Liverpool
The home of the Three Graces, the Beatles and countless art galleries and museums to rival London, the northern maritime city is a cultural and historic destination. Once one of the world’s greatest trading hubs, Liverpool is today one of the most visited cities in the United Kingdom due to its wealth of attractions.
Why cruise Liverpool
A relative newcomer in the world of cruising, Liverpool is becoming increasingly popular as a stopover on a UK or British Isles cruise. You could easily spend a week enjoying the delights of the northern maritime capital, but equally a day in the city will give you a real flavour, thanks to the cruise terminal’s convenient location close by to the historic Albert Dock and its world-class attractions.
What to see and do in Liverpool
Royal Albert Dock
The heart of Liverpool’s historic waterfront, Albert Dock is the go-to for the city’s restaurants, bars and shops, as well as being the home of the Liverpool Tate, a British and international modern and contemporary art gallery. Works by Picasso, Andy Warhol, David Hockney and Salvador Dalí are all housed here. The Mersey Maritime Museum, which pays tribute to the history of the port of Liverpool and has a dedicated exhibition of the city’s connections with the Titanic, is also located on Albert Dock.
Liverpool Cathedral
On either end of Hope Street lies two of the city’s cathedrals. The more traditional Liverpool Cathedral is regarded as a national treasure and has a number of claims to fame, being the largest cathedral in the UK and having the nation’s largest organ, as well as the world’s widest and tallest gothic-style arches. It also boasts great views of the city from its tower. Meanwhile, the more contemporary, Grade II-listed Liverpool Metropolitan Cathedral (affectionally nicknamed ‘Paddy’s Wigwam’ by the locals), draws visitors with its unique and striking design.
The Cavern Club
Another national treasure, the Cavern Club on Matthew Street is a must for Beatles fans. While it is sadly not the original cavern which launched the careers of the famous four (it was demolished in 1973 to make way for the city’s new underground railway system), it’s still a great place to go to enjoy Beatles memorabilia. If you’re a true Beatles fanatic, then you should also pay a visit to The Beatles Story on Albert Dock while in the city, an award-winning exhibition which tells the story of how the four lads from Liverpool rose to fame.
Walker Art Gallery
Another one of Liverpool’s great art galleries, the Walker houses one of the most largest collections in the UK. Spend the afternoon perusing the beautiful paintings, sculptures and decorative art dating from the 13th century to the present day.
International Slavery Museum
This poignant museum, which is the only one of its kind, focuses on the history and legacy of the transatlantic slave trade. Forming part of the Merseyside Maritime museum, it comprises three galleries, which focus on historical slavery as well as slavery in the modern day, exploring important topics such as racism and discrimination.
Need to know when travelling to Liverpool
Getting around in Liverpool
Liverpool has a single-berth terminal, which is located north of the Liver Building and a ten-minute walk from the Cunard Building, both of which form part of the waterfront known as Pier Head and are two of the Three Graces (the third being the Port of Liverpool Building). Given its growing popularity as a cruise port of call, a new £50 million cruise liner terminal, to be housed at Princes’ Dock, was approved in 2018 by the city council. The Pier Head and the historic Albert Dock, which features many of Liverpool’s top attractions, are in walking distance, as are many of the cities other main sites – although taxis are available for those who prefer not to walk.
When to go to Liverpool
The best time to visit the northern city is during late spring and summer. The autumn should still see pleasant weather, while winters tend to be cold and dark in this part of the country.
Currency
Liverpool uses the pound sterling.
