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
Default Image

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
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
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
Hampton by Hilton Birmingham Broad Street
Hampton by Hilton Birmingham Broad Street
3 out of 5
200 Broad Street, Cumberland House, Birmingham, England
The price is NT$1,699 per night from Apr 21 to Apr 22
NT$1,699
per night
Apr 21 - Apr 22
Stay at this 3-star hotel in Birmingham. Enjoy free breakfast, free WiFi, and a 24-hour fitness center. Our guests praise the breakfast and the helpful staff ...
8.2/10 Very Good! (1,392 reviews)
Pleasant stay and great value - super breakfast!
"Parking for the hotel isn’t very clear, we ended up in a car park behind the casino next door thinking it was the right one. However the lady on reception said it wasn’t but it was only £9 a night whereas their one was £12.. so we just kept the car there. Friendly welcome, we were celebrating my ..."

Reviewed on 2024/3/27

Hampton by Hilton Birmingham Broad Street
Leonardo Royal Hotel Birmingham
Leonardo Royal Hotel Birmingham
4 out of 5
245 Broad Street, Birmingham, England
The price is NT$2,697 per night from Apr 2 to Apr 3
NT$2,697
per night
Apr 2 - Apr 3
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! (1,901 reviews)
Family weekend
"Great room, fab view, very comfy beds, clean. Just a shame about the other guests playing very loud music and shouting just as i was putting ny 5yr old to bed. Very inconsiderate. But not hotel's fault."

Reviewed on 2024/3/24

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 NT$2,696 per night from Apr 21 to Apr 22
NT$2,696
per night
Apr 21 - Apr 22
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! (1,021 reviews)
Lovely Hotel
"As usual, excellent stay at the Arden. Staff friendly and helpful. Food good especially in the restaurant."

Reviewed on 2024/3/26

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! (974 reviews)
A great find…
"Wasn’t too sure what to expect given the description and price paid, but couldn’t be faulted. Super staff, comfortable rooms, very quiet and great value"

Reviewed on 2024/3/24

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 Bullring Shopping Centre and ...
8.2/10 Very Good! (250 reviews)
"Lovely apartment, just a shame the lift wasnt working."

Reviewed on 2024/3/18

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! (895 reviews)
"Walking distance to arena, spacious room and great facilities"

Reviewed on 2024/3/23

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

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