Liverpool
Liverpool is a port city in northwest England on the River Mersey, known for the Beatles, its historic waterfront and free museums. It suits a two- to three-day city break.
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Liverpool is a port city in northwest England, on the east bank of the River Mersey. Its historic docks and merchant buildings, including the Three Graces on the waterfront, form part of a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The Beatles grew up here, and their story runs through the city's music history and streets. Start at Albert Dock, where the Merseyside Maritime Museum and Tate Liverpool are both based. Many of the city's museums are free to enter.
Plan two to three days for a city break. Direct trains from London take about two hours into Lime Street station. Spend the time on the waterfront, a Mersey ferry crossing, the museums and Hope Street, which links the two cathedrals. Football is a big part of city life, with Liverpool FC and Everton both based here. Summer is the warmest season, but expect rain at any time of year, so pack a waterproof.
Liverpool in five
- Ride the Mersey ferry cruiseThe River Explorer Cruise leaves from Pier Head on a published timetable, with commentary through the audio guide. Check the timetable for your day, since sailings vary by season and day of the week.Liverpool in 2 days
- Book The Beatles Story aheadThe museum at Albert Dock lists daily opening hours and online booking on its official site. Allow most of a morning and combine it with the waterfront walk.
- Plan a wet day in the big museumsWorld Museum and the Walker Art Gallery stand on William Brown Street, with Tate Liverpool and the Maritime Museum on the waterfront. Check each venue's opening days before you go.
- Arriving from abroad? Sort your ETA firstLiverpool John Lennon Airport has flights from the UK and Europe, and Lime Street station connects to the center. If you need a UK ETA, apply before you travel.UK ETA explained
- Book early on match days and festival weekendsFootball fixtures and big concerts raise room prices and fill the center. Check the fixture list before you pick dates.Where to stay in Liverpool
Things to do in Liverpool
See all attractions in Liverpool
Need to know
- Airport
- Liverpool John Lennon (LPL); Manchester (MAN) is the large alternative
- Getting there
- Direct trains from London Euston to Lime Street; also Manchester, Leeds and Birmingham
- Getting around
- Walking, Merseyrail trains, buses and the Mersey ferry
- Best base
- Waterfront or Ropewalks for a first visit
- Time needed
- 2 days; 3 with the Wirral or a day trip
Weather by month
- Rainy days
- Festival
- Best
- Mixed
- Poor
- JanuaryRain15 rainy daysHigh8°Low3°Cold, quietJanuaryRain
Poor
- High
- 8°
- Low
- 3°
- Precipitation
- 85 mm
- Rainy days
- 15
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Cold, quiet
- FebruaryRain14 rainy daysHigh9°Low4°Cold, quietFebruaryRain
Mixed
- High
- 9°
- Low
- 4°
- Precipitation
- 80 mm
- Rainy days
- 14
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Cold, quiet
- MarchRain15 rainy daysHigh10°Low4°Cool, showersMarchRain
Mixed
- High
- 10°
- Low
- 4°
- Precipitation
- 84 mm
- Rainy days
- 15
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Cool, showers
- AprilRain12 rainy daysHigh13°Low5°Mild, blossomAprilRain
Best
- High
- 13°
- Low
- 5°
- Precipitation
- 61 mm
- Rainy days
- 12
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Mild, blossom
- MayPartly cloudy12 rainy daysHigh16°Low8°Mild, greenMayPartly cloudy
Best
- High
- 16°
- Low
- 8°
- Precipitation
- 62 mm
- Rainy days
- 12
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Mild, green
- JuneRain15 rainy daysHigh19°Low11°Long daysJuneRain
Best
- High
- 19°
- Low
- 11°
- Precipitation
- 90 mm
- Rainy days
- 15
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Long days
- JulyRain17 rainy daysHigh20°Low13°Warm, festivalsJulyRain
Best
- High
- 20°
- Low
- 13°
- Precipitation
- 102 mm
- Rainy days
- 17
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Warm, festivals
- AugustRain16 rainy daysHigh20°Low13°Warm, busyAugustRain
Best
- High
- 20°
- Low
- 13°
- Precipitation
- 82 mm
- Rainy days
- 16
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Warm, busy
- SeptemberRain15 rainy daysHigh18°Low11°Mild, calmerSeptemberRain
Best
- High
- 18°
- Low
- 11°
- Precipitation
- 98 mm
- Rainy days
- 15
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Mild, calmer
- OctoberRain16 rainy daysHigh14°Low9°Autumn colorOctoberRain
Mixed
- High
- 14°
- Low
- 9°
- Precipitation
- 105 mm
- Rainy days
- 16
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Autumn color
- NovemberRain14 rainy daysHigh10°Low6°Wet, short daysNovemberRain
Mixed
- High
- 10°
- Low
- 6°
- Precipitation
- 85 mm
- Rainy days
- 14
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Wet, short days
- DecemberRain18 rainy daysHigh8°Low5°Christmas marketDecemberRain
Poor
- High
- 8°
- Low
- 5°
- Precipitation
- 101 mm
- Rainy days
- 18
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Christmas market
Average daily high and low in Liverpool, 2016–2025. Rainy day: 1 mm of rain or more.
Festivals: Aug Creamfields
Right now in Liverpool
Local time, today's weather and the exchange rate, refreshed through the day.
11
- Feels like
- 8°
- Humidity
- 73%
- Wind
- 11 km/h
- Chance of rain
- 0%
Liverpool
08:37 PM
Monday, November 2
- Today11°6°0%Monday: Cloudy. High 11°, Low 6°. Chance of rain 0%.
- Tue12°8°2%Tuesday: Cloudy. High 12°, Low 8°. Chance of rain 2%.
- Wed11°7°4%Wednesday: Cloudy. High 11°, Low 7°. Chance of rain 4%.
- Thu12°7°2%Thursday: Cloudy. High 12°, Low 7°. Chance of rain 2%.
- Fri11°8°10%Friday: Cloudy. High 11°, Low 8°. Chance of rain 10%.
- Sat9°7°9%Saturday: Cloudy. High 9°, Low 7°. Chance of rain 9%.
- Sun10°3°4%Sunday: Cloudy. High 10°, Low 3°. Chance of rain 4%.
Updated 06:10 PM local time · Weather data by Open-Meteo.com
Money
Mid-market rate1 USD = 0.7469 GBP
Rates from Nov 2, 2026 · Rates By Exchange Rate API
Every year
- AugCreamfieldsLiverpool
Day trips by train
- Chesterby trainA walled Roman city with a cathedral and river, easy by train.
- The Wirralby train or ferryCoastal villages and Port Sunlight across the Mersey.
- Isle of Manby ferry, about 2 hr 45 each wayBetter as an overnight stay than a day trip.Read the guide
Before you go to Liverpool
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Rules for Liverpool, checked
- Mersey River Explorer Cruise: adult £14.00, child £9.00; hourly weekday departures from Pier Head, 10am to 4pm; check the timetable for weekends.Checked Oct 2, 2026 · Source
- The Beatles Story opening hours at the time of checking: 9am to 6:30pm, last entry 5pm; fire alarm tests every Tuesday morning.Checked Oct 2, 2026 · Source
Liverpool FAQ
How many days do you need in Liverpool?
Two days cover the waterfront, the Beatles story, a museum and an evening in Ropewalks. A third day suits a day trip to Chester or the Wirral, or a slower museum day.
Is Liverpool worth visiting if you are not a Beatles fan?
Yes. The waterfront, museums, architecture and food scene stand on their own. Many visitors see one Beatles site and spend the rest of the time on museums and the river.
Where should I stay in Liverpool for the first time?
The waterfront or Ropewalks, both on foot to the sights. Choose the Georgian Quarter for calm, the Baltic Triangle for budget and nightlife, and Lime Street for early trains.
Is Liverpool better than Manchester for a weekend?
Liverpool is more compact, with a waterfront and a stronger Beatles and port story. Manchester is larger, with a bigger music and shopping scene. Pick by theme and your travel dates.
How far is Liverpool from London?
It is in north-west England, and direct trains run from London Euston to Lime Street. Check the National Rail site for the current journey time, since services vary by day.