Once home to the Beatles, Liverpool is a historic maritime city on the banks of the River Mersey that should be high on everyone’s must-visit list. It served as an important trade port during the 18th, 19th and early 20th centuries, with many of its beautiful old warehouses still standing today. Liverpool is a city with a thriving arts culture, as well as boasting one of the English Premier League’s most beloved football teams. 

If it’s your first time visiting Liverpool, the most logical place to stay is right in the centre. It puts you on the doorstep of the city’s main sights and attractions, with the waterfront eateries of the Royal Albert Docks within easy walking distance. In this article, discover the pros and cons of staying in Liverpool’s city centre, as well as a few alternative areas to choose from. 

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Pros of staying in Liverpool’s city centre

Staying in Liverpool’s city centre means you are in the heart of all the action, with the attractions of the Albert Docks and the nightlife of Ropewalks just a stone’s throw away. There’s so much to do in the area that you’ll never get bored, whether you’re into shopping, arts and culture or following in the footsteps of The Beatles. 

The city centre is home to the sprawling shopping and entertainment complex of Liverpool One for the ultimate retail fix, as well as the arts and creative space of The Bluecoat. Housed within a Queen Anne-style building, it hosts changing exhibitions and theatrical performances throughout the year. No visit is complete without a stop at the Liverpool Beatles Museum or the Cavern Club where the “Fab Four” played 292 times. 

When it’s time to eat, you’ll be spoiled for choice, with everything from cheap takeout eateries to fine-dining restaurants and traditional pubs. There are also plenty of flats to rent in Liverpool for a city centre stay, whether you’re visiting as a solo traveller, a couple or a family. Finding a property to rent in Liverpool is easy at Rentola, which boasts the largest number of private listings in the United Kingdom. Rentola is an easy-to-use and mobile-friendly platform that allows users to search based on location, price and number of bedrooms to find the perfect stay. 

Cons of staying in Liverpool’s city centre

One of the only downsides of staying in Liverpool’s city centre is that it is a busy rental location at weekends when partygoers flock to the area’s nightlife venues. On occasion, this can lead to safety issues if you’re out and about after dark. Traffic congestion can also be an issue during peak hour traffic when it may be quicker to walk than catch a taxi. 

Other areas to stay in Liverpool

Ropewalks

If you want to experience Liverpool’s legendary nightlife, then Ropewalks is the best place to stay and is popular with young renters. It’s located just to the east of the city centre and takes its name from the numerous ropemakers who once worked here. By day, you can discover the independent stores and eclectic eateries of Bond Street before hitting the bars and clubs that open their doors once the sun goes down. Ropewalks is also home to one of Europe’s largest Chinatowns, plus the cultural hubs of St. Luke’s Bombed Out Church and FACT Liverpool. 

Baltic Triangle

Wedged between Ropewalks and the Royal Albert Docks is this former industrial area that has been transformed into one of the city’s trendiest places to stay. Many of its old warehouses have been converted into art galleries and eateries, and it’s here that you’ll find the famous Peaky Blinders Bar. In addition to touring some of the TV series’ filming locations, you can pick up fresh produce at the Baltic Market and discover some of Liverpool’s best street art. 

Allerton

Once home to Paul McCartney, George Harrison, and Ringo Starr, Allerton is a leafy residential area that’s ideal for families. It’s located just to the south of Liverpool’s city centre, meaning you can easily access all of the area’s sights and attractions by bus. While there’s not so much to do in Allerton itself, the safety of the area is particularly appealing and it offers good transport connections for getting around. 

Albert Docks

Within easy walking distance of the city centre is Albert Docks, which fringes the waters of the Mersey River. It’s home to some of Liverpool’s best-known attractions, including Tate Liverpool, the Royal Liver Building and the Beatles Story experience. A highlight of staying here is simply strolling along the docks and soaking up the city skyline from a Mersey River cruise.

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Finding the Liverpool neighbourhood that’s right for you

As you can see, there are areas to stay in Liverpool to suit all types of travellers, from nighttime revellers to families. It’s worth the effort for renters to shop around  to find exactly what they’re looking for. The city centre still comes up trumps for its easy accessibility to Liverpool’s main attractions, making it ideal for first-time visitors to the city. 

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