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Liverpool
The Beatles' city: free museums, grand docks and big nights out.
A big-hearted port city on the River Mersey: grand waterfront buildings, restored Victorian docks, two very different cathedrals and a row of first-rate national museums that cost nothing. It's the city of the Beatles and of football, friendly, good value and loud at night.
Places to see
- Pier HeadSight · The city's riverfront promenade under three grand Edwardian buildings, the 'Three…Free
Royal Albert DockSight · A square of huge red-brick warehouses on iron columns around a still dock basin, now full…Free
Merseyside Maritime MuseumMuseum · The story of the port in an old dock warehouse: ship models, emigrants' journeys, and…Free
When to go
- Jan8° / 3°Some rainQuiet
- Feb8° / 3°Some rainQuiet
- Mar10° / 4°Some rainQuiet
- Apr13° / 5°Some rainBusy
- May16° / 8°Some rainBusy
- Jun19° / 11°Some rainBusy
- Jul20° / 13°Some rainBusy
- Aug20° / 13°Some rainVery busy
- Sep
Staying and getting around
Good areas to stay
The city centre. Lime Street station, St George's Hall, the galleries, Mathew Street and the Ropewalks' bars; most hostels are here or in the Baltic Triangle just south.
Hope Street and the Georgian Quarter. Elegant terraces between the two cathedrals, with Bold Street's cafés and Chinatown just below.
Flying in
Liverpool John Lennon (LPL): Bus to the city centre, about 40 min, ≈ A$6. Express and local buses run to the centre; times vary with traffic (check).
Manchester (MAN): Direct train to Liverpool Lime Street, about 1 h, ≈ A$31. More flights from Australia and NZ connect here; book the train ahead for the cheapest fare (check).
Flewaway's estimate for the usual budget way into Liverpool; check times and fares before you fly.
Getting around
You can walk everywhere. A single ticket is ≈ A$4. The centre, the waterfront and the cathedrals are all within about 20 minutes' walk. Buses and Merseyrail trains reach the suburbs and the beaches; tap a card or phone on buses (check).
Tourist tax
No city tourist tax, but many city-centre hotels add about £2 a room a night for the local business district; hostels usually don't (check).
