How to Spend One Day in Liverpool: The Perfect Itinerary
This one-day Liverpool itinerary will help you take in all the highlights of this historic northern city – from its iconic waterfront and Georgian architecture to landmarks connected with The Beatles and the trendy spots in the city’s up-and-coming neighbourhoods.
I’ve visited Liverpool many times, thanks to living in Manchester, which is just a short train ride away. It always amazes me that, despite its relatively compact size, Liverpool is home to such a wealth of museums and historic attractions.
Ultimately, one trip won’t be enough to see everything the city has to offer. However, this itinerary should give you a flavour of some of Liverpool’s most iconic sights and neighbourhoods.
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One Day in Liverpool Itinerary
This itinerary assumes you have a full day in the city and focuses on sights located in the city centre, simply because there won’t be enough time to venture further afield.
Breakfast: The Italian Club Bakery
When it comes to quality bakeries and cafés, you’re spoilt for choice in Liverpool city centre. Before diving into all the stops on this itinerary, I recommend starting your day at The Italian Club Bakery, a cosy spot located on Duke Street, right in the heart of the city.
This independent café serves delicious pastries, freshly made focaccia sandwiches, and croissants – all made on-site. You can even watch the chefs at work through a large window at the back of the café.
While a scrumptious pastry may not be the healthiest way to start the day, it’s certainly a delightful one.
Morning: Royal Albert Dock and the Waterfront

After breakfast, head to one of the most beautiful areas in Liverpool – Royal Albert Dock and the waterfront. The walk from The Italian Club Bakery to the dock takes around 10 minutes.
Royal Albert Dock was built in the 19th century and once housed bustling warehouses on the banks of the River Mersey. However, during the 1970s, as Britain’s economy underwent major structural changes, the dock was abandoned.
Thankfully, in the 1980s, a redevelopment programme began, gradually transforming the docks into the vibrant cultural area we know today, complete with museums, restaurants, and shops.
Spend the morning wandering the dock, then continue your walk along the city’s picturesque waterfront. You’ll pass the iconic Three Graces: the Royal Liver Building, the Cunard Building, and The Port of Liverpool Building.
Along the way, you’ll also spot a large statue of The Beatles – a popular selfie spot. There are often buskers performing nearby, adding some live music to the atmosphere.

While you’re in the area, I recommend visiting one of the many museums located there. My personal favourites include:
- The Beatles Story – As the name suggests, this is the place to learn all about the Fab Four.
- Tate Liverpool (currently undergoing renovation) – An art gallery showcasing modern and contemporary art.
- Museum of Liverpool – The best place to explore the history and identity of the city
Lunch: Albert Dock
After enjoying the historic architecture and museums, it’s time to recharge. Albert Dock is home to a great mix of cafés and restaurants to suit all tastes. Here are a few excellent options:
- Francie’s Focaccia & Coffee – As the name suggests, this café serves delicious Italian focaccia sandwiches filled with fine Italian cheeses and cured meats. They also offer sumptuous sweet treats such as cannoli.
- Maray – One of my personal favourites, this Mediterranean restaurant serves a selection of mezze and small plates, perfect for sharing.
- Lunyalita – Enjoy a large variety of Spanish tapas, with lunch offers available Sunday to Friday.
Afternoon: The Cavern Quarter, Chinatown, Georgian Quarter

As part of this itinerary, we’ll spend the afternoon exploring other famous neighbourhoods of the city. Just a 15-minute walk from Albert Dock is the Cavern Quarter, an area made famous by its associations with The Beatles.
The heart of the Cavern Quarter is Mathew Street, where you’ll find the iconic Cavern Club, where the Fab Four began their career. Although today’s club is a reconstruction, the area is also home to the Beatles Museum, the John Lennon statue, and various other Beatles-themed bars and eateries.
It’s admittedly quite touristy, and I don’t necessarily rate the establishments themselves, but it’s worth a visit. It’s a lively little area, and you’ll be able to take photos at some of the city’s most iconic spots.
From here, you can walk through the Liverpool ONE shopping development and along Duke Street to Chinatown, the first Chinatown established in Europe. The area is marked by an impressive Chinese Arch, imported from Shanghai, and is home to many Chinese restaurants.

Just a short walk from Chinatown is Liverpool’s Georgian Quarter, one of my personal favourite parts of the city. It boasts rows of elegant Georgian townhouses, smart eateries, and cosy pubs.
Hope Street is the main thoroughfare of the quarter, flanked by two iconic cathedrals: the Gothic Liverpool Cathedral and the Modernist Metropolitan Cathedral. I highly recommend visiting both as they are strikingly different architecturally.

Dinner: Baltic Triangle
If you have time at the end of your Liverpool day trip, consider finishing the day in one of the city’s trendiest neighbourhoods – the Baltic Triangle. Located just a 15-minute walk from the Georgian Quarter, this area is full of independent bars, shops, and eateries.
For dinner, head to the Baltic Market, which brings together several independent traders serving street food from around the world, including Thailand, Italy, and the United States. Indulgent desserts are also on offer – perfect for a sweet finish to your day.
Best Time to Visit Liverpool
You can easily visit Liverpool year-round, as most of its attractions are not seasonal. However, if you want to increase your chances of enjoying the best weather, aim to visit between May and September. Do keep in mind that this is also the most popular time to visit, so expect larger crowds.
It’s worth noting that British weather is notoriously unpredictable, even in the height of summer, so make sure to check the forecast closer to your trip and prepare accordingly.
How to Get to Liverpool
If you’re heading to Liverpool for a day trip, the most convenient way to get there is by train. Travellers from other parts of the UK will likely arrive at Liverpool Lime Street Station, which is within easy reach of the neighbourhoods and attractions featured in this itinerary.
Coach travel, with operators such as National Express, is also an option, as the coach stop is located near the waterfront. However, journey times to the city may be significantly longer.
How to Get Around Liverpool
This itinerary doesn’t require public transport. Most of the historic neighbourhoods in the city centre are within a 15-20-minute walk of each other, so you might as well explore the city on foot.
If extensive walking isn’t an option, you can make use of the local bus network. Visit the Merseytravel website to use the journey planner, where you can check routes, timetables, and fares.
Budget for a Day in Liverpool
Most of the attractions mentioned in this itinerary – with the exception of The Beatles Story and the Liverpool Beatles Museum – are free to enter. If you choose to skip those, your only expenses will be on food and drink.
Here’s a breakdown of potential costs:
- The Beatles Story: £20 per adult / £11 per child
- Liverpool Beatles Museum: £20 per adult / £8.50 per child
- Dining: £80–£100 per person for three meals
Where to Stay in Liverpool
Although this one-day Liverpool itinerary works well for a day trip, you might also choose to stay overnight, giving you a full day to explore the city at a more relaxed pace.
I’ve previously stayed at Staycity Aparthotel Liverpool City Centre, located on Duke Street, right next to The Italian Club Bakery. This good-value hotel offers comfortable apartments with well-equipped kitchens, so you can save money by preparing some of your own meals.
Final Thoughts
I hope you’ve found this Liverpool itinerary helpful. A single day in the city will certainly give you a taste of what Liverpool has to offer.
However, if you’d like to explore Liverpool’s famous museums and historic attractions in more detail, I’d recommend dedicating a bit more time to the city. This itinerary for a weekend in Liverpool will help you plan a longer trip.
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