The Beatles Story, England’s largest cathedral: How to spend 36 hours in Liverpool

Situated on the northwest end of Great Britain is Liverpool city, a bustling waterfront metropolis rich with history. 

Step foot into the city, and you’ll be greeted by a welcoming community of “Scousers” (Liverpool English), one of the friendliest and strongest-spirited English in the country. 

Scouse has two meanings: it’s a stew dish eaten by sailors and locals in Liverpool, and it’s an accent. Thanks to their unique accent and sense of humour, Liverpudlians were eventually dubbed the Scouse. 

Though often overlooked for London and Edinburgh, Liverpool is a city worth adding to your list of travels in the UK, and for good reasons: it is the birthplace of The Beatles, it houses the professional Liverpool Football Club and it holds the largest cathedral in England. 

In this waterfront city, you’ll find hotels, shops, restaurants, museums and exciting events, all centred around the historic Albert Dock. 

If you’re making a quick stop at the city, here are all the things you must see and do: 

People walk inside Liverpool Anglican Cathedral in Liverpool. Source: Paul Ellis/AFP

36 hours in Liverpool city: From The Beatles story to England’s largest cathedral

DAY ONE

Start your day with a Beatles tour 

Since you’ll be at the birthplace of The Beatles, you have to visit at least one of The Beatles attractions or take a two-hour Magical Mystery Tour bus ride that brings you to the childhood homes of Paul, John, Ringo and George to the places that inspired iconic songs like “Penny Lane” and “Strawberry Fields,” all while listening about the band’s journey told by an expert Beatles Guide. 

A ticket costs a reasonable 20 pounds. Prefer to walk? There are private walking tours available too. 

Dine at the world-famous Cavern Club

Can’t get enough of The Beatles? The Magical Mystery Tour ends at Cavern Club, a remake of the iconic nightclub that formed the identity of The Beatles. 

Thanks to the tour, you’ll enjoy free entry into the nightclub, where you’ll receive an exclusive souvenir. While there, make sure to tuck into delicious meals, enjoy the live music and entertainment, catch various exhibitions and dance to The Beatles songs. 

Spend the rest of the day at Albert Dock 

Known as the vibrant city centre of Liverpool, Albert Dock is a place to visit museums (including a museum about the Beatles!), marvel at the complex dock of buildings and warehouses and have fun at a small amusement park. 

Some of the must-do here include: 

• Explore the old buildings and warehouses, which historically housed valuable cargoes such as brandy, cotton, tea, silk, tobacco, ivory and sugar
• Visit Tate Liverpool, a building that spans four floors, showcasing artworks of all kinds 
• Uncover the moving and fascinating stories of Liverpool’s seafarers and passengers at the Maritime Museum 

Famished from all of the sightseeing at Albert Dock? There are plenty of restaurants and bars around the area for dinner. The best part? Dining at Albert Dock during the night is incredibly beautiful — there are warm lights everywhere as you enjoy the cool sea breeze and calming sounds of waves. 

A gigantic mechanical spider walks through crowds of people at the Albert Dock in Liverpool city centre, north west England. Source: Andrew Yates/AFP

DAY TWO: 

Kickstart your morning at Cafe Tabac 

Established in 1974, Cafe Tabac has seen much of Liverpool city’s growth — today, it is one of the city’s longest-running cafe bars. 

Boasting bohemian vibes similar to that of Europe, Cafe Tabac attracts tourists and locals alike. It offers a great  breakfast items, all of which are reasonably priced and yummy! 

It’s a place worth checking out, especially if you’re up for a morning cuppa with some good breakfast. 

Unearth the history of England’s largest cathedral 

Liverpool Cathedral is one of England’s most prominent cathedrals — a significant reason why you should not sit this attraction out. 

Here, you’ll spend much of your time mesmerised by the intricate designs and architecture that made the cathedral a treasured gem. You’ll discover that every nook and cranny of the cathedral carries significance. 

Entrance is free, although donations are encouraged. 

But that’s not all — adjacent to the cathedral is the Liverpool Cathedral Tower, where you can take the elevator up and climb some stairs to get to the top of the tower — for a bird’s eye view of Liverpool. A ticket to climb up the tower costs 6 pounds per person.