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 Pendigo Lake, 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 Coventry Transport Museum and Planet Ice Coventry.
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.
Digbeth
Bars, shopping, and historic sites are some highlights of Digbeth. Make a stop by Hurst Street or Shopping District while you're exploring.
Crowne Plaza Birmingham City Centre by IHG
Nice hotel. Some parts of the room were dated. There was a strange sewage smell from the bathroom as soon as we entered the room and it stayed with us during our stay. Other than that, the hotel and room were nice.
Reviewed on Feb 20, 2026
The Arden Hotel & Leisure Club
Would recommend on basis of location, confort & cleanliness of room and staff professionalism. Unfortunately we did not have breakfast or use the leasure facilities so cannot comment on these but I definitely want to book again and try these. We had great value for money and the best nights sleep. ...
Reviewed on Feb 21, 2026
Holiday Inn Express Birmingham - City Centre by IHG
out standing staff, great breakfast, lovely clean room.
Reviewed on Feb 21, 2026
Staycity Aparthotels , Birmingham, City Centre
Nice
Reviewed on Feb 20, 2026
Aparthotel Adagio Birmingham City Centre
Good clean room - helpful staff
Reviewed on Feb 20, 2026
No.8 Waterloo Apartments
Daria and her team are really fantastic. This was my second stay here and every bit as good as the first. But this time i arrived to a lovely welcome card ( and chocolates ) from Daria. Having been used to hotels in Birmingham for so long this is really a breath of fresh air. Even when i thought ...
Reviewed on Feb 18, 2026
Popular places to visit
National Exhibition Centre
Learn about the events happening at National Exhibition Centre during your trip to Birmingham. Discover the entertainment choices and shops in this walkable area.
Villa Park
Catch an event at Villa Park during your trip to Birmingham. Discover the area's lively bars and its acclaimed theater scene.
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.
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 top-notch restaurants.
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.
International Convention Centre
Remarkably elegant and extremely well-equipped, Birmingham’s most ambitious venue hosts more than 350 different events every year.
Things to do
Shropshire: Meet the Mini Moos Cow Cuddling Experience
Birmingham: Slogging Gangs Guided Walking Tour
Birmingham: Victorian Canals and Modern-Day Birmingham Tour
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
Other places like Birmingham
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