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.
Birmingham
Travel Guide
Visit Birmingham
Where to stay in Birmingham
Birmingham City Centre
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.
Edgbaston
Visitors often come to Edgbaston for its abundant dining options, but many stay to explore sights like Hagley Road and Birmingham Botanical Gardens. Getting around the area on the metro is easy if you catch a ride at Edgbaston Village Station.
Marston Green
Well-liked for its restaurants and museums, Marston Green is worth a visit. Check out the variety of things to see and do like bp pulse LIVE and Resorts World Birmingham, and jump on the metro at Air Rail Link Tram Stop to get around the city.
Coventry City Centre
Coventry City Centre is noteworthy for its museums, and you can make a stop at top attractions like Lady Godiva Statue and St Mary's Guildhall.
Westside
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.
Convention Quarter
Known for its fantastic nightlife and popular shops, there's plenty to explore in Convention Quarter. Check out top attractions like Symphony Hall and Industry and Genius, and jump on the metro at Library Tram Stop or Brindley Place Tram Stop to see more of the city.
Crowne Plaza Birmingham City Centre by IHG
The room was very clean, staff were very nice But there is a strange noise that whistles through the corridors and some other poster has mentioned this too
Reviewed on Dec 21, 2025
Leonardo Royal Hotel Birmingham
Breakfast selection was good but our group could not sit together, there were only 6 of us, as the staff were trying to close down a section of the restaurant for cleaning. We ended up on 3 separate tables, not very customer centric.
Reviewed on Dec 15, 2025
The Arden Hotel & Leisure Club
Room was too cold.
Reviewed on Dec 16, 2025
Staycity Aparthotels , Birmingham, City Centre
The room was lovely! Staff were very Friendly & helpful and a Perfect location to stay! it was our first time staying in Birmingham and we will definitely be back again soon.
Reviewed on Dec 15, 2025
Aparthotel Adagio Birmingham City Centre
Helpfull staff
Reviewed on Dec 21, 2025
No.8 Waterloo Apartments
Beautiful apartment, well appointed and also very quiet to say it’s so central.
Reviewed on Dec 10, 2025
Popular places to visit
Villa Park
Catch an event at Villa Park during your trip to Birmingham. Discover the area's lively bars and its acclaimed theater scene.
Bullring & Grand Central
An ultra-modern complex, this shopping destination is built on the site of a centuries-old marketplace, continuing Birmingham’s tradition of commerce and ambition.
Utilita Arena Birmingham
Catch an event at Utilita Arena Birmingham during your trip to Birmingham. Make time to visit the area's shops, or simply enjoy its top-notch restaurants.
University of Birmingham
Enjoy the collegiate vibe when you visit University of Birmingham, during your trip to Birmingham. Make time to visit the area's shops, or simply enjoy its lively bars.
Broad Street
During your visit to Birmingham, you can search for that perfect souvenir at Broad Street. Discover the lively bars and great live music in this walkable area.
Cadbury World
Learn about the history of one of the world’s biggest chocolate manufacturers and sample various products at this interactive chocolate and entertainment center.
Things to do
Birmingham: Slogging Gangs Guided Walking Tour
Birmingham: Victorian Canals and Modern-Day Birmingham Tour
Stratford-upon-Avon: Anne Hathaway's Cottage Entry ticket
Shropshire: Alpaca Meet & Greet Intimate Alpaca Experience
Reviews of Birmingham
4/5 - Good
Birmingham is a pleasant change from London. Worth a visit.
5/5 - Excellent
Very lively atmosphere. Great restaurants and plenty to do
5/5 - Excellent
Loved the city!
3/5 - Okay
Nothing much to say about Birmingham, large multi-cultural city. Has its good points and its bad.
4/5 - Good
Very diverse, with great food. Easy to commute with old but interesting buildings . The people are very friendly and polite
4/5 - Good
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
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