All photographs are my own.

I have put together a list of beautiful places to visit in Liverpool City Centre. As a local, I have noticed some beloved spots in the city that don’t appear on many travel itineraries. Here are some lovely places to visit while you’re in the city.

1. Get some made in Liverpool jam at Wander

Wander is a lifestyle shop that sells all kinds of handmade items, prints, jewellery, other nicknacks: they also stock The Liverpool Jam Company products. The made in Liverpool jam flavours vary from strawberry, roasted tomato ketchup jam to berry, pink gin jam and others.

I was lucky enough to meet Jeremy Corbyn before he spoke at a community meeting in Southport.

2. Personalise your Guinness for free at Scruffy Murphy’s

Both venues provide free Guinness personalisation. All you need to do is order a Guinness at the bar, scan the barcode they give you, then send over a photo of your choice to their printer and it’s done.

3. Witness the beauty of The Chinese Arch

Considered to be one of Liverpool’s most amazing sites, the paifang is the largest multiple-span arch of its kind outside China – the largest Chinese arch outside of China. It was gifted to Liverpool by Shanghai due to the city’s strong links with the Chinese community, it stands at the entrance to Europe’s oldest Chinatown. It has two lions either side of the arch, placed with the principles of Feng Shui.

4. Wander around 69A

An independent vintage shop – it sells books, vinyl records, clothes, accessories, home decor and all kinds of trinkets you can imagine. It’s organised chaos but I’ve always found some cool books in here. The shop also has a cat that roams around the place and sleeps anywhere he wants, he’s very cute. It’s definitely worth a visit here to see what you can find – hopefully you see the cat, I’ve been a few times and he only appears when he wants to.

5. Visit St. Luke’s Bombed Out Church, The Christmas Truce Statue and record fair every Sunday

It’s the bombed out church to locals, a nickname given because it doesn’t have a roof due to the events of the 1941 Blitz. If you come here on a Sunday, they have a record fair once a week. Described by the National Churches Trust as the last bomb site in Liverpool, St Luke’s is testament to the brave people who lived and died in 1941. The statue of the German and British soldier shaking hands commemorates the Christmas Day truce of 1941, which is just outside of the church. It’s stunning and very moving.

6. Taste the only gin distilled in the City Centre, Turncoat gin at the Royal Institution

The most chilled out bar in the city. Currently home to Turncoat Gin, the only gin distilled in Liverpool city centre. You can also purchase by the bottle so you can take it home with you. I’d recommend to go in the evening, the building is beautifully lit up when it goes dark. They also host cocktail masterclasses with expert mixologists so you can learn how to make your favourite cocktails.

7. Street Art

Liverpool has some amazing and striking street art. There’s lots in the city centre and Baltic Triangle, but there’s guided tours you can go on where your guide will take you to the visit the street art and murals.

8. Experience Matthew Street

You probably have to visit The Cavern Club located on Matthew Street, if you’re visiting Liverpool for the first time. Birthplace of The Beatles, complete with 1960’s memorabilia despite its intimacy. Matthew Street has a lot of pubs to choose from, it also has equally as much history.

9. Eat and drink on the floating venue, The Daffodil

A unique and unforgettable experience. A modern restaurant and cocktail bar with scenic views. Their food and drinks are beautifully presented, it’s a calm atmosphere and you’re also able to enjoy the sun decks in a gorgeous location.

10. Go to Reds to see LFC memorabilia

A sports bar, the only bar in the city centre dedicated to Liverpool FC. It’s complete with unique LFC memorabilia such as match worn shirts from LFC legends, Steven Gerrard, Jamie Carragher, Mo Salah, Luis Suarez and more. They also have the Road to Madrid tunnel carpet used at Anfield for every Champions League home game throughout the 2018/2019 season. They have 14 big screens inside showing live sports and often host events and Q&A’s with Liverpool legends. Here’s a video from my visit.

11. Go to a Hot Water Comedy Show

I’ve never been to a comedy show here and been disappointed. Some comedians are from Liverpool and some travel to gig here. On most days and showings, tickets are free – which is incredible because you can go to support local artists at no cost, with a lot of their material being tried out for the first time to see if it lands or not.

12. Explore a WW2 bunker that protected British Armed Forces, Western Approaches

Once required to sign the Official Secrets Act to enter, is now open to the public. It includes one of only two surviving wartime phones that had a direct connection to the London War Cabinet and lots of other genuine artefacts. They have street recreation’s of a 1940’s street, it’s conditions and ration stations. It is a truly unique experience, a time capsule and somewhere you should definitely visit.

13. Visit Liverpool’s not-for-profit radical & community bookshop run by a women workers’ co-operative

The only female run bookshop in Liverpool City Centre, News From Nowhere is truly unique. They have an extensive variety of enlightening and informative books on almost every subject you can think of. The staff are great and the shop sells a lot of things you can only get in Liverpool.

14. Watch a show at Liverpool Empire

The Liverpool Empire Theatre is the largest two-tier theatre in the UK. They always have plays and pantomimes on here, you’ll be in for a good time. I’ve sat in both tier sections and both are just as lovely as the other. I remember going here as a young teen with my mum to watch Grease, I also went here last New Year’s Eve with my boyfriend to watch The Rocky Horror Picture Show. The Liverpool Empire is an incredibly beautiful building and is worth seeing on your trip here.

15. Get donuts from a street vendor

There’s a few of these Ice Cream & Fresh Donuts green stalls around the city centre. There’s one outside of McDonald’s on Lord Street, one outside of St. John’s Shopping Centre near the bus station and another outside of Clayton Square Shopping Centre next to Boots. They are delicious and I’d highly recommend the pot of melted Nutella to go with it.

16. Taste a traditional Scouse

Harrison’s Bar & Kitchen is a family-run sports bar that serves drinks, cocktails and home cooked meals. I would recommend trying a traditional Liverpool Scouse here. The venue also features artwork by local artist Paul Curtis.

17. Visit iconic filming locations

Liverpool is the UK’s most filmed city outside London – The Batman, The City is Ours, House of Guinness, War of the Worlds, Peaky Blinders, Fantastic Beasts, Captain America: The First Avenger, Sherlock Holmes… I can go on and on. I luckily got to see Robert Pattinson film a scene for The Batman, I loved him as a teenager because of Twilight and was able to watch the scene in the street.

18. Personalise a LEGO mini figure in Liverpool One

You can choose Liverpool themed special edition accessories and items for the minifigure. They are great keepsakes and gifts for loved ones as well as a fun personalised activity.

19. Try the luxury sofa experience at Everyman Cinema

An amazing cinema – it has a bar, restaurant and luxury sofas to enhance your movie experience. Your seating area also has its own table for your food and drinks. You are also able to order food and refreshments to your seat.

20. Visit the British Music Experience

The UK’s only museum dedicated to celebrating British music. You can see stage outfits worn by Freddie Mercury, Mick Jagger, The Spice Girls and more, plus musical instruments played by Queen’s Roger Taylor, the Sex Pistols and much more unique memorabilia. The museum is incredible, their galleries and collection of musical history is really enjoyable to walk around and discover. One of my personal favourites in the City.