So much to do, so little time! Liverpool is one of those cities that’s bursting with places to visit, things to do, and restaurants to try out. It’s probably best known as the birthplace of The Beatles, as well as for its iconic waterfront. Spending 48 hours in Liverpool is just enough time to see the city’s main highlights, but you may want to stay longer in order to find its hidden gems.
There are a lot of fun things to do in Liverpool, and you should be able to see most of the main attractions in 2 days. If the weather is nice one of the best places to walk in Liverpool is along the waterfront which is where you can hop on a boat cruise too. Here are some recommendations about what to do during 48 hours in Liverpool.
Things to do during 48 hours in Liverpool
Royal Albert Dock
If you go anywhere during your 48 hours in Liverpool, make sure it’s the heart of its waterfront – the Royal Albert Dock. For those of you who are music fans, this is where The Beatles Story can be found. The Royal Albert Dock originally opened in 1846, and was the most secure dock in the city, meaning that a lot of valuable cargo was stored here. It’s now one of the most popular places to visit in Liverpool, and is filled with unique shops and restaurants.
Port of Liverpool Building
As you make your way along the Pier Head, you’ll come across one of the most iconic skylines in the world. The Three Graces are a set of three historical buildings that line the Pier Head, and consist of the Royal Liver Building, The Cunard Building, and the Port of Liverpool Building.
The first building constructed was the Port of Liverpool Building in 1907 which was used as the headquarters of the Mersey Docks and Harbour Board. It’s one of the most beautiful attractions in Liverpool and makes for a great photo too!
Royal Liver Building
The most well-known landmark in Liverpool is the Royal Liver Building. It opened in 1911, and is dotted with Liver birds, which tell the story of the city’s maritime heritage. At the time of its construction, it was Europe’s first skyscraper and one of the first buildings in the world to be built using reinforced concrete.
Today it still functions as offices, but it’s now open to the public. If you only have 48 hours in Liverpool, don’t miss out on this important attraction. You can also check out the Titanic Memorial which is only a short walk from the Royal Liver Building.
Tate Liverpool
If you’re interested in visiting art galleries, Tate Liverpool is one of the most popular art galleries in England. If you’re visiting Liverpool on a budget this art gallery is completely free to enter, with a small fee imposed if you want to see specific exhibitions.
If you don’t have time to go inside of the art gallery, there is a very colourful installation outside of it called Liverpool Mountain, which is the first of its kind in Europe. Tate Liverpool is definitely worth a quick visit, especially if you’re only spending 48 hours in Liverpool.
Liverpool Cathedral
If you have time you should go and take a look at Liverpool Cathedral. This is a free attraction in Liverpool and is the 5th largest cathedral in Europe. It was constructed between 1904 and 1978, and its total external length makes it the longest cathedral in Europe. It’s also considered to be one of the tallest non-spired church buildings in the world! This is one attraction in Liverpool not to be missed.
Chinatown
Just in front of the cathedral is Liverpool’s Chinatown. It’s home to one of the largest and oldest Chinese communities in Europe. Apart from its restaurants, one thing that really stands out in Liverpool’s Chinatown is the traditional Chinese arch that greets you, which was built to celebrate the twinning of Liverpool and Shanghai.
Explore the streets of Liverpool
Liverpool is known for its shops so I would recommend walking around the streets in the city centre – you never know what you’ll come across! Liverpool ONE is the city’s main shopping centre which has been named one of Europe’s leading retail and leisure destinations. Many people choose to spend their full 48 hours in Liverpool shopping – that’s how many great retailers there are here.
Walk along church Alley
Church Alley is one of the more colourful streets in Liverpool, as it’s been decorated with hanging umbrellas. It’s located just off of one of the city’s main shopping streets, so you should have no problems finding it. If you’re looking for Instagrammable places in Liverpool, Church Alley is hard to beat.
Museum of Liverpool
Liverpool’s waterfront is my favourite part of the city and it’s home to the Museum of Liverpool. It’s the world’s first national museum devoted to the history of a regional city, and it’s also the largest newly-built national museum in the UK for more than 100 years.
It was opened in 2011 with the aim of telling the story of Liverpool and its people. The museum is a very popular tourist attraction in Liverpool, and its central location makes it easy to add to your itinerary if you’re only able to spend 48 hours in Liverpool.
Liverpool Town Hall
One of my favourite buildings that isn’t along the waterfront in Liverpool is the Liverpool Town Hall. This Grade I listed building was completed in 1754, and is one of the best surviving 18th century town halls in England still standing. The city council still meets here every seven weeks, and on certain days the building is open to the public for tours.
Enjoy the waterfront
Sitting between the Pier Head and the Royal Albert Dock are a number of interesting and picturesque spots where you can stop to take photos. If you only have 48 hours in Liverpool to spare, I would recommend spending a good portion of your itinerary along Liverpool’s waterfront.
Breakout Liverpool
Breakout Liverpool offers a variety of different breakout rooms to choose from, all of varying difficulties, with a great selection of unique themes as well. We chose The Heist, which gives you 60 minutes to try and break out of a bank with all of the gold.
Unfortunately we found it a little too difficult with just the two of us, so we didn’t make it out. Breakout rooms are a great activity to do in Liverpool when it’s raining and this one is located in the city centre, so it’s very easy to find and add into your schedule.
Throw some axes at TimberJacks
TimberJacks offers one of the most unique indoor activities in Liverpool. You’ll have to drive or taking public transportation to get to it but it’s definitely worth the trip. If you’ve never thrown an axe before, it does take a bit of time to get used to, but the staff are very helpful and take you through the different throwing techniques in stages.
You’re able to choose between different targets and they have snacks and drinks to purchase at the main desk. Don’t worry – you’re completely caged in from other axe throwers so it’s totally safe. It’s a really fun thing to do during 48 hours in Liverpool whether you’re travelling as a couple, a family, or with a group of friends.
Where to eat in Liverpool
Maggie Fu
If you love street food as much as I do, then you’re going to want to check out Maggie Fu. This Asian restaurant serves authentic Chinese food, and has a very big menu to choose from. The atmosphere here is very relaxed, so it’s perfect if you just want to have a chilled lunch or a quick bite to eat with your friends. Maggie Fu’s is doing a great job of bringing Chinese street food to Liverpool!
Liberté
There are many rooftop bars in Liverpool to choose from, but not many have a view quite like the one at Liberté! The restaurant boasts a Pan Asian style menu which is bursting with flavour, and their cocktail menu is just as unique. Unfortunately the rooftop bar at Liberté was closed when we visited, but it was recently voted in the top 25 rooftop bars in Europe. If you’re wanting a unique dining experience in during your 48 hours in Liverpool, Liberté is the perfect choice.
The Brunch Club
There are plenty of brunch spots in Liverpool to choose from, but one of the best options is The Brunch Club. Their menu has everything from classic brunch dishes to vegetarian and vegan brunch options. It also looks like they have a great drinks menu with a bottomless brunch option too. Check them out if you’re looking for somewhere to have brunch in Liverpool!
Where to stay in Liverpool
Aloft Liverpool
If you’re looking for a modern and conveniently located boutique hotel in Liverpool, Aloft Liverpool is a great option. Inside of the hotel you’ll find a gorgeous bar area complete with a pool table, as well as the very popular NYL Restaurant. As soon as you walk through the doors of the hotel you get the “wow factor” with its high ceilings, marble pillars, and a very modern reception and bar area on full display.
Breakfast at Aloft Liverpool is served in the main restaurant, and it has a good mixture of continental options and hot food. The staff are quick to replace everything, even in peak traffic times. I would add their breakfast to your booking if you want to save time during your 48 hours in Liverpool.
We stayed in their Savvy Guest Room with a king sized bed and amazing city views. The room was nice and spacious, and included a lovely gift basket as well as a handwritten welcome card. The bed itself was very comfortable and was positioned facing the large window so we could watch the sunset from the bed which was incredible.
Our room even had fresh dressing gowns and slippers to use which was a nice added touch. The walk-in shower was spacious and there were plenty of luxury toiletries dotted around the bathroom to use as well. We loved our stay here and would definitely recommend it to anyone who is planning on spending 48 hours in Liverpool and wants a relaxing hotel to come back to at the end of the day.
>> Click here for the most up to date prices at Aloft Liverpool <<
Liverpool is a great city to visit in England, whether you want to explore the city’s vast history, or simply want a chilled weekend away. There are a lot of things to see in Liverpool, and certainly a lot of places to eat in Liverpool as well, so it’s one city you won’t get bored of. Even if you’re only spending 48 hours in Liverpool, you’ll have more than enough time to see its main attractions.
Thinking of visiting Manchester? Check out my blog post covering what to do in the city and what to eat as well. I would also recommend taking a short drive to Blackpool, Burnley, or the Forest of Bowland if you’re looking for unique places to visit in England. Don’t forget to follow me on Instagram for more travel inspiration and tips!
This post may contain affiliate links, which means I may earn a commission from the discount codes used or when a link/ad is clicked. All purchases made will come at no extra cost to you, and I only include products and services that I would personally recommend.
Pin this blog post for later!
