Comment Editor Lauren Penzer takes us on a tour of Liverpool, showing us the city’s most revered historical and musical scenes
To Liverpool, one of my favourite cities in the world.
I have been lucky enough to visit Liverpool three times; once for an anniversary trip, once for a friend’s birthday, and once for a hen party. On all of these trips, I made some of my favourite memories, visiting amazing and exciting new places, and overall having a wonderful time. So I thought I would give you a guided tour of the best places, in my opinion, to visit! I can attest that, though it can be very tiring, all of this can be completed in a day, as Liverpool has a great public transport system, or otherwise is a very walkable city, with fun things around every corner.
On all of these trips, I made some of my favourite memories, visiting amazing and exciting new places, and overall having a wonderful time
First, an honourable mention to the iconic Beatles heritage sites here. It’s impossible to visit Liverpool without hearing something about them, and almost every pub and gift shop will pay homage to them in one way or another. I was familiar with some of their music when I first visited, but I didn’t know the full extent of their history. So the first stop on this tour will be near the Albert Dock – which we will circle back to later – where the iconic Beatles Statue sits! It’s a very fun photo opportunity, and a chance to see the singers immortalised!
Around this area, also, is the pick up and drop off point for the Beatles City Explorer, a very affordable and interactive open-bus tour that will take you all over the city. This has the added benefit, alongside visiting some of the important sites of the bands’ history, of seeing some of the beautiful city of Liverpool! The tour stops off for visits to different sites, such as Penny Lane and Strawberry Fields, so I would definitely recommend this experience for site-seers and music lovers alike! Other sites related to the band include the Cavern Club, a very immersive club that the band performed at back in their earlier years, as well as Sgt Peppers right down the road, an equally exciting club that pays homage to the band’s eighth studio album.
If you’re not so much a Beatles fan, there are still tons of ways to immerse yourself in the city’s music and nightlife. If you happen to be staying overnight, I would definitely recommend visiting Concert Square, which is surrounded by cocktail bars and nightclubs! Though Mathew Street, where the aforementioned ‘Beatles Bars’ are located, is definitely the place to be (sporting what I would call the best karaoke bar in Liverpool – O’Briens), I wouldn’t recommend staying in an Airbnb right next to it, like we did, if you are a light sleeper.
If you happen to be staying overnight, I would definitely recommend visiting Concert Square, which is surrounded by cocktail bars and nightclubs!
If culture is your ticket, there are a plethora of museums for you to visit. From personal experience, I’d highly recommend the World Museum, back near Liverpool Lime Street, as well as the Maritime Museum beside the Albert Docks. I’ve also heard that The Liverpool Museum offers a great display of local history, and that the Victoria Gallery & Museum immerses you in the history of art and science.
If this whistle-stop tour doesn’t sound like your thing, or gets a bit overwhelming, then you should make sure you at least visit the Albert Docks, though this is a bit cliche. I especially love it in the morning, when you can go there with a coffee, and look out across the water, and let the world go quiet for a moment. It is an incredibly tranquil and romantic space, despite all the hustle and bustle of tourist traffic.
It is an incredibly tranquil and romantic space, despite all the hustle and bustle of tourist traffic
On my first trip to the city, my partner and I placed a lock on the chain-link railing along the edge of the docks, marking our visit there. The next day, when we went back, we couldn’t find it. Each time I have visited since, I go there looking, hoping I’ll be able to find it again, or that we will be able to return together and replace it. Liverpool is definitely a city that I will return to throughout my life, and I would recommend it to anyone who’s thinking of going.
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