. It's the birthplace of some of Britain's most iconic artists, from Mel C and Atomic Kitten to Gerry and the Pacemakers and The Beatles. It is also home to superb music venues where you can watch the best up-and-coming local talent and established artists.

Some of Liverpool’s top live music venues include:

• 24 Kitchen Street – intimate venue in the Baltic Triangle hosting gigs from various genres, including afro-beats, hip-hop and jazz
• EBGBs – stylish venue in central Liverpool showcasing the best of indie, rock, alternative and electronic music
• O2 Academy – formerly the Locarno Ballroom, the O2 Academy hosts a range of local and international artists
• Royal Liverpool Philharmonic – concert hall hosting over 60 gigs a year, including performances from the Royal Liverpool Philharmonic Choir and the Youth Orchestra
• The Cavern Club – a historic underground venue known as the birthplace of The Beatles. Artists take to the stage every afternoon and evening, including budding talent and resident bands
• The Jacaranda – was opened by the first Beatles manager (Allan Williams) and established at the height of Merseybeat in the 1960s. See the best new talent with open mic nights every Sunday

4. Check out The Beatles Story

Visiting the award-winning The Beatles Story Museum is one of the best things to do in Liverpool. Head to the Royal Albert Dock and learn how John Lennon, Paul McCartney, George Harrison and Ringo Starr went from being four regular scousers to global superstars as members of The Beatles.

Enjoy an immersive experience as you journey through replicas of key locations from the band’s career, including Abbey Road Studios, The Cavern Club and The Casbah. You can also check out fantastic displays of original instruments, outfits and handwritten lyrics. Tours come with a multimedia guide available in 12 languages - English, French, Spanish, German, Italian, Russian, Polish, Mandarin, Cantonese, Japanese, Brazilian Portuguese and Korean.

5. See a show at the Liverpool Empire

Show-lovers should head to the Liverpool Empire, the UK's largest two-tier theatre. The venue hosts various productions, from musicals and ballet to opera and stand-up comedy.

Fancy a bite before the show? Book a table at the Empire’s on-site restaurant, Pizza Al Teatro, serving fresh sourdough pizzas alongside a range of starters and desserts. Alternatively, upgrade to a lounge experience and enjoy welcome drinks, nibbles and ice cream up to 90 minutes before the show and during the interval.

6. Visit Anfield

A trip to Anfield, the iconic home of Liverpool FC, is a must for avid football fans. Book a stadium tour and get exclusive behind-the-scenes access inside the 61,276-capacity [JM1] ground, with opportunities to see the home team dressing room, press room and players’ tunnel – including the famous ‘This Is Anfield’ sign.

Wander around and take snaps in front of The Kop or the Main Stand, or follow in the footsteps of Bob Paisley, Bill Shankly and Jürgen Klopp by sitting in the manager’s dugout. There’s also an opportunity to take a photo next to the Premier League and Champions League trophies before delving deeper into the Reds’ history in the interactive ‘Liverpool Story’ museum.

Enhance your experience with the Legends Q&A. You’ll be treated to dressing room tales from one of Liverpool’s most iconic players, with John Aldridge, Phil Thompson, Bruce Grobbelaar and others available. You can also ask them questions before taking photos and receiving a signed copy of the Champions Souvenir Guide Book.

7. Dine in Liverpool’s best restaurants

Liverpool offers diverse places to eat, with restaurants serving worldwide cuisines. Some of our favourite restaurants in Liverpool include:

• A Tavola – cosy Italian deli which also offers cooking schools and wine-tasting masterclasses
• Akasya – Turkish bar and grill on Bold Street serving delicious halal meats alongside gluten-free, vegetation and vegan options
• Bakchich – a mixture of Lebanese and Moroccan cuisine served in a laid-back environment
• Belzan – seasonal small plates from around the world with natural wines and a relaxed atmosphere
• Down the Hatch – delicious vegetarian junk food with 100% plant-based cocktails
• Furusato Bar & Grill – authentic Asian cuisine with bottomless brunch and Sunday roast options
• Madre – magnificent Mexican street food on the Albert Dock, famous for its roaming tacos, margaritas and live music
• Röski – innovative British fine dining in an intimate setting from MasterChef: The Professionals winner Anton Piotrowski

8. Enjoy a drink in vibrant Liverpool bars and nightclubs

Looking to enjoy a night on the town? Grab a drink at one of Liverpool’s bustling bars or nightclubs! There are plenty of drinking hotspots within the city centre, including:

• Concert Square – Liverpool’s main drinking area home to a mass of bars and clubs, ideal for a Friday or Saturday night out
• Eberle Street – the place to be if you’re looking to party the night away, with various after-hour nightclubs, including Elysium and GBar
• Seel Street – a perfect part of town for those who enjoy a cocktail, with top bars including Alma De Cuba, Be At One and Brooklyn Mixer
• Stanley Street Quarter – part of the Pride Quarter, Stanley Street is Liverpool’s go-to spot for LGBTQ+ bars
• Wood Street – a great area if you’re looking for a diverse range of bars. You’ll find everything from traditional pubs and Irish taverns to unique cocktail bars and nightclubs open until the early hours

9. Explore Tate Liverpool

Tate Liverpool is one of the best Liverpool tourist attractions for art buffs. Located inside an old warehouse, it's one of the UK's most famous galleries and is free to enter. It houses fantastic touring exhibitions all year round and offers workshops for children and adults, where you can create your own masterpieces.

The on-site café is a great stopping point for drinks and snacks. It serves breakfast, lunch and afternoon tea; you can grab anything from soups and toasties to cakes and pastries. Tate Members get a 10% discount, which you can also use in the gift shop.

10. Marvel at Liverpool Cathedral

Admiring the stunning Liverpool Cathedral is one of the top things to do in Liverpool's city centre. It's the fifth-largest cathedral on the planet and the UK's largest religious construction. Stand in awe as you look upon the jaw-dropping gothic architecture before heading inside, where you'll find the largest organ in Great Britain. Cap off the experience by climbing the Liverpool Cathedral Tower, where you can admire breathtaking 360˚ city views before discovering the world's heaviest peal of bells inside the Bell Chamber.

Grab a coffee at the Welsford Bistro, which also serves a range of bites, including paninis, cakes, fish and chips and more. And remember to stop by the Cathedral Shop before leaving, where you can pick up high-quality gifts, books and cards.

11. Venture down the Williamson Tunnels

Journey down to a 19^th-century underground world by visiting the Williamson Tunnels. Located in the Edge Hill area of Liverpool, the tunnels were created by Joseph Williamson, a tobacco merchant and philanthropist. See the deepest chamber under Paddington, a cathedral-like space, and the excavated basement of Williamson’s house by joining a guided tour – they take place three times a day on Wednesdays and Sundays.

12. Mooch around the Merseyside Maritime Museum

Another of Liverpool’s top tourist attractions is the Maritime Museum. Learn all about the city’s ocean-based history through a series of fantastic exhibitions and collections. Explore the connections between Liverpool and the Titanic, changes to the docks in the last 300 years, the tragic story of the city’s First World War vessel, the Lusitania, and more.

Enjoy a bite overlooking the Albert Dock at the on-site Maritime café, which serves hot meals, sandwiches and toasties. Before leaving, pop into the shop to buy gifts, including replica ships, posters and teddy bears.

13. Take the kids to Jump Inc

Are you looking for a fun family activity while in Liverpool? Check out Jump Inc., the city’s biggest urban playground. Experience plenty of thrills inside a 40,000-square-foot indoor activity space with trampolines, laser tag and inflatables. You can even test your football skills against the Robokeeper, play some 5-a-side or take on the reaction walls and ninja obstacle course.

14. Shop till you drop in Liverpool city centre

Liverpool's city centre is full of shopping areas to enjoy retail therapy. Church Street is one of the city's shopping hubs, with many high-street stores, including Next, Marks & Spencer and Boots. Liverpool ONE is a fantastic retail complex featuring over 170 shops, including two major department stores – John Lewis and Harvey Nichols. And if that wasn't enough, head to Metquarter for several boutique stores. Bold Street is the place to be to browse independent outlets.

Leonardo hotels in Liverpool

Leonardo Hotel Liverpool is an ideal base for your trip to Merseyside. Boasting a dockside location next to the River Mersey, many of Liverpool’s main tourist attractions and landmarks are on the hotel’s doorstep, including the Royal Albert Dock, Maritime Museum and Tate Liverpool. Many fantastic restaurants and bars are nearby, while Liverpool Central station and Liverpool Lime Street station are within walking distance.

All rooms are comfortable and spacious and feature flat-screen TVs, free Wi-Fi, tea and coffee-making facilities and the Leonardo DREAM bed. There’s also a fantastic on-site bar and restaurant, while room service is available if you prefer to eat or drink in your room.