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Waterfront, Liverpool

Creative Tourist

The waterfront, which takes in the Albert Dock and the Pier Head, is an integral part of Liverpool’s UNESCO World Heritage Site – and is the best place to get a feel for the city’s former grandeur. It features The Three Graces, a trio of buildings that were designed to illustrate Liverpool‘s immense wealth, the Baroque Port of Liverpool Building and the iconic Royal Liver Building, topped with two its cormorant-like Liver Birds. The female is said to look out over the sea for returning sailors, while the male looks over the city, to check the pubs are still open. 

The Albert Dock right on the water boasts the largest group of Grade I listed buildings in the UK and is home to numerous shops, restaurants and hotels in its red brick warehouses – as well as Tate Liverpool. This superb gallery is not a lone cultural highlight here, however; the waterfront also features the Maritime Museum, the International Slavery Museum, the Museum of Liverpool and Open Eye Gallery, a small photography gallery with a big reputation.

Our top picks

Tate Liverpool

Tate Liverpool, Albert Dock, Liverpool Waterfront, Liverpool, Merseyside, L3 4BB - Visit now

On Liverpool’s Albert Dock, The Tate Liverpool houses an impressive collection of modern and contemporary art, including works by artists such as Pablo Picasso, Mark Rothko, and Andy Warhol. The museum’s collection also includes a range of British art from the 20th century, including works by Barbara Hepworth, Henry Moore, and David Hockney.

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Tate Liverpool from across the docks
Image courtesy of Tate Liverpool.

Maritime Museum

Maritime Museum, Albert Dock, Liverpool, Merseyside, L3 4AQ - Visit now

The Royal Albert Dock is home to the Maritime Museum, the perfect place to get a feel for the small inlet that grew to become the gateway to the world. Maritime Museum tells the story of the Port of Liverpool, which has been graced by some of the finest ocean cruisers and transatlantic liners that made this a global trading city.

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Merseyside Maritime Museum, Liverpool, image courtesy of venue

Museum of Liverpool

Museum of Liverpool, Pier Head, Liverpool Waterfront,, Liverpool, Merseyside, L3 1DG - Visit now

Wedged between Royal Albert Doc and the Three Graces, The Museum of Liverpool  exists to tell the long and winding tale of Liverpool’s past through the 6,000 objects displayed on three floors. Visitors are given the chance to get under the skin of a city that was for 200 years one of the world’s most influential.

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Image courtesy of Visit Britain

Open Eye Gallery in Liverpool

Open Eye Gallery in Liverpool, 19 Mann Island, Liverpool Waterfront, Liverpool, Merseyside, L3 1BP - Visit now

Open Eye Gallery is an independent photography space and archive in Liverpool with a 35 year-plus history. As well as a regular programme of changing exhibitions, featuring both national and international photographers, Open Eye also runs courses, workshops and talks for serious photographers

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Open Eye Gallery. Image by Mark McNulty.

International Slavery Museum

International Slavery Museum, Albert Dock, Liverpool, Merseyside, L3 4AQ - Visit now

Set within the same building as the  Merseyside Maritime Museum, the International Slavery Museum looks over the docs whereby Liverpool was responsible for half the British transatlantic slave trade, and her ships carried perhaps 1.5 million enslaved Africans into slavery.

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Merseyside Maritime Museum & International Slavery Museum within Royal Albert Dock

Panoramic 34

Panoramic 34, West Tower, Brook Street, Liverpool, L3 9PJ - Visit now

Panoramic 34 is one of the UK’s highest restaurants and sits 90 metres above Liverpool’s Brook Street. With spectacular views of Liverpool, Wirral and out to the Irish Sea complete with an extensive cocktail menu and bar snacks., Panoramic 34 should be top of your list for fine dining in Merseyside.

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A table with a view of Liverpool at the fine dining restaurant Panoramic 34
Photo: Panoramic 34

RIBA North

RIBA North, 21 Mann Island, Liverpool, L3 1BP - Visit now

At the heart of RIBA North is the City Gallery, which houses a permanent display about Liverpool’s architectural past, present and future, and the processes involved in urban development and the evolution of the built environment. The gallery includes the Digital City Model, an interactive 3D model which recounts stories about Liverpool and the surrounding area. Younger visitors are invited to become architects themselves in the centre’s Lego city; RIBA North’s own in-house, child-friendly construction site.

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©Paul McMullin

Where to go in Liverpool

Liverpool
Restaurant
Hummingbird

Hummingbird is one of Liverpool’s most stylish and timeless cocktail bars.

Liverpool
Tourist Attraction
The Cavern Club

This Beatles favourite music venue has seen not only the biggest band in the world, but much around it – from 1950s Jazz and 21st Century indie rock.

Liverpool
Gallery
Arts Bar Baltic

A safe and creative space, with a mission to help support and develop Liverpool’s artistic scene.

Liverpool
Bar or Pub
Hangar 34

Hangar 34 is a huge warehouse, dedicated to live music, nightlife, exhibitions and much more. It’s always worth checking out.

Liverpool
Gallery
DOT-ART

This fabulous independent gallery is a venue providing exhibitions, classes and community spirit. Come and browse contemporary art of many varieties.

Liverpool
Event venue
Eric’s Live

This lively music venue in Liverpool is situated on the famous Matthew Street, music lovers heaven.

Liverpool
Restaurant
Bacino

Bacino pizza and cicchetti bring a slice of Naples cuisine to Liverpool. With tasty dishes and lots of drinks options.

Liverpool
Bar or Pub
Frederik’s

Frederik’s neighbourhood kitchen & bar has been the hub of the Georgian Quarter since 2013. Award winning cocktails and a great Sunday roast!

Liverpool
Restaurant
Silk Rd

Silk Rd Tapas serves up delicious Mediterranean small plates, named after the Silk Route, an ancient network of trade routes, bringing spices and silks.

See all places in Liverpool

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