Experiences

A weekend in Liverpool

Liverpool is a worthy city break destination in its own right, famous for its exciting history, the likes of Liverpool FC, and the origins of The Beatles. But the fame of this destination skyrocketed after the announcement that Liverpool will be hosting the world's largest live music event: the European song contest 2023. So whether you're packing your glad rags for the party of the year or simply planning a weekend getaway, there are plenty of fun things to do in Liverpool that we're here to share with you. From where to grab your morning coffee and foodie spots to live music, culture, and history, get ready to pack your bags and experience this exciting city.

08 May 2023 5 min to read

Embrace Liverpool's independent spirit

A great way to start your day in the city of Liverpool is to take a stroll down Bold Street - one of the city's most vibrant streets lined with independent shops and unique cafés. It's here you can start your day with your fuel of choice (try Leaf or Bold Street Coffee for interesting specialty drinks and great vibes) before exploring vintage boutiques and immersing yourself in Liverpool's independent spirit. At the top of the street, you can also check out some of the city's history at the shell of St. Luke's Church - a victim of a bombing in WWII.

Be a part of musical history

As home to the old stomping grounds of The Beatles who formed here back in 1960, it's no surprise that you'll find plenty of nods to the Fab Four across the city. To get a taste of their story, The Beatles Story museum is a great place to step back in time from their humble beginnings to fame and fortune. You can also pay a visit to the famous Cavern Club, the live music venue where the band started out. The club is still hosting live music today, and there's always a great atmosphere whether you're a Beatles fan or not.

But fast forward to 2023, and this UK destination is making new music history with the European song contest coming to Liverpool. The city is playing host to the epic live song contest in May, which will bring music fans from all over the world to M&S Bank Arena (previously Liverpool Echo Arena) which sits by the edge of the River Mersey on Liverpool Waterfront. If you're making the journey for a European song contest, Radisson RED Liverpool and Radisson Blu Hotel, Liverpool are both conveniently only 20 minutes walk from the Liverpool Arena.

Explore the waterfront

Liverpool Waterfront is one of the most beautiful parts of the city, and the buzzing atmosphere of this lively cultural hub is one to enjoy leisurely on foot. But don't miss out on some of the best views of the city from the water itself; we definitely recommend jumping on a ferry across the Mersey to see the sights by day or night as the lights start twinkling across the water.

If you'd rather stay on land, you can ogle at some of Liverpool's most majestic architecture by heading to Pier Head to cast your eyes on the impressive Royal Liver Building, Cunard Building and the Port of Liverpool Building, with views over the River Mersey behind you and the historical Royal Albert Dock to your left. If you're interested in historical architecture,Radisson RED Liverpool is a sight in itself, located in Liverpool’s iconic North Western Hall and bursting with history and heritage only a 15-minute walk from Pier Head.

Peruse the museums

Whether you're looking for contemporary art or local history, there is definitely a museum for everyone in Liverpool. You'll find many of them on the Royal Albert Dock including the aforementioned Beatles Story, TATE Liverpool, the Maritime Museum, and International Slavery Museum. A great way to spend the afternoon in the city is a visit to the World Museum Liverpool, closer to the city center. This is the oldest museum in Liverpool housing artefacts for all kinds of world history from Ancient Egypt to the dinosaurs, as well as an aquarium and planetarium.

Eat your way around the city

From independent bistros and exciting pop-ups to fine dining and high street favorites, Liverpool is a great place to be if you're a foodie. A popular favorite amongst the locals is The Baltic Market, a street food market with so many options that there's guaranteed to be something for even your fussiest travel companions. Other favorites are Hanover Street Social - an independent brasserie serving up delicious classic British cuisine, and Mowgli - an extremely popular UK chain putting out amazing traditional Indian food that we're yet to hear a bad word about.

Another great place to enjoy local British food is The White Bar at Radisson Blu Liverpool. Treat yourself to a traditional afternoon tea or try the famous local dish Scouse, a type of stew typically associated with the port of Liverpool. If you're one of the lucky ones heading to the European song contest, all these restaurants are less than a 20-minute walk from Liverpool Arena for a pre-show dinner, with Hanover Street Social only 10 minutes away on foot.

Bar hop your way through the night

It wouldn't be a weekend in Liverpool without a wild night out (although if you're one who prefers to cozy up in your hotel room with room service, we're here for that too!). This city has it all when it comes to nightlife, from quirky cocktails bars and independent venues to rowdy pubs and secret clubs. Seel Street is popular with both locals and visitors with some of the best bars in Liverpool, Concert Square is great for nightclubs, and Matthew Street is where you'll find the Cavern Club plus plenty of other bars giving out a good time.

If you're looking for something a little different, a local favorite is Berry and Rye - a hidden 1920s speakeasy that's worth a visit if you can find the door! If you fancy something a bit more crazy, Red Door is also popular amongst the locals; they serve great cocktails and are always packed on a Saturday night. Plus, if you find yourself in there until closing, you can easily meander home to Radisson RED Liverpool in 10 minutes after a tipple or three.

Liverpool really does have all the ingredients for a fun weekend getaway. And with our centrally located Liverpool hotels making everything accessible on foot, it couldn't be easier to make the most of a packed few days in this exciting city.

Related tags: Europe & CIS , United Kingdom , Liverpool , Radisson RED Liverpool , Radisson Blu Hotel, Liverpool

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