Walk through history with the 7 best walking tours in Liverpool
Liverpool’s got stories etched into every street, yet most visitors barely scratch the surface.
You can hop on a bus or skim the guidebook, but that won’t show you the secret pub once frequented by The Beatles, the alley where sailors swapped tales after a transatlantic crossing, or the haunting beauty of the old Georgian Quarter at dusk.
The real charm of Liverpool lies between the lines, and that’s where walking tours come in. They’re immersive, personal, and packed with the kind of off-script details you won’t find on Google.
Whether you’re chasing ghost stories or underground history, a Liverpool walking tour peels back the city’s layers in a way no app or audio guide can.
1. SANDEMAN’s Liverpool Free Walking Tours
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Website: https://www.neweuropetours.eu/liverpool-walking-tours/
Contact: +12102016282
Opening Hours:
- Monday to Sunday: 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM
Pricing: Free (Tip-based)
SANDEMAN’s Free Walking Tours started as a part of a Europe-wide movement to make local history more accessible, and people love it. In fact, it’s drawn curious travellers and history-loving locals who want more than just a list of landmarks.
The route usually begins at St. George’s Plateau and winds down through the city’s historic core. This includes the Bombed-Out Church, the Walker Gallery, Matthew Street, the Cavern Club, and down to the Royal Albert Dock.
Along the way, you’ll hear everything from Beatles lore to port-town legends to the lesser-known stories behind Liverpool’s grand architecture.
The tour lasts approximately 2.5 hours, allowing plenty of time to ask questions or chat with your guide. After all that walking, you can head toward nearby Bold Street. It’s packed with independent cafes, such as Leaf or Bold Street Coffee, for a proper post-tour sit-down and snacks.
Pro Tip:
End your tour with a late lunch at Maray on Bold Street, just a 10-minute walk from the Royal Albert Dock. Their small plates and falafel are local favourites. Additionally, the atmosphere is ideal for unwinding after a long walk.
2. KR Spanish and English Tours in Liverpool
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Website: https://www.liverpooltourkatherin.co.uk/
Location: Steble Fountain, in front of the Walker Art Gallery, City Centre, William Brown St, L3 8QF
Contact: +447895842295
Opening Hours:
- Monday to Friday: 10:15 AM – 7:30 PM
- Saturday: 10:30 AM – 7:30 PM
- Sunday: 10:30 AM – 6:00 PM
Pricing: £
KR Spanish and English Tours was started by a local guide with a love for languages and storytelling. The tour kicks off at Steble Fountain, right across from the Walker Art Gallery. It covers both the well-trodden highlights and lesser-known corners of the city.
You can expect Beatles trivia, port-town history, quirky street legends, and the kind of dry humour that only Liverpudlians pull off well.
But what sets this tour apart is the bilingual narration—Spanish and English, making it especially popular with international visitors. In about 2 hours, you’ll loop through the Cultural Quarter, the Georgian Streets, and end near the Cavern Club.
Plus, it’s an easygoing, chatty walk that feels more like tagging along with a local friend than a formal history lesson.
Pro Tip:
5 minutes away from the Cavern Quarter, you can pop into Root Coffee on Hanover Street. They serve speciality brews in a chilled-out space, and their pastries and banana bread are great picks if you’re after something sweet after a walk.
3. Liverpool Beatles Tour
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Website: http://zingtours.co.uk/
Location: Canada Blvd, L3 1DP
Contact: +447545111397
Opening Hours:
- Monday to Sunday: 9:00 AM – 6:00 PM
Pricing: ££
Run by local superfans, the Liverpool Beatles Tour gives you a front-row seat to the places that shaped John, Paul, George, and Ringo. But, unlike the usual walking tour, the Liverpool Beatles Tour by Zing Tours is more of a hybrid experience.
It begins on foot, starting around Matthew Street and the Cavern Club, and exploring the iconic Beatles landmarks. Afterwards, the tour heads further, often by bus or car, to cover sites beyond the city centre.
It’s usually only a three-hour experience, but you can extend it into a full-day deep dive if you’re up for it. However, because the tours are private or small-group, there’s also plenty of space to ask questions, take your time, and feel the history.
After tracing their roots through the city’s suburbs and back alleys, you’ll finish back near the Cavern Quarter or Albert Dock—fitting, since that’s where the Beatles’ story first took off.
Pro Tip:
To finalise your Beatles tour, pop into The Fab4 Cafe at Albert Dock for a themed latte and a soundtrack straight from the 60s. They serve Beatles-themed sandwiches, blondies, and lemon tarts served on vinyl stands.
4. Shiverpool
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Website: http://www.shiverpool.co.uk/
Location: 5 Wall St, L1 8JQ
Contact: +441517092030
Opening Hours:
- Monday to Sunday: 10:00 AM – 9:30 PM
Pricing: ££
When I say different, this one’s totally different. Shiverpool isn’t just a walking tour; it’s a full-blown theatrical experience with cloaks, lanterns, and spine-tingling stories that bring Liverpool’s haunted history to life.
It’s part ghost tale, part street performances, and 100% delivered with that cheeky Scouse wit.
Their most iconic route, Hope Street Shivers, begins inside the ornate Philharmonic Dining Rooms (yes, even the gents’ loo is famous).
Ticket prices are £19.50 for adults and £18 for concessions (students, seniors, and kids under 16). Plus, Families (2 adults + 2 children) can go for £74. Meanwhile, if you fancy souvenirs like glow-in-the-dark pins and a ghost map, they are also available in the Ultimate Package, which costs £35.50.
Pro Tip:
Discounts include up to 5% off with codes like DAYSOUT. Additionally, some booking platforms offer 20% off selected drink orders at venues such as Philharmonic Dining Rooms, Pen Factory, and Masonic Bar when you present your booking confirmation.
5. Liverpool Tour Company
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Website: https://www.liverpooltourcompany.com/
Location: 16 Jordan St, L1 0BP
Contact: +441513348429
Opening Hours:
- Monday to Friday: 9:00 AM – 6:00 PM
- Saturday: 9:00 – 4:00 PM
- Sunday: 9:00 AM – 2:00 PM
Pricing: ££
Not all walking tours come pre-packaged, and that’s where Liverpool Tour Company stands out. You can explore Liverpool’s UNESCO waterfront, learn about its maritime roots, wander through the Ropewalks art scene, or build your own Beatles-meets-Georgian-Quarter route.
It’s all guided by seasoned locals who know their stuff without sounding like textbooks. One of their most popular routes dips through the Georgian Quarter and circles past Rodney Street, Hope Street, and hidden courtyards most tourists miss.
But if you’re more into street culture, their Ropewalks walk takes you past boutique shops, graffiti-tagged alleyways, and indie galleries.
Don’t forget to ask your guide for a quick look inside the Grand Masonic Hall or a pit stop at 92 Degrees Coffee on Hardman Street for a locally roasted pick-me-up.
Pro Tip:
If you’re feeling peckish right after your tour, Maray on Bold Street is a famous stop for mezze-style plates and their famous disco cauliflower. You can also opt for a lighter option with their vegan-friendly coconut and strawberry rice pudding.
6. Dale Liverpool Tours | Eco Tours Liverpool
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Website: https://www.daleliverpool.com/
Location: ECO Tours, Northern Lights, 5 Mann St, L8 5XJ
Contact: +447835131448
Opening Hours:
- Monday to Friday: 10:00 AM -5:00 PM
Pricing: ££
If you want to escape the usual city-centre circuit, Dale Liverpool Tours or Eco Tours Liverpool takes you where most don’t. They offer tours into the heart of the Dingle and L8 Districts, areas that are rich in community, biodiversity, and quiet local charm.
Plus, these eco-friendly walks focus on Liverpool’s green spaces, lesser-known histories, and cultural diversity, with a strong emphasis on sustainability and storytelling.
You can expect to learn about edible plants, street heritage, and overlooked landmarks in South Liverpool. Routes often wind through green spaces and community gardens, with pit stops at independent cafes like Yard & Coop on Smithdown Road or The Watering Can in Greenbank for a post-walk coffee or buttermilk chicken.
Pro Tip:
You can even ask your guide to swing by the Liverpool 8 Against Racism Mural on Princes Avenue. This bold artwork tells powerful local stories of activism and community pride that you won’t want to miss.
7. Liverpool Famous Walking Tours
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Website: http://www.liverpoolfamouswalkingtours.com/
Contact: +441515580066
Opening Hours: Monday to Sunday: 24 Hours
Pricing: £
When you want a walking tour on your own time and on your terms, Liverpool Famous Walking Tours comes through—literally 24/7.
They offer private, made-to-order strolls that can focus on anything from Beatles lore and maritime heritage to quirky city or trivia pub-hop history.
Your guide also tailors the route depending on your interests, but fan favourites often include Cavern Quarter, waterfront promenades, and the Georgian Quarter’s leafy streets. Plus, the guides are local, chatty, and full of personal stories that go beyond the guidebooks.
Prices start around £15 per person for small groups, and you can request anything from a brief one-hour introduction to Liverpool to a more in-depth, multi-hour experience.
Pro Tip:
If you’re finishing near Matthew Street, ask your guide to point you toward The Grapes. It’s a humble pub where The Beatles used to sneak in for a pint before gigs at The Cavern. It’s quieter than the main tourist haunts and perfect for soaking in some authentic nostalgia.