The popularity of The Beatles and the other groups from the Merseybeat era contributes to Liverpool's status as a tourist destination; tourism forms a significant part of the city's modern economy. In 2007 the city celebrated its 800th anniversary, and in 2008 it held the European Capital of Culture

Liverpool's history means that there are a considerable variety of architectural styles found there. Its role as a major port in the British Empire means that many of finest buildings in the city were built as headquarters for shipping firms and insurance companies, whilst the great wealth this afforded the city allowed the development of grand civic buildings, designed to allow the local administrators to 'run the city with pride'.

There are over 2,500 listed buildings in Liverpool (of which 26 are Grade I listed and 85 are Grade II listed) and only the UK capital London, has more.

Liverpool has a history of musical innovation with the sea shanty, Merseybeat and The Beatles all originating in the city. Since the 1960s, Liverpool has been home to a thriving music scene. The city is also home to the Royal Liverpool Philharmonic Orchestra, head quartered in the Philharmonic Hall, and to a youth orchestra.

Liverpool has more galleries and national museums than any other city in the United Kingdom apart from London. The Tate Liverpool gallery houses the modern art collection of the Tate in the North of England and was, until the opening of Tate Modern, the largest exhibition space dedicated to modern art in the United Kingdom.

Liverpool is associated with a variety of sports and is home to two of the country's leading football clubs–Liverpool F.C. and Everton. Liverpool is the only English city to have staged top division football every single season since the formation of the Football League in 1888, and both of the city's clubs play in high-capacity stadiums.

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