Birmingham

Travel Guide

Victoria Square featuring flowers, heritage architecture and a city
Birmingham
Birmingham
Stratford-upon-Avon showing boating and a bay or harbour
Birmingham

Birmingham Travel Guide Video

England’s second city is full of culture and top-quality shopping, with many miles of canals to charm the visitor.

Birmingham has lots to offer: from bustling shopping areas to excellent live-music venues, art galleries to a chocolate factory! Much of the city’s most interesting history originates during the Industrial Revolution of the 18th and 19th centuries, when numerous technological advances were made in the many factories and workshops operating here.

Many canals remain from those long-gone days, when they were crucial transport links with other parts of the country. Now, they add numerous pleasant waterside hangouts and opportunities for boat tours to the city. In fact, Birmingham has more miles of canals than Venice!

Victoria Square is at the heart of many of the city’s favourite attractions. Check out the wonderfully romanticised pre-Raphaelite masterworks in the Birmingham Museum and Art Gallery, or admire Baroque Birmingham Cathedral. If fashion’s more your thing, the most exclusive chic clothing can be found at The Mailbox, while big brands and the hottest styles can be found at the Bullring Shopping Centre.

Children will love tracing incredible scientific advances at the interactive Thinktank Birmingham Science Museum. Browse around the Jewellery Quarter to appreciate the handiwork of these master craftsmen, and maybe pick up something for that special someone.

The city’s musical scene really comes alive during the summer months. The Birmingham Jazz Festival gets the city moving to a different beat during the summer, and there are lots of free performances. For a more refined experience, soak in the melodic tones of outstanding orchestras and classical musicians at the Symphony Hall.

When you need a break from the concrete jungle, Sutton Park offers wide open green spaces, along with golf courses and boating lakes. At the opposite side of the city, to the south, you can walk in the shadow of J.R.R. Tolkien at beautiful Sarehole Mill. Both parks are a short hop on the train from the city centre, and are just two examples of the 3,237 hectares of green spaces on offer here.

Younger members of the family will love the sweetness of Cadbury World. Later on, as evening comes around and you start to get hungry, there’s a lot to choose from. Birmingham’s dining scene is heavily influenced by African, Chinese, Caribbean and Indian cuisine, with the “Curry Mile” in the south of the city particularly popular with diners.

Where to stay in Birmingham

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Birmingham City Centre

4/5(2,149 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

3.5/5(332 area reviews)

Take time in Edgbaston to visit attractions like Hagley Road and Birmingham Botanical Gardens. You might also appreciate the abundant dining options, and you can hop on the metro at Edgbaston Village Station to see more of the city.

Edgbaston
Coventry featuring night scenes

Coventry City Centre

3.5/5(40 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
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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 The Bear Grylls Adventure and Resorts World Arena, and jump on the metro at Air Rail Link Tram Stop to get around the city.

Marston Green
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Aston

While Aston may not have many sights to explore, venturing just a little farther will lead you to top things to see and do like Villa Park and Aston Hall.

Aston
Ikon Gallery showing a square or plaza, a city and night scenes

Westside

4/5(64 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
Crowne Plaza Birmingham City Centre by IHG
Crowne Plaza Birmingham City Centre by IHG
4 out of 5
Central Square, Holliday Street, Birmingham, England
Fully refundable
The price is S$148 per night from 13 Jul to 14 Jul
S$148
13 Jul - 14 Jul
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this 4-star eco-certified hotel in Birmingham. Enjoy free WiFi, breakfast (surcharge), and 24-hour room service. Our guests praise the breakfast and ...
8.6/10 Excellent! (1,027 reviews)
"Excellent visit to Birmingham for the evening, and brunch the next day... But mugged for car parking £20, highway robbery"

Reviewed on 29 Jun, 2025

Crowne Plaza Birmingham City Centre by IHG
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 S$119 per night from 18 Jul to 19 Jul
S$119
18 Jul - 19 Jul
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this 4-star spa hotel in Solihull. Enjoy free WiFi, free parking, and a full-service spa. Our guests praise the breakfast and the helpful staff in our ...
8.4/10 Very Good! (1,000 reviews)
"Very good couple of nights break , with a good game of golf on a excellent golf course the Arden , will be back"

Reviewed on 29 Jun, 2025

Forest of Arden Hotel & Country Club
Aparthotel Birmingham
Aparthotel Birmingham
4 out of 5
Saint Chads Queensway, Birmingham, England
Stay at this 4-star hotel in Birmingham. Enjoy free WiFi, breakfast (surcharge), and a 24-hour front desk. Our guests praise the helpful staff in our reviews. ...
9/10 Wonderful! (462 reviews)
Fabulous hotel
"Loved this hotel very clean modern everything you need in your room and just 5 minutes from the main bars and restaurants"

Reviewed on 29 Jun, 2025

Aparthotel Birmingham
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.
Staycity Aparthotels , Birmingham, City Centre
Staycity Aparthotels , Birmingham, City Centre
3.5 out of 5
88 Charlotte Street, Birmingham, England
Stay at this 3.5-star aparthotel in Birmingham. Enjoy free WiFi, breakfast (surcharge), and a fitness center. Our guests praise the helpful staff and the clean ...
8.4/10 Very Good! (1,059 reviews)
"Great stay for concert in Utilita Arena. Would recommend."

Reviewed on 28 Jun, 2025

Staycity Aparthotels , Birmingham, City Centre
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 (surcharge), and a 24-hour fitness center. Our guests praise the helpful ...
9.2/10 Wonderful! (1,217 reviews)
Great Place to stay
"Great place to stay while visiting Birmingham. Location is within walking distance to the train station. plenty of food choices nearby. Room was super quiet and comfortable. bed was perfect"

Reviewed on 30 Jun, 2025

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 aparthotel in Birmingham. Enjoy free WiFi, cable/satellite TV service, and in-room washers/dryers. Our guests praise the helpful staff in ...
8/10 Very Good! (334 reviews)
Great Hone from Home
"Central location for anywhere in centre. 10 min walk from New Street Station"

Reviewed on 25 Jun, 2025

PREMIER SUITES Birmingham
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.

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Reviews of Birmingham

4
Top destination
5 - Excellent
702
5 - Excellent 29%
4 - Good
1086
4 - Good 45%
3 - Okay
463
3 - Okay 19%
2 - Disappointing
86
2 - Disappointing 4%
1 - Terrible
51
1 - Terrible 2%

5/5 - Excellent

Verified traveller

Friendly people and the best city in the UK

5/5 - Excellent

Verified traveller

I applaud the cleanliness of the area I visited

3/5 - Okay

Verified traveller

Loads of developments and upgrading of buildings and road infrastructure etc. Road diversion routes confusing but will eventually result in the city center being a pleasant place to visit

4/5 - Good

Verified traveller

We were in Birmingham for a gig just out of town but had a wander around the centre and were very impressed.

5/5 - Excellent

Verified traveller

love it

5/5 - Excellent

Verified traveller

Great city