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 West Orchards Shopping and Coventry Cathedral.

Coventry City Centre
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
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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
Crowne Plaza Birmingham City Centre by IHG

Crowne Plaza Birmingham City Centre by IHG

4 out of 5
Central Square, Holliday Street, Birmingham, England
The price is Rp1.389.650 per night from 24 Aug to 25 Aug
Rp1.389.650
Rp1.806.545 total
24 Aug - 25 Aug
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 ...
8.8/10 Excellent! (1,018 reviews)
"Nice hotel"

Reviewed on 27 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
Fully refundableReserve now, pay when you stay
The price is Rp1.243.164 per night from 15 Aug to 16 Aug
Rp1.243.164
Rp1.491.797 total
15 Aug - 16 Aug
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! (1,023 reviews)
Perfect
"A beautiful hotel, the rooms are spacious. Our 7 year old loved the pool and the basket ball nets in the grounds. The breakfast buffett is amazing we have never seen so many options."

Reviewed on 26 Jul 2025

Forest of Arden Hotel & Country Club
Leonardo Royal Hotel Birmingham

Leonardo Royal Hotel Birmingham

4 out of 5
245 Broad Street, Birmingham, England
The price is Rp1.393.727 per night from 3 Aug to 4 Aug
Rp1.393.727
Rp1.672.473 total
3 Aug - 4 Aug
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this 4-star eco-certified hotel in Birmingham. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, breakfast (surcharge) and room service. Our guests praise the breakfast and the helpful ...
8.8/10 Excellent! (2,733 reviews)
"Highly recommend, good area for all sorts of activities varying from families to couples to nights out. Lovely rooms and can’t fault service and breakfast has a fantastic range of choice."

Reviewed on 28 Jul 2025

Leonardo Royal Hotel 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! (1,083 reviews)
"Great property amazing staff. Thank you will be back !!"

Reviewed on 24 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! (1,236 reviews)
Good
"Well equipped apartment in a central location for shopping and dining out. Slight issue on check in when we were allocated a room that was already occupied. After two trips back to reception we were allocated another room. Overall satisfied with accommodation for the price paid."

Reviewed on 27 Jul 2025

Aparthotel Adagio Birmingham City Centre
The Spires Serviced Apartments Birmingham

The Spires Serviced Apartments Birmingham

4 out of 5
10 Commercial Street, Birmingham, England
Stay at this 4-star aparthotel in Birmingham. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, breakfast (surcharge) and laundry facilities. Our guests praise the helpful staff in their reviews. ...
8.2/10 Very Good! (215 reviews)
"Excellent overall experience.👍"

Reviewed on 24 Jul 2025

The Spires Serviced Apartments 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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