Whether it’s because of Anfield, the Beatles or culture, everyone has a mental map of Liverpool. The very name conjures up images of a glorious maritime history, unparalleled musical heritage, one of the biggest football teams in world football, and two majestic cathedrals.

This northwest city is certainly all these things. But there is also so much more, especially because Liverpool is undergoing a thrilling renaissance, all kick-started by its hugely successful stint as European Capital of Culture in 2008.

Consequently, it is now bulging with fabulous new shops, buzzing new restaurants, hip hotels, trendy wine bars and a world class cultural offering, with more museums and galleries than anywhere outside London.

Then there are its inhabitants, called Scousers, renowned for their friendliness and sense of humour. Proud of their city, they will welcome any visitor with open arms.

In fact, it is no surprise that Liverpool was voted third by Conde Nast as a top city break destination.

And all that is why I cannot get enough of Liverpool and feel homesick if I do not visit ever so often.

Liverpool oozes culture and heritage. The city has a glorious past as a mercantile hub but today it is also a key destination for art lovers, fans of theatre and those who like to explore museums. Tate Liverpool stages major art exhibitions and is ably complemented by the Walker Art Gallery, the national gallery of the north of England. Recent exhibitions include works by Picasso, Hockney, Turner and Rembrandt.

Then there’s the Bluecoat, a distinctive Grade I listed art centre that is over 290 years old – it offers an inspiring programme of visual art, music, dance and literature.

When you’re in the city, stroll around Albert Dock for a history lesson, then take a ferry across the Mersey (like the song by Gerry and the Pacemakers advises you to) on one of the river’s famous ferries to witness the awe-inspiring view of the Liverpool waterfront.

Liverpool is a Unesco World Heritage site. Its impressive waterfront qualified the city for this status in 2004. The site stretches along the waterfront from Albert Dock, which alone has the largest collection of Grade I listed buildings in the UK, through Pier Head and up to Stanley Dock.

Proud of their city, they will welcome any visitor with open arms

Liverpool has a unique mix of contemporary and classic architecture too. There is the soaring Gothic Cathedral, the biggest Anglican Cathedral in the UK and the modern Catholic Cathedral, affectionately known as Paddy’s Wigwam, whose vast stained glass crown floods the interior with different colours.

The stunning St George’s Hall, described by Prince Charles as the finest example of neo-classical architecture in the country, is where you can explore the great hall, fascinating criminal court and judges’ chambers.

Liverpool has one of the most impressive collections of museums outside London. Many are located around Albert Dock, such as Merseyside Maritime Museum, International Slavery Museum and the more recent World Museum, a fascinating building bulging with historic treasures from around the world.

The National Conservation Centre is also worth a visit. This unique venue will tell you everything about conservation, from how Egyptian mummies are preserved to how old motorbikes are restored.

The city also has plenty of performance spaces. The legendary Everyman and Playhouse theatres stage premieres by both local and international artists.

These two, along with the recently renovated Epstein Theatre, are responsible for launching the careers of several celebrated actors, most notably Daniel Craig, Bill Nighy, Julie Walters and the late Pete Postlethwaite.

Liverpool also likes to party and everyone is welcome to join in the fun. One of the main reasons the area is so popular with weekend visitors, clubbers and couples is because of its thriving nightlife. From old pubs to trendy clubs, Liverpool has something for everyone. If you wander around the city at night, you will be amazed at the sheer variety of places you can visit.

A lot of what you find is related to music, which is a matter-of-fact thing when you consider that Liverpool is the world capital of pop music.

The city gave us the best loved music group ever, the Beatles. Music has always been dear to Liverpudlians and you would expect that from the city that beside the Beatles, gave us Billy Fury, Gerry and the Pacemakers, Cilla Black, Echo and the Bunnymen, Space Cast, the Coral, the Zootons, Mel C of the Spice Girls and Atomic Kitten to name a few.

There are a lot of great live music venues, from pubs in and around Mathew Street, the place where the Beatles story began. Why not sip a pint at the Grapes, dance at a late-night bar or watch a live band at the legendary Cavern? If you’re ready to let your hair down, cool clubs like the Barfly and Zanzibar will satisfy you with their touring acts and homegrown talent wooing the crowd.

For some old-style Scouse banter, venues such as the Blue Angel, the Dispensary on Renshaw Street, Rigby’s on Dale Street and the Old Post Office pub are a must. There are also lots of Irish pubs, as befits a port city like Liverpool. Most of them also offer hearty food and live music in a homely atmosphere. You could be forgiven for thinking you have flown to Ireland by mistake.

Clubbing is world-famous in Liverpool since it is the hometown of global brand Cream. Why not dance till dawn in clubs like Garlands and High Society and indie haunts like Le Bateau and the Casbah? Concert Square is probably the liveliest part of town and the best place to start a night out. It has a dazzling array of bars, from nationally known franchises to Liverpool-run businesses.

The city’s waterfront is also home to lots of exciting venues, including Baby Blue, Circo and Revolution. Albert Dock might be a tourist destination by day but at night, the dock remains a firm favourite with local celebrities. Who knows who you might bump into?

For the ultimate experience, Alma de Cuba on Seel Street eclipses all venues. Liverpool’s most spectacular club is an island in the heart of the city, an independent spirit that leaves a lasting impression where you can eat, drink and dance the night away on a dance floor that in times past was an altar.

Set inside the magnificent conversion of the former St Peter’s Catholic Church, Alma de Cuba is an eclectic mix of Cuban, Hispanic and Latin American influences spiked with Liverpool’s great spirit.

I visit this place every time I’m in the city. On Thursday nights there is live spontaneous Latin music, while on Fridays and Saturdays there’s a carnival atmosphere with petal showers at 11pm and on Sundays, lunch is accompanied by a live gospel choir.

This place won the best venue award in the UK for five years running.

Another inviting hotspot is the Echo arena and Convention Centre which now offers a 10,000 capacity, attracting the world’s biggest stars. So if choosing your stay wisely in Liverpool, you can combine your trip with watching Rihanna or Duran Duran in concert.

Once in Liverpool, you are spoilt for choice. Whether you want a quiet pint or want to party all night long and stagger back to your hotel early before sunrise, the city has what you’re looking for.

Liverpool is just a great place. It certainly always brings a smile to my face. Chances are that, given the opportunity, it will bring one to yours too.

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Rough Guides recently voted Liverpool as the fourth friendliest city on the planet. Here are some reasons why people in Liverpool enjoy life more.

The seaside
Liverpool is a port city and you cannot really think about the place without thinking of its links to the sea, be it through the city’s maritime heritage, world famous ferry or its sandy beaches.

The healing power of laughter
Humour is infectious in Liverpool. Liverpudlians just love having a laugh, no matter what. They call it banter.

Retail therapy
Liverpool loves to spend and in 2008 it budgeted £1 billion to build Liverpool One, a new shopping and leisure destination that blew the roof off retail and launched the city as a top UK retail destination.

Ever changing
If there is one thing that Liverpool does so well, it is culture. The city’s cultural events are grand in their ambition, scale, impact and diversity. It is no exaggeration to say that Liverpool offers up a new festival each month. This constantly evolving cultural scene means that the city is ever changing.

The green line
Despite more than £6 billion spent on regeneration in the last decade, Liverpool remains green, boasting two of the biggest parks in the northwest, Sefton Park and Stanley Park.

Warm characters
Liverpool is not simply a place. It is a community and it is full of warm, genuine people. The secret to a happy and healthy life may be the strength of the connections we make with people along the way. So a city full of expressive, open and honest people has got to be good for anyone.