If you’re visiting Liverpool for the very first time this year, chances are you’ll want to take a few tours. After all, there really isn’t a better way to see the places you want to see without really knowing your way around. Fortunately, this friendly and vibrant city in North West England has an abundance of outstanding tours and then some. For instance, there are tours of football stadiums and famous Beatles landmarks, as well as cycling tours and foodie tours. Of course, there are Mersey ferry tours, private taxi tours and hop-on, hop-off bus tours. While you are free to do whatever you choose to do, it’s important realize that a tour will make your visit that much easier. With this in mind, here is a look at 10 of the best tours in this historic city also known as the birthplace of the Beatles.
Cavern City Tours
Anchor Courtyard, Albert Dock
Liverpool L3 4AS, UK
+44 0151 703 9100
www.cavernclub.com
As the name suggests, Cavern City Tours are tours under the ownership of the world-famous Cavern Club. Among these tours is the affordable two-hour Magical Mystery Tour, with departures from the Royal Albert Dock. With the purchase of an adult ticket for £19.95 (≈$24), you can see many of the most famous Beatles landmarks. This includes brief stops at Paul McCartney’s childhood home, Penny Lane and Strawberry Field. Additional highlights include passing by the church where John and Paul first met and Lennon’s childhood home. The tour culminates at the Cavern Club, making it the only city tour that stops there. In fact, your ticket also includes same day complimentary admission to the world’s most famous club. In addition are private Beatles tours and reservations can be made online.
Related: America’s Best Places for Beatles Fans
City Explorer Liverpool
Gower St. Royal Albert Dock
Liverpool L3 4AS
+44 0151 933 2324
www.facebook.com/cityexplorerliverpool
In operation for nearly 25 years, City Explorer Liverpool offers very affordable tours of the city. The first that be of interest to you is the Hop On-Hop Off Liverpool Tour. With adult tickets for under $15, this tour allows you to visit several local attractions over a 24-hour period. For instance, there are hop on, hop off stops at Royal Albert Dock, Pier Head and Anglican Cathedral. Yet another tour you may wish to try is the 24-hour Beatles Explorer, transporting you to places like Penny Lane and Strawberry Field. However, unlike the city tour which runs up to four times an hour, the Beatles Explorer is twice a day. In addition are 48-hour combination tours, such as the Hop On-Hop Off tour and a ferry across the Mersey.
Everton Football Club Tours
Goodison Park
Goodison Road
Liverpool L4 4EL, UK
www.evertonfc.com
Everton isn’t nearly as internationally famous as Liverpool FC. What’s more, Goodison Park doesn’t have quite the capacity as Anfield, falling short by nearly 15,000 seats. On the other hand, if you’re a football/soccer fan, it’s definitely worth a visit. Even further, it’s known to be Sir Paul McCartney’s favorite team. If that’s not enough, this may be the last year to tour Goodison as the new Everton Stadium is set to open in 2024. Tours of Goodison Park are generally held daily with the exception of match days and special events. Yet during the offseason, there may be days that tours may be not available due to pitch maintenance, etc. Of course. like Anfield, you can always consider the exciting experience of attending a live match. Among the bus routes to catch from Liverpool One to Goodison Park are routes 19, 21 and 26.
Related: Famous Music Locations in London, England
Fab 4 Taxi Tours
54 St. James St.
Liverpool L1 0AV, UK
+44 (0)151 601 2111
www.fab4taxitours.com
Now in its 16th year, Fab 4 Taxi Tours is an award-winning business offering private tours to several famous Beatles sites. It’s also the city’s first taxi sightseeing company as well as the largest, with a fleet of taxis at your service. You can choose from Beatles tours that start at £95 (≈$113) for up to six guests in a single cab. In other words, that’s a tremendous bargain if you’re traveling with a large group. Yet another popular option you might like is the three-hour Classic Beatles Tour at £130 (≈$155). This includes stops at your top Beatles attractions like Penny Lane, Strawberry Field and Eleanor Rigby’s gravesite. In addition, Fab 4 Taxi Tours offers longer tours as well as excursion tours for cruise ships. That’s not to mention that Fab 4 Taxi Tours has a perfect rating from nearly 5,000 reviews on TripAdvisor.
Liverpool City Sights
Gower St., Royal Albert Dock
Liverpool L3 4AS, UK
+44 151 298 1253
www.liverpoolcitysights.com
Yet another top-ranking hop on, hop off tour operator to consider is Liverpool City Sights. Much like City Explorer, City Sights offers a hop on, hop off city tour and a city/Beatles tour. What’s more, the prices are similar, including discounts for children, students and older visitors. However, Liverpool City Sights was named among the Top 10 Experiences in the World in 2022. Moreover, this operator offers many additional departures of its Beatles tour, also known as the Blue Route. With that mind, it’s clear you’ll be on a world-class tour to see the best attractions of this vibrant city. In addition to the Red city route and the Blue Beatles route are combination offers to other city attractions. For instance you can combine a Blue tour with admission to the Beatles Story museum or a Red with the Radio City tour.
Liverpool FC Stadium Tour
Anfield Road
Liverpool L4 0TH
+44 151 260 6677
www.stadiumtours.liverpoolfc.com
Europe’s most famous stadiums and home to Liverpool FC, it’s also the city’s oldest. There are several Liverpool stadium tours, including general tours and even match day tours. With that in mind, you’ll truly “never walk alone” on any of their tours. However, at this time, no direct bus tours are available from City Explorer Liverpool. On the other hand, if you’re savvy with public transportation, should have no problem catching a bus from City Centre. Bus service is available from Queen Square bus station or Liverpool One bus station. Of course, you can always consider hiring a taxi cab or rideshare operator. You can find additional information through Merseytravel or via the Stadium Tours website.
Related: Top 15 Attractions in London for 2023
Liverpool Food Tours
Hope Street Hotel
40 Hope St.
Liverpool L1 9Da, UK
+44 (0) 1928 739 290
www.liverpool-tours.co.uk/food-tours
With Liverpool Food Tours, you’ll have the opportunity to try delicious items from local restaurants. Options start at £50 (≈$60) for a three-hour Eurovision tour up to £70-£80 (≈$70-96) premium tour. In addition, this award-winning business offers wine tasting and even a 5K running tour. Please note that tours start at the Hope Street Hotel, near the Royal Liverpool Philharmonic. You can contact the business if you need assistance with directions. Liverpool Food Tours is the city’s highest ranking foodie tour on TripAdvisor. In other words, you are certain to have an incredible culinary experience while getting a bit of exercise along the way.
Mad Day Out Beatles Taxi Tours
Liverpool City Centre
Liverpool L2 4SA, UK
+44 0151 372 7999
www.mad-dayouttaxitours.co.uk
What could be better than seeing world famous Beatles spots while traveling in a John Lennon-themed Rolls Royce? That’s the opportunity you can have when you travel in the Dear Prudence taxi with the passionate Beatles fan Ian Doyle. With Mad Day Out Beatles Taxi Tours, you have six options to choose from, starting with the Ludwig Tour at £100 (≈$120). Of course, if you have more time to spare, you should consider Ian’s seven-hour Gretsch (Bespoke) Tour for at £250. Said to be the best tour for hard-core Beatles fans, the Gretsch covers several iconic spots and more. For instance, along with must-see attractions like Penny Lane and Strawberry Field is the gravesite of original Beatles’ bass guitarist Stuart Sutcliffe. In light of all this, it’s not surprising to know that Mad Day Out ranks among Liverpool’s top tours by TripAdvisor.
Mersey Ferries
Liverpool Gerry Marsden Ferry Terminal
Pier Head
Georges Parade
Liverpool L3 1DP, UK
+44 0151 330 1003
www.merseyferries.co.uk
It’s hard to match the spectacular city skyline views you can see on a ferry across the River Mersey. The iconic ferry service made internationally famous by Gerry and the Pacemakers, Mersey Ferries offers several notable cruises. Of those, you may find the 50-minute River Explorer Cruise of particular interest. In detail, this ferry cruise will take you along the River Mersey while passing by landmarks like The Three Graces. If that’s not enough, the route continues to Seacombe Terminal for a closer look of the Birkenhead city skyline. It then continues past more landmarks like St. Mary’s Tower, Anglican Cathedral and Royal Albert Dock. In addition to the River Explorer, are evening cruises and combination tours to attractions like the Beatles Story. Your ferry cruise will depart from the Gerry Marsden Ferry Terminal, named after the beloved lead singer for the Pacemakers. Incidentally, Mersey Ferries has a historic Beatles connection, with the Fab Four performing four times onboard. Of course, you’ll also see the Beatles Statue as you approach the ferry terminal.
Shiverpool
5 Wall St.
Liverpool L1 8JQ
+44 0151 709 2030
www.shiverpool.co.uk
For a darker yet entertaining side of Liverpool’s past, let Shiverpool take you astray. Best known for their family friendly ghost and history tours, Shiverpool is the city’s first of its kind and certainly the most famous. At the present time, multiple dates are available to book the Hope Street Shivers tour, the most popular ghost walk in Liverpool. In fact, this tour is so good, it once won Guided Tour of the Year by VisitEngland. Among the highlights of the tour are the Wellington Rooms, Anglican Cathedral and St. James Memorial Cemetery. You can purchase tickets online or at the visitor center on Wall Street at Liverpool One. Please note that the Hope Street Shivers tours meet outside the legendary Philharmonic Dining Rooms on Hope Street.
Related: Top 2023 Beatles Attractions In Liverpool
About the Author
Randy Yagi is an award-winning freelance writer who served as the National Travel Writer for CBS from 2012-2019. More than 900 of his stories still appear in syndication across over 20 CBS websites, including New York, Los Angeles, Chicago and San Francisco. During his peak years with CBS, Randy had a reported digital audience reach of 489 million and 5.5 million monthly visitors. Additionally, his stories have appeared in the Daily Meal, CBS News, CBS Radio, Engadget, NBC.com, NJ.com and Radio.com. He earned a Media Fellowship from Stanford University in 2012.