Liverpool is world-famous for a few things: football, The Beatles – and its lively hen and stag parties. And while a weekend here certainly delivers on music, sport, and the occasional karaoke marathon, there’s far more to the city than its headline acts.
Having grown up in Liverpool, I was spoiled for choice by its wealth of cultural offerings. My weekends were filled with exhibitions, vintage shopping sprees and gigs at some of the coolest music venues in the UK – if not the world. In summer, hardly a weekend passes without a festival taking over the city: from Africa Oye, a vibrant celebration of Africa’s music and culture, to Sound City, a rite of passage for up-and-coming indie artists. And as autumn rolls in, there’s plenty of to sink your teeth into. October brings the annual Liverpool Literary Festival, followed by Homotopia –cthe UK’s longest running LGBTQIA+ arts and cultural festival, championing local creatives. Kicking off on the 1 November this year, expect murals, drag, poetry readings and thought-provoking art exhibitions.
All that culture works up an appetite and, luckily, there’s never been a better time to eat out in Liverpool, as its food scene is positively booming. Named the best city in the UK for food by Time Out for two years in a row, it’s surprising that Liverpool is still waiting for its first Michelin star. But with so many ambitious chefs pushing boundaries and new restaurants opening at a dizzying pace, it feels like only a matter of time. For now, you’ll rarely turn a corner in the city centre without spotting a spot hungry for recognition – making it an exciting moment to explore Liverpool’s culinary scene.
And really, Liverpool doesn’t need Michelin stars or flashy landmarks. Spend an hour walking around and you’ll see that its down-to-earth charm is exactly what makes it so beloved. With so many friendly (and wonderfully opinionated) Scousers around, you could easily spend a weekend here guided by word of mouth alone. Still, for a city of its size, Liverpool packs a lot in, so it’s worth arriving with at least a rough plan. As a Liverpudlian with plenty of opinions myself, here’s how I’d recommend you spend 72 hours here...
Day 1
Check Into... Hope Street Hotel, situated in Liverpool’s picturesque Georgian Quarter, only a 15-minute walk from Lime Street station if you’re arriving by train. The rooms are decorated simply, taking inspiration from traditional Scandi interiors, but they’re big and feel luxe for the price – robes and slippers are included. You’ll also get discounted access to their spa, which is the best in the city and features an outdoor pool, which you might want to plan a morning visit to if you intend on making the most of Liverpool’s nightlife.
Explore The City... On foot, for the most part. The benefit of visiting a small city for the weekend is that transport costs are practically non-existent. If you do end up venturing further out, local trains and buses are easy enough to figure out.
After A Morning Of Travelling, Refuel... At Maray on Bold Street, a Middle Eastern restaurant offering small plates that will appeal to meat-lovers and veggies alike. You can’t really go wrong with the menu here but a word to the wise – don’t skimp on the dips, particularly the whipped goat’s cheese, and always accept your server’s offer of more pitta.
Spend The Afternoon... Pondering Bold Street, one of the city’s most iconic cultural destinations. Maray is conveniently situated at the top of this famous street, so work your way down from there, starting with FACT, a local arts hub featuring free exhibitions. Next, browse News From Nowhere, a community bookshop dedicated to radical literature focussed on social justice. Stop at Utility – a stationary lover’s dream – then do some vintage shopping at COW (you’ll find proper bargains downstairs in the basement).
Stop For A Sweet Treat... At Gooey a hole-in-the-wall bakery located at the bottom of Bold Street. Its first location was in Manchester, but it soon made its way to Liverpool after their giant, completely indulgent cookies went viral. But don’t worry – unlike many other internet fads, they’re worth the hype.
Quench Your Thirst... At L’Aperitivo a cocktail bar back at the top of Bold Street. (After all that shopping and sugar, you might be in need of a drink.) As its name suggests, it’s the ideal spot for a pre-dinner aperitif, serving the best negroni in town. With sexy, ’70s-inspired interiors and low lighting no matter the time of day, it’s the perfect way to transition from your first day to night in Liverpool.
Cross The Road To... The Italian Club, because it would be rude to spend the day on Bold Street without eating here. It’s a simple, family-run spot with no frills, and an institution among locals for great pasta and pizza, friendly staff and a lively atmosphere that will make you feel like you’re dining at Nonna’s.
End The Night... With a drink at Sister Ray, a laidback cocktail bar playing funk and disco all night long. Sadly, this does involve leaving Bold Street (though it’s literally down the road), but if you enjoyed L’Aperitivo earlier on, it’s worth heading back later on for a dance, no earlier than 11pm. Until then, choose a drink from Sister Ray’s creative cocktail list – the poached pear martinis provide a guaranteed buzz – and try to nab a seat at one of their cosy terrazzo booths.
Or, Chase The Night... At 24 Kitchen Street, an iconic dance music venue in the Baltic Triangle, which is about a 15-minute walk away and roughly in the same direction as the hotel, so plenty of time to convince your friends that it’s worth going, which it is! It might look like nothing more than a warehouse with disco balls, but it attracts some of the most exciting DJs in the country and some of the most hardcore party-goers, too.
Day 2
Work Up An Appetite... By walking down to Ezra & Gil on Castle Street. The 15-minute walk will take you through the centre of town, giving you a taste of what to expect today. This newly opened cafe is another export from Manchester, where it gained an impressive reputation for the best eggs and avo in town.
Walk Towards The Water... Until you find yourself at the Albert Dock – Liverpool’s most popular attraction. It’s worth seeing, as is the nearby Liver Building, distinguishable by the three turquoise liver birds that sit atop its turrets. If you want to embrace your inner tourist, the Museum of Liverpool is worth a visit to learn about the city – the Wondrous Place gallery features fun cultural artefacts, like one of local legend Jodie Comer’s Killing Eve outfits, and the revered Mel C’s costume from the Spiceworld Tour.
For Lunch, Sample Dishes From Every Stall At... Baltic Market. A short walk along the front from the Docks, this converted warehouse has become home to some of the best local chefs, offering street food takes on their most popular dishes. Salt and pepper seasoning is like religion to Scousers, and Hafla Hafla does it very well with their halloumi fries, which have earned them a spot as one of the only permanent vendors here.
Stroll Back Into Town... Via the impressive murals painted on the Baltic Triangle’s iconic shipping warehouses. You’ll find dedications to the city’s icons, from Jurgen Klopp to drag queen The Vivienne, who sadly passed away at the start of 2025. Slightly more cliche, but also a rite of passage, is to take a photo posing between the infamous liver bird wings by artist Paul Curtis.
Grab A Takeaway... From Caribou Poutine, which serves up the fanciest cheesy chips and gravy in town (a Northern delicacy), inspired by the Canadian dish poutine. Find a bench in the gardens of the Bombed Out Church, just down the road, to eat. Or, if the weather isn’t on your side, nearby Buyer’s Club serves delicious fresh pasta and natural wines and is usually available for walk-ins.
Catch A Show... At the Everyman Theatre, which is back in the Georgian Quarter. Platforming local artists, as well as national talent, the theatre in the round always has an exciting line-up, from Beckett to their iconic ’rock ’n’ roll’ panto, which is silly, crude and the ideal initiation into Scouse humour.
Time For A Nightcap... At charming French cocktail bar Petit Café Du Coin on Berry Street. With live jazz every evening between Thursday and Sunday, it’s the classiest place for a bottle of red.
Day 3
Get Caffeinated... For your final day exploring Liverpool at Bold Street Coffee. They make the best flat white in the city and New York-style bagels that will cure any hangover.
Unleash Your Inner Bookworm... At Liverpool Central Library. The historic Grade II listed, 20 feet high Picton Reading Room is lined from floor-to-ceiling with more than 15,000 rare books, making it the ideal spot to catch-up on some of your own reading. If you have time, head to the neighbouring Walker Art Gallery, which houses an impressive collection of Renaissance and Pre-Raphelite paintings, as well as contemporary art by Lucian Freud and David Hockney.
Then, Head Back To Bold Street... For the final time. Grab lunch at Indian street food spot Bundobust. It’s tucked away up an unassuming staircase, but the food is anything but lowkey. They offer fun, veggie takes on classic dishes and their lunch deal gets you two of them for £11.99, although you’ll want to order extra okra fries. Find a window seat and do some people-watching while you eat.
Hop On A Train... At Liverpool Central, which is just a few minutes away. Take the five-minute journey to St Michaels and then enjoy the meandering walk to Sefton Park via Lark Lane, where you can whittle away hours if you’re into shopping for vintage and (incredibly cute) bric-a-brac.
Take A Walk... Around the expansive 253-acre Sefton Park, making your way towards the Palm House, a Victorian Greenhouse which is free to enter. You’ll often find events here, from maker’s markets to yoga classes and DJ sets.
It’s Time For Dinner... And I’ve saved the best for last: Belzan is a small plates restaurant on Smithdown Road, slightly out of the city centre, but worth the detour. If you’ve got more steps in you, it’s a 20-minute walk or just five minutes on the bus from the park. Dishes are seasonal, so they change regularly, but the Guiness rarebit potato is a permanent (and legendary) item on the menu. Featuring paper-thin layers of potato, indulgent cheesy, Guinness-infused rarebit and what one of their chefs describes as “posh ketchup”, it’s the filthy lovechild of lasagne and dauphinoise and you’ll be dreaming about it for weeks to come.
End Your Trip... By catching a bus or calling a cab for a short journey back into town for a final drink or two. Try your luck at The Oracle, a speakeasy-style bar where all of the waiters are magicians. Ring the bell at 83 Seel Street, and if there’s space you’ll be welcomed in. There’s a £5 entry fee but it’s more than worth it – the staff are genuinely mind-blowing, performing everything from fun card tricks to complex mentalist readings while serving your drinks. If there’s no space, go next door to dive bar Salt Dog Slims and spend the night dancing to ’00s indie music instead.
