Birmingham Travel Guide

Tourist Guide

Victoria Square which includes a city, a square or plaza and flowers
Birmingham
Birmingham
Stratford-upon-Avon which includes a bay or harbour and boating
Birmingham

Birmingham Travel Guide Video

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 centre, to learn about a centuries-old industry and shop for handcrafted pieces. Head south of the centre 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 centre. 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 centre.

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

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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 refundableReserve now, pay when you stay
The price is Rp1.444.513 per night from 13 Jul to 14 Jul
Rp1.444.513
Rp1.877.867 total
13 Jul - 14 Jul
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this 4-star eco-certified hotel in Birmingham. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, breakfast (surcharge) and 24-hour room service. Our guests praise the breakfast and ...
8.6/10 Excellent! (1,009 reviews)
Trip to Birmingham
"Nice hotel in a good location. Staff were friendly and the hotel was good value for money"

Reviewed on 8 Jul 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 Rp1.254.823 per night from 27 Jul to 28 Jul
Rp1.254.823
Rp1.505.788 total
27 Jul - 28 Jul
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this 4-star spa hotel in Solihull. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, free parking and a full-service spa. Our guests praise the breakfast and the helpful staff in their ...
8.4/10 Very Good! (1,009 reviews)
Visit NEC
"Lovely hotel and in the perfect setting the food was mediocre in the bar. The dessert tray was all dry and not edible"

Reviewed on 7 Jul 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 Wi-Fi, breakfast (surcharge) and a 24-hour front desk. Our guests praise the helpful staff in their reviews. ...
9/10 Wonderful! (472 reviews)
"Clean property. Had a nice stay"

Reviewed on 6 Jul 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 Wi-Fi, breakfast (surcharge) and a fitness centre. Our guests praise the helpful staff and the clean ...
8.4/10 Very Good! (1,063 reviews)
Location Locations
"Brilliant all round. Great location and staff. Helpful and friendly. The apartments are in a ideal location just a 15min walk from the city centre/train station and 10 from the arena."

Reviewed on 6 Jul 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 Wi-Fi, breakfast (surcharge) and a 24-hour fitness centre. Our guests praise the helpful ...
9.2/10 Wonderful! (1,218 reviews)
Helpful staff
"The woman who greeted us at reception was so kind and welcoming. Clean room and perfect for a weekend stay in the city centre."

Reviewed on 5 Jul 2025

Aparthotel Adagio Birmingham City Centre
Naps Inn
Naps Inn
3 out of 5
307 Walsall Road, Perry Barr, Birmingham, England
Stay at this 3-star apartment in Birmingham. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, free parking and a rooftop terrace. Popular attractions Villa Park and Utilita Arena Birmingham ...
7/10 Good! (89 reviews)
"Property manager and her son were very attentive took care of all my needs"

Reviewed on 19 Jun 2025

Naps Inn
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

Cities near Birmingham