Must-Visit Attractions in Liverpool, UK

Budget stays in Liverpool can be found close to sights like the Royal Liver Building and Albert Dock
Budget stays in Liverpool can be found close to sights like the Royal Liver Building and Albert Dock | © robertharding / Alamy Stock Photo

Freelance Travel and Music Writer

Liverpool is one of the most visited cities in the United Kingdom thanks to its vast array of visitor attractions. From Albert Dock to the Cavern Club, Culture Trip lists the 14 places you absolutely can’t miss while you’re in the city.

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Albert Dock

A few boats moored in the water at Royal Albert Dock

One of Liverpool’s most aesthetically pleasing attractions, Albert Dock should be right at the top of any visitor’s list. Not only is the dock a UNESCO World Heritage site waterfront, it also houses the largest collection of Grade I-listed buildings in the country. A number of Liverpool’s most popular attractions can be found here.

Opened in 1978, Liverpool’s monumental and magnificent cathedral is the largest in the UK and the eighth largest in the world – meaning it’s rightfully regarded as a national treasure. The cathedral boasts a number of record statistics – such as having the UK’s largest organ and the world’s widest and tallest gothic-style arches – and there are spectacular views of the city from its tower.

The Beatles Story

Beatles Story museum Liverpool England UK

This award-winning attraction tells the story of four lads from Liverpool who went on to form one of the most successful bands in the world. From their small beginnings through to the height of their careers – as well as their solo careers and John and George’s deaths – this is the most comprehensive Beatles exhibition you’ll visit.

World Museum

Everybody loves a good museum, and Liverpool’s World Museum is one of the best in the country. This attraction specialises in sciences and human cultures, with a planetarium, aquarium and various space exhibitions on rotation. As an added bonus, it’s completely free.

Tate Liverpool

Roy Lichtenstein’s Whaam! (1963) on display at Tate Liverpool

One of Albert Docks’ many attractions, Tate Liverpool is a British and international contemporary and modern art gallery. Past exhibitions have included Jackson Pollock: Behind the Spots, Transmitting Andy Warhol and Mondrian and his studios, and the gallery played an integral part in the Liverpool Biennial. With a regularly changing exhibitions reel, you’ll be sure to find something of interest here.

Walker Art Gallery

With one of the largest public collections of art in the country outside London, Walker Art Gallery is a great way to spend an afternoon. This gallery boasts a rather large collection of drawings, paintings and sculptures from as far back as the 13th century.

Mersey Ferries

The Mersey Ferry ?Dazzle ship? Snowdrop sailing past Liverpool’s “Three Graces” on the river Mersey.

A popular attraction in the city, Mersey Ferries offer various ferry trips around the northwest. While you can simply hop on the 50-minute sightseeing trip along the River Mersey, other routes include canal trips to Salford Quays down famous stretches of waterside.

Merseyside Maritime Museum

Yet another popular attraction on Albert Dock, the Merseyside Maritime Museum celebrates the history of the port of Liverpool. Here you’ll be able to check out full-sized vessels, maritime paintings and an exhibition on the city’s links to the Titanic.

The Cavern Club

Inside The Cavern Club, Liverpool

Another must-visit for any Beatles fanatic is The Cavern Club on Mathew Street. Though the Club isn’t the original Cavern, it’s still an incredibly popular tourist attraction and is home to a wealth of memorabilia. Bands also play here on a daily basis.

Museum of Liverpool

The Museum of Liverpool is the newest museum in the city’s catalogue and celebrates the extensive culture and history of Liverpool and its people. The museum is a must-see for anyone keen to swat up on local heritage, as sporting and creative achievements are recognised.

Radio City Tower

Radio City revolving tower Liverpool UK

For what is simply the best unobstructed view of Liverpool, you’ll want to head to the Radio City Tower’s viewing platform. At 122m (400ft) above the city, the platform offers 360-degree views and, on a clear day, you can see as far as Wales and the Cumbrian Hills.

Liverpool Metropolitan Cathedral

If nothing else, the striking design of this cathedral makes it a rather unique attraction to visit. Though the history of this cathedral is more contemporary than that of its sister venue at the other end of Hope Street, its gothic-revival architectural style makes it a standout feature of Liverpool’s skyline.

International Slavery Museum

International Slavery Museum in Liverpool, UK

The final Albert Dock attraction on Culture Trip’s must-visit list, the International Slavery Museum is a one-of-a-kind experience. The only museum of its kind, visitors can explore all aspects of historical and contemporary slavery in a venue that has welcomed millions of visitors since opening in 2007.

Lennon and McCartney’s childhood homes

John Lennons childhood home

At 20 Forthlin Road and 251 Menlove Avenue, you’ll be able to stand in the exact spots where Paul McCartney and John Lennon (respectively) wrote some of the Beatles’ biggest hits. Both homes are now National Trust attractions, and have been kept as they would have been in the 1950s and 60s.

Since you are here, we would like to share our vision for the future of travel - and the direction Culture Trip is moving in.

Culture Trip launched in 2011 with a simple yet passionate mission: to inspire people to go beyond their boundaries and experience what makes a place, its people and its culture special and meaningful — and this is still in our DNA today. We are proud that, for more than a decade, millions like you have trusted our award-winning recommendations by people who deeply understand what makes certain places and communities so special.

Increasingly we believe the world needs more meaningful, real-life connections between curious travellers keen to explore the world in a more responsible way. That is why we have intensively curated a collection of premium small-group trips as an invitation to meet and connect with new, like-minded people for once-in-a-lifetime experiences in three categories: Culture Trips, Rail Trips and Private Trips. Our Trips are suitable for both solo travelers, couples and friends who want to explore the world together.

Culture Trips are deeply immersive 5 to 16 days itineraries, that combine authentic local experiences, exciting activities and 4-5* accommodation to look forward to at the end of each day. Our Rail Trips are our most planet-friendly itineraries that invite you to take the scenic route, relax whilst getting under the skin of a destination. Our Private Trips are fully tailored itineraries, curated by our Travel Experts specifically for you, your friends or your family.

We know that many of you worry about the environmental impact of travel and are looking for ways of expanding horizons in ways that do minimal harm - and may even bring benefits. We are committed to go as far as possible in curating our trips with care for the planet. That is why all of our trips are flightless in destination, fully carbon offset - and we have ambitious plans to be net zero in the very near future.

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