There's lots, lots more to Liverpool than many people think. On our other sightseeing pages (Beatles, Waterfront, General) we list a large number of places for you to choose from.
On this page, we suggest tours that might make the best use of your time, ranging from one hour to a weekend to a week. Yes, a week.
There is a charge for some of the attractions. For details, use the links on our other sightseeing pages.

SPARE HOUR OR TWO:
You may be in Liverpool on business, or going to a football match. You have a bit of spare time and would like to see something that quickly gives you the flavour of the city.

ONE HOUR:
Choose from:
1) Walker Art Gallery and Liverpool Museum (free entry to both). These are situated behind St George's Hall, across the road from Lime Street train station.
2) Mathew Street, a 100-yard long Beatlesville in the city centre.
3) Anglican Cathedral - you don't have to be a regular church-goer to be impressed by this awesome building. Nice cafe (refectory) too. As time is limited, perhaps take a taxi, especially as it is uphill from the city centre.

Port of Liverpool Building

TWO HOURS
Choose from:
1) Walk around the Albert Dock, popping into the Maritime Museum (free entry) and perhaps also the free section of Tate Liverpool.

2) Yellow Duckmarine - amphibious vehicle that takes you on a tour of the city centre then splashes into the water for a tour of the docks. Not cheap at nearly £10 for adults, but great fun and provides an excellent one-hour snapshot of the city.

3) Prayer And A Pint tour, visiting the two cathedrals and the beautifully ornate Philharmonic pub, which stands almost midway between them.

4) Walk through Mathew Street, then carry on to the Pier Head to see the river and gaze up at The Three Graces - the Liver Building, Cunard Building and Port of Liverpool Building - then (if it is office hours) walk through the ornate ground floors.

FOUR HOURS
Choose from:
1) Magical Mystery Tour: Two-hour bus trip that shows you The Beatles' birthplaces, schools and former homes, plus Penny Lane and Strawberry Field. This tour also shows some of the city's leafy suburbs, giving the visitor a more balanced picture of Liverpool. It drops you off in Mathew Street. Before catching the bus at Queen Square (advance booking advisable), have a look around the Conservation Museum, Walker Art Gallery and/or Liverpool Museum which are nearby. Alternatively, have a bracing walk around the Albert Dock before catching the bus there.

2) Mathew Street, Ferry cross the Mersey and back again for the best view of The Three Graces, then to the marvellous Maritime Museum, or the Museum of Liverpool Life.

3) Four hours probably isn't enough to cover everything at the Albert Dock - the Beatles Story (There is a charge), Tate Liverpool and the Maritime Museum - but you could try.

FULL DAY (10am to 5pm):
START at the Anglican cathedral, then it's all downhill. Next stop the Metropolitan Cathedral. Then a 15-minute walk (down Mount Pleasant and along sadly tatty Lime Street) to the Walker Art Gallery and Liverpool Museum. You haven't spent a penny yet. Next head to the Mathew Street area where there are plenty of restaurants and bars for lunch.
Then to the Pier Head and take the ferry across the Mersey (and back again) for great views of the Three Graces. Back on dry land, turn right for the Albert Dock where a leisurely walk around will take you 30 to 40 minutes.

You may wish to visit the Merseyside Maritime Museum where you can easily spend a good hour or two; the Tate Liverpool; and/or the Beatles Story for which you should probably allow 90 minutes.

WEEKEND
Friday night: Meal and bars of Albert Dock. Saturday morning: The two cathedrals, or Ferry cross the Mersey, or Yellow Duckmarine tour. Saturday afternoon: Football match or Art Galleries Tour (see art page) or shopping (see shopping page). Saturday evening: Meal and bars of Victoria Street and Mathew Street.
Sunday morning: Magical Mystery Tour.
Sunday afternoon: Knowsley Safari Park (need a car), or Ferry cross the Mersey, the Beatles Story. Sunday evening: Check to see if any dramas or concerts take your fancy. If not, a drink at the Albert Dock.

A WEEK IN LIVERPOOL
DAY 1:
You have checked into your hotel and may be a little tired after travelling. The day may even be half-over, depending on time of arrival. So let's start at the Albert Dock because of its relaxing air.
Stroll around the Albert Dock and you will find Tate Liverpool, The Beatles Story, Merseyside Maritime Museum, bars, restaurants and shops, plus Museum of Liverpool Life. You won't have time for them all today.
Evening: Wine and dine in Albert Dock.

DAY 2:
Morning: Yellow Duckmarine Tour to give you a fun, one-hour introduction to the city.
Afternoon: Walker Art Gallery and Liverpool Museum. Evening: Theatre (See our theatre page).

DAY 3
Morning: Ferry cross the Mersey.
Afternoon: A trip to the suburbs to Speke Hall, from where the National Trust runs trips to childhood homes of Paul McCartney and John Lennon. Evening: Philharmonic Hall for a concert and a beer at the Philharmonic pub.

DAY 4
Morning: The two cathedrals, a ten-minute walk apart.
Afternoon: Magical Mystery Tour. Evening: Wine and dine in the Victoria Street area.

DAY 5
Morning: An Everton FC stadium tour. Alternatively, visit Liverpool FC's museum at Anfield and tour their stadium. Or visit both stadiums. Afternoon: Knowsley Safari Park, if you have use of a car. Alternatively, visit the FACT arts centre and cinema in the city centre.
Evening: You are really getting into Liverpool now so go on a leisurely pub crawl (see our real ale guides for the traditional pubs).

DAY 6
Morning: Today we go underground, visiting the Williamson Tunnels, half a mile from the city centre. Afternoon: Back underground, visiting Western Approaches, HQ for the Battle of the Atlantic. Closed two days a week and in winter months, in which case consider a visit to Historic Warships across the river in Birkenhead.
Evening: Wine and dine in Duke Street area, or Lark Lane which is two miles from city centre.

DAY 7
Morning: Walk along Mathew Street, taking in its Beatles shops, its little art galleries and The Cavern.
Afternoon: Shopping in the city centre - souvenirs and presents to buy. Evening: Packing perhaps, and a return to your favourite restaurant to practise your newly acquired Liverpool accent. And you probably still haven't visited everything at the Albert Dock.