Liverpool is an iconic city in the North West of England and is the perfect place to escape to for a weekend in Liverpool.
The city has become a popular location for a weekend escape or a few days away, for couples, groups of friends, and families. So if you are wanting to spend 48 hours in Liverpool then this guide covers where to stay in Liverpool, where to eat and drink, and also the best things to do in Liverpool with the time you have available.
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Where to stay in Liverpool: short breaks accommodation ideas
With just a weekend in Liverpool, that means you may only get one night here, so you are either going to be wanting it to be extra special or you are treating it as just a bed as you plan to make the most of every hour you have.
Here are a few options depending on your budget to make the most of the short breaks Liverpool has to offer.
Budget-friendly option
Sometimes you want a budget option, but still love the idea of a unique location. This is when Airbnb can be a great option to consider. There are so many city centre accommodation options offering you self catering and excellent quality for reasonable prices. Which can be extremely budget-friendly when it comes to
Alternatively if you’d prefer a hotel, check out the Jurys Inn Liverpool or the Novotel Liverpool Centre. Both are ideally centrally located.
Unique places to stay in Liverpool
If you are looking for something a little different then why not consider the Titanic Hotel. This is a beautiful hotel that gives you that feeling of luxury in plush surroundings. It showcases the luxury you may have expected on the ship all those years ago. Rooms start from £149.
If unique accommodation options are right up your street, then why not stay on an actual boat? The Titanic Boat is a three bedroom houseboat – perfect for a unique girls trip to Liverpool or a fun family getaway to the city.
Luxury accommodation option
Last of all, if you want a luxury stay then why not consider a stay at the Duke Street Boutique Hotel. It’s a sophisticated and boldly designed boutique hotel to give you amazing rooms and accommodation to enjoy while you stay in Liverpool. Perfect for a romantic Liverpool weekend away.
A weekend in Liverpool: City Guide
Whether you’re visiting with family, friends or your partner, there is of course plenty of things to do in Liverpool, whatever the weather!
Use this Liverpool itinerary to help you plan your weekend away.
Day 1: Weekend away in Liverpool
Grab Breakfast (or brunch!) at The Baltic Social and wander around the city’s Baltic Triangle
Start your day off right with a big filling breakfast from The Baltic Social.
This quirky spot is full of mismatched furniture, with great portion sizes and if you’re on a weekend with friends, don’t miss their bottomless brunch offering!
Located in the Baltic Triangle area of Liverpool, this creative district of the city has seen a huge surge in popularity. Once a rundown, abandoned part of the city, it’s now full of edgy, independent businesses, creative stores, thriving music and hospitality scene.
Visit the World Museum or the Maritime Museum
Liverpool is full of museums, many looked after by the National Museums Liverpool organisation.
Because you’re short on time, you sadly can’t visit them all. But both the World Museum and the Maritime Museum are free to visit.
So if you’re interested in Liverpool’s maritime history and the shipping industry here, don’t miss the Maritime Museum down at the docks.
If you’re not a Maritime enthusiast, check out the World Museum which is packed full of world culture, natural history, international exhibits and interactive displays across 5 floors.
While you’re at the World Museum enjoy the architecture of the Central Library and St. George’s Hall, right by the Museum in St George’s Place.
Stroll along the Royal Albert Docks
One of the most iconic parts of the city, the Royal Albert Docks are so recognisable and you can take in the views of the city and the Mersey as you take a stroll along here.
Gin Tour and Tasting at the Liverpool Gin Distillery
Did you know Liverpool is home to its own gin distillery?
For something a little different, why not enjoy a gin distillery tour and tasting of 4 different gins at the Liverpool Gin Distillery, just steps from the Liverpool docks.
Gin tours and tastings cost £38.50 or for £70 you can enjoy a Gin Lab experience and learn all about the history and botanics of the gin before producing your own bottle of the gin!
Visit the Beatles Story
While you’re in the area of the Docks, you’ll also find the Beatles Story exhibition located there.
The Beatles Story is the world’s largest permanent exhibition dedicated to the music legends that are The Beatles. The exhibition costs £17 to visit (correct at time of writing) and is a must-visit for fans of the Beatles or any music enthusiasts.
Enjoy Afternoon Tea or drinks with a view at Oh Me Oh My
Located on Water Street, just across the road from the waterfront is a restaurant bar called OH ME OH MY. The beautiful interior is a sophisticated setting to enjoy their afternoon tea menu.
Or if it’s later in the day, why not head to their rooftop terrace to enjoy a cocktail with views across the city skyline. The rooftop bar seems to be a well-kept secret, but located opposite the iconic Liver Building, it won’t be secret for long!
Day 2: Weekend away in Liverpool
Breakfast at Moose Coffee
Nowhere says cosy Sunday breakfast like Moose Coffee on Hope Street in Liverpool city centre.
Whether it’s a stack of pancakes, eggs benny or a Full English, Moose Coffee has a menu to keep everyone happy before you start your day!
Soak in 360o views of Liverpool from the Cathedral Tower
A great activity for couples, friends or families is the viewing platform in the Vestey Tower at Liverpool Cathedral.
The only open air 360o rooftop view of Liverpool, this is a great, budget-friendly way to see the city from above, especially if you’ve got kids and OH ME OH MY was off the menu for you the night before!
Tickets cost £6 for adults, £5 for concessions for £16 for a family. You usually don’t need to book online in advance and can just turn up.
The cathedral itself is free to visit.
Visit a Football Stadium
One for the football fans! Any football fan may like to visit the two iconic football stadiums in Liverpool. The city is home to both Everton Football Club and Liverpool Football Club.
Both clubs offer tours of the stadium as well as time to visit the historical exhibits showcasing the clubs history and famous memorabilia from the club’s lifetime.
Book a tour for Everton Football Club here.
Book a tour for Liverpool Football Club here.
Take a Walk at Everton Park and Garden
If you’re eager to escape the city for a bit of a stroll, visit Everton Park and Gardens. It’s not far from both the football stadiums so an easy stroll after your stadium tour or instead of a stadium tour if you’re not a football fan!
Park at Rupert Lane Free Parking (can be found on Google Maps) and from here you can enjoy the incredible views of the city during the day or see the lights at dusk.
There’s space for kids to play or you can enjoy a romantic stroll through the gardens.
This is one of the less tourist-orientated spots in this itinerary which makes it more enjoyable.
It really is Liverpool’s answer to London’s Primrose Hill!
Go on a Mersey River Cruise
One of our favourite Liverpool activities is a Mersey River Cruise because it’s the perfect activity whether you’re looking for things to do in Liverpool for couples or things to do in Liverpool for kids.
Book here to get your river cruise tickets for just £11!
This is the perfect way to round off your last day on your weekend Liverpool trip.
Dine in style on your last evening
If you really want to splash out on a romantic or memorable meal, don’t miss Panoramic 34 – the UK’s tallest restaurant with incredible views over the city of Liverpool.
Alternatively, Mowgli Restaurant is a great Indian street food eatery for families, couples and friends with an amazing menu and beautiful decor.
Other things to do near Liverpool
If you want to swap out any of these activities on your weekend trip to Liverpool, perhaps you need a more kid-orientated itinerary, maybe you extend your stay so you have more than 2 days in Liverpool or maybe rainy weather means you’ve had to change your plans.
Here are a few options in and around Liverpool which you could also fit in your weekend to Liverpool.
See the Anthony Gormley statues at Crosby Beach
Just 15 minutes north of the city is Liverpool’s Crosby Beach where you’ll find the eerie and iconic Anthony Gormley art installation called ‘Another Place’.
The piece is made up of 100 cast-iron figures standing on 3km of the beachfront and about 1km out into the sea. Each figure is a cast from the artist’s own body and are life-sized.
The installation has travelled all over the world and is meant to represent man’s relationship with nature. They will remain permanently at Crosby Beach so they’re a great addition to your Liverpool itinerary if you’re looking for things to do around Liverpool.
Enjoy a drive at Knowsley Safari park
If you’ve travelled to Liverpool by car, then this is a fun and pretty unique thing to do in Liverpool.
This animal-focused attraction is one that everyone will love and Knowsley Safari is located about 30 minutes outside of Liverpool city centre. You drive around the safari park and spot the roaming animals. There are also walking zoo areas if you don’t have a car, as well as fairground rides and play areas.
A perfect family day out in Liverpool.
Museum of Liverpool
If you love museums then this is another Liverpool Museum to add to your list. The Museum of Liverpool was purpose-built and is dedicated to displaying the city’s varied and extensive history, culture and heritage.
It’s also another great free museum to visit.
Visit Chester and Chester Zoo
Just 40 minutes outside the city is the gorgeous city of Chester. Famous for its beautiful architecture and Roman city walls and Roman remains, the city itself is worth visiting.
But you can also visit Chester Zoo and see an incredible range of animals, over 21,000 animals to be exact! You can also book animal experiences like the Komodo Dragon Experience, the Meerkat Experience or the Elephant Experience.
Imagine That! Science and Discovery Centre
Another brilliant activity for children, especially on rainy days!
The Imagine That! Science and Discovery Centre is a great day out with 15,000 square feet of exhibits. Book tickets on the website.
Getting around Liverpool for the weekend
Liverpool has an international airport and you will find that it is only a short trip to the city centre by taxi. There are main stations in the city centre that will help you get to Liverpool by train which makes it a very easily accessible city on most major rail lines in England. The journey time can vary depending on where you are travelling from and what service you choose.
There are 68 stations in and around Liverpool that will help you to get around and see different parts of the area without it taking too long. There are four city centre stations meaning that you will always be in close proximity to the rail network.
Taxi and bus are both easy, affordable ways of navigating the city and buying a bus day ticket will enable you to hop on and off as much as you like.
Why not cross the Mersey in style and take the ferry crossing. It is a great way to see the city from a different perspective and enjoy some incredible views.
Summary: Weekend in Liverpool
Whether you choose to follow the itinerary exactly or build it into your own, Liverpool has so much to offer, you really won’t be stuck for ideas for your 2 days in Liverpool and the Merseyside region.
But hopefully this list gives you plenty of inspiration for your trip and days out in Liverpool, as well as the variety of culture and entertainment there is available in this great northern England city!
Pin this for later to help you plan your future trip!
