Best Time to Travel
Like most of England, Liverpool experiences mild to cold winters and cool to sunny summers, with little in the way of extreme temperatures. If you do travel in winter, remember to pack an extra jumper, as the coastal wind adds a chill to the air. In summer, the city does see a lot of tourists, but its wide streets and spacious layout can handle them, meaning that it doesn’t feel overly crowded. Music lovers should visit over the August bank holiday weekend to experience the thumping Liverpool International Music Festival - a buzzing event that sees both world-renowned bands and independent artists take to the stage.
Not to Miss
Fashionistas and splurging shoppers should check out the the open-air Liverpool ONE mall for brand-name stores, or Bold Street for quirky vintage boutiques, record stores, and bustling street markets. For a fun and cultured day out, head to the waterfront area and visit the fascinating Museum of Liverpool, before perusing the avant-garde art of the Tate gallery. Appreciators of fine architecture should explore Liverpool Cathedral, one of the largest in the world.
Getting around
Liverpool John Lennon Airport is based a mere 7 miles from the city centre, and serves a number of top European destinations, such as Barcelona, Berlin, and Paris. Alternatively, Manchester Airport - 45 minutes away from Liverpool – handles a wide selection of international flights. Take a taxi from John Lennon Airport, or hop on the train from Manchester Airport direct to the city centre. Once here, you’ll find the city centre is easy enough to explore on foot, but you can take a taxi or smoothly-run public bus for those longer journeys.
Cuisine
Expect a lot of traditional English pub food, with a slight lean toward seafood such as breaded place with chips and homemade tartar sauce, or scrumptiously succulent scampi. However, as a vibrant international city, Liverpool has a far-reaching cuisine culture, including authentic Italian cooking, tempting tapas, and tasty take-away Chinese food. Meanwhile, vegetarians and vegans will be happy to find a generous selection of meat-free and ethically-orientated eateries.
Customs and etiquette
As with any major city in the UK, Liverpool is a liberal and welcoming metropolis where you can pretty much do whatever you fancy. That said, it's probably worth bearing in mind that football is a serious passion in these parts, and wearing a Manchester United shirt on a night out might just bring you some unwanted attention. Fast Facts
• Population: 470000
• Spoken languages: English
• Electrical: The UK runs on 230V, 50 Hz current
• Phone Calling Code: +44 151999