With a population of nearly 500,000 residents, Liverpool is among the ten largest cities in the United Kingdom.
It’s located in the northwestern portion of the country, and is a stone’s throw inland from the Irish Sea on the River Mersey.
Liverpool’s roots date back to the early years of the 13th century when it was originally established as a small borough.
Since the Industrial Revolution, it has changed into one of the region’s busiest ports and most productive industrial areas. Now, it’s known the world over for its diehard football fans and abundant historic and Beatles-related attractions.
Below are 15 of the best tours of Liverpool.
1. Private 3-Hour Beatles Tour by Taxi
Source: kenny1 / shutterstockMusic lovers visiting Liverpool tend to spend significant portions of their vacation time following in the footsteps of the Fab Four. Previous guests of this private 3-hour taxi tour have described it as akin to taking a giant leap into the past.
After being picked up from their accommodations by their driver-guide, guests will set out to explore a number of haunts that were once the stomping grounds of John, Paul, George, and Ringo before they were household names.
Tour highlights include Penny Lane, Strawberry Fields, and other prominent attractions that played significant roles in the band’s rocket to stardom.
2. The Dark Side of Liverpool 1 ½-Hour Ghost History Tour
Source: www.getyourguide.comFor those who’ve had their fill of the city’s traditional attractions, this dark side ghost history tour would be a great way to spend a few hours exploring the city’s eerie and macabre side.
Along with their guide, guests will head into parts of the city that most tours tend to avoid, and therein lies its allure.
Tours include fascinating tidbits of Beatles lore, a few unknown gems of World War II history, and some of the city’s most impressive gothic cathedrals and their sprawling graveyards—many of which are packed with those who died from the plague in centuries long past.
3. Liverpool River Cruise, Bus Tour, and Cathedral Tower
Source: berm_teerawat / shutterstockLiverpool’s waterfront area is a designated UNESCO World Heritage Site, and seeing it from the deck of a river ferry is an experience worth taking advantage of when in town.
The narrated cruise portion of the tour lasts just shy of an hour, after which participants will explore the city by bus and get up-close-and-personal with a number of prominent attractions, including the iconic Cathedral Tower.
The tour costs include tickets to the Cathedral Tower and entrance to the U-boat docked at the Woodside Ferry Terminal.
After it’s all said and done, each guest will be able to proclaim that he or she has indeed been ‘ferried across the Mersey.’
4. Silent Disco Adventure Tour
Source: www.getyourguide.comIf you’ve ever asked yourself what a silent disco tour was, you’re in luck’ this one-hour Liverpool adventure excursion is the answer to that very question.
Though tours of this nature may not be a good fit for introverts and those who shun making a spectacle of themselves, they tend to be among the most memorable and exhilarating experiences of many vacationer’s trips.
Following their guide’s lead, guests will don their headphones and embark on a tour of Liverpool’s attractions while singing, dancing, and generally carrying-on like someone who’s lost their mind.
Bring an open mind and comfy shoes.
5. Official Peaky Blinders Half-Day Tour
Source: scullydion / shutterstockAnyone’s who’s ever sat through a season or two of Peaky Blinders knows that Liverpool has a reputation as a tough and unforgiving town.
The good news is that fans of the show can visit nearly a dozen filming locations in and around the city without subjecting themselves to gang wars, gunshots, or revenge beatings.
This four-hour bus tour includes the services of a friendly and knowledgeable local guide who is solely focused on providing a unique and immersive experience that also touches on history and culture as they relate to the show.
Tours include round-trip transportation to and from a central meeting point in the city.
6. Liverpool Football Club Explorer Bus Tour
Source: terry bouch / shutterstockThis LFC tour has been painstakingly designed to include many of the city’s premier football attractions in one valuable package, making it a big hit with locals and international visitors alike.
Since the league was formed nearly 150 years ago, Liverpool is the only city in the United Kingdom to have a championship-level team without interruption.
Tour stops include the team’s stadium, an interactive on-site museum, the LFC’s official merchandise store, and the ever-popular Boot Room Sports Café.
Tickets are valid for one day, but schedules change on match days, so click the link below for more details.
7. 50-Minute River Mersey Cruise
Source: Shaun Jeffers / shutterstockRelatively short tours are a great bet for visitors who want to experience all Liverpool has to offer without committing to more traditional full-day outings.
On this 50-minute River Mersey cruise, guests will see a number of the city’s premier attractions, including its two cathedrals, Albert Dock, and the impressive waterfront.
Guests will learn interesting tidbits of local history along the way. They’ll also have the option of getting off and exploring on their own at the Seacombe or Woodside terminals and hopping on another ferry later to complete their trip.
Tours also include complimentary entry to the U-Boat Story submarine museum at Woodside.
8. 24-Hour Hop-On Hop-Off Bus Tour
Source: cowardlion / shutterstockThe city of Liverpool features varied attractions that touch on everything from sports and the arts to history and architecture.
For those who prefer to see things on their own schedule, hop-on hop-off tours are great ways to efficiently use limited time without spending an arm and a leg.
This 24-hour bus tour option includes stops at more than a dozen sites, like the fabled Mersey ferries, the city’s epic cathedrals, and several other attractions like Albert Dock and the Caravan Quarter.
Tours run year-round. Guests can explore the attractions that interest them and skip those that don’t.
9. Magical Beatles Museum Ticket
Source: Ink Drop / shutterstockNot surprisingly, Liverpool is home to one of the most authentic and extensive Beatles’ museums anywhere in the world.
For lovers of all things related to the Fab Four, there’s no better way to spend a few hours or an entire day than by showing yourself around the museum’s fascinating exhibits.
There you’ll find hundreds of one-of-a-kind items that include real instruments used by the group, promotional posters from the days before they attained stardom, and glasses that belonged to John Lennon as a young man.
Tickets are valid for one day, so visitors can see things at their own pace without feeling rushed.
10. One Big Brilliant Day Out Walking Tour
Source: JuliusKielaitis / shutterstockFor those who value physical exertion and efficient utilization of valuable vacation time, this One Big Brilliant Day Out Walking Tour is the perfect option.
Though the tour covers a lot of ground, it generally proceeds at a leisurely pace, which makes it appropriate for those of most ages and levels of physical ability.
After meeting their guide at a central location, hearty walkers will set out to learn about the city’s history and culture, and visit many of its most prominent attractions.
Tours include background on The Beatles’ legacy and stops at the impressive waterfront and Radio City Tower that stretches nearly 300 feet into the sky over the city and Mersey River.
11. Haunted Liverpool City Exploration Game and Tour
Source: kenny1 / shutterstockPhone-based app tours are becoming big hits with travelers who’ve had their fill of traditional tours with fixed itineraries.
All guests need to get started on this Haunted Liverpool City Exploration Game and Tour is a well-charged smartphone and a solid internet connection.
Once underway, groups will solve clues and riddles, after which they’ll be remotely guided to some of the city’s most haunted and macabre corners, where they’ll learn about local history from a unique and often hair-raising perspective.
There’s no time limit, so guests can see things at their own pace and make impromptu stops for rest and refreshment if the spirit moves them.
12. 2-Hour Strawberry Field and Penny Lane Tour
Source: chrisdorney / shutterstockIn just a few hours, it’s possible to hit some of Liverpool’s most iconic Beatles attractions with a knowledgeable local guide.
After a brief meet and greet near The Beatles statue on the waterfront, guests will be whisked past a number of significant childhood sites where the would-be stars studied, partied, and performed before being catapulted onto the global stage.
At Strawberry Field and Penny Lane, guests will literally follow in the band’s footsteps. There’ll be ample time to ask questions, snap memorable photographs, and learn about how the area has changed since the ‘50s and ‘60s.
13. The Beatles Story Ticket
Source: Debu55y / shutterstockMore than half a century ago, four young men from Liverpool embarked on a meteoric musical career that propelled them to international stardom the likes of which the world had never seen.
In case you’re wondering, their names were John, Paul, George, and Ringo, and they came from surprisingly humble beginnings.
The Beatles Story is one of the city’s premier attractions. Guests who choose to visit will have access to interactive exhibits, authentic memorabilia, first-hand accounts, and living history audio guides that feature narration in more than ten languages.
Tickets are good for one full day, so guests can see things at their own pace.
14. Theatrical History Tour and Dead House
Source: www.getyourguide.comTours in which the guide dresses in historical garb and speaks in traditional, era-specific lingo tend to make for truly unique and memorable experiences.
This history of Liverpool tour is led by a theatrical guide and focuses on areas of the city that often get avoided by more traditional tours.
Tours last about 90 minutes and get underway when the sun has already set, making for an alluringly eerie and educational evening.
Highlights include Castle Street and the Town Hall, as well as the underground morgue known as the ‘Liverpool Dead House’ and the Church of Our Lady and St. Nicholas.
15. The Beatles to the Blitz Walking Tour
Source: Debu55y / shutterstockMusic lovers from all over the world descend on Liverpool every year to explore the back alleys and quiet residential streets that were once the stomping grounds of the young men who’d go on to become The Beatles.
This unique combo tour combines several prominent musical attractions, as well as historical ones that relate to the city’s bombing during World War II.
Guests will learn why Liverpool was recently voted one of the country’s cultural capitals and visit Chinatown, a number of musical attractions, and filming locations for some blockbuster movies in recent years.
Tours last about 2 ½ hours and begin mid-afternoon.