- Birmingham has more miles of canal than Venice, a network originally constructed in the 18th century to transport coal and raw materials.
- The city's 'Jewellery Quarter' produces approximately 40% of all the jewellery manufactured in the United Kingdom today.
- Birmingham was the first city in the world to be identified as a 'City of Sanctuary' for its commitment to supporting asylum seekers and refugees.
- The iconic Bull Ring shopping area has been the site of a market since the 12th century, retaining its commercial importance for over 800 years.
- Birmingham serves as the home of the world's oldest manufacturing firm, the Birmingham Mint, founded in 1794.
About Birmingham
Birmingham is the United Kingdom's second-largest city and a historic powerhouse of the Industrial Revolution, famously known as the 'City of a Thousand Trades.' It features a massive canal network that historically powered its manufacturing growth and now anchors modern recreational hubs like Brindleyplace. Visitors can explore the city’s scientific heritage at the Thinktank Birmingham Science Museum or discover its creative arts scene at the Birmingham Museum & Art Gallery. The city also offers unique family experiences, such as the immersive chocolate-themed exhibits at Cadbury World.
Highlights of Birmingham
The places our editors single out — and why they're worth your time.
Amusement parks
Explore the heritage and production history of one of the world's most famous chocolate brands.
Venues
Attend large-scale theatrical performances and musicals at the city's premier arts venue.
Parks
Visit this large Victorian-era park for its boating lake and community events.
Zoos
See rescued marine life and walk through the UK’s only 360-degree ocean tunnel.
Venues
Tour the historic home ground of Aston Villa, one of the oldest professional football clubs in the world.
Museums
View one of the largest public collections of Pre-Raphaelite art in existence.
Places of interest
Dine and socialize in this mixed-use development set along the city's historic canal network.
Museums
Interact with industrial machinery and steam engines that defined the city's scientific past.
Top things to do in Birmingham
The 569 highest-rated places in Birmingham, ranked by travellers.
1
Amusement parks
Cadbury World is an interactive visitor attraction located within the original Bournville chocolate factory site in Birm...
2
Venues
The Birmingham Hippodrome is one of the United Kingdom's busiest single-auditorium theatres, serving as the permanent ho...
3
Parks
Cannon Hill Park is a 250-acre Victorian municipal park donated to the City of Birmingham by Louisa Anne Ryland in 1873....
4
Venues
Villa Park has served as the home of Aston Villa Football Club since 1897 and is one of the oldest professional football...
5
Zoos
The National SEA LIFE Centre Birmingham is notable for housing the United Kingdom's only 360-degree ocean tunnel, allowi...
6
Museums
Birmingham Museum & Art Gallery houses the world's largest collection of Pre-Raphaelite art, featuring works by Dante Ga...
7
Amusement parks
StarCity is a large indoor family entertainment and leisure complex located in the Nechells area of Birmingham. The faci...
8
Places of interest
Brindleyplace is a 17-acre mixed-use canal-side development located in the heart of Birmingham's Westside district. It f...
9
Museums
Thinktank is Birmingham's primary science museum, located within the Millennium Point complex. It features four floors o...
10
Zoos
Birmingham Wildlife Conservation Park is a specialist zoological facility focused on the conservation and captive breedi...
11
Venues
The Alexandra is a historic Edwardian theatre located in the heart of Birmingham, originally opened in 1901. Designed by...
12
Temples
Birmingham Central Mosque is one of the oldest and largest purpose-built mosques in the United Kingdom, established in 1...
13
Parks
Dartmouth Park is a Victorian-era municipal park located in West Bromwich, bordering the grounds of Sandwell Valley. The...
14
Venues
The Birmingham Repertory Theatre, commonly known as The REP, is a prominent producing theatre located in the city's Cent...
15
Venues
St. Andrew's @ Knighthead Park is the historic home ground of Birmingham City Football Club, located in the Bordesley di...
16
Temples
Green Lane Masjid and Community Centre (GLMCC) is a prominent landmark housed within a Grade II listed Victorian buildin...
17
Temples
Birmingham Cathedral, formally the Cathedral Church of Saint Philip, is an 18th-century English Baroque place of worship...
18
Parks
Winterbourne House & Garden is a Grade II listed Edwardian villa built in 1903, serving as a primary example of the Arts...
19
Parks
Handsworth Park is a 63-acre Victorian-era public green space located in the Handsworth area of Birmingham. Originally o...
20
Parks
Brueton Park is a sprawling green space in Solihull that encompasses a diverse nature reserve and formal parkland. It is...
21
Parks
Elmdon Park is a 120-acre public green space in Solihull featuring a large central lake and diverse habitats including a...
22
Museums
Birmingham Back to Backs are the last surviving court of back-to-back houses in Birmingham, providing a visceral look at...
23
Parks
Lightwoods Park and House is an 18th-century public park featuring a Grade II listed house restored to its Georgian appe...
24
Parks
Shirley Park is a significant green space in Solihull, functioning as the primary recreational hub for the local communi...
25
Parks
Warley Woods is a 100-acre community-managed park in Smethwick that combines Grade II listed historic parkland with a pu...
26
Museums
The Lapworth Museum of Geology is located within the historic Aston Webb Building at the University of Birmingham. It ho...
27
Parks
Highbury Park is a 12-hectare Victorian landscape situated in the Kings Heath area of Birmingham. It served as the priva...
28
Temples
Central Jamia Mosque Ghamkol Sharif is a prominent Sunni Sufi mosque located in the Small Heath area of Birmingham. It f...
29
Parks
Perry Hall Park is a significant municipal green space situated along the River Tame in the Perry Barr district of Birmi...
30
Parks
Small Heath Park is a 43-acre Victorian-era public space situated in the Small Heath district of Birmingham. It features...
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Birmingham on the map
Top attractions plotted across the city.
Plan your visit to Birmingham
May to September, when the city's extensive park network and canal-side dining are most accessible during warmer, drier weather.
2-3 days, sufficient to cover the city center, key museums, and one or two outer-ring attractions like Cadbury World or Villa Park.
The city center is largely walkable, supplemented by the West Midlands Metro tram system and an extensive local bus network.
Stay in the City Centre or Brindleyplace for proximity to major cultural venues and transport hubs.
Mid-range; the city offers a wide selection of competitively priced accommodations and dining compared to London.
Frequently asked
Aventuro lists 569 curated attractions in and around Birmingham, ranked by traveller ratings.
Cadbury World is the highest-rated place to visit in Birmingham right now.
The largest category is temples, with 410 places to explore.
Travellers also explore London, North Kensington, Manchester.
Explore more of United Kingdom
Other cities ranked by number of curated places.
