Liverpool’s neighborhoods paint a vivid picture of the city’s rich history. Its 21st-century shopping malls, imposing riverfront warehouses and charming Georgian townhouses all provide the backdrop for its thriving heart.
Wander away from the center and uncover a handful of leafy suburbs. As well as providing respite from the general hustle and bustle, they’re all destinations in their own right – especially for the food-orientated. Want to get to know the city like a local? Whether you’re day-tripping or stopping over for a weekend, these are the best neighborhoods to visit in Liverpool.
Hang with the cool kids in the Baltic Triangle
Industrial-chic coffee shops, craft beer breweries and numerous vintage clothing stores have elevated this neighborhood to one of – if not the – coolest areas in Liverpool.
Backtrack a few years, though, and the Baltic Triangle was simply a wasteland between the city center and the waterfront. Thankfully, its imposing brick warehouses have been transformed into creative venues for the city’s younger (or young at heart) crowd.
Jamaica Street is the Baltic Triangle’s main artery that cuts all the way down to the Liverpool ONE shopping area. Along it are some of the city’s top music venues like District, a clutch of hip coffee shops, several boutique hotels (including the Baltic Hotel) and, of course, Paul Curtis' much-loved Liver Birds street mural, The Liverpool Wings, which is a popular backdrop for photos.
The Baltic’s backstreets additionally boast numerous gems. Gin drinkers will want to check out the shabby chic Botanical Garden during the summer months. The Baltic Bakehouse is a sublime place to pick up homemade sourdough sandwiches and donuts filled with wonders like cardamom-spiced custard.
There’s also the Cains Brewery complex at the southern tip of the neighborhood. This former brewery is a magnet for Liverpool’s weekend party crowd, with the Baltic Market being a particular highlight for those craving tasty street food, live music and alluring cocktails.
Discover the best neighborhood for art and culture in the Georgian Quarter
Once the home of Liverpool’s most well-heeled residents, the Georgian Quarter is now better known for its collection of cultural venues and cozy brunch spots. Among the former is the Art Deco Liverpool Royal Philharmonic Hall, which regularly hosts concerts across every music genre.
The neighborhood’s pretty Georgian terraces are guaranteed to give you serious house envy. Many have been turned into student flats, while others feature boutique accommodation options like 2 Blackburne Terrace and Hope Street Hotel. Speaking of Hope Street, it’s a brilliant place to whet your appetite. Check out Moose Coffee for decadent pancake stacks dripping in maple syrup or Quarter for wholesome Italian grub. After something fancier? The Art School is one of Liverpool’s most prestigious dining venues, with elegant interiors and an equally sophisticated menu.
Liverpool Cathedral sits on the edge of the Georgian Quarter, too, and it’s one of the best free things to see in the city. As Britain’s largest church, its cavernous interiors include a neon art installation by Tracy Emin above the west door. For £6, you can climb the tower to soak up panoramic views of the city and beyond. It’s well worth the money on a clear day.
Sefton Park is perfect for lazy Sundays
Another neighborhood that once housed the city’s Victorian elite is Sefton Park. The area is one of the nicest parts of Liverpool: picture neatly laid out rows of grand townhouses and lots of green spaces perfect for promenading.
While many of its mansions have now been divided into apartments, Sefton Park remains one of the most desirable areas in the city. That’s primarily down to its 235-acre namesake park. Stroll around its huge ornamental lake, wander through lush wild meadows, laze around on its vast lawns or seek out the gorgeous Palm House. The 19th-century glasshouse hosts a cafe all year round, plus there are classical music concerts by candlelight in the summer months.
It’s impossible to talk about Sefton Park without mentioning Lark Lane. This charming street sits just west of the park and is an oasis for food lovers. Among its culinary offerings are Hafla Hafla (they do a great Middle Eastern-inspired brunch), The Old School House (perfect for a pub lunch) and Yum Cha (purveyors of delicious dim sum). A multitude of cocktail bars, wine cellars and pubs also make Lark Lane a prime pick for laidback bar crawls.
There’s shopping and sightseeing galore in Liverpool City Center
Liverpool's beating heart is a melting pot of architectural styles and attractions. Set out in a grid-like system, it couldn’t be easier to navigate. The city center also encompasses many of the city’s most popular attractions, from the monumental St George’s Hall (a popular film set backdrop) to the soaring St. John’s Beacon (aka Radio City Tower).
No visit to Liverpool is complete without exploring the Royal Albert Docks. These handsome redbrick warehouses on the Mersey waterfront were once holding bays for cotton, coffee and other goods from around the globe. Today, it’s the city’s unofficial museum district, with the Merseyside Maritime Museum, International Slavery Museum and Tate Liverpool among its many treasures.
Let’s not forget the Three Graces, either. Liverpool’s trio of elegant Edwardian buildings sit just a stone’s throw from the Albert Docks and include the iconic Royal Liver Building. Nestled just behind is Liverpool ONE – an open-air mall that gave the city a retail-focused facelift in the late 2000s. It’s a shopaholic's paradise, although you’ll find more independent boutiques and vintage stores in nearby Ropewalks or the Baltic Triangle.
Need somewhere to stay? Hotels are aplenty in the city center with options that suit every budget, such as the affordable yet comfortable Tune Hotel or the stylish waterfront Malmaison.
Enjoy a wild night out in Ropewalks
This popular neighborhood is sandwiched between the Georgian Quarter and Liverpool ONE. Back when the city was one of the world’s busiest ports, this area hosted numerous rope-makers employed by local shipbuilders – hence the name "Ropewalks".
The main attraction is, undoubtedly, Bold Street. It’s as brash and busy as its name suggests, especially on Saturday nights when punters spill out of the bars and make their way to nearby Fleet Street or raucous Concert Square clubs.
It may be the best neighborhood for nightlife in Liverpool, but during the daytime, Ropewalks is a brilliant place to shop or grab a bite to eat. Highlights include Mowgli Street Food for tasty Indian-inspired sharing plates and Bold Street Coffee for espressos and avocado toast.
Satisfy your cravings in family-friendly Allerton
Foodies, rejoice! Not just one of the best neighborhoods for families in Liverpool, this southeast district has swiftly become a culinary mecca, with many of the city’s top independent restaurants opening up branches along Allerton Road.
Once you’re done gorging on mouthwatering mezze from Maray or generously-filled sandwiches from DEREK’s, why not head for Calderstones Park? It’s Allerton’s biggest green space and a favorite of local families. Kids can let off steam at the Linda McCartney play park or attend one of the imaginative reading sessions at The Storybarn. Don’t miss seeking out the Allerton Oak, either. It’s a gnarly old oak tree rumored to be the oldest in Europe.
If you have time, take a short detour east of Calderstones Park to Beaconsfield Street. About 150 meters up the road, you’ll spot the iconic red gates of Strawberry Field on the righthand side, which is now owned by the Salvation Army and was famously the inspiration behind the well-known Beatles’ tune "Strawberry Fields Forever".
Hit the beach at Crosby
Fancy a break from the city center? Just a few miles up the Sefton Coast is the seaside neighborhood of Crosby. It’s a popular residential area thanks to its proximity to the beach and the fact it’s just a 20-minute train ride from Liverpool Lime Street station.
Crosby Beach is one of Liverpool’s best beaches and is easily this area’s main attraction. While it may not be as good for swimming as some of the region’s other sandy stretches, it’s still a brilliant place for a stroll. The shoreline also hosts well-known British sculptor Antony Gormley’s Another Place art installation, which features 100 life-size, cast-iron sculptures staring out to sea.
There are several excellent places to eat and drink in Crosby, too. At the north end of the promenade, Honest Coffee serves up rich roast coffee and delicious crepes. The opposite end of the beach plays host to the Bus Yard Shelter – a double-decker bus that’s been repurposed as a craft beer and street food joint. Alternatively, venture down Crosby’s bustling South Street for a choice of different cuisines.
See where football legends are made in Anfield
Follow football like it's a religion? Head northeast of the center, and you’ll stumble across Anfield: the home of Liverpool FC.
You can see Anfield Stadium up close one of two ways: by nabbing tickets to a home match or booking a guided tour. The latter method gives you access to “backstage” areas like the Home Team Dressing Room and the impressive and highly interactive Liverpool FC Museum.
Anfield is daubed with some pretty cool street art, much of it football-themed. Love Mersey-born Paul Curtis' Liver Birds mural in the Baltic Triangle? You’ll spot several others by Curtis in Anfield. This includes a well-known mural on the side of the Hotel Anfield that depicts Steven Gerrard and Jamie Carragher victoriously clutching the European Cup.
