Here’s how to immerse yourself in Liverpool’s astounding history with the best city tours

Here’s how to be a tourist in your own city and learn things you never knew, you never knew about Liverpool.

From music to sport and more maritime history than you can shake a cruise liner at, Liverpool is bursting with fascinating history and pride. We love nothing more than reliving the incredible, ground-breaking and sometimes grisly moments that have shaped our amazing city and it’s people.

This is Liverpool, The Cavern, the home of the Cunard Shipping Line, movie sets, ghosts stories, witches, pirates and more, you’ll find them all here, on and underneath, our city streets. Here’s 12 tours to immerse yourself in Liverpool’s heritage and history….

1 – Magical Mystery Tour

Probably the most famous and instantly recognisable tour in Liverpool takes place on the coolest retro bus that’s Instagram worthy on its on! All aboard the Magical Mystery Tour to take in the Fab Four former homes, schools and the iconic places that inspired their world famous songs. Penny Lane, Strawberry Fields and more, all from the Albet Dock. Click here to see the itinerary and book your spot. 

2 – Shiverpool Ghost Tour

If it’s a taste of Liverpool’s spooky past you’re interested in, you have to check out the Shiverpool Ghost Tours of the city. Liverpool’s multi award winning theatrically led ghost and history tour experience takes guests to the most famous locations to explore the grisly stories and hidden histories with brilliant theatrics and costumes. Find out more and book here. 

3 – The Liverpool Nobody Knows Tour

Liverpool historian John Syms takes you on a walking tour of the city streets for The Liverpool Nobody Knows Tour. Starting at The Ship & Mitre Pub, this is a great opportunity for scousers and tourists alike to learn more about our amazing city, including the oldest house and its American founding fathers neighbour! More info and booking here. 

4 – Williamson Tunnels Heritage Centre & Tour

Learn what lies beneath the city with a tour of the Williamson Tunnels. Head to the heritage centre at Smithdown Yard and take a trip back in time to discover more about Joseph Williamson and the life and times of Liverpool’s most eccentric characters. You can’t help but be impressed by the incredible maze of tunnels and craftsmanship on display. More info here. 

5 – Anfield & Goodison Park Stadium Tour

You can’t come to Merseyside and not feel the rush of the match day atmosphere, even better on derby day! You can also follow in the footsteps of your sporting heroes and walk the tunnel, check out the dressing and trophy rooms of both Anfield and Goodison Park with stadium tours and meet and greet legend experiences. Click here for the reds, and here for the blues to find out more.

6 – St George’s Hall Guided Tour

One of the city’s most iconic, neo-classical buildings is steeped in history from its prison cells to the great hall itself. The walls of St George’s Hall really can talk thanks to the brilliantly knowledgeable historians who guide you through it’s Victorian beginnings to the third largest organ in the UK and the famous faces that adorn the statue plinths. Find out more and take a trip back in time here. 

7 – Silent Adventures Liverpool

From ancient history to a 21st century way to explore our city! You can’t come to Liverpool and not get into the groove. Silent Adventures Liverpool runs an annual riot/flashmob/disco from The Club House, Liverpool ONE every week and takes headphone wearing, dance enthusiasts on a musical walking tour of city streets. Click here to find out more and book your experience. 

8 – Reel Tours

From music to film, the Merseyside streets and buildings have doubled up for some of the most famous movie sets in history, just last week our Three Graces became part of the Washington DC municipal buildings! What better way to get a taste for Hollywood than with Reel Tours, a walking tour that takes fans to the exact locations of their fave films. Tour Guide Gary knows Fantastic Beasts..and where to find them! Click here to book. 

9 – Hidden Wirral Myths & Legends Tour

Now we can’t try and steal all the limelight this side of the river. Wirral history and heritage has some fascinating stories to share so why not take a trip on the Ferry across the Mersey and discover tales of pirates, smugglers, WW2 secret tunnels, witches and Vikings, oh yes, it was all going on over on the Wirral. Find out more about these fascinating stories by clicking here. 

10 – Liverpool John Lennon Airport Tour

Did you know you can take a tour of Liverpool’s John Lennon Airport? This 2 hour tour takes aviation and history fans alike, landside and airside at the regional airport that has welcomed millions of passengers at its newest terminal, opened by the Queen in 2002. With regular visits from football teams, local celebs and international stars such as Yoko Ono, LJLA certainly has some tales to tell. Find out more here. 

11 – Old Dock Tours of Liverpool

Liverpool is a city built on its maritime history and it’s surprising how little most of us know about life on the docks. The Old Dock Tours are free and allow access to the incredible creek and pool that gave our city its name, all perfectly preserved and hidden, under Liverpool ONE. It all started here. You can book your visit through Liverpool Maritime Museum and find out more here. 

12 – Gateway to the World Tour, RIBA Northwest

Photo Credit: RIBA North West, Rob Battersby

If you love architecture, you’ll be like a kid in a sweet shop here in Liverpool as our world heritage site, neo classical buildings rise up from the waterfront and Mann Island to Liverpool ONE. For more than 100 years our majestic Three Graces have kept watch over the city and port while Mann Island moved with the times. RIBA takes you on a walking tour into buildings you wouldn’t normally explore to discover hidden depths. More info and booking here. 

What’s the best city tour you’ve ever done? Send us your recommendations on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram and we’ll share the best on our socials.