The Best Weekend in Liverpool Itinerary 2023
Are you wondering how to spend a weekend in Liverpool in 2023? You are in the right place. Liverpool is one of the best city breaks in the United Kingdom. You will likely be blown away by its lively music scene, inspiring architecture, trendy laneways, shops, over 2500 listed buildings and world-class museums.
The history of Liverpool is long and exciting because of its importance as a port city. It has recently lost its UNESCO World Heritage Site status (July 2021) due to proposed planning on the waterfront.
Today Liverpool is synonymous with music, football and the arts, and a city break in Liverpool will undoubtedly be memorable. The Scousers are friendly, fun and the city is alive, bustling with activity and people having a good time. All of this is before you even mention or sing the Beatles, where you can visit Penny Lane and Strawberry Fields in real life!
How to get to Liverpool
Train: Liverpool Lime Street is the central station if you arrive from outside the North West. The train station is centrally located and is easily reached by most major cities in the UK. The other train stations include James Street and Liverpool Central, and Moorfields.
Airport: Liverpool John Lennon Airport is the closest airport, and you can catch a train or a bus into the city. You can also reach Liverpool from Manchester Airport.
Bus/Coach: National Express offers services from major cities and towns to Norton Street Coach Station.
Car: You can reach Liverpool quickly by car, follow the M6, M56 or the M62.
Liverpool Parking
Parking in Liverpool can be expensive. As we stayed in a hotel, we had our parking validated for £8 per 24/hrs. Without this validation, our parking would have been £47 for 48 hours.
Liverpool One Shopping Centre has parking that has reasonable day prices.
How to get around Liverpool
Liverpool City centre is compact, and most of the Liverpool attractions are within walking distance from each other. We love to walk as much as we can when we are in a new city because it is one way we try to stay healthy whilst we travel.
However, to reach some things this weekend in Liverpool itinerary, you will need public transport or an Uber/Taxi. For example, Lark Lane, Penny Lane and Sefton Park. You can get there by train or bus too.
The Merseyrail provides the metro, and there is a Plusbus service that combines metro and bus travel.
Another option is the Voi. Electric scooters, which have become an increasingly popular way to get around the city. You will need to download the Voi-e scooter app to pay and see current fares and to read the terms of use.
When to visit Liverpool
Liverpool is a year-round destination, but there are some things that you need to know for your weekend in the Liverpool itinerary. For example, if you are visiting Liverpool for its museums, it is good to know that some are closed on Mondays.
It is also helpful to know that the football season runs from August to May. When Liverpool or Everton have a home match, the city will be much busier, more expensive, and accommodation may be more limited. Watching a game (or a derby) will be an experience, but it may be challenging to get a ticket!
Liverpool’s festivals include Sound City in May, the International Music Festival in July and the Beatleweek in August. Can you sense a theme here?
Weekend in Liverpool Itinerary
So you’re almost ready for a weekend in Liverpool, but now you need to decide how to spend those precious 48 hours in Liverpool. The best option is to determine what best suits your interests based on the list below.
It might seem a lot, but we managed to do this all in two full days and two nights in Liverpool because we were up early and moved fast. We recommend choosing what you enjoy for a slower (more normal?) pace, and you will have the best city break in Liverpool. We promise!
Things to do in Liverpool city centre
Royal Albert Dock
Regeneration of the docks has led this part of Liverpool to be one of the best places to walk around. From the many museums to the Beatles Statue near Pier Head and even Watersports at Wild Shore, a lot is going on, which was very popular when we visited.
You could easily spend your whole day here, but there is more to a city break in Liverpool. It opened in 1846 and today attracts more than 4,000,000 tourists annually.
It is also full of fabulous eateries and cafes. We can recommend Peaberry Coffee House & Kitchen, but there are many places to go, including the Smuggler’s Cove or the Pump House for a pint.
Cross the Mersey on the Ferry
Hop aboard and listen to “Ferry Cross the Mersey” on your weekend in Liverpool. The 50-minute trip has become an iconic thing to do in Liverpool and something that we didn’t expect to be so fun and go so fast. There is something special about seeing a city’s skyline from the water and listening to the area’s history. The view of the city’s waterfront should not be missed.
There is the option to get off at the Seacombe and Woodside ferry terminal if you want to explore the area. Although, roughly 90% of the people on our journey returned straight to Liverpool.
We caught the colourful ferry with the dazzle design that honours the WW1 style boats. Tickets cost £11.50 for an adult ticket, and we recommend booking online and in advance, as they fully booked for one of the days we visited. You can do this on the Mersey Ferries website.
Cavern Quarter
Can you visit Liverpool without visiting the Cavern Quarter? Definitely not. If you love music or culture, a walk around the Cavern Quarter and specifically Mathew Street is a must.
You can soak up the fun atmosphere (day and night) at the Cavern Club, a cellar venue where the Beatles and other musicians launched their careers. The street is fun. There are buskers, live music (everywhere), the John Lennon statue, and the Cilla Black statue.
You will be singing Hey Jude in no time!
Good to know: Book tickets in advance for the Cavern Club as they often sell out.
Merseyside Maritime Museum
As Liverpool had such an internationally vital role to play as a port city, a great thing to do on your weekend in Liverpool itinerary is to visit the Maritime Museum. Liverpool connected the UK to the rest of the world, and a visit to the Maritime Museum is an excellent opportunity to learn about it.
You can also learn about the city’s connection to the slave trade and the history of slavery through a fantastic exhibition.
The Beatles Story
The Beatles Story is an award-winning museum that needs to be on your weekend in Liverpool itinerary if you love their music. You will find lots of memorabilia and stories about their lives. You can see John Lennon’s iconic round glasses and George Harrison’s first guitar. It brilliantly shows how four young boy’s lives were changed from humble beginnings.
Look on the Beatles Story website for current opening hours and ticket prices.
Good to know: the audio guides are in many languages such as English, French, Italian, German, Cantonese, to name a few!
The Baltic Triangle
When we asked people for recommendations of what to do on your weekend in Liverpool, the Baltic Triangle is mentioned time and time again. Known as the city’s creative hub, with street art, the indoor Baltic Market is worth a visit and is full of things you didn’t know you needed. It is also home to Ghetto Golf (an 18 hole glow in the dark course), which is becoming increasingly popular, and there is excellent street food by locals in refurbished buildings.
Good to know: The Baltic market is open Thursday – Sunday
Liverpool’s Buildings
Walking around Liverpool is such a treat. There is some beautiful architecture that you will be able to enjoy as soon as you arrive. These include the Neoclassical St George’s Hall, as well as Liverpool Central Library and the Art Gallery.
Tate Liverpool
If you love art, you cannot miss the Tate, and even if you don’t generally like art… then you will (likely) love the Tate anyway. It is well known and is famous for its impressive collections of art. It is free to enter, but you can opt to pay for the paid exhibition if it’s up your street.
Opening Hours – Tuesday to Sunday 10:00 -17:5
Liverpool Cathedrals
On Hope Street, you will find not one but two magnificent Cathedrals, the Roman Catholic and the Anglican. They are both free to enter, explore and admire. Visiting the cathedrals is high on most people’s Liverpool itinerary, and many are impressed with their grandness. Indeed, you can see these magnificent buildings from different parts of the city. Liverpool Cathedral is 620 feet long!
Good to know: entry to both cathedrals is free
Eat and Drink
You could spend an entire weekend in Liverpool eating and drinking. We thought Manchester was good for food, but Liverpool does have it all. The array of restaurants, bars and cafes available is outstanding, and you will undoubtedly find something for yourself. We made our way around the following areas, and we suggest you do the same: Mexican, Brazilian, Lebanese, Italian, Indian or brunch. There is EVERYTHING!
- Baltic Triangle
- Castle Street
- Bold Street
- Lark Lane
- China Town
Liverpool Philharmonic Hall
Liverpool Philharmonic Hall has the ambitous aim to transform lives through music. It is one of the UK’s leading concert halls and has one of the oldest orchestras and choirs in the UK. For your weekend in Liverpool, it is a good idea to see their What’s on page to get involved in one of their diverse programmes of music.
You could listen to folk, jazz rock/pop, chamber music, orchestral, film, spoken word and comedy, and much more.
The Bombed Out Church
We enjoyed our visit to the Bombed Out Church on our weekend in Liverpool. It is a beautiful Gothic-style church that was bombed in WW2 in 1941. The council bought the church after the war, and now it is a place of peace and tranquillity, where you can remember those who have fallen.
We particularly loved the statue that commemorates the WW1 Christmas Truce, where the German and British soldiers played football together on Christmas day in 1914. The sculpture has been named All Together Now and was designed by Andy Edwards. It reminded us of the importance of football in Liverpool too.
Radio City Tower
If you want to see the city from above on your weekend in Liverpool itinerary, then you should head up to Radio City Tower. At 400 feet tall, it is easy to spot from all over the city, and many other cities, it is not expensive to go up. Radio City is a successful British radio station.
Opening hours: 10:15 – 17:15 every day
Museum of Liverpool
Liverpool has such a diverse history, and we are firm believers in learning about a city when we visit, so visiting the Museum of Liverpool was a no brainer. It is home to over 6000 objects and showcases some excellent displays to learn about Liverpool’s history and contemporary issues in society. Check out the window of the Three Graces too. You’ll know what window we mean when you get there. WOW!
Open: 10 am-6 pm Tuesdays to Sundays
Things to do in Liverpool’s suburbs:
Anfield Stadium
The Liverpool FC Stadium Tour is for people who are curious or love football. You do not have to be a fan to visit, but we are sure that helps. You can see the changing rooms, the iconic Anfield sign and the impressive trophies that the team have collected. The Everton Stadium Tour is not too far away, but they don’t have as many trophies.
After all, Liverpool FC has won more trophies than any other club in England.
Good to know: guided tours run daily, but you cannot visit the changing rooms on a match day!
Lark Lane
Lark Lane is one of Liverpool’s hidden gems. It is one of the oldest streets in Liverpool and has a fantastic food scene and an excellent all-around vibe. You can drink, eat, browse the independent shops or have ice cream. The Old School Room is a popular choice, but the best idea is to walk down, enjoy the atmosphere and choose the spot for you.
Good to know: to reach Lark Lane, you can catch the 82 Bus or the train to St Micheal’s station
Sefton Park
A city break in Liverpool is not complete without a visit to one of Liverpool’s largest parks. It has roughly 110 hectares, and there is lots of open space to relax and have a picnic. There is a children’s play area, a bandstand, toilets, and the iconic Palm House built-in 1896. Inside you will find exotic plants, and outside you will find exceptional sculptures showcasing historical figures.
Beatles DIY Sightseeing Tour
Of course, you will have to see some Beatles related attractions on your Liverpool itinerary, and there are tours, but you can also do them yourself if you prefer to go at your own pace.
- Strawberry Fields – walk around the garden or go inside the exhibition.
- Penny Lane Road Sign
- Eleanor Rigby’s Grave at St Peter’s Church
- John Lennon’s childhood home
- The John Lennon Peace Monument
- The Cavern Club and Mathew Street
Good to know: the first four on this list are outside of the city centre. All you need to type the name into Google Maps, and you will find it!
You can also go on a guided Beatles tour named the Magical Mystery Tour if you prefer less stress to find the places yourself. Essentially you go to most of the places above and more on a 2 hour tour. It begins at the Albert Dock and ends at the Cavern Club. If you do not have your own vehicle, we recommend hopping aboard.
Where to stay in Liverpool
If you are looking for accommodation for your weekend in Liverpool, then you will find something no matter your budget. We opted to stay in the Cavern Quarter at the Z Hotel on our recent trip because it was full of budget hotels.
Previously, we have stayed at the Malmaison in Albert Docks, but this time we wanted to be in the action, and it was just that little bit further away and much more expensive. The views from the 7th floor of the Z Hotel were unbelievable, though, and we couldn’t stop staring out the window!
Although it is not as central, there is also the famous Titanic Hotel in Stanley Dock which is in an old warehouse. It has excellent reviews and is certainly a treat if you want to splash out!
Good to know: Saturday nights are usually a lot more expensive because it is a popular Stag/Hen destination. We found this to be very accurate and paid almost double for the Saturday night.
Are you excited about your weekend break in Liverpool? Use this Liverpool itinerary to have an exciting, fun-filled trip and let us know what you get up to in the comments! We also have a post dedicated to all the wonderful but free things to do in Liverpool here.
Whilst you’re in the North of England, why not check out our 24 hour Guide to Manchester , Places to visit in Leeds or our free things to do in York post. There is definitely more to the UK than London and we are sure you’ll agree after reading our travel guides or experiencing this epic Liverpool itinerary.
Photo Credits: averagelives.com
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