Top things to do in Birmingham
Attractions, tours, and activities in Birmingham
Birmingham: the city's best neighborhoods
Find a great area to stay in Birmingham
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Jewellery Quarter
0.9 miles from downtown
Arrive bare-necked and leave dripping with diamonds. This semi-residential area holds over a hundred jewellery stores. Buy truly outrageous gems from Mitchel and Co., or find an artisan to craft your perfect bespoke piece – which usually sell for much less than popular retailers. For divine inspiration, stop by the Museum of the Jewellery Quarter.
Places to stay from $23 a night
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The Westside
0.9 miles from downtown
Westside has gone from blah to hurrah! In mere decades, it rocketed from fun-free industrial zone to an entertainment free-for-all. Walk the series of Canals in the Gas Street Basin, shop it up on Broad Street, get literary inspiration in the new Library of Birmingham, or stare at the Rubick's cube that is "The Cube".
Places to stay from $51 a night
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Chinatown
0.6 miles from downtown
Chinatown had us fooled – it’s nowhere near as big as China, but the breadth of restaurants here is truly staggering. Luscious Asian cuisines are ripe for the picking, with restaurants that sell everything from bento boxes to egg foo yong. The area is plonked amidst a series of trendy nightclubs, just a stone’s throw from New Street Station.
Places to stay from $35 a night
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Gay Village Birmingham
0.7 miles from downtown
Out and proud, or just ready to get loud? Hit Hurst Street's nightspots for a howler of a glitter-filled evening. Drag queens, leather kings and fun-loving locals create a jubilant atmosphere. From cocktails to cabarets - and with nary a dowdy outfit in sight, thanks to the Bullring Mall next door - the village never runs out of steam.
Places to stay from $47 a night
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Theatreland Birmingham
0.6 miles from downtown
Get a box seat at the best theatres in town. The Hippodrome, New Alexandra Theatre and the Old Rep represent the triumverate of noteworthy theatres in the area. From touring productions to musicals, foot tap the night away in style. After curtain call, head to one of the area's swanky restaurants.
Places to stay from $30 a night
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Digbeth
0.5 miles from downtown
Do you dig? Birmingham’s creative quarter is a laid-back place to dive into the city’s heritage. The Typhoo Tea HQ and Wharf and Banana Warehouse underline the area’s industrial roots, which have given way to a hip café culture. Explore the vintage boutiques in the legendary Custard Factory, or snap funky street art like the mosaicked JFK Mural.
Places to stay from $16 a night
About Birmingham
Including tips for the best time to visit Birmingham
Renowned for its network of canals and constantly changing skyline, Birmingham blends heritage with modernity. From historical museums to contemporary architecture, the city is burgeoning with things to do.
The cultural highlights of Birmingham are on full display at its museums. Stroll through the city centre to visit Birmingham Museum and Art Gallery, where you’ll find pre-Raphaelite artworks, original Leonardo Da Vinci drawings and ancient artefacts from around the world. A tour of the Museum of the Jewellery Quarter and the Coffin Works museum will provide insights into the city's industrial past. On a trip to Cadbury World, you can snack on chocolate bars while wandering the premises and even buy chocolate-themed souvenirs to take home.
On your Birmingham holiday, you’ll find a plethora of activities to keep you engaged and entertained. A leisurely walk around the canal quarter – dotted with lively pubs and restaurants – is a great way to spend the evening. Pack up a picnic and head to the Birmingham Botanical Gardens or drive to the National SEA LIFE Centre Birmingham nearby, which is well-known for its 360-degree oceanic tunnel offering views of sharks, jellyfish and other marine life.
It's quite easy to indulge in retail therapy at Birmingham. Bullring & Grand Central, with its iconic structure, is a giant of a mall that offers a range of clothing, dining and entertainment options. For an upscale shopping experience, head to Mailbox Birmingham or the Great Western Arcade, which is housed in a Victorian building.
Tonight
From $84 per night
This weekend
From $151 per night
Next weekend
From $165 per night
| Most popular time to visit | October-December |
| Cheapest time to visit | January-March |
| Local currency | £1 = $1.22 |
| Language | English |
| Average weekend price | $118 per night |
| Average weekday price | $110 per night |
| Average stay | 1 night |
Points of interest in Birmingham
Stay near the top sightseeing spots in Birmingham
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Broad Street
1 miles from downtown
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Bullring Shopping Center
0.4 miles from downtown
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The Mailbox
0.7 miles from downtown
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O2 Academy Birmingham
0.7 miles from downtown
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Villa Park
1.9 miles from downtown
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Brindleyplace
1 miles from downtown
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Hurst Street
0.6 miles from downtown
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Hippodrome Theatre
0.6 miles from downtown
Birmingham reviews
What other travelers say about Birmingham
I think that I had a vision of a grey industrial town,...
September 24, 2023
I think that I had a vision of a grey industrial town, shrouded in mist, with little brightness, not much to do, and locals with unintelligible accents. How wrong was I. Amazing buildings, lots of pubs and clubs, excellent range of restaurants and cafes, friendly people, and a wide range of cultural treats. We will definitely be back.... . I was right about the accents, though!
The Botanic Gardens and The Barber Institute are all within...
September 19, 2023
The Botanic Gardens and The Barber Institute are all within walking distance-the latter in the University grounds is a treasure. The Art collection at The Barber Institute has a collection of fine Renaissance Italian and Dutch masters as well as 19th and 20thcentury masterpieces rivalling the best in the UK. It is delightful to visit although not as well signposted as it could be . The leafy suburbs are a joy to walk through and walking along the historic canals are a real pleasure-Birmingham has not the fame of Venice but is a delight to explore. The Symphony Hall in Centenary Square is a jewel in Birminghams crown. There is so much to see and both walking and public transport is remarkably pleasant ;this is a great city with a heart of gold. I find the cosmopolitan atmosphere friendly and relaxed-I love this city more on each visit.
Lovely place for a weekend.
September 18, 2023
Lovely place for a weekend. Some parts are not as ni e as others, obviously, but if you curate your stay around the arty and historical areas, there's loads to see and do. If you like cocktails, do check out Lucky7 on Frederick Street and Passing Fancies in Digbeth!
You make the trip worth while, so why are you visiting the...
September 7, 2023
You make the trip worth while, so why are you visiting the city, check out what is available that suites you. Birmingham is like most cities it has a shoping/business area that is much like anywhere else but there also things that are very much of the ares just look for them.
Plenty to visit, see and do.
September 5, 2023
Plenty to visit, see and do. Good signposting of routes and places of interest. Modern and well developed city centre. Only downside was the very noticeable amount of rubbish discarded along so many of the main and side streets.
Nice place, good numbers of things to see and do.
September 4, 2023
Nice place, good numbers of things to see and do. We watched a musical at the Hippodrome, movie at the oldest operating movie theatre in England, The Electric and attended the Moseley Folk and Music Festival. Recommend visiting the Birmingham Library, Brindley Place, taking the canal cruise, should get a drink at the La Iguanas.
Popular places to stay in Birmingham
Stay in some of the best accommodations Birmingham has to offer
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The Moda Mercian - 1 Bedroom Luxury - Cinema - 24 Hour Gym - Sky Lounge - Roof Terrace The Westside, Birmingham
From $457 per night
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Luxury 4 bedroom Retreat; with hot tub & parking Birmingham, United Kingdom
From $790 per night
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Luxury Apartment, Birmingham-Parking Birmingham, United Kingdom
From $134 per night
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Elite luxury apartment Jewellery Quarter, Birmingham
From $183 per night
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The Mercian Luxury Apartments Birmingham City Centre - Your Perfect Stay Apart hotels- 24 Hour Gym Rooftop Terrace Cinema Room The Westside, Birmingham
From $122 per night
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Other accommodations in Birmingham
Pick from a wide variety of places to stay in Birmingham
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Apartments
From $47 per night
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Villas
From per night
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Cabins
From $156 per night
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Cottages
From $82 per night
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Serviced Apartments
From $59 per night
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Vacation Homes
From $82 per night
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Guest houses
From $15 per night
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B&Bs
From $31 per night
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Homestays
From $30 per night
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Self-catering Accommodations
From $15 per night
