Maritime supremacy, the Industrial Revolution, Rock 'n' Roll and Football – Liverpool is famous for what’s made Britain famous; its story is the story of the UK encapsulated in a city of less than 500,000 people.

The vast wealth generated in the 18th and 19th centuries, when it was literally the centre of world trade, faded along with Britain’s fortunes in the 20th century, but not before the city built its world famous skyline.

It was soon back on the map thanks to the Beatles and Liverpool FC and today it is a vibrant, confident and multi-cultural city reflecting the mood in the rest of the country.

When you visit Liverpool you will be pleasantly surprised at just how much there is to see and do without having to open your wallet. The majority of its attractions are either free or involve a very small fee. If you do wish to pamper yourself you’ll find no shortage of luxury hotels, boutique shops and top notch bars, restaurants and nightclubs to keep you busy. You’re even a short train ride away from some of the country’s best beaches at Southport.

Liverpool’s most famous landmark is its waterfront, stretching from Albert Dock through Pier Head to Stanley Dock. You’ll find more Grade I listed buildings here than anywhere in the UK, including the famous ‘Three Graces’ buildings, which have been a welcoming sight to sea-travellers for hundreds of years.

You can explore the docks on foot, where you will find lots of interesting shops, galleries and museums, or you can catch a ‘ferry across the Mersey’ for a proper look at Liverpool’s historic waterfront. River Explorer Cruises depart every hour from Pier Head and last about 50 minutes.

Back on dry land again, in the docks, you can visit either the Merseyside Maritime Museum or the International Slavery Museum. If history isn’t for you then take in some high culture at Tate Liverpool, where you’ll find the second largest collection of modern art in the UK. All of these attractions are fabulously free.

Albert Dock is also the place to discover that other world famous Liverpudlian legend. The Beatles Story is a visitor attraction which tells the tale of how four working class boys changed the world, and as you can imagine, it is very popular with the city’s tourists.

From the docks you can wander into the warren of streets leading towards St. John’s Street Shopping Centre, where you’ll find lots of shops and restaurants, many centred on Concert Square, or you can remain around Albert Dock and look for a more traditional quayside pub.

The Walker Art Gallery, located in William Brown Street is another free attraction. This has been the National Gallery of northern England for over 130 years and houses one of the best Pre-Raphaelite collections in Britain along with an extensive collection of work by the Liverpudlian artist George Stubbs.

If architecture is your thing and you still have an appetite for more, Liverpool’s two Cathedrals are within easy walking distance. Liverpool Cathedral built on St. James Mount and visible all around the city, and Metropolitan Cathedral, which faces its twin across the city at opposite ends of Hope Street, which runs between the two.

Liverpool Cathedral is Anglican and Metropolitan Cathedral is Catholic, a fine testament to the Liverpool’s diverse past although something that is recognisable to anyone who comes from a major port-city.

Opposite Liverpool Cathedral on Hope Street you will find LIPA, Liverpool Institute of Performing Arts. This was once attended by Sir Paul McCartney and today attracts students from around the world. You can visit the institute and watch student performances; however these vary so check with LIPA for details. According to their website they have performances planned between February and June in 2009.

Liverpool’s two other spiritual buildings are its football grounds. Liverpool FC is located at Anfield and Everton at Goodison Park. They are both within walking distance of each other and both have stadium tours and museums which are available to the public. However, being the Premiership, where money talks, don't expect to get anything for free.

St. George’s Hall is another impressive building that you can visit free of charge. Located on Lime Street, this is a combination of concert halls and law courts and also happens to be the largest Neo-Classical building in the whole of Europe. It is open every day except Mondays.

Fans of old-fashioned glamour must make time to visit to the Adelphi Hotel on Ranleagh Place. During Liverpool’s heyday, when luxury ocean liners steamed out of Liverpool and around the world, this was where stars and world leaders would stay and relax in luxurious opulence.  It has recently been refurbished yet still retains its Edwardian elegance; you can visit the hotel for a quick drink in one of its bars, stay for dinner, or max out your credit card and book a room.

The weather in Liverpool is normally wet with occasional outbreaks of rain, so make sure that you take a good coat and umbrella! And remember that Liverpudlians are famous accross the UK for their strong accents, called 'scouse'. So if your English isn't too good be prepared for some interesting converations with the locals, who you will find are some of the nicest people in the whole of Britain and very proud. Proud of who they are and the city that they belong to.