Birmingham Travel Guide

Tourist Guide

Victoria Square featuring heritage architecture, a city and a square or plaza
Birmingham
Birmingham
Stratford-upon-Avon which includes boating and a bay or harbour
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(27 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

4/5(2 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 which includes night scenes

Coventry City Centre

Coventry City Centre is noteworthy for its museums, and you can make a stop at top attractions like Lady Godiva Statue 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 bp pulse LIVE and Resorts World Birmingham, and jump on the metro at Air Rail Link Tram Stop to get around the city.

Marston Green
Ikon Gallery featuring night scenes, a city and a square or plaza

Westside

3.5/5(2 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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Convention Quarter

Known for its fantastic nightlife and popular shops, there's plenty to explore in Convention Quarter. Check out top attractions like Symphony Hall and Industry and Genius, and jump on the metro at Library Tram Stop or Brindley Place Tram Stop to see more of the city.

Convention Quarter
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 AU$138 per night from 2 Nov to 3 Nov
AU$138
per night
2 Nov - 3 Nov
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 ...
8.8/10 Excellent! (1,016 reviews)
"All good but just need to provide a better coffee at breakfast."

Reviewed on 13 Oct 2025

Crowne Plaza Birmingham City Centre by IHG
Leonardo Royal Hotel Birmingham

Leonardo Royal Hotel Birmingham

4 out of 5
245 Broad Street, Birmingham, England
The price is AU$157 per night from 2 Nov to 3 Nov
AU$157
per night
2 Nov - 3 Nov
Stay at this 4-star eco-certified hotel in Birmingham. Enjoy free WiFi, breakfast (surcharge), and room service. Our guests praise the breakfast and the helpful ...
8.8/10 Excellent! (2,818 reviews)
"All satisfied"

Reviewed on 14 Oct 2025

Leonardo Royal Hotel Birmingham
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 AU$143 per night from 19 Oct to 20 Oct
AU$143
per night
19 Oct - 20 Oct
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! (1,012 reviews)
"Plenty of room for parking - however the code to leave made no sense. (Especially for taxi drivers). The staff were friendly. Breakfast - no grilled tomatoes (normally a staple) The swimming area was ok - the scum on the top of the hot tub looked yuck. It was a place of convenience- close enough ..."

Reviewed on 11 Oct 2025

Forest of Arden Hotel & Country 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.
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! (1,106 reviews)
Fab apartment
"Clean place. Friendly staff, had everything we needed"

Reviewed on 16 Oct 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! (1,263 reviews)
"Good location for our trip. Spacious clean rooms"

Reviewed on 13 Oct 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! (349 reviews)
"Ideal location. Great size. OK views"

Reviewed on 29 Sept 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

3.9
Guest rating
5 - Excellent
8
5 - Excellent 23%
4 - Good
17
4 - Good 49%
3 - Okay
9
3 - Okay 26%
2 - Disappointing
0
2 - Disappointing 0%
1 - Terrible
1
1 - Terrible 3%

3/5 - Okay

Verified traveller

It’s a busy city centre, not pretty but has great shopping centres, a good rail link to London. Do what you need to do then get out to the countryside

5/5 - Excellent

Verified traveller

By order of the pesky blinders!

4/5 - Good

Verified traveller

Went to Birmingham to watch the Ashes test match at Edgbaston. Event was well presented and run by the Warwickshire County Cricket Club. I would recommend to anyone thinking about going to a match there.

4/5 - Good

Verified traveller

Only had one night there but really enjoyed the canal trip and the museum and art gallery.

3/5 - Okay

Verified traveller

Not a place i would return to. Seen it.

3/5 - Okay

Verified traveller

Didn't go to Birmingham

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