A weekend in Liverpool is a weekend well spent. Liverpool has so much to offer visitors whether you are travelling from overseas to visit one of England’s most popular cities, or you are coming from elsewhere in the UK.
In this Liverpool travel blog, I’m going to give you a perfect weekend in Liverpool itinerary, however, I also recommend visiting Liverpool during the week if you can, so you can also use this post to plan your 2 days in Liverpool mid-week!
Weekend in Liverpool
Below I’ve included how to enjoy a Liverpool city break with the best things to do in Liverpool, where to stay in Liverpool, where to eat in Liverpool and more.
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How to get to Liverpool
Let’s touch on how to get to Liverpool with the different options available.
Liverpool By car:
Liverpool is easily accessed from all around the country via the M6. As you get close to Liverpool, be sure to take the Mersey Flow Liverpool Toll Bridge to help make your entry into Liverpool quicker, just don’t forget to pay online afterwards.
There are plenty of car parks in Liverpool, especially Q Parks so you’ll find somewhere central to park in the city no problem, just note that the city centre parking isn’t cheap!
Liverpool by train:
Liverpool has 2 central train stations – Liverpool Central and Liverpool Lime Street. Getting the train will help you start your Liverpool city break with ease as you’ll arrive right in the city centre.
I always use The Train Line to check train timetables and make my bookings.
Check out trains to Liverpool on The Train Line here!
Liverpool by plane:
Liverpool also has an airport. It’s not as big as nearby Manchester Airport but many European flights do land here and it’s just 30 minutes from the city centre with a regular Airport to City bus schedule.
If you are visiting Liverpool from overseas, instead of looking into flying into London and then travelling up to Liverpool, I suggest checking flights into Liverpool, or Manchester!
Where to stay in Liverpool
On my recent 2 days in Liverpool, I stayed at School Lane Hotel which I really recommend for a Liverpool city break. This is a brand new hotel in Liverpool One which is the very centre of Liverpool and the only independent hotel in Liverpool One.
This means School Lane Hotel has an amazing central location, less than 5 minutes walk from Liverpool Central Station and with shops and cafes directly outside of the hotel but inside, the hotel feels peaceful and modern and a great base to see the city from.
School Lane Hotel is the sister property of Hope Street Hotel which is a little further out of the city centre in the heart of Liverpool’s Georgian neighbourhood but still a great Liverpool hotel to check out, especially if you are visiting Liverpool for the theatre.
Weekend in Liverpool itinerary
Now let’s get into how to spend a weekend in Liverpool with my suggested 2 day Liverpool itinerary!
Friday Night in Liverpool
If you can, I suggest spending 2 nights in Liverpool, mainly so you have more time to experience the great food Liverpool has to offer and therefore have 2 nights of dinners to eat out in Liverpool.
Dinner on Bold Street
On your first night in Liverpool. I suggest having a casual dinner on Bold Street. Bold Street is next to Liverpool Central Station and is easy to walk to from Liverpool One.
Bold Street is full of restaurants from around the world with many Middle Eastern and Asian restaurants to choose from.
If you are looking for halal restaurants in Liverpool, this is the place to visit!
Bold Street and the neighbouring streets are also home to a good chunk of Liverpool’s nightlife if you are looking to spend your weekend in Liverpool on a night out.
Sunset Drink at 360 Sky Bar
If you want a sophisticated evening in Liverpool, I loved going to Gino D’Acampo’s 360 Sky Bar to watch the sunset. In summer, this is great because the sun doesn’t set until 9:00-9:00 pm giving you time to have dinner first and catch the sun going down over the Wirral.
Any time of the year and any time of the day, the views offered from Liverpool’s 360 Sky Bar are impressive so I suggest adding it to your Liverpool itinerary!
Saturday in Liverpool
Saturdays are always going to be busy in Liverpool with locals out and about and tourists also spending a weekend break in Liverpool so it’s best to book specific food reservations and get tickets in advance where possible.
If you are wondering where to eat in Liverpool so you know where to book in advance, keep reading as I have some great suggestions on places to eat in Liverpool!
Royal Albert Docks
For your first full day in Liverpool, I suggest heading straight to the Royal Albert Docks because this is the best part of Liverpool!
If you have been to Liverpool before but many years ago, you’ll notice a big change here. The docks are wonderfully maintained with many facilities, places to eat and drink and things to do for all the family yet they still hold on to their history.
Rough Hand Made
For a pastry breakfast on the docks and a recommendation for where to eat in Liverpool, head to Rough Hand Made.
An independent boutique bakery that makes all of its pastries and breads onsite that day. Be warned it gets busy and the later you go, the less choice there will be!
Maritime Museum
Whilst walking around the docks you’ll come across one of Liverpool’s many museums, the Maritime Museum.
If you want to learn more about Liverpool’s Seafaring past, the history of the docks and the part Liverpool played in the slave trade, the Maritime Museum is a good place to start your weekend in Liverpool itinerary.
Best of all, like many of the museums in Liverpool, it’s free to enter.
Museum of Liverpool
Another one of the top things to do in Liverpool is visit the Museum of Liverpool which I really enjoyed.
It’s located right on Albert Docks too and is located in a modern-looking building that is very different from the historic red brick docks but fits the nautical vibe of the docks very well.
Here, you can learn everything you need to know about Liverpool including the music that has made Liverpool what it is, the celebrities from here and the films made here, really enhancing your weekend trip to Liverpool!
Mersey Ferry River Cruise
To rest your feet for a while, next on your Liverpool 2 day itinerary I suggest a Mersey Ferry Cruise.
The terminal is located next to the Museum of Liverpool and ferries run pretty much every hour on the hour.
I do recommend booking a ticket in advance, especially on the weekend and you can buy tickets online here for the same price as in the terminal. You don’t pre-book a set time either, just a ticket to use any time that day.
I recommend getting to the terminal 20 minutes before the next scheduled departure because it does get busy and it’s first come first on the next ferry departure.
The River Cruise is 50 minutes, it takes you over to the Seacombe ferry terminal first which is the side of the Wirral and you can disembark here for a bit if you want.
If you are on looking for things to do in Liverpool with children, Eureka Science Museum aimed at children is next to Seacombe Port and a good place to visit whilst on your weekend in Liverpool with kids.
Otherwise, you can stay on and enjoy sailing further down the River Mersey learning about Liverpool and the Wirral from the commentary and taking in a great view of Liverpool that you can’t see unless you get out on the water.
The easiest way to book your Liverpool sightseeing tickets in advance:
City Bus Tour
When booking your Mersey Ferry Cruise ticket, there is the option to include a bus tour for a cheaper price and the hop-on hop-off buses leave from outside the ferry terminal meaning you can have your cruise on the river and then get straight onto a bus to sightsee around Liverpool in an easy and comfortable way.
Click here to book your ferry cruise and hop-on hop-off bus for a great package price!
British Museum Experience
If you’re visiting Liverpool because of your love of music, be sure to not miss the British Museum Experience. The museum is located opposite the Museum of Liverpool and the Royal Albert Docks so I recommend planning this whilst you are seeing this section of Liverpool.
Royal Liver Building 360 Tour & Viewpoint
There are a few viewpoints in Liverpool, I recommend Radio Tower for your second day in Liverpool but whilst by the Royal Albert Docks, if you want to head to the very top of the impressive Royal Liver Building you can!
Enjoy a guided tour of the historic clock tower of the Royal Liver Building and see an incredible view of Liverpool and the Wirral!
Check availability and book tickets in advance for the viewpoint here!
Shopping
Liverpool is great for shopping and whilst the shops will be busy on a Saturday in Liverpool, it’s still worth having a browse.
Liverpool has so many sides and the Liverpool One shopping district really reflects this. Some shopping streets are older and not so nice to walk along but if you seek out John Lewis, Harvey Nichlos and Peters Lane shopping street you’ll find some nice areas and more upmarket shops to browse.
Dinner at The London Carriage Works
To end your day in Liverpool, I recommend dinner at The London Carriage Works located in the heart of the Georgian Neighbourhood within Hope Street Hotel.
The London Carriage Works is one of the top restaurants in Liverpool with 2 AA Rosette dining serving modern British dishes using locally sourced produce. I really enjoyed my 3 course dinner there in a relaxed and sophisticated setting with great service.
Liverpool Metropolitan Cathedral
At the top of the street, located in the Knowledge Quarter of Liverpool is Liverpool Metropolitan Cathedral, it’s impressive to see from the outside as it’s such a unique building.
It is open to visitors during the day closing at 6:00 pm so if you have time to visit before dinner, I recommend going, or seeing it from outside after dinner at The London Carriage Works.
Sunday in Liverpool
Continuing with the best things to do in Liverpool, today I suggest stepping away from Liverpool Docks and waterfront to explore the central part of the city, and, see one of the most famous places in Liverpool – Liverpool United’s Stadium!
Bold Street Coffee Breakfast
I love to start my weekends in a new city by getting brunch in one of the cool cafes and for this, I recommend Bold Street Coffee on Bold Street.
This independent cafe based only in Liverpool and Manchester offers amazing coffee and breakfasts in Liverpool. I’m sure on the weekend it gets busy so be prepared to queue, but it will be worth it!
Bombed Out Church
At the top of Bold Street is St Lukes Bombed Out Church. It was bombed during World War 2 and was not restored. Instead of being a church, nowadays it is a popular open-air venue for events.
If an event is not on, it’s still worth walking around the side streets of the church to have a look in.
St Johns Beacon Viewing Experience
Radio Tower can be seen all over Liverpool City and going to the top is one of the top things to do in Liverpool and top Liverpool attractions!
Whilst many locals will call it Radio Tower, the viewing platform is called St Johns Beacon where an elevator will take you all the way to the top for a 360 view of the city which I recommend! You can buy tickets online or once you arrive.
Note that it opens at 11:00 am every day.
Liverpool Museums
Just a few minutes from St Johns Beacon is another area of museums in Liverpool and it makes sense to visit these before or after St Johns Beacon and when you visit the Bombed Out Church.
Walker Art Gallery, World Museum and the Central Library are 3 impressive buildings in a row that you can visit in Liverpool for free!
The World Museum is a small natural history type museum and one of the great things to do in Liverpool with kids.
The Central Library is incredibly impressive inside and worth a visit, even if you just pop in.
Lunch at NORD
To finish off your weekend in Liverpool, I highly suggest booking a reservation at NORD to experience their great Northern hospitality and their locally sourced ingredients.
NORD offers a range of British dishes with a twist in a stylish and contemporary restaurant. This is one of the top places to eat in Liverpool for lunch and dinner.
I really recommend the Marinated Gordal Olives and Truffle & Kelp Butter Flatbread. They were an amazing way to start our lunch!
Anfield Stadium Tour
Last but not least, if you are a football fan, no trip to Liverpool is complete without visiting Anfield Stadium!
You can book an Anfield Stadium Tour easily online. As with all football stadium tours, they have to work around the matches so you might have to be flexible as to when you fit this into your Liverpool itinerary.
Check times and availavility here for the Liverpool Stadium tour and Football club museum.
If you’re not into football or not a Liverpool fan, I did a tour of Old Trafford stadium tour in Manchester and even though I’m not a big football fan, it was really great to see the stadium with no one else there and access parts you can only visit on a tour like the changing rooms!
All Anfield Stadium Tours and activities:
Weekend in Liverpool FAQ:
How can I spend 2 days in Liverpool?
Although Liverpool is not a huge city, there are plenty of things to do in Liverpool to keep you busy for 2 days in Liverpool. I suggest spending your first day around the Royal Albert Docks and seeing the cities museums and spending your second day shopping in Liverpool and seeing places near Liverpool like Anfield Stadium.
Is 2 days enough in Liverpool?
Yes, 2 days in Liverpool is enough to see the city and I think 2 days is the best amount of time to spend on a trip to Liverpool.
How many days should I spend in Liverpool?
2 days is a good amount of time to spend in Liverpool. This will allow you to see the city centre well and visit many of the museums, shops and attractions in Liverpool and also give you some time to see places near Liverpool city centre.
Is 1 day enough for Liverpool?
A day trip to Liverpool is enough if that’s all you have. Liverpool city centre is fairly compact and you can see a lot of the city with just 1 day in Liverpool.
Is Liverpool worth visiting?
Yes! Liverpool is one of the most popular UK cities. It holds so much history, is famous for it’s music (The Beatles and more) and has one of the most famous football clubs in the world!
I hope this weekend in Liverpool itinerary has helped you plan your 2 days in Liverpool and Liverpool city break!
- For more of my North England posts see:
- 7 MUST-VISIT National Trust Sites in Manchester and nearby!
- 22+ GREAT Day Trips From Manchester Day!
- 23+ Fun Family Days Out NEAR Manchester
- How To Do Thor’s Cave Walk! An Easy Walk In The Peak District.
- Full Lake District Day Trip! How to Spend 1 Day in the Lake District!