Birmingham

Travel Guide
Birmingham
The second-largest city in the U.K. is known for its museums and shopping, canals, food and music.

Located in central England, Birmingham attracts visitors with its concert venues and shopping districts, art exhibitions, curry restaurants and chocolate factory. The city was at the heart of the industrial revolution in the 1700s and 1800s, with many advancements in technology and science developed in the city’s factories. Today, Birmingham is the second largest city in the United Kingdom. Getting around is made easy by an efficient public transport system of trains and buses. Explore the city’s canals – left over from the Industrial Revolution – by boat tour.

Victoria Square is the focal point of the city many major attractions are within walking distance. Find Pre-Raphaelite masterpieces at the Birmingham Museum and Art Gallery. Shop for high-end clothing at The Mailbox, and admire the 18th-century architecture of Birmingham Cathedral.

Learn about the impact of the Industrial Revolution at Thinktank Birmingham Science Museum. There are interactive activities for younger visitors, including a giant hamster wheel and square-wheeled wagon.

Go to the Jewellery Quarter, just west of the city center, to learn about a centuries-old industry and shop for handcrafted pieces. Head south of the center to find chains stores and independent boutiques at the Bullring Shopping Centre.  

Birmingham’s music scene comes to life during the summer months. Enjoy free concerts during the Birmingham Jazz Festival. Listen to orchestras and world-famous musicians at Symphony Hall, a venue that hosts hundreds of events throughout the year.

Take time to explore around 8,000 acres (3,237 hectares) of public green spaces. Sports enthusiasts will appreciate the golf courses and boating lakes at Sutton Park, north of the city center. To the south, at Sarehole Mill, you can walk in the footsteps of J.R.R. Tolkien. Both are a short train ride from the city center.

Don’t miss out on Birmingham’s culinary scene, influenced by African, Caribbean, Chinese and Indian cultures. Visit the Curry Mile in the south of the city, so called for its large concentration of Indian restaurants, and get a chocolate hit during the tasting sessions at Cadbury World.

Where to stay in Birmingham

Bullring Shopping Centre

Birmingham City Centre

4/5(116 area reviews)

Known for its fantastic nightlife and popular shops, there's plenty to explore in Birmingham City Centre. Check out top attractions like Birmingham Cathedral and Victoria Square, and jump on the metro at Grand Central Tram Stop or Corporation Street Tram Stop to see more of the city.

Birmingham City Centre
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Edgbaston

4.5/5(12 area reviews)

Edgbaston is known for its abundant dining options, and you can plan a trip to Hagley Road and Birmingham Botanical Gardens while you're in town.

Edgbaston
Coventry featuring night scenes

Coventry City Centre

3.5/5(4 area reviews)

Coventry City Centre is noteworthy for its museums, and you can make a stop at top attractions like Coventry Cathedral and Coventry Transport Museum.

Coventry City Centre
Ikon Gallery which includes a square or plaza, night scenes and a city

Westside

4/5(16 area reviews)

Known for its fantastic nightlife and popular shops, there's plenty to explore in Westside. Check out top attractions like Broad Street and National SEA LIFE Centre, and jump on the metro at Five Ways Tram Stop or Brindley Place Tram Stop to see more of the city.

Westside
Digbeth showing outdoor art

Digbeth

Bars, shopping, and historic sites are some highlights of Digbeth. Make a stop by Hurst Street or Shopping District while you're exploring.

Digbeth
Jewellery Quarter which includes heritage architecture and street scenes

Jewellery Quarter

Shopping, restaurants, and theaters are just a few things travelers like about Jewellery Quarter. Sights like Museum of the Jewellery Quarter and Royal Birmingham Society of Artists are spots to explore, and you can get around the greater Birmingham area at Jewellery Quarter Tram Stop.

Jewellery Quarter
Forest of Arden Hotel & Country Club
Forest of Arden Hotel & Country Club
4 out of 5
Maxstoke Lane, Meriden, Birmingham, Solihull, England
The price is ¥11,958 per night from Mar 24 to Mar 25
¥11,958
per night
Mar 24 - Mar 25
Stay at this 4-star spa hotel in Solihull. Enjoy free WiFi, free parking, and 2 restaurants. Our guests praise the breakfast and the helpful staff in our reviews. ...
8.4/10 Very Good! (992 reviews)
"Lovely place to stay in beautiful location. Staff very polite and helpful. Lovely breakfast but dinner is expensive"

Reviewed on Mar 17, 2024

Forest of Arden Hotel & Country Club
Leonardo Royal Hotel Birmingham
Leonardo Royal Hotel Birmingham
4 out of 5
245 Broad Street, Birmingham, England
The price is ¥12,670 per night from Apr 1 to Apr 2
¥12,670
per night
Apr 1 - Apr 2
Stay at this 4-star business-friendly hotel in Birmingham. Enjoy free WiFi, breakfast, and room service. Our guests praise the breakfast and the helpful staff ...
8.4/10 Very Good! (1,875 reviews)
"Lovely stay , room 1510 bed very squeaky , facilities very good , lifts very fast , coffee cups at breakfast was in short supply due to washing them , had to ask for cups to be brought out ."

Reviewed on Mar 18, 2024

Leonardo Royal Hotel Birmingham
The Arden Hotel & Leisure Club
The Arden Hotel & Leisure Club
3 out of 5
Coventry Road, Bickenhill, Solihull, England
The price is ¥12,661 per night from Apr 2 to Apr 3
¥12,661
per night
Apr 2 - Apr 3
Stay at this 3-star family-friendly hotel in Solihull. Enjoy free WiFi, free parking, and breakfast. Our guests praise the breakfast and the pool in our reviews. ...
8.2/10 Very Good! (1,001 reviews)
Oe night stay
"Staff very friendly, room clean, met my expectations for a one night stay."

Reviewed on Mar 16, 2024

The Arden Hotel & Leisure Club
Lowest nightly price found within the past 24 hours based on a 1 night stay for 2 adults. Prices and availability subject to change. Additional terms may apply.
Aparthotel Adagio Birmingham City Centre
Aparthotel Adagio Birmingham City Centre
4 out of 5
131 Digbeth, Birmingham, England
Stay at this 4-star business-friendly aparthotel in Birmingham. Enjoy free WiFi, breakfast, and a 24-hour fitness center. Our guests praise the helpful staff ...
9/10 Wonderful! (951 reviews)
"Stunning room would definitely stay again"

Reviewed on Jan 31, 2024

Aparthotel Adagio Birmingham City Centre
PREMIER SUITES Birmingham
PREMIER SUITES Birmingham
4 out of 5
Dean House 38 Upper Dean Street, Birmingham, England
Stay at this 4-star eco-certified aparthotel in Birmingham. Enjoy free WiFi, breakfast, and onsite parking. Popular attractions The Arcadian and St Martins in ...
8/10 Very Good! (247 reviews)
"Lovely apartment, just a shame the lift wasnt working."

Reviewed on Mar 18, 2024

PREMIER SUITES Birmingham
Staycity Aparthotels, Birmingham, Jewellery Quarter
Staycity Aparthotels, Birmingham, Jewellery Quarter
3.5 out of 5
88 Charlotte Street, Birmingham, England
Stay at this 3.5-star aparthotel in Birmingham. Enjoy free WiFi, breakfast, and a fitness center. Our guests praise the clean rooms in our reviews. Popular attractions ...
8.2/10 Very Good! (890 reviews)
"A lovely find and perfect for our 'girls' reunion. All staff were so friendly and welcoming. They could not do enough for you. All our rooms were great. Thank you."

Reviewed on Mar 13, 2024

Staycity Aparthotels, Birmingham, Jewellery Quarter
Lowest nightly price found within the past 24 hours based on a 1 night stay for 2 adults. Prices and availability subject to change. Additional terms may apply.

Popular places to visit

Things to do

Reviews of Birmingham

4.1
Top Destination
5 - Excellent
42
" "5 - Excellent 27.814569536423843%
4 - Good
84
" "4 - Good 55.629139072847686%
3 - Okay
22
" "3 - Okay 14.56953642384106%
2 - Disappointing
1
" "2 - Disappointing 0.6622516556291391%
1 - Terrible
2
" "1 - Terrible 1.3245033112582782%

4/5 - Good

Verified traveler
Mar 6, 2020

Birmingham is a pleasant change from London. Worth a visit.

5/5 - Excellent

Verified traveler
Feb 26, 2020

Very lively atmosphere. Great restaurants and plenty to do

5/5 - Excellent

Verified traveler
Jan 23, 2020

Loved the city!

3/5 - Okay

Verified traveler
Nov 20, 2019

Nothing much to say about Birmingham, large multi-cultural city. Has its good points and its bad.

4/5 - Good

Verified traveler
Oct 18, 2019

Very diverse, with great food. Easy to commute with old but interesting buildings . The people are very friendly and polite

4/5 - Good

Karen
Oct 10, 2019

Very sad to see how much rubbish, broken glass, graffiti, and homeless were on the streets. We haven’t been in Brum for 19 years and it has changed. BUT, it is still our cherished family city 

Cities near Birmingham