Birmingham

Travel Guide
Birmingham
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)

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(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
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
Jewellery Quarter showing street scenes and heritage architecture

Jewellery Quarter

Shopping, restaurants and theatres are just a few things travellers 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
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Meriden

Restaurants, forests and golf courses are some highlights of Meriden. You might stop by Heart of England Events Centre or National Motorcycle Museum while you're in the area.

Meriden
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 RM251 per night from 21 Apr to 22 Apr
RM251
per night
21 Apr - 22 Apr
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 27 Mar 2024

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 RM399 per night from 2 Apr to 3 Apr
RM399
per night
2 Apr - 3 Apr
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 24 Mar 2024

Leonardo Royal Hotel Birmingham
The Arden Hotel & Leisure Club
The Arden Hotel & Leisure Club
3 out of 5
Coventry Road, Bickenhill, Solihull, England
Fully refundableReserve now, pay when you stay
The price is RM399 per night from 5 Apr to 6 Apr
RM399
per night
5 Apr - 6 Apr
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! (1,020 reviews)
Lovely Hotel
"As usual, excellent stay at the Arden. Staff friendly and helpful. Food good especially in the restaurant."

Reviewed on 26 Mar 2024

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 24 Mar 2024

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 The Arcadian and St Martins in ...
8/10 Very Good! (267 reviews)
Premier Suites Birmingham
"Very convenient location for the O2 institute. Nice quiet apartment block with a 24 hour shop next door to it."

Reviewed on 24 Mar 2024

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 23 Mar 2024

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

Things to do

Reviews of Birmingham

4
Top destination
5 - Excellent
702
" "5 - Excellent 29.396984924623116%
4 - Good
1086
" "4 - Good 45.47738693467337%
3 - Okay
463
" "3 - Okay 19.388609715242882%
2 - Disappointing
86
" "2 - Disappointing 3.6013400335008376%
1 - Terrible
51
" "1 - Terrible 2.135678391959799%

5/5 - Excellent

Verified traveller
2 May 2020

Friendly people and the best city in the UK

5/5 - Excellent

Verified traveller
14 Mar 2020

I applaud the cleanliness of the area I visited

3/5 - Okay

Verified traveller
10 Mar 2020

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
9 Mar 2020

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
29 Feb 2020

love it

5/5 - Excellent

Verified traveller
29 Feb 2020

Great city