Free things to do · Liverpool · United Kingdom
11 free things to do in Liverpool
Liverpool without the ticket prices: sights, walks and views that cost nothing.
Updated By the AMZBooking editorial team
Photo: The original uploader was Chowells at English Wikipedia ., CC BY-SA 3.0
Quick answer
You can fill at least 4 days in Liverpool without paying an entry fee: Royal Albert Dock, Pier Head and the Three Graces, Liverpool Cathedral and Museum of Liverpool are all free. The Museum of Liverpool, the Walker Art Gallery, the World Museum and both cathedrals are free to enter.
Key facts
- Free sights in this guide
- 11
- Low-cost extras
- 3
- Cost level
- Moderately priced
- Lowest hotel prices
- January–March
Free sights and experiences
Waterfront · Waterfront
1.Royal Albert Dock
Walk the full square of the dock and cross to the Pier Head for the classic view of the Three Graces.
- Time needed
- 1–2 hours
- Cost
- Free
- Iconic
- Free
- History
- Architecture
- Photo spot
Landmark · Waterfront
2.Pier Head and the Three Graces
Photograph the Beatles statue early in the morning, before queues form, then catch a ferry for the view from the river.
- Time needed
- 45 minutes
- Cost
- Free
- Iconic
- Free
- Architecture
- Photo spot
- Views
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Religious site · Georgian Quarter
3.Liverpool Cathedral
Climb the tower on a clear day, then walk along Hope Street to the Metropolitan Cathedral.
- Time needed
- 1–1.5 hours
- Cost
- Free
- Free
- Architecture
- Views
- Iconic
- Rainy day
Museum · Waterfront
4.Museum of Liverpool
Climb to the top-floor windows for a framed view of the Three Graces from above.
- Time needed
- 2 hours
- Cost
- Free
- Free
- History
- Kids
- Rainy day
Religious site · Georgian Quarter
5.Metropolitan Cathedral
Visit on a sunny afternoon, when the stained-glass lantern throws colour across the floor.
- Time needed
- 45 minutes
- Cost
- Free
- Free
- Architecture
- Photo spot
- Rainy day
Gallery · William Brown Street
6.Walker Art Gallery
Combine it with the World Museum and Central Library next door on the same street.
- Time needed
- 1.5–2 hours
- Cost
- Free
- Free
- Art
- Rainy day
- Kids
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Museum · William Brown Street
7.World Museum
Check the planetarium show times on arrival; shows are short and fill up during school holidays.
- Time needed
- 2 hours
- Cost
- Free
- Free
- Kids
- Rainy day
- History
- Nature
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Architecture · William Brown Street
8.Liverpool Central Library
Head up to the roof terrace, then down to the domed Picton Reading Room.
- Time needed
- 30–45 minutes
- Cost
- Free
- Free
- Architecture
- Rainy day
- Off the beaten path
Park · Sefton Park
9.Sefton Park and Palm House
Combine a walk round the lake with lunch on Lark Lane.
- Time needed
- 1–2 hours
- Cost
- Free
- Free
- Kids
- Outdoors
- Nature
Neighbourhood · Baltic Triangle
10.Baltic Triangle street art and Baltic Market
Walk the side streets for the murals in daylight, then return to the food hall in the evening.
- Time needed
- 2 hours
- Cost
- Free
- Free
- Food
- Art
- After dark
Neighbourhood · Chinatown
11.Chinatown
Visit during Chinese New Year for lion dances and fireworks, or simply for dim sum on a weekend lunchtime.
- Time needed
- 1 hour
- Cost
- Free
- Free
- Food
- Photo spot
Free sights by area
| Area | Free sights | Time needed |
|---|---|---|
| Waterfront | Royal Albert Dock, Pier Head and the Three Graces and Museum of Liverpool | 1–2 hours + 45 minutes + 2 hours |
| Georgian Quarter | Liverpool Cathedral and Metropolitan Cathedral | 1–1.5 hours + 45 minutes |
| William Brown Street | Walker Art Gallery, World Museum and Liverpool Central Library | 1.5–2 hours + 2 hours + 30–45 minutes |
| Sefton Park | Sefton Park and Palm House | 1–2 hours |
| Baltic Triangle | Baltic Triangle street art and Baltic Market | 2 hours |
| Chinatown | Chinatown | 1 hour |
Worth a small ticket
Experience · Pier Head
Mersey Ferry river cruise
Sit on the open upper deck on the way out for the best photographs of the waterfront skyline.
- Time needed
- 1 hour
- Cost
- Low cost
- Iconic
- Kids
- Views
- Couples
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Experience · Cavern Quarter
Cavern Club and Mathew Street
Daytime sessions are calmer than evenings, and entry is usually free or cheap before the evening bands start.
- Time needed
- 1–2 hours
- Cost
- Low cost
- Iconic
- After dark
- History
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Architecture · City Centre
St George's Hall
Visit the restored small concert room upstairs, where Charles Dickens gave readings.
- Time needed
- 1 hour
- Cost
- Low cost
- Architecture
- History
- Rainy day
More ways to save
- The Museum of Liverpool, the Walker Art Gallery, the World Museum and both cathedrals are free to enter.
- Avoid Grand National week, Beatleweek and big concert weekends if you want lower hotel prices.
- A Merseytravel day ticket covers trains to Crosby, Formby and the Wirral for less than several single fares.
- Eat on Bold Street or in the Baltic Triangle food halls for good-value meals.
- Pre-theatre and set lunch menus are much cheaper than dinner à la carte.
- Use the commuter ferry crossing rather than the river explorer cruise if you only want a short trip on the Mersey.
Questions travellers ask
+Is Liverpool expensive to visit?
Liverpool is moderately priced for most visitors, but 11 of its best-known sights are free, which makes a tight budget workable.
+What is the best free thing to do in Liverpool?
Royal Albert Dock: Walk the full square of the dock and cross to the Pier Head for the classic view of the Three Graces.