“There is no reason Liverpool should not feature in your next UK Itinerary” quips Panache Founder-Director, Loveleen Arun, following her recent visit to the city. Here are her picks on where to be seen on Merseyside.

Liverpool is often reduced to two clichés—The Beatles and football—but spend even two days here and you realise how incomplete that picture is. There is a little bit of art, a little bit of architecture, lots of history, sports, food, and everything in between, all wrapped up in a city that feels like most of the UK has descended to have a party of their own.

Base yourself at The Municipal Hotel Liverpool – MGallery, your five-star anchor in the heart of the city, and let Loveleen’s top picks shape your 48 hours on Merseyside. Think mornings on the Royal Albert Dock, afternoons in cathedrals and stadiums, nights in brick-vaulted music clubs, and a finale at one of the city’s most refined dining rooms.

The Beatles Story at Royal Albert Dock

Start your Liverpool immersion at The Beatles Story on the Royal Albert Dock, which feels less like a traditional museum and more like walking through a lovingly curated film set of the band’s life. Instead of dusty display cases, you move through atmospheric recreations of the Casbah Club, the Cavern Club, and Abbey Road Studios, with an audio guide (narrated by John Lennon’s sister, Julia) layering in interviews and anecdotes that make the story feel deeply personal. Each room feels like a different chapter of Beatlemania: early club days, global superstardom, the solo years—complete with original memorabilia like instruments, handwritten notes, and stage outfits.

For discerning travellers, the charm lies in how thoughtfully it has been put together. It isn’t just fan service; it’s a sensitive, well-paced tribute that never forgets the band’s heart was in Liverpool, even when their fame went global.

Anfield: Liverpool’s secular cathedral – or Everton’s new home

Football fan or not, Anfield is one of those places where you feel the temperature of a city’s soul the moment you walk in. More than a stadium, it is a secular cathedral, its stands heavy with stories of big European nights, title runs, and the unshakeable bond between the club and its supporters. Walking through the Shankly Gates, standing in the players’ tunnel, or sitting in the dugout during a stadium tour, you understand why “You’ll Never Walk Alone” is more than a song here—it is a philosophy that shaped generations of Liverpool fans.

If your allegiance lies elsewhere (or you simply want a different perspective), the newly renovated Everton stadium offers its own storyline: a fresh, waterfront chapter for one of England’s most historic clubs. Either way, a stadium visit—ideally timed with match day if possible—adds a visceral, high-energy layer to your 48 hours, balancing the city’s cultural and spiritual stops with pure, unfiltered passion.

The Cavern Club: Liverpool’s living music museum

Descend into the brick-vaulted cellar of the Cavern Club and you are not just stepping into a historic venue—you are walking into one of the world’s most famous “living museums.” It is here that The Beatles played hundreds of times, and yet the club’s pull today goes far beyond nostalgia. The space thrums with live music from afternoon till late into the night, seven days a week, with a rotating line-up of bands that keep the energy firmly in the present.

This is where lifelong Beatles fans, curious first-timers, and young Liverpool locals all blur into one happy crowd under the low arches. Endearing milestone celebrations—from 60th birthdays to hen parties—play out around you, adding warmth and humour to the experience. For discerning travellers, the Cavern Club is a must not because it is famous, but because it still feels authentic, unpolished in all the right ways, and absolutely committed to the joy of live music.

Liverpool Cathedral: monumental, modern, and quietly moving

Liverpool Cathedral is a revelation, especially if you are expecting something quaint and medieval. Instead, you are greeted by a colossal 20th-century Gothic Revival masterpiece that dominates the city skyline and impresses with its sheer scale. This is the longest cathedral in the world, crowned by a soaring central tower, yet the atmosphere inside is surprisingly intimate—light filtering through stained glass, quiet chapels tucked away, and long aisles that invite you to slow your pace.

What really delights is the detail: the cathedral’s architect, Sir Giles Gilbert Scott, is the same mind behind the iconic red British telephone box, and you will spot a red phone kiosk tucked inside as a whimsical nod to his legacy. With a good guide, the visit becomes part architecture lesson, part spiritual pause, and part design geek-out—ideal for travellers who like their sightseeing with substance.

Where to stay: The Municipal Hotel Liverpool – MGallery

For a stay with character and gravitas, check into The Municipal Hotel Liverpool – MGallery, housed in the city’s former Municipal Buildings. Once the nerve centre of local government, the structure has been meticulously restored and reimagined as Liverpool’s first officially designated five-star hotel, without losing its sense of place. Think stone columns, grand archways, intricate details, and high ceilings that make even compact rooms feel atmospheric rather than small.

The beating heart of the hotel is its lively central bar, often full of locals—a good sign in any city—who come for well-made drinks and the warm, clubby ambience. For the Panache set, it works beautifully as both a sightseeing base and an elegant retreat to return to between experiences. As part of the MGallery collection, service feels polished yet personable, with just enough old-world glamour to make your 48 hours in Liverpool feel like an occasion.

Where to dine: The Art School Restaurant

For dinner that matches the city’s creative energy, book a table at The Art School Restaurant, set in a beautifully restored Victorian building that once trained young artists. Inside, the mood is refined but inviting—crisp white tablecloths, soaring ceilings, and a gentle buzz that signals everyone in the room knows they are in for something special. Chef Paul Askew, one of Liverpool’s most respected culinary names, leads the kitchen with a philosophy rooted in local provenance and seasonal excellence.

Each plate feels like a thoughtfully composed piece of art, rich in flavour without being fussy, and full of imagination while still delivering comfort. This is the kind of restaurant where you linger over dessert, replaying your favourite moments from the day: the choir of fans at Anfield, the quiet hush of the cathedral, the laughter and singing at the Cavern Club. For discerning travellers, it is the ideal closing note to a tightly edited, deeply textured 48 hours in Liverpool.