An acclaimed musical legacy, two top football clubs and a scenic waterfront location: Liverpool has a lot to shout about. Read on for our round up of our favourite things to do in this fun-loving city.
Friday Evening
Friday nights are for the pubs, and happily, Liverpool has tons of great boozers. From rowdy pubs turned clubs to friendly local joints, drinking holes offer a joyful introduction to the city. Our top picks? The historic Philharmonic Dining Rooms (or The Phil to locals) for gorgeous interiors, the Grapes on Roscoe Street for a chilled one and the Shipping Forecast if you fancy a boogie with your booze. (The latter is organizing a host of Eurovision-themed events including karaoke, quizzes and music bingo by the way.)
Looking for more culture on your first evening in the Pool? Treat yourself to dinner at the award-winning The Art School restaurant before catching a show at the visionary Everyman theatre. Or, there’s always live music at the Cavern Club (where The Beatles played back in the 1960s).
Looking for more culture on your first evening in the Pool? Treat yourself to dinner at the award-winning The Art School restaurant before catching a show at the visionary Everyman theatre. Or, there’s always live music at the Cavern Club (where The Beatles played back in the 1960s).
Saturday Morning
Hopefully you didn’t have too many pints the night before and you’re ready to get exploring. But first, coffee. Bold Street is your best bet for independent cafés, with hipster-haven Bold Street Coffee offering up specialty brews and Leaf providing tasty floral teas for the decaf crowd. The street is also peppered with vintage stores if you’re in the market for some second-hand gems.
Once fueled, it’s time for some history. Liverpool hosts not just one, but two stunning cathedrals – both within spitting distance of Bold Street. Liverpool Cathedral, the towering sandstone Anglican structure, is one of the largest cathedrals in the world. Meanwhile, Liverpool Metropolitan Cathedral (nicknamed “Paddy’s Wigwam”) is a masterclass in stained glass art.
Once fueled, it’s time for some history. Liverpool hosts not just one, but two stunning cathedrals – both within spitting distance of Bold Street. Liverpool Cathedral, the towering sandstone Anglican structure, is one of the largest cathedrals in the world. Meanwhile, Liverpool Metropolitan Cathedral (nicknamed “Paddy’s Wigwam”) is a masterclass in stained glass art.
Saturday Afternoon
Next up: the Royal Albert Dock. A symbol of Liverpool’s seafaring past, this maritime area features some of the city’s best attractions. Discover the area’s role in the transatlantic slave trade at the International Slavery Museum or spend the afternoon exploring the modern art collection at Tate Liverpool. Alternatively, brush up on your knowledge of the city’s football clubs and musical exports at the Museum of Liverpool. There are plenty of other great museums too – after all, Liverpool has the most museums and galleries in the UK (outside of London of course).
Saturday Evening
It’s been a busy day so reward yourself with some good grub. The buzzy Baltic Market, just outside the city centre, promises everything from wood-fired pizzas to bouncy bao buns. It’s part of the Cains Brewery Village, which also hosts an array of bars and event spaces (you could easily spend a whole day here).
The area stays lively well into the evening but if you’d rather return to central for a big night out, don’t worry, you’re not far away. A 20 minute walk will get you to Concert Square, the boisterous hub of Liverpool’s nightlife scene (you’ll probably hear it before you see it). We’d recommend side-stepping this busy spot in favour of other local joints however. Heebie Jeebies is a go-to for those in the know.
The area stays lively well into the evening but if you’d rather return to central for a big night out, don’t worry, you’re not far away. A 20 minute walk will get you to Concert Square, the boisterous hub of Liverpool’s nightlife scene (you’ll probably hear it before you see it). We’d recommend side-stepping this busy spot in favour of other local joints however. Heebie Jeebies is a go-to for those in the know.
Sunday Morning
Spend your Sunday south of the city centre, blowing away the cobwebs in the city’s best green space. Sefton Park is a vast expanse of gorgeous grassy fields, shady paths and elegant water features. It’s best known for its Victorian palm house, which hosts an array of events (from candlelit concerts to food markets) under its canopy of tropical plants. The park is also home to the annual Africa Oyé festival. For two (hopefully sunny) days in June, food stalls, DJs and independent traders take over the grass for this beloved event, the UK’s largest free celebration of African music and culture.
Sunday Afternoon
After exploring Sefton Park, wander over to Lark Lane, a local business hub just outside the park. This colourful corner is bursting with family-run restaurants, quirky shops and dog-friendly drinking joints, many of which offer alfresco dining options. Highlights include cool-kid bar Love & Rockets for an outdoor pint and the sun-filled Minna café for brunch. Don’t miss the lovely farmers market on the fourth Saturday of the month either, it’s the perfect place to stock up on local produce to bring home with you.
Got another day in the city? Head to the north side of Liverpool to see British artist Anthony Gormley’s Another Place installation on Crosby Beach. This permanent collection of 100 statues (some buried in the sand, others stranded in the water) stretches all along the beach. It’s become a huge local landmark and makes for a particularly scenic end to your weekend by the Mersey.
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