10 must-visit attractions if you’re coming to Liverpool for Eurovision

People from all over the world are coming to Liverpool for one of the most talked about Eurovision Song Contests for years, and the city’s proud to be hosting it on behalf the Ukraine and delighted to have so many visitors.

You might be heading to Liverpool, armed with your national costume, and ready to hear the global entries of Eurovision vying for douze points at the M&S Bank Arena.

But, while you’re here, why not see why we think our city is so ‘boss’, starting with these 10 must-see attractions.

The Walker Art Gallery

If you’re into your art The Walker’s definitely got to be on your to-do list, with one of the most renowned painting collections in the UK, including European Renaissance paintings, masterpieces by Rubens, Rembrandt, Turner and Stubbs, Pre-Raphaelite artworks by Rossetti and Millais, Impressionist works by Monet and Degas, and contemporary works by Hockney and Wylie. Its sculpture collection is particularly known for pieces between the 18th century and WWI (and if you’re here on May 6, why not join in its Eurovision-themed Art Party?)

For more info click here.

Mersey Ferry

You’ve heard the song, now experience ferrying ‘cross the Mersey for yourself with a cruise along the world-famous river and the chance to enjoy the best views of the waterfront that all eyes will be on. Better still, to celebrate Liverpool being the 2023 Eurovision host city, Mersey Ferries is doing Eurovision-themed River Explorer Cruises with live sightseeing commentary and music from Tuesday, May 9 to Friday, May 12.

For more info click here.

Royal Liver Building 360 Tour

The iconic Royal Liver Building with its famous Liver Bird residents takes pride of place at the heart of the city, standing as a symbol of Liverpool, its history, and its people. And you can find out everything about it with the fascinating RLB 360 tour which includes exhibitions, a tour to the 10th and 15th floors to enjoy a state-of-the-art projection inside the historic clock tower and spectacular 360° views of the Liverpool skyline. It is fully guided with audio translations in Mandarin Chinese, Japanese, Portuguese, French, Spanish and German.

For more info click here.

The Beatles Story

Music lovers descending on the city might want to pay homage to the Fab Four and this is the biggest Beatles Exhibition in the world where you can learn all about John, Paul, George and Ringo, from the music they created to the styles they adopted and the fashions they wore. There’s a replica Cavern, a shop, the Fab4 Café and the family-friendly Discovery Zone where there’s a NEMS Record Shop, and kids can dress up in outfits from the 60s, do their own pop art or have a go at karaoke with their favourite Beatles song. It’s also teamed up with the city’s Jacaranda Club to celebrate local music and host free live music events in the lead up to Eurovision 2023 at its Fab4 Cafe.

For more info click here.

The Cavern

The Cavern Club is one of the most famous locations in the world for pop music, it’s where The Beatles sang and made their name, and it’s continued to be an iconic venue attracting stars from The Rolling Stones, The Who, Elton John and Stevie Wonder, to Adele and the Arctic Monkeys, and more.  With two stages it still packs people in to listen to live music every week.

For more info click here.

The Cathedrals

Liverpool’s got not one, but two, amazing cathedrals at either end of Hope Street in the Georgian Quarter of the city. Nicknamed the Birthday Cake – you’ll see why when you visit – The Metropolitan Cathedral of Christ the King on Mount Pleasant is a dramatic icon of faith and awe-inspiring landmark on the Liverpool skyline with its circular sanctuary and stained-glass lantern tower.  The neo-Gothic Anglican Liverpool Cathedral a short walk away is Britain’s largest cathedral, and the fifth largest cathedral in the world, designed by Sir Giles Gilbert Scott, creator of the red telephone box.  It’s also home to a collection of artworks, including For You by Tracey Emin, a pink neon sign that says ‘I felt you and I knew you loved me’, and it currently houses ‘Izyum to Liverpool’ a video installationby Ukrainian artist Katya Buchatska as part of EuroFestival.

For more info click here.

St George’s Hall

If you come to Liverpool by train you won’t fail to notice St George’s Hall in Lime Street. It’s one of the finest examples of a neoclassical building in the world and, having opened in 1854, is an outstanding expression of the confidence and ambition the Victorians had for the city (the architecture of the Concert Room – in which Charles Dickens gave public readings and declared it to be ‘the most perfect Hall in the world’ – and the Great Hall is just stunning).  The History Whisperer is a new experience which charts the social history of the Liverpool and takes you through the old prison cells in this magnificent landmark building – and there are Eurovision events galore there from May 10-13.

For more info click here.

Strawberry Field

Strawberry Field Children’s home helped thousands of children and spawned one of the Beatles’ most-loved songs. Not bad eh? Nowadays you can explore this inspirational place and discover the history behind the ruby-red gates, touring inside the house, learning about its decades-long mission to help the city’s vulnerable young, and hearing plenty about John Lennon’s love for the building and the gardens he played in as a child.

For more info click here.

Anfield Tour

Home of Liverpool Football Club, you’ll never walk alone on this tour which takes you to the heart of the mighty Anfield. In an immersive experience created by lifelong fans Dave Kirby and Nicky Allt, you can visit the dressing rooms, see what happens during a press conference, and visit the Club’s museum and its new Boom Room Exhibition. You can see the packed trophy cabinets and, yes, you get to touch the ‘This is Anfield’ sign as you walk through the players’ tunnel. (PS. There is an Everton FC Tour too).

For more info on the LFC tour click here.

For more info on the EFC tour click here.

Museum of Liverpool

You’ll come to the city, now find out all about it at the amazing Museum of Liverpool at the Pier Head. Its collections reflect the changing history of Liverpool and the diverse stories and experiences of those who have lived, and do live, here. As well as a collection about The Beatles, its Wondrous Place gallery showcases a staggering roll call of entertainers, musicians, sports people, writers, poets, visual artists and comedians – and from the music world it’s got Beatles suits, Garry Christian’s famous hat and sunglasses, and Spice Girl Mel C’s stage costume. There’s also tons of Eurovision-inspired events.

For more info click here.

For all the latest Eurovision news keep checking in with us at The Guide Liverpool.