Top tips

Image by mike hughes from Pixabay

First time in Liverpool? Consider staying in Liverpool City Centre or the Royal Albert Docks.

Planning a Liverpool city break? We recommend staying in Liverpool City Centre, The Cavern Quarter or the Royal Albert Docks.

Here to see Liverpool's sights? Stay in Liverpool City Centre, Ropewalks, or the Royal Albert Docks.

Bringing your whole family to Liverpool? We recommend Liverpool City Centre, the Royal Albert Docks, or Sefton Park.

Coming to Liverpool to have a good time? Consider staying in The Cavern Quarter or Liverpool City Centre.

Only staying in Liverpool for a short time? Stay in Liverpool City Centre, the Royal Albert Docks or Ropewalks.

Music lover? Stay in The Cavern Quarter.

Want to live like a Liverpool local? Stay in Sefton Park.

The Beatles, the docks, football and hard graft are what Liverpool is generally known for; however, this city has a lot more to shout about: some incredible architecture, a raft of fantastic museums, and a lust for fun and the good life. Liverpool is a fantastic city to explore on foot, and some of its most interesting neighbourhoods are within walking distance of each other, or an easy public transport ride. It’s a good idea to book Liverpool’s big attractions in advance, the big ones being The Beatles Story, the Walker Art Gallery, the Tate, the World Museum, the Maritime Museum, and the Neo-Gothic cathedral. 

Liverpool's Neighbourhood Guide

Liverpool’s accommodation is inspiringly varied, and our Guru’s guide to Liverpool’s neighbourhoods will help you find the best pad for you. Lime Street in the City Centre has a lot of memorable architecture, plus shopping and great restaurants, and you’ll find more notable places to eat and drink around Lark Lane. Seel Street has the nightlife. Bold Street in the Ropewalks neighbourhood has incredible international cuisine, and quirky shopping, and Liverpool’s Chinatown, which is the oldest in Europe, is just next door, also in the Ropewalks. If you’re here on a Beatles pilgrimage, stay in the Cavern Quarter — it’s also a good choice for shoppers and boutique hotel stays. Right on the Mersey, the Royal Albert Docks area is ideal if you want to hit the museums, and great for families. If you’re looking for a quieter pace and more greenery, consider staying in Sefton Park.  

Liverpool City Centre

Image by Atanas Paskalev from Pixabay

Liverpool’s City Centre includes several areas — including our recommendations below: the Cavern Quarter and Ropewalks — but also St. George’s Quarter, the Georgian Quarter, the Waterfront, the Baltic Triangle, Chinatown and Liverpool One.  The whole centre is walkable and easy to navigate, and you’ll come across plenty of worthwhile sights, including some spectacular architecture. St. George’s Quarter spreads out around St. George’s Hall, host of a myriad of events. This area is also close to the station, so ideal for a short stay. The Georgian Quarter has cobbled streets and two cathedrals, and does what it claims, regarding architecture. In a nutshell, it's beautiful and great for foodies! The Waterfront edges up to the Royal Albert Docks neighbourhood, and they both offer water views and proximity to museums and the ferry. The Baltic Triangle is a bit like Shoreditch: home to the hip and creative, while also feeling a bit raw. Stay here for food markets, street art, live music, artisan coffee shops, and drinking and dining. Liverpool's Chinatown is the oldest in Europe, and Liverpool One is the vast shopping mall, so both these neighbourhoods have plenty going for them, as well as being super close to everything else!

Cavern Quarter

Image by Maxpinsoo from Pixabay

The Cavern Quarter has The Cavern Club at its heart, where The Beatles played their first set in February 1961, and The Arctic Monkeys gigged in October 2005. Music plays here from the afternoon to late in the evening; there’s a wide variety of styles and acts playing. There’s a Live Lounge and a Pub too, both packed with music memorabilia. Similarly lively pubs and venues fan out from the Cavern Club along Matthew Street, and there’s never a quiet night around here. The Beatles Museum is here, and there are some great shopping opportunities too.  

Ropewalks

By George Groutas via Flickr

Named for the nautical ropemakers who once lived in this central, dockside spot, Ropewalks is a small but lively neighbourhood known for its arts and crafts and independent shopping, eating and drinking opportunities. If you appreciate a good world food store, or a surprising international fusion restaurant or cafe, Ropewalks is your kinda neighbourhood.  It is culturally rich too, with a number of theatres, galleries and venues including the fantastic Bombed Out Church (which is what it says, but has to be seen to be believed!). This is a good choice for lively nightlife as well.  

The Royal Albert Docks

David Goddin from Pixabay

The Royal Albert Docks area is right by the Mersey, within sight of Pier Head. It’s not a neighbourhood, as such, more of a vast museum and leisure complex, converted from a hugely impressive Grade I listed dock and warehouse facilities.  There’s plenty of accommodation in the area (this is “the most visited free tourist attraction outside of London”), and plenty of Liverpudlians love it too: for the Tate Liverpool, the Maritime Museum, the International Slavery Museum, and The Beatles Story. It has plenty of great places to eat and drink, and good shopping opportunities, with some notable local boutiques in amongst the familiar names.  

Sefton Park 

Image by Graham Hobster from Pixabay

Sefton Park is a Grade I listed, 200 acre park, with a Victorian Palm House, a boating lake, an obelisk, and an impressive collection of statues. The Sefton Park neighbourhood radiates outwards from the park, but has a green and leafy feel to it too, with a ring road of Victorian buildings, Edwardian houses and a vibrant, bohemian atmosphere. Lark Lane is the main shopping and dining street, with a great collection of independent boutiques and bars, cafes and restaurants. This is an area with plenty of community, there’s always something going on, from a regular farmers’ market to theatrical performances. A great pick for a homely feel close to the city.