13 Best Things to Do in Birmingham

One of Birmingham’s first modern marvels, the sci-fi-looking Bullring is one of the city’s best places to shop. Check out the gear of some of Britain’s best designers in Selfridges, or other prominent boutiques like All Saints and Kurt Geiger, while high street brands include H&M and Foot Locker.

In walking distance from New Street station and surrounded by several other prominent attractions, the Bullring is also a great choice come mealtimes. Opt for French bistro snacks, Asian noodles, or plenty in between. And if you're looking for the best areas to stay, some of the biggest hotel chains are found near the Bullring Shopping Center.

Home to one of the UK’s most loved chocolate brands, Cadbury World is just a few miles out from Birmingham city center. Through exciting Cadbury-themed exhibits and experiences, you’ll get to see how chocolate is made. Take an adventure with Freddo in a 4D short movie, then have a go at piping your own chocolatey treats before learning the origins of the cocoa bean on a trek through the Aztec Jungle.

You can even see workers producing handmade chocolate items for the gift shop. Consider a decadent freakshake as a suitably sweet end to the tour, then choose a hotel option that's close to Cadbury World, so you don't have far to go after a long day.

The Belfry is where passionate golfers can experience some of the world’s best courses. Situated about a 15-minute drive from the center of Birmingham, there are 3 professional-level courses to choose from: the majestic Brabazon Course, the picturesque Derby, and the championship PGA National. With custom fitting suites, coaching sessions, and a shop serving the latest kit, it’s the perfect place to work on your swing.

As you might expect from a golf course of this stature, there’s luxury found in every corner of The Belfry. While the courses are its main attractions, there’s also a full spa and impressive dining venues. There’s even an entertaining 12-hole miniature golf course to tackle with family and friends.

For a spot of sightseeing in the swanky surroundings of Colmore Row, you can stop and gaze at St. Philip’s Cathedral. Built in 1715, the baroque stylings are pretty in any season, and you can see some beautifully preserved stained-glass windows. As it’s situated in Birmingham’s largest green space, it’s the perfect venue for host of events, from classic movie screenings to candlelit concerts.

Mass takes place every Sunday, with free, guided tours and choral performances throughout the week. Surrounding the cathedral, you’ll find excellent shopping options, including a high-end department store on one side, and a collection of pubs and bars on the other.

This close-knit community of 150 jewelers and craftspeople lets you experience the industrial heritage of Birmingham. It’s said that up to 40% of Britain’s jewelry business is traded through this enclave of manufacturing on the northern edge of the city center. You can easily walk to the Jewellery Quarter from New Street station in less than 20 minutes or take the train 1 stop to Jewellery Quarter station.

Interspersed between specialist jewelry shops, you’ll find pubs, museums, art galleries, auctioneers, and other boutiques specializing in everything from wedding arranging to home furnishings. The Jewellery Quarter Festival takes place every July, featuring live music, parades, and lots of shopping opportunities. Book your hotel in advance to stay near the Jewellery Quarter.

Victoria Square is home to many of Birmingham's most beautiful Victorian buildings and landmarks. The Town Hall and Birmingham Council House are 2 of the best examples of the city’s proud heritage. You’ll find the Birmingham Museum and Art Gallery here, which contains several rooms of paintings and sculptures to enjoy for free. 

The Baroque-style Birmingham Council House has an imposing dome and a clocktower, which has for many years been a popular meeting spot. The whole area is pedestrianized, which makes walking around easy. Every winter, Birmingham’s Frankfurt Christmas Market is set up in Victoria Square and is extremely popular with shoppers looking for presents, handicrafts, and mulled wine.

The Black Country Living Museum is a fascinating open-air museum that tells the unique story of Birmingham’s industrial history. Spanning more than 24 acres, the Black Country Living Museum features reconstructed shops, houses, and industrial sites that celebrate steam power and manufacturing in the city’s past.

During your trip, you can take a ride on heritage vehicles, play historic street games, and see live industrial demonstrations like nail making and chain making. You can also see a short movie in a 1920s-era movie theater, test your knowledge with a 1912 school lesson, or have an old-fashioned drink in the Bottle & Glass Inn.

The Library of Birmingham has reimagined the whole concept for the digital age, with surprises in store, inside and out. The building itself is a real head-turner, with a 7th-floor garden and several spacious viewing platforms. Forget what you think you know about libraries.

There’s a full program of events to attend for free. Watch live theater in the amphitheater or explore the permanent exhibition dedicated to William Shakespeare, Britain’s most celebrated playwright. For movie buffs, the entire National Film Archive is available in private booths, courtesy of the British Film Institute.

It might sound strange, but Birmingham’s most famous culinary creation is the balti. It first started appearing in Birmingham restaurants in the 1970s, in an area referred to as the Balti Triangle. To try for yourself, head to Ladypool Road, just south of the city center.

This fiery Pakistani/Indian dish, served in a metal bowl, is now a staple on menus throughout the country. Meat is roasted in a tandoor oven and then added to a rich curry that comes in several levels of spice. Most Balti restaurants don’t serve alcohol, but you are free to bring your own to enjoy with your meal.

Birmingham boasts many professional sports teams, but in the hearts of most locals, soccer comes first. Watching soccer live is one of the best things to do in Birmingham, and the intense experience when you first walk up into the packed stands can really get the adrenaline pumping. Throughout the 90-minute match, the crowd will chant and sing, which is a big part of the experience.

The Premier League runs from August to May every year with most matches usually played on Saturday afternoons. To see Birmingham’s most recognized team, Aston Villa, go to Villa Park, but there are other popular teams and stadiums around the area too. Don’t forget to buy a souvenir tee while you’re there.

Brindley Place is packed with dining and nightlife options and crisscrossed by canals. In fact, Birmingham has more miles of canals than Venice. The whole area is alive with trendy bars, restaurants, and attractions.

Simply stroll along and stop when a bar or restaurant takes your fancy, be it a German beer hall or demure cocktail lounge. A prominent focal point just next to Brindley Place is The Mailbox, the old central post office, which now features high-end restaurants, bars, and BBC television studios. You’ll also find Ikon Gallery, the National Sea Life aquarium, and the Arena Birmingham concert hall, as well as plenty of hotel options near Brindley Place.