Liverpool On a Budget: 8 Affordable Attractions for Budget Travelers

Let’s start with one of the best free things to do in Liverpool: walking around the legendary Royal Albert Dock. If you want to experience the rich history of Liverpool—a formerly crucial port for international trade—walking around the Royal Albert Dock is a superb place to begin. 

You’ll find the Beatles Story, the International Slavery Museum, the Maritime Museum, Tate Liverpool, the Escape Hunt, and the Floating Grace. You’ll also have the chance to drink, eat, and relax at many excellent bars and restaurants at the Royal Albert Dock. 

Anyone who has visited Liverpool since the 1970s knows how iconic St. John’s Tower is. Home to Radio City, one of Britain’s most successful radio stations, St. John’s Tower offers incredible views of Liverpool, Lancashire, Merseyside, Cheshire, and North Wales on a clear day.

Better still, you’ll enjoy fantastic views of Anfield and Goodison Park, home to Liverpool’s iconic football clubs. You can purchase tickets for only £7; that's the same price as a pint of beer in much of London. And, of course, the best time to visit is at sunset. 

If you visit Liverpool without checking out something Beatles-related, many would argue that you didn’t visit Liverpool properly. The Fab Four are legendary worldwide—but they’re almost sacred in their hometown of Liverpool. Therefore, why not take the 1km Beatles Walking tourLink opens in a new tab as you see the sites of Liverpool City Center?  

John Lennon, Paul McCartney, George Harrison, and Ringo Starr learned to play music in the clubs in and around Mathew Street. They left Liverpool in their early twenties, but the city never forgot about them, and this walking tour is the perfect way to learn about them. 

Liverpool has fantastic architecture, and one of the best buildings is the Liverpool Cathedral. With its mixture of Gothic and modernist architecture, it’s one of the top tourist attractions in the city. You’ll find conferences, large gala dinners, and international events at the venue. 

Better still, Liverpool Cathedral is free to enter. You can enjoy guided tours from Monday to Saturday for £5. You only need to speak to the Welcome Desk to book upon arrival. If you’re hungry, the venue has a cafe/restaurant for refreshments. 

There’s no better way to learn about the history of Liverpool than the Liverpool Museum. The museum has over 10,000 years of Merseyside’s history. You’ll find collections of social and community history, a regional archaeology collection, a land transport collection, and a Beatles collection. 

The museum first opened in July 2011, and it’s grown considerably ever since. Before you visit, check the official Museum of Liverpool website for the current exhibitions. And here’s the good news: the Museum of Liverpool is free to enter. 

The Liverpool Central LibraryLink opens in a new tab is an eclectic mixture of the old and new architecture. The library is meters from the World Museum, and you can easily recognize it from its huge glass roof and modern frontage. 

Inside the library, you’ll find the stunning Grade II-listed Picton Reading Room. The circular, wood-paneled room with countless bookshelves is a complete dream for bookworms. Likewise, check out the Hornby Library, where you’ll find rare books. The museum is also free of charge. 

Northwest England isn’t famous for its glorious weather—especially in the winter—but you should check out the local beaches if you visit Liverpool during the warmer months. Formby Beach is one of the finest beaches in Northwest England and only a 30-minute ride from Liverpool City Center. You can get the bus directly to the beach for only £4. 

Formby Beach spans over 500 acres of dunes with acres of beautiful pine woods behind it. It’s also a natural habitat for the last remaining colonies of native red squirrels in England. You can find various unusual plants due to the spillages of grain cargoes near the Liverpool dock over a century ago.

The Cavern Club is the most iconic pub in Liverpool. In the early 60s, The Beatles played over 300 gigs here before they became global superstars. Today, bands from across the United Kingdom play gigs daily from 11.00 am. 

You’ll hear excellent covers of many great bands, such as The Beatles, Led Zeppelin, and Oasis. You can attendLink opens in a new tab with a family, but anyone under 18 must leave after 8 pm. However, the atmosphere is always incredible, and drinks are well-priced. 

Most tourists visiting the United Kingdom will visit two cities: London and Edinburgh. Although they’re both incredible tourist destinations, Northern England has some great cities—and Liverpool is up there with the best. 

Whether you’re visiting Liverpool for the football, the nightlife, or The Beatles—the city promises to offer a diverse experience. The Scousers (the nickname for the locals) are known for their warm and outgoing nature. 

Consequently, you’ll soon feel at home in Merseyside and spend far less than in London.