Getting to know Liverpool
As part of the Merseyside metropolitan county in the North West of England, Liverpool is a major city here and a well-known location for the culture, the football teams and the vibrant nightlife. The city has wonderful cultural heritage and it is home to many fascinating spots including cathedrals, museums and galleries. The people of Liverpool are known for being quite friendly and welcoming and the city was ranked among the friendliest in the UK and Europe many times already. Liverpool is, overall, a great combination of buzzing, energetic and friendly vibes plus the cultural and historical value it possesses. Many landmarks and key spots can be enjoyed here and we’ll briefly go through the most important of them in this article.
What you can do for free in Liverpool
- Explore the Liverpool waterfront (Albert Docks and Pier Head)
There is a lot to see when you go exploring the Liverpool waterfront: the complex of dock buildings and warehouses is called The Royal Albert Dock. Process to the Pier Head and you’ll find sculptures, beautiful buildings with fascinating architecture, the Museum of Liverpool, the Royal Liver Building and more. - Wonder around Sefton Park
Sefton Park is spread across 235 acres and it has plenty of things to check out – if you plan on visiting you can reserve a whole day for exploration here. There are playgrounds, the Palm House, cafes, caves and waterfalls, statues, monuments, the Bandstand and generally a lot of greenery and beautiful nature. - Stroll along the beaches
Go for a walk on Crosby Beach or Formby Beach to enjoy a relaxing evening (or any other time of the day you wish). If you find your way to Crosby beach, you’ll be able to admire the “Another Place” modern sculptures by Antony Gormley. 100 cast iron figures face towards the sea and create this fascinating scenery for visitors.
Top spots to visit
- Beatles-related sites
Since Liverpool is very famous as the birthplace of The Beatles, it would be a shame to skip visiting all the various Beatles-related sites. The list of potential spots to add to your itinerary includes the Penny Lane, the Strawberry Fields, The Beatles Story in Albert Dock, the rebuilt Cavern Club, the Beatles statues on Pier Head, the Beatles Shop and the homes of members of the band. You can even find tours focusing on these spots, but you can go on your own for free if you know what you want to see and make a plan yourself. - Museums and galleries
Tate Liverpool, Merseyside Maritime Museum, Victoria Gallery and Museum – these are only a few of the spots that can be a great addition to your Liverpool visit. Depending on your interests and what types of arts and artists you’re most interested in, make your choice and enjoy! - St. George’s Hall
St. George’s Hall is a Neoclassical building containing concert halls and law courts. The place can be visited and it is definitely an impressive spot – both the interior and the exterior have plenty of things to see, from the sculpted friezes on the facades to the beautiful stained glass windows, the bronze doors and beautiful floors inside.
Hidden spots to visit
- Formby Pinewoods
Liverpool is a place where bluebell flowers take over the ground in many spots in the springtime. One such spot is the Formby Pinewoods – if you’re a nature lover, you should love it here. These woods are also home to many red squirrels and it is a great spot to admire the wildlife and nature (make sure you respect the animals and remember that you’re entering their home and should not disturb them). - Williamson Tunnels
A series of subterranean excavations can be found in the Edge Hill area in Liverpool – these tunnels span over quite a large area and they are not your typical tourist attraction, although quite fascinating. If you’re into the more obscure spots and enjoy a dose of creepiness from time to time, these tunnels should be up your alley. - Sefton Shipwrecks
You can see quite a few shipwrecks along the Merseyside coastline and the Sefton ones are part of the list. Keep in mind that tides, water and sand movement sometimes cover and uncover certain wrecks and you might not reach the spot you’ve planned to at the right time – make sure you check online to see how things present themselves lately.
Restaurants
The diversity when it comes to food and cuisines is great in Liverpool – you can find anything from American, Indian, Asian, European cuisines to all sorts of bars and cafes with good sweet and savory foods. Go for a fine dining experience at The Art School, Mamasan Liverpool, Puffin’ Rooms, Röski or check out the cheaper options at Blackdoor Bar & Bistro, Cowshed, Noso, The Edge at Joey Orr’s and Lucy in the Sky. Choose according to proximity to your accommodation or the spots you’re visiting and make sure you check out some online reviews before.
Recommended time for visiting
Liverpool is good to visit at almost any point during the year. While the winters and cold and the days are short during this time and most people would not find it pleasant here then, you can always go anywhere from late spring to early autumn. The weather is generally pleasant even in the summer days and early autumn gets a bit chillier but also less crowded, so you might enjoy that plus the lower hotel fares.
| Month | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
| Avg. temp. (°C) | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 11 | 13 | 16 | 15 | 13 | 11 | 7 | 6 |
I’ve got a crush on the world // Veni, vidi, amavi
