Liverpool, places to visit?

The birthplace of the Beatles

Liverpool, the birthplace of the Beatles and a World Heritage Site, has its roots in a strong seafaring tradition. It has a unique cultural heritage and is seat of the some of the most important artistic collections in the United Kingdom.

Liverpool. Photo: © Sisterscom.com, Shutterstock

Characterised by a diverse and dynamic atmosphere, it has always influenced fashions and dress.

Liverpool. Cavern Club. Liverpool. Photo: © Sisterscom.com, Shutterstock

Liverpool: the capital of pop

Liverpool is the official capital of pop, thanks mainly to four lads who revolutionised the world of music in the sixties. Visitors can follow the story of John Lennon, Paul McCartney, George Harrison and Ringo Starr at the Beatles Story Museum, which features artefacts and audio and video clips of all kinds, and at other internationally famous places such as the Cavern Club, Penny Lane and Strawberry Fields, all easily reached from the centre. John Lennon’s home as a child at 20 Forthlin Road is also open to the public.

The mercantile port of Liverpool has been the centre of routes and exchanges with overseas countries for more than 800 years (the birth of the city is dated 1207), and the Merseyside Maritime Museum at Albert Dock, the largest naval museum in Europe, houses evidence of this glorious past.

Chinese arch in Liverpool. Photo: © Sisterscom.com, Shutterstock

Liverpool’s Chinatown

Thanks to its maritime heritage, the city has always attracted people from all over the world. Liverpool’s Chinatown has the old Chinese community in Europe, and the giant Chinese arch built at the entrance to the area is the largest outside China.

It is one of the most spectacular monuments of the city. At 50 metres tall, it is the largest imperial arch outside China. Detailed on the arch are 200 dragons and five roofs and is protected by two bronze lions.

The port area of Liverpool is a fascinating place. The most famous section of the River Mersey is Pier Head, dominated by the legendary Liver Birds, from whom the city took its name.

Liverpool. Photo: © Sisterscom.com, Shutterstock

The Pier Head and encompasses three imposing buildings known as the Three Graces, which have been awarded the title of UNESCO World Heritage Site.

The Anglican Church in Liverpool. Photo: © Sisterscom.com, Shutterstock

The Cathedrals of Liverpool

A walk through the Georgian district of Liverpool leads to the largest Anglican Church in the world and, across Hope Street, the metropolitan Cathedral of Christ the King, an impressive crown of thorns built in the sixties of cement and glass, which the local people have affectionately renamed Paddy’s Wigwam.

The city is rich in historical and architectural treasures such as St.George’s Hall, splendid for its dimensions and proportions. Other buildings of great historical interest can be found in areas outside the centre.

The Calder Stones, enormous sandstone monoliths, older than Stonehenge and evidence of the first settlements, are found at Calderstones Park. Just south of Calderstones Park is Speke Hall, a majestic half-timbered Tudor house with splendid views towards the River Mersey and the mountains of Wales.

Walker Art Gallery. Liverpool. Photo: © Sisterscom.com, Shutterstock

Museums and art galleries in Liverpool

Liverpool has more museums and art galleries than any other city in the United Kingdom outside London, and entrance to all museums and galleries is free. The jewel in the crown is the wonderful Walker Art Gallery.

Liverpool has always been famous for its plays and shows held in prestigious theatres such as the Playhouse, the Everyman, the Empire and the Royal Court. The city can satisfy all tastes in terms of music, clubs, restaurants, bars and pubs.

Liverpool can also boast a prestigious sporting history: from the title-winning football team with its headquarters the Anfield stadium to the Aintree racecourse, home of the Grand National steeplechase, to the famous golf courses of Royal Liverpool and Royal Birkdale.

Text by Eugenio Sorrentino

Updated by Alisè Vitri

Avion Tourism Magazine

Video: www.visitliverpool.com

Tourism Board

www.visitliverpool.com

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Where to sleep in Liverpool

Liverpool. Photo: © Sisterscom.com, Shutterstock

Liverpool is a welcoming city and offers different possibilities for accommodation.

To find the ideal hotel and the best offers you can do a search for the stars but also for districts or landmarks.

STARS

Hotels for stars, differentiated by type of services:

DISTRICTS

Hotels in the districts

LANDMARKS

Hotels in tourist areas

World Museum

University of Liverpool

Tate Liverpool

Museum of Liverpool

Metropolitan Cathedral

Liverpool Cathedral

Empire Theatre

John Moores University

AIRPORT

Hotels near the airport

John Lennon Airport (LPL)

Where to go in liverpool

Monuments in Liverpool

Photo: © Sisterscom.com, Shutterstock

Pier Head & Three Graces

The Three Graces are three buildings: the Cunard Building, the Port of Liverpool Building and the Liver Building. The Liver Building in particular is the most famous for its fabled Liver Birds, similar to a cormorant and symbol of the city. The entire port area, which includes the Three Graces and Albert Dock, is a designated UNESCO World Heritage Site, because of its architecture and contribution to marine history.

Photo: © Sisterscom.com, Shutterstock

Anglican Cathedral

The Anglican Cathedral of Liverpool was built during the 20th century and is the largest cathedral in the United Kingdom, with the largest and tallest gothic arches ever constructed. A travel to the top of the tower on the 'Tower Experience' is recommended to enjoy unrivalled panoramic views from 500ft above sea level.

Photo: © Sisterscom.com, Shutterstock

Metropolitan Cathedral of Christ the King

The Metropolitan Cathedral of Christ the King in Liverpool is one of the largest Catholic churches in the United Kingdom and features a circular plan with a raised central part symbolising Jesus’ crown of thorns at the moment of the passion.

Photo: © Sisterscom.com, Shutterstock

St. George's Hall

St. George’s Hall in Liverpool is recognised as the most highly regarded neoclassical building in Europe, dating back to the nineteenth century. It has a tunnel vaulted ceiling - the largest of its kind in Europe. The ceiling is supported on massive red granite columns, with figures portraying art, science, fortitude and justice.

Museums in Liverpool

Museum of Liverpool

The Museum of Liverpool is devoted to the history of the city. Exhibits showcase popular culture and tackle social, historical and contemporary with more than 6,000 objects, celebrating thousands of years of the city’s achievements. The café on the ground floor serves delicious traditional British food with a contemporary twist and here, you enjoy beautiful views of the canal and Albert Dock. Free entry.

Merseyside Maritime Museum

Merseyside Maritime Museum (Albert Dock) leads the visitor through the great naval history of Liverpool. It’s the ideal location to explore the development of the world famous port. Boats, paintings, ship models, objects, uniforms and more bring Liverpool’s nautical history to life. On the 4th floor, enjoy a restaurant by stunning views of the Albert Dock.

Open Eye Gallery

The Open Eye Gallery of Liverpool is one of the most famous photographic galleries in Europe and hosts different exhibitions by famous contemporary photographers. As well as presenting a programme of international high-quality exhibitions, houses a permanent archive containing photographs dating from the 1930s to the present day. It is located in Mann Island at the heart of the regenerated Waterfront, next to the Museum of Liverpool, the Tate Liverpool and Albert Dock.

World Museum

World Museum Liverpool (in William Brown Street) houses a large number of collections dedicated to the Amazon forest and to the mysteries of space. It reveals millions of years of the Earth’s history through of exhibits and activities. A travel from the sea to the stars, to distant continents and ancient civilisations.

Tate Liverpool

The Tate of Liverpool (in Albert Dock) is the largest modern art gallery outside London and displays modern and contemporary art from 1900 to the present day. The Collection features the work of artists including L.S. Lowry, Marcel Duchamp, Barbara Hepworth, Henry Moore and William Blake.

Video: www.liverpoolmuseums.org.uk

Sudley House

The Sudley House of Liverpool (in Mossley Hill Road) is a marvellous Victorian house with a fascinating art gallery housing works by Millais, Rossetti, Burne-Jones, Turner, Romney, Gainsborough and Landseer. It is located in the heart of suburban Liverpool, at Sudley House.

Excursions in Liverpool

Beatles Magical Mystery Tour

Beatles Magical Mystery Tour is an original tour that takes visitors in discovery of the houses and schools of the Beatles, and places that inspired some of their most famous songs, such as Penny Lane and Strawberry Fields. The tour takes two hours around the city and ends at the legendary Cavern Club, where the Beatles held many of their first concerts.

Mersey Ferries

The experience begins on the river aboard a Mersey ferry, to see the amazing promenade of Liverpool. The trip lasts 50 minutes. Pic-nic on board in the indoor or outdoor seating areas. There is a cafe on the ferries which also serve drinks, hot and cold, and snacks.

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