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    Why we love Birmingham

    Britain’s second largest city, Birmingham is an industrial hub with a vibrant, creative heart. There’s a whole host of quirky adventures waiting to be discovered in the city – from cultural festivals to unique street art tours. Find a funky scene at the Custard Factory, home to up-and-coming designers, artists and independent cafes and bars. Or satisfy your fashion fever at the Bullring, Mailbox Malls and the achingly cool Grand Central complex.

    From cruising down the city’s forgotten underground canals with an expert guide to checking out the home of the infamous Peaky Blinders, or celebrating the city’s eclectic cuisine with an unforgettable meal on the Balti Triangle, Birmingham’s blindingly brilliant!

    Things to do in Birmingham

    Known as the ‘Black Country’ for the soot produced by its iron foundries, this open-air museum brings local history to life.

    Step into history at the Black Country Living Museum
    Boat Dock at The Black Country Living Museum in Dudley, West Midlands
    Black Country Living Museum

    From Michelin’s Best Young Chef 2021 to street food and Instagrammable cocktails, Digbeth is full of culinary delights.

    Tuck into Digbeth’s food scene
    Two women sat at a table beside the bar, raising glasses
    Digbeth

    Experience the sights and sounds of the UK’s biggest South Asian music festival, held every August.

    Spice things up at Birmingham Mela
    Crowd of people in front of a stage at the Mela Festival watching a performance
    Birmingham Mela

    Visit Bullring & Grand Central for top-notch shopping and dining, with leading fashion brands and restaurants galore.

    Shop til you drop at Bullring & Grand Central
    Three young people sat at a dining table with high views
    Bullring & Grand Central

    Featuring contemporary art from all over the world, this internationally-acclaimed venue focuses on works by indigenous and migrant creatives.

    See what’s on at Ikon Gallery
    Ikon Gallery Birmingham Photo by Handover Agency (3).jpg
    Ikon Gallery

    Known as the ‘Black Country’ for the soot produced by its iron foundries, this open-air museum brings local history to life.

    Step into history at the Black Country Living Museum
    Boat Dock at The Black Country Living Museum in Dudley, West Midlands
    Black Country Living Museum

    From Michelin’s Best Young Chef 2021 to street food and Instagrammable cocktails, Digbeth is full of culinary delights.

    Tuck into Digbeth’s food scene
    Two women sat at a table beside the bar, raising glasses
    Digbeth

    Experience the sights and sounds of the UK’s biggest South Asian music festival, held every August.

    Spice things up at Birmingham Mela
    Crowd of people in front of a stage at the Mela Festival watching a performance
    Birmingham Mela

    Visit Bullring & Grand Central for top-notch shopping and dining, with leading fashion brands and restaurants galore.

    Shop til you drop at Bullring & Grand Central
    Three young people sat at a dining table with high views
    Bullring & Grand Central

    Featuring contemporary art from all over the world, this internationally-acclaimed venue focuses on works by indigenous and migrant creatives.

    See what’s on at Ikon Gallery
    Ikon Gallery Birmingham Photo by Handover Agency (3).jpg
    Ikon Gallery

    Places to stay in Birmingham

    West Side

    Here you’ll find streets buzzing with nightclubs, bistros, cocktail bars and Birmingham’s brilliant Gay Village. You’ll also find Chinatown and Cadbury World here. And for those who fancy something more laid-back, there’s The National Sea Life Centre and plenty of parks and woodlands.

    Digbeth

    From the heart of this industrial centre into what’s transformed into the city’s cultural epicentre for arts and indie sellers. It’s a vibrant and happy place where you’ll find vintage to vegan, music to breweries all around budget-friendly stays.

    Jewellery Quarter

    A 200-year-old stylish part of the city that’s home to more than 500 jewellery shops, lots of small galleries, bars and swish restaurants. It also houses some decent budget and mid-budget gems - all very close to the city centre.

    Explore nearby

    The birthplace of 2-Tone music, and home to a bohemian village and a showy modern cathedral.

    Robot sculpture outside a building with geometric décor

    Birthplace of the great bard, William Shakespeare, fall in love with this hopelessly romantic 16th century town.

    Couple walking around the exterior of Shakespeare's Birthplace, Stratford-upon-Avon, Warwickshire, England

    Steeped in legends that surround Robin Hood to literary greats, discover what this city has to offer.

    A performance in front of Nottingham Castle

    An unmissable destination for travellers, London is a melting pot of history, culture and green spaces.

    Picadilly Circus underground station

    Getting to Birmingham

    With two major stations – Birmingham New Street and Birmingham International – it’s easy to reach the city by train from destinations across Britain. Chiltern Railways serve Birmingham Moor Street station from London Marylebone.

    Located just outside of the city, Birmingham International Airport flies to many European and international destinations. Hop on a West Midlands Train direct to the city centre.

    Getting around

    An extensive bus, tram and train network means it’s easy to travel around Birmingham 24/7. If you’re a keen cyclist, there’s many traffic free bicycle routes – Birmingham’s beautiful when explored by bike.

    By train

    Find the best fares and discounts for train travel around Birmingham and the region at West Midlands Railway.

    By bike

    Fancy sightseeing as a cyclist? Check out the city’s best cycling routes and all the bike hire options at PushBikes.

    By tram

    Want to travel by tram or bus? Visit Swift and discover the easiest way to pay as you go for single, return and day travel tickets.

    Want to know more?

    Get top tips on places to visit and things to do from those in the know at Visit Birmingham.