Birmingham, England: Travel Guide to Britain's Second City

Birmingham, in the heart of England, is the country's second-largest city and one of its most dynamic. Once the "workshop of the world" during the Industrial Revolution, it has reinvented itself with bold modern architecture, a thriving food scene and one of Britain's most diverse populations. With more miles of canals than Venice, a historic Jewellery Quarter, world-class museums and the home of Cadbury chocolate, Birmingham is full of surprises.

Top 5 Must-Visit Attractions in Birmingham

1. Canals, Gas Street Basin and Brindleyplace

Birmingham sits at the centre of England's canal network, with around 35 miles of waterways within the city, more than Venice. The heart of the canal scene is Gas Street Basin, where colourful narrowboats are moored beside restored 19th-century warehouses, pubs and cafés. Nearby, Brindleyplace and the Mailbox offer waterside restaurants, bars and shops, while towpaths make it easy to explore on foot or by bike. A narrowboat cruise is a relaxing way to discover the city's industrial heritage.

Booking tip: canal boat cruises and guided walking tours can be booked on GetYourGuide.

2. Jewellery Quarter

The Jewellery Quarter, just north of the city centre, has been the heart of Britain's jewellery trade for more than 250 years, and around 40 per cent of the UK's jewellery is still made here. Its streets are lined with workshops, independent jewellers, galleries and cafés. The Museum of the Jewellery Quarter is set in the former Smith & Pepper factory, which closed in 1981 and was left almost untouched, offering a fascinating glimpse into a traditional jewellery workshop. The Victorian Key Hill and Warstone Lane cemeteries add to the area's atmosphere.

Booking tip: guided factory tours at the museum are popular, so book ahead.

3. Library of Birmingham and Birmingham Museum & Art Gallery

The Library of Birmingham, opened in 2013, is one of the city's most striking buildings, wrapped in a gold, silver and glass façade of interlocking metal rings. Inside, escalators lead past floors of books to rooftop gardens with panoramic views and the wood-panelled Shakespeare Memorial Room. Nearby, the Birmingham Museum & Art Gallery is famous for its world-class collection of Pre-Raphaelite paintings and part of the Staffordshire Hoard, the largest hoard of Anglo-Saxon gold ever discovered.

Booking tip: entry to the library and museum is free; check the museum's opening hours and current displays.

4. Cadbury World

In the leafy village of Bournville, about six kilometres south of the centre, Cadbury World tells the story of chocolate and of the Quaker Cadbury family, who built a model village for their workers in the late 19th century. Visitors learn how chocolate is made, watch demonstrations and enjoy free samples. The surrounding Bournville village, with its green spaces and Arts and Crafts houses, is worth a stroll.

Booking tip: tickets must be booked in advance, especially during school holidays; GetYourGuide offers tickets and combination tours.

5. Digbeth, the Bullring and Peaky Blinders Heritage

Digbeth, the city's creative quarter, is known for street art, independent breweries, music venues and the Custard Factory, a former Bird's custard factory turned into studios and shops. The area is also linked to the popular TV series Peaky Blinders, set in early 20th-century Birmingham, and guided tours explore the real history of the gangs. Nearby, the Bullring shopping centre is famous for the futuristic Selfridges building, covered in 15,000 shiny aluminium discs. Just west of the city, the Black Country Living Museum recreates an industrial town with costumed guides.

Booking tip: Peaky Blinders tours can be booked on GetYourGuide.

Practical Travel Tips for Birmingham

Before You Go

• Entry: many visitors to the UK, including EU citizens, now need an Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA) before travelling; check current requirements.

Getting Around

• By air: Birmingham Airport is about 20 minutes by train from New Street Station.
• By train: Birmingham New Street is one of the best-connected stations in Britain, about 1 hour 20 minutes from London Euston.
• Trams and buses: the West Midlands Metro tram connects the city centre with Wolverhampton and beyond.
• On foot: the city centre is compact and walkable.
• Money: the currency is the pound sterling; contactless payment is accepted almost everywhere.

Local Culinary Specialties

• Balti: a curry cooked and served in a steel bowl, created in Birmingham in the 1970s; try it in the Balti Triangle.
• Pork scratchings: crispy fried pork rind, a local pub snack.
• Local ales: try craft beers from Digbeth's breweries.
• Cadbury chocolate: a must-try souvenir.

Best Time to Visit

• May–September: the warmest months, ideal for canal walks and outdoor dining.
• November–December: the Birmingham Frankfurt Christmas Market, one of the largest German-style Christmas markets outside Germany and Austria.

Conclusion: Plan Your Trip to Birmingham

Birmingham combines industrial heritage, canals, culture and a thriving food scene. Whether you're cruising the canals, exploring the Jewellery Quarter or tasting balti in the Balti Triangle, Britain's second city offers a warm welcome. It's also a great base for day trips to Stratford-upon-Avon, the birthplace of Shakespeare, and Warwick Castle.

Plan ahead: book your tours on GetYourGuide, and get ready to discover Birmingham.