This brand-new theatre and community hub was inspired by the only sixteenth-century indoor playhouse in the UK outside of London. Go for its excellent programme of plays by Shakespeare as well as contemporary theatre, comedy and other live events. Shakespeare North Playhouse represents a massive addition to Liverpool’s cultural scene, made all the more impressive by being outside the city centre.

The northern home of Britain’s famous Tate galleries, Tate Liverpool is one of the most impressive art galleries in the UK. Take a trip to Albert Dock to see how James Stirling converted the historic building into a modern behemoth that makes an architectural virtue out of the building’s original features. Recent exhibitions include Keith Haring, Lucian Freud and Louise Bourgeois.

This is the main venue in the city for classical orchestral performances as well as other types of music, from pop to folk. It's a hugely impressive concert hall, home to Liverpool’s very own orchestra. So if you’re into your classical music, there’s no better venue in the city. You can marvel at the architecture and the acoustics and enjoy the diverse programme, from Gustav Mahler to Martha Wainwright.

The oldest building in Liverpool city centre, this Grade I-listed former school is now a centre for contemporary arts with shops and a café. Aside from the stunning building itself, the changing exhibitions in the excellent gallery spaces and a constantly inspiring events programme, Bluecoat is the base for a whole host of cool organisations like DaDa (Deaf and Disability Arts) and the Arabic Arts Festival.

When city live gets a bit full-on, head to Sefton Park and enjoy 250 acres of beautiful green space. Granted Grade I-listed status (and well deserving of it), this urban oasis has hidden caves, waterfalls and a Victorian Palm House. Get house-plant inspiration in the Botanical Gardens and breathe a little easier on the bus ride home.

This award-winning homage to the Fab Four isn’t just for fans. Not only will you find out more than you’ll ever need to know about the band, you’ll get a taste of the swinging ’60s too, with recreations of The Casbah, Mathew Street and The Cavern Club, plus cabinets filled with one-off memorabilia and interactive areas. There’s also the largest selection of official Beatles merchandise in the world, should you fancy splashing out on a memento.

A bit like Seattle’s Space Needle, this pointy landmark has towered above the city since 1969. There are few places with better views of Liverpool than the observation deck of Radio City Tower. Officially known (but never referred to) as St John’s Beacon, this structure is 138 metres tall and its 360-degree panoramas are incredible. In case you hadn’t figured it out already, Radio City also broadcasts from here.

If Gerry And The Pacemakers thought it was worth singing about, it’s probably worth a ride on this hop-on-hop-off ride along the Mersey. At the very least you’ll get good views of the city. Choose from a standard hop-on-hop-off cruise or a combination ticket that includes entrance to other Liverpool attractions, including the family-friendly interactive Spaceport attraction and the U-Boat Story, where you get to mooch around a genuine German submarine.

Liverpool Cathedral is the largest religious building in Britain and the fifth-largest cathedral in the world. Built between 1904 and 1978, it’s now open to the public every day of the year. Here you can admire the world’s highest and widest Gothic arches, the UK’s largest organ and an array of stunning stained-glass windows. The cathedral also plays host to art exhibitions and charity dinners throughout the year, so it’s worth checking the website before your visit.

From Liverpool’s unique geography to its rich history and vibrant culture, the Museum of Liverpool will tell you everything you need to know about this fabulous city. Just a short gallop away from RIBA North, the museum documents the importance of Liverpool in relation to the rest of the UK and the vital role the port has played throughout its history. Once inside, you’ll be bombarded with a host of Liverpool-centric things, from archaeological finds to iconic tunes.