Birmingham Travel Guide

Tourist 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

ibis budget Birmingham Centre
ibis budget Birmingham Centre
2.5 out of 5
1 Great Colmore Street, Birmingham, England
The price is ₹3,154 per night from 25 Jun to 26 Jun
₹3,154
per night
25 Jun - 26 Jun
Stay at this business-friendly hotel in Birmingham. Enjoy free WiFi, breakfast and on-site parking. Our guests praise the breakfast and the helpful staff in ...
7.2/10 Good! (1,003 reviews)
"It was good place"

Reviewed on 6 Jun 2023

ibis budget Birmingham Centre
Leonardo Royal Hotel Birmingham - Formerly Jurys Inn
Leonardo Royal Hotel Birmingham - Formerly Jurys Inn
4 out of 5
245 Broad Street, Birmingham, England
The price is ₹6,930 per night from 9 Jul to 10 Jul
₹6,930
per night
9 Jul - 10 Jul
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 ...
8.2/10 Very Good! (1,222 reviews)
Leonardo
"Brilliant stay, everything walking distance, no problems what so ever. Very clean cosy and brilliant views."

Reviewed on 5 Jun 2023

Leonardo Royal Hotel Birmingham - Formerly Jurys Inn
Holiday Inn Birmingham City Centre, an IHG Hotel
Holiday Inn Birmingham City Centre, an IHG Hotel
3 out of 5
Smallbrook, Queensway, Birmingham, England
The price is ₹5,745 per night from 23 Jun to 24 Jun
₹5,745
per night
23 Jun - 24 Jun
Stay at this 3-star business-friendly hotel in Birmingham. Enjoy free WiFi, breakfast and 24-hour room service. Our guests praise the breakfast and the helpful ...
8/10 Very Good! (1,001 reviews)
"Staff were wonderful, very helpful and friendly."

Reviewed on 7 Jun 2023

Holiday Inn Birmingham City Centre, an IHG Hotel
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.
Square to Staycity Aparthotels Birmingham Jewellery Quarter
Square to 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 centre. Our guests praise the helpful staff and the comfy rooms in their ...
8.2/10 Very Good! (789 reviews)
Aussie travellers
"Apartment was clean and adequately equipped but some user manuals would be helpful. Staff were friendly and welcoming. Easy walking distance to central railway station and tram stops also close to Tesco and Co op if self catering. Close to pubs and other food outlets."

Reviewed on 6 Jun 2023

Square to Staycity Aparthotels Birmingham Jewellery Quarter
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 centre. Our guests praise the convenient parking ...
9/10 Wonderful! (877 reviews)
Weekend break.
"Weekend away. Prefer apartment to hotel room. Well equipped kitchen . Shower drain didn't drain away fast enough and did have unpleasant drain rise."

Reviewed on 30 May 2023

Aparthotel Adagio Birmingham City Centre
Staying Cool at  Rotunda
Staying Cool at Rotunda
4 out of 5
Rotunda, 150 New Street, Birmingham, England
Stay at this 4-star aparthotel in Birmingham. Enjoy free WiFi, a snack bar/deli and dry cleaning or laundry services. Our guests praise the convenient parking ...
9/10 Wonderful! (500 reviews)
"Love that you can have you own apartment for the same price as a hotel room. The mini was perfect for my partner and I, views at night time were amazing. Selection of snacks and fresh products to purchase whilst in the apartment, you literally have everything you'd have at home. Staff were friendly ..."

Reviewed on 6 Jun 2023

Staying Cool at Rotunda
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
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

Cities near Birmingham