• Overview

  • Few English cities are as shackled by reputation as Liverpool, and none has worked so hard to outgrow the clichés that for so long have been used to define it.

    Best Hotels in Liverpool

    • Hard Days Night Hotel
    • Malmaison Liverpool
    • Hilton Liverpool City Centre
    • Radisson Blu Hotel, Liverpool
    • Crowne Plaza Liverpool City Centre

    Best Restaurants in Liverpool

    • Roski Restaurant
    • Cowshed Liverpool
    • Panoramic 34
    • Greek Taverna Bold Street
    • Silk Rd Restaurant Beetham Plaza

    Entertainment Places to Visit in Liverpool

    • Mersey Ferries
    • The Beatles Story
    • Merseyside Maritime Museum
    • Liverpool Waterfront
    • Royal Liver Building 360

• Itinerary

  • Day 1

    10:00am-12:30pm : The Beatles Story

    John Lennon’s round spectacles and George Harrison’s first guitar are just some of the items displayed at The Beatles Story, an award-winning attraction located just a short walk from the city’s center. Take a trip back in time to see how four young boys from Liverpool formed arguably the greatest band of all time. The site includes an interactive discovery zone and the Fab4-D Experience, featuring 3-D animation, 4-D special effects, and an audio guide through the band’s history. Don’t miss a stop at the Hidden Gallery, which showcases previously unseen photos of the band’s members. Book online to choose from various ticket options and build your own ultimate Beatles experience.

    1:00pm-2:30pm : Royal Albert Dock Liverpool

    Royal Albert Dock Liverpool is among the country's most architecturally and historically significant collections of buildings, and houses Liverpool's most exciting attractions. It opened in 1846 as Britain's first structure built from cast iron, brick, and stone, and was the world's first fireproof construction. Start in the Beatles Story exhibit, where you'll learn all about the four Liverpudlians and their incredible impact on modern music. View some of the most acclaimed British and international contemporary art exhibits at the Tate Liverpool. Head into Mersey Maritime Museum to discover Liverpool's maritime heritage, and study ancient and modern slavery in the International Slavery Museum. You'll also find a large selection of cafes, restaurants, and shops among the buildings' grand colonnades. Some of the museums have an entrance fee, but a stroll around the complex is free.

    2:30pm-3:30pm : Tate Liverpool

    Tate Liverpool, with a waterfront location full of history and culture, displays works from the Tate Collection, comprising the national collection of British and international art from the year 1500 to the present day. The gallery opened in 1988 and is housed in a converted warehouse within the Albert Dock. Inside this large space, the gallery displays items from its permanent collection, as well as works from regular temporary exhibitions. Works included here encompass a wide range of media, including painting, sculpture, drawing, video, film, photography, and performance. Explore the works of Pablo Picasso, Jackson Pollock, Robert Morris, Marcel Duchamp, and Henri Matisse, to name just a few notable artists. Check for upcoming exhibitions, talks, and workshops by visiting the gallery’s website.

    4:00pm-6:00pm : Pier Head

    Part of the Liverpool Maritime Mercantile City UNESCO World Heritage Site, Pier Head is located in the city center and is one of the most impressive waterfronts in the world. The focal point of the waterfront is a trio of buildings--the Royal Liver Building, the Cunard Building, and the Port of Liverpool Building. Each building stands on a separate plot, and is expressed in a different architectural style, rich in symbolic ornamentation.

    Day 2

    11:30am-1:30pm : York City Walls

    Experience York's ancient history by walking along the incredibly well-preserved York City Walls. The walls date back to Roman rule over 2,000 years ago. Walk their entire 3.2 km (2 mi) length if you can. Less than one-third of the 108 walled towns throughout Britain have even a single gateway remaining. These walls, though, retain four main and two minor gatehouses, all of which are still ornate and intact. Take the self-guided audio tour to hear about how the walls developed through the Roman era, the Dark Ages, and the Viking and medieval periods. Be careful in sections with steep drops and no protective barrier. Your ticket for the walls includes free admission to the Richard III Museum, where your tour starts and finishes.

    2:00pm-4:30pm : National Railway Museum

    At National Railway Museum, learn about the history of trains and their effect on British society. This engaging museum, which won the European Museum of the Year Award in 2001, houses 100 locomotives and almost 200 items of rolling stock that either ran on British rails or that British manufacturers produced. Wander through the massive halls and board all types of trains, from the opulent Royal Train to a futuristic Japanese bullet train. Observe engineers working at their craft in the workshop and take a ride on the miniature railway outside. Guides are available to give children a fun education on Britain's rail history.

    Day 3

    10:00am-11:30am : Walker Art Gallery

    At Walker Art Gallery, see one of the UK's largest art collections outside of London. Walk from room to room to view works from the Medieval period to the present. Paintings by Dutch Masters, British Romantics, and French Impressionists all make their home here. Join one of the daily introductory tours to see highlights from the collection. If you're traveling with a child under the age of five, take part in hands-on activities designed for kids. Many of the exhibitions in the Gallery are permanent, but some are temporary. Check the schedule beforehand to see what's showing when you plan to visit.

    12:00pm-2:00pm : Liverpool Cathedral

    The largest Anglican cathedral in Europe, Liverpool Cathedral is also the longest cathedral in the world, with a total external length of nearly 190 m (623 ft). Rising 101 m (331 ft) into the air, it is also one of the world’s tallest non-spired church buildings. The cathedral’s 13 bells add to the list of superlatives used when describing this massive building. At 67 m (220 ft) above floor level, the 13 bells are the highest and heaviest ringing peal in the world. Climb the cathedral’s tower, which offers sweeping views of the city and the surrounding area. This building also hosts a wide range of special events, such as concerts, exhibits, and seminars.

    2:30pm-5:30pm : Walking tours

    Day 4

    11:30am-12:00pm : York Shambles

    Take a stroll down one of Britain's most atmospheric streets, York Shambles. This narrow, cobblestoned pedestrian thoroughfare features numerous timber-framed buildings, with some dating back to the 14th century. Many years ago, the street primarily housed butcher shops. Today, you'll find charming shops, cafes, and restaurants. Stop at the House of Margaret Clitherow to learn the story of York's famous 16th-century Catholic martyr. Afterward, drink tea and eat scones in the oak-beamed Earl Grey Tea Rooms. If you have British heritage, head to the York Heraldic Centre to find your family's coat of arms. The street can be quite busy with tourists--morning visitors may have a quieter time.

    12:30pm-2:30pm : York Minster

    York Minster is one of northern Europe's oldest, largest, and most magnificent cathedrals. Join a free tour that points out the building's renowned stained-glass windows, architectural details, and artifacts of its millennium-long existence. Wander through interactive galleries telling the cathedral's story. If you're in shape, climb 275 steps to the top of the 70 m (230 ft) tower. You'll pass medieval pinnacles and gothic gargoyles on your way, and earn sweeping panoramic views of the city and Yorkshire countryside as a reward for your effort. The cathedral also welcomes you to attend one of its regular services.

    3:00pm-4:30pm : York's Chocolate Story

    At York's Chocolate Story, learn where chocolate comes from, how to make it, how to taste it, and the story of its production in the city. Take a guided tour to hear about York's chocolate-making families and their famous creations, such as Kit Kat bars. Craft your own chocolates at the chocolate-making station, watch a chocolate-making demonstration to see how the experts do it, and taste chocolate drinks and other treats in the on-site cafe. If you're looking for gifts to bring home, the shop sells ethically sourced chocolates. The venue offers online booking as a convenient way to buy your entrance tickets.

    Day 5

    10:30am-2:30pm : Chester Zoo Falls

    Chester Zoo is one of the best places for viewing wildlife in the UK. The 45 hectare (111 acre) site houses more than 11,000 animals. See the greater one-horned rhinoceros on the Asian Plains, elephants in the Asian Forest, and jaguars in one of the world's largest jaguar enclosures. Walk through Butterfly Journey to completely surround yourself with the colorful winged creatures, and enter the Fruit Bat Forest to observe these giant bats. You can sit in on various animal talks throughout the day, and make sure you also spend time in the diverse, award-winning gardens. Choose from six different restaurants and kiosks. If you're traveling with small children, consider renting a buggy to ferry them around the zoo.

    3:30pm-6:00pm : Mersey Games

    Day 6

    10:00am-11:30am : World Museum

    In 2005, a new central entrance hall and a six-story atrium were added to World Museum. After you pass through this grand atrium, you'll find galleries filled with archaeological, ethnological, and scientific artifacts. Inside, the World Cultures gallery allows you to explore the world without leaving Liverpool. If strange creatures are your passion, then check out the Bug House. Admission to the attraction, and the in-house planetarium, is free.

    12:00pm-1:00pm : Mendips - John Lennon Home

    See how one of music's most influential figures lived his early years by visiting Mendips - John Lennon Home. The only way to see the house is on a guided tour. Knowledgeable staff will lead you through the modest home--which stands as time-capsule from the 1950s--and tell you stories of Lennon's youth and Beatles' gatherings here. Combining a visit here with one to Paul McCartney's nearby home, you'll see places where the famous foursome wrote and practiced early songs. Be sure to book in advance as the tours fill up quickly.

    1:30pm-3:00pm : Williamson’s Tunnels – Friends of Williamson’s Tunnels

    3:30pm-4:00pm : Metropolitan Cathedral of Christ the King Liverpool

    Cathedral of Christ the King Liverpool is also known as "Paddy's Wigwam" or the "Mersey Funnel." The construction of the modern building took from 1962 to 1967. Visit the bright nave and cathedral for a service or simply pop in to admire Frederick Gibberd's design. Include the crypt under the cathedral in your tour; a different designer prior to World War II constructed it earlier. This sheltered granite hideaway hosts the Liverpool Beer Festival every year, which attracts visitors from the around the world.

    Day 7

    10:00am-10:30am : Royal Liver Building

    The Royal Liver Building is a Grade I listed building in Liverpool, England. It is located at the Pier Head and along with the neighbouring Cunard Building and Port of Liverpool Building is one of Liverpool's Three Graces, which line the city's waterfront. It is also part of Liverpool's UNESCO-designated World Heritage Maritime Mercantile City.

    11:00am-12:30pm : Merseyside Maritime Museum

    Find out about the longest and arguably one of the most important campaigns of World War II at Merseyside Maritime Museum, occupying warehouse block D at the Albert Dock. The city’s seafaring heritage is brought to life at this museum, which was designed to narrate the history of Liverpool’s ongoing international maritime importance. Discover the city’s role in the transatlantic slave trade, emigration, the development of the merchant marine, and the story of RMS Titanic. The museum’s exhibit marking the centenary of the Titanic's sinking includes numerous personal items recovered from the wreck, such as watches, cups, spectacles, and tiepins. The site also includes award-winning dining rooms, along with a gift shop, cafe, and lecture theater.

    1:00pm-2:30pm : Museum of Liverpool

    Futuristic, angular, and glassy, Museum of Liverpool contains a number of exhibits and collections that tell the story of Liverpool and its people. The museum is divided into four main themes: The Great Port, Global City, People’s Republic, and Wondrous Place. It aims to document the city’s evolution against the backdrop of the Industrial Revolution and the changes that took place in the British Empire. Additionally, the museum features a section for children, including a gallery aimed at children under six.

    3:00pm-4:30pm : Clip 'n Climb Liverpool

    4:30pm-6:00pm : Awesome Walls Climbing Centre

Gallery