A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Birmingham vs. Annecy for Food, Couples, Attractions, and Nightlife

Should you visit Birmingham or Annecy?

Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?

Which city is more affordable and which is best for your travel style? If you're trying to figure out where to go next, comparing the travel costs between Birmingham and Annecy can help you decide which place is right for you.

Birmingham

Birmingham is a fun-filled, bustling, and historic city. This destination also has one of those special and quaint feelings. Visitors also love the live music, food, and shopping.

Annecy

Annecy is a storybook, charming, and stunning alpine town. Since it offers so much small town charm with a variety of activities, it attracts plenty of visitors, too. Many visitors also come because of it's amazing beauty. Other reasons to visit include shopping, museums, and nightlife.

Birmingham and Annecy: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Birmingham or Annecy?

Travelers will usually find more to do in Annecy. Although Birmingham and Annecy are popular destinations, Annecy has more sights and attractions for tourists. Annecy is very popular for its food, historical sights, hiking, small town charm, and impressive beauty, while Birmingham attracts visitors for its museums, theatre productions, nightlife, music, shopping, and quaint atmosphere. Annecy is more touristy than Birmingham and is known for its charming old town and its beautiful, lakefront, alpine setting. It is also well known for Palais de l'Isle. Birmingham is famous for its strong musical routes and its very livable atmosphere.

How is Birmingham different from Annecy?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

Let's take a look at the differences and similarities between Annecy and Birmingham. Then, you can decide for yourself which place is better for your next trip.

Are the Museums and Historical Sights Better in Birmingham or Annecy?

Birmingham is a great city for its historical sights. Also, Annecy is not as popular, but is still a nice alpine town for its sights and museums.

Many visitors head to Birmingham specifically to visit some of its top-rated museums and other sights. Famous sights include the Museum & Art Gallery, Thinktank, and St. Philip's Cathedral.

If you're looking for an educational opportunity, there are a decent number of museums and historical sights around Annecy. The old town and lakefront setting is what brings the tourists, but there are several unique landmarks around town as well. Palais de l'Île is the most photographed spot in the old town. Also worth visiting are Musée-Château d'Annecy, Eglise Saint-Maurice, and Cathédrale Saint-Pierre.

Is Birmingham or Annecy Better for Theater?

Birmingham is a great city for its theatre productions. However, Annecy is not a theatre destination.

Birmingham has a number of performance venues where you can see a variety of shows. The impressive theater scene includes Broadway shows and musicals. Birmingham Hippodrome is a major theater in town.

Annecy is not a theatre destination.

Is the Food Better in Birmingham or Annecy? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

Annecy is an amazing alpine town to visit for its local flavors and cuisine. Also, Birmingham is not as popular, but is still a nice city for its local cuisine and restaurants.

Annecy has long been recognized as a culinary destination with great restaurants. Fresh caught fish and local French specialties make this town a wonderful culinary destination. The old town is filled with restaurants, cafes, and markets where you can enjoy local ingredients. There are many local dishes to try with some of the most popular being Tartiflette, Raclette, and Gratin de crozets. Fondue is also popular. You'll find cheese is a common component in many dishes.

Visitors will find a budding food and restaurant scene in Birmingham. Food reviews are mixed around town. The city has its share of award-winning restaurants, but there are also popular dishes that are more of an acquired taste. Local flavors include pork scratching, Birmingham soup, and brummie bacon cakes.

Is Birmingham or Annecy Better for Nightlife?

Birmingham is a great city for nightlife and partying. Also, Annecy is not as popular, but is still a nice alpine town for its evening party scene.

The nightlife in Birmingham has something for everybody. With tons of students and young people looking to party, there is plenty to do in the evening. You'll find no shortage of pubs, clubs, and music venues around town.

There's a variety of activities in the evening in Annecy. There are bars and pubs to visit with one of the most popular bar-hopping streets being Rue Sainte-Claire.

Is Birmingham or Annecy Better for Music?

Birmingham is renowned for its live music scene. However, Annecy is not a live music destination.

With so many music venues, you're guaranteed a show any night of the week in Birmingham. The city has long been a haven for musical creativity, and its influence over the global music scene is apparent. Popular music venues around town include Ghetto Golf, Digbeth Dining Club, and the Sunflower Lounge.

Annecy is not a live music destination.

Is Birmingham or Annecy Better for its Old Town?

Annecy is an amazing alpine town to visit for its historic old town. However, Birmingham does not have a historic old town.

Annecy offers visitors a world-class historical old town to explore. This is among the most beautiful old towns in Europe. It sits along the banks of Lake Annecy and the water integrates beautifully into the setting.

Birmingham does not have a historic old town.

Is Birmingham or Annecy Better for Hiking?

Annecy is great for hiking. However, Birmingham is not a hiking destination.

Many visitors go to Annecy for the hiking trails. There are a range of hikes just out of town that cover all ability levels. There are flat, waterfront strolls as well as more strenuous mountain treks. La Tournette is one of the most famous hikes in the area. Other options include Circuit des 3 Croix de Sevrier and Gorges du Fier.

Birmingham is not a hiking destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Birmingham or Annecy?

Birmingham is a great city for its shopping opportunities. Also, Annecy is not as popular, but is still a nice alpine town for its shopping areas.

Birmingham is well-known for its shopping. The city offers everything from large department stores to smaller local shops. There are several good shopping streets around town as well as large markets and even a jewelry quarter.

Many visitors go to Annecy to go shopping. Three times a week you can check out the Old Town Market. Another popular shopping street is Rue Royale.

Is Birmingham or Annecy Better for Families?

You'll find very good kid-friendly activities in either Birmingham or Annecy.

Birmingham is a very family-friendly destination. The city has put effort into making sure there are plenty of family-friendly activities around. You can visit a chocolate factory, explore an aquarium, enjoy an animal safari, or explore one of the hands-on museums.

Annecy is a very kid-friendly city. Families can enjoy getting out on the lake by renting a boat or going for a swim. Check out Wibit Water Park or let the kids play at Leisure Center Orange Montisel. There's also a great playground for kids right by the waterfront. Hiking and exploring are also fun for the whole family.

Is Birmingham or Annecy Better for Couples?

Annecy is an amazing alpine town to visit for romance. Also, Birmingham is not as popular, but is still a nice city for its romantic activities.

For those traveling as a couple, Annecy has plenty to offer. It's a romantic French mountain town with beautiful scenery and a wonderful lake. Couples can enjoy outdoor activities or wandering through one of the best old towns in the region. The beauty and natural setting make this a wonderful couples destination.

Birmingham is a very popular place to visit for couples. Romantic activities around town include taking a beautiful stroll through town, wandering around a park or garden, or seeing the ballet.

Is Birmingham or Annecy Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Annecy is very good for backpackers and budget travelers. However, Birmingham is not a good destination for backpackers.

Annecy is popular with backpackers and budget travelers. It's a world class mountain destination that attracts families and vacationers, but there aren't as many hostels around town as backpackers would like.

Birmingham is a challenging destination for budget travelers and backpackers due to the higher prices. It's not the most popular destination for backpackers, but there's at least one affordable hostel in town.

Is Birmingham or Annecy Better for Students?

Birmingham is renowned for its student-friendly activities. However, Annecy is not popular with students.

Students come from all over the world to visit Birmingham. With world class academic institutions and a very diverse and international population, this is a popular place for international students to study.

Annecy is not popular with students.

Is Birmingham or Annecy Better for Public Transit? Which Is Easier to Get Around Without a Car?

Birmingham and Annecy both offer nice public transit to get you around.

While Birmingham offers some public transit options, it might not be your first choice. There is a reasonably comprehensive bus system.

Annecy has a few public transit options. The Sibra public transport system offers buses that travel through Annecy and around the lake, stopping at many towns along the way.

Is Birmingham or Annecy a more walkable city?

Birmingham and Annecy are very good when it comes to walkability.

Birmingham is very walkable. Many parts of the city are very walkable.

Annecy is a very walkable city. The old town is filled with pedestrian streets that are perfect to explore on foot.

For even more information, also check out Is Birmingham Worth Visiting? and Is Annecy Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Annecy or Birmingham?

How long in Birmingham or Annecy?

It's fun to spend time in either Birmingham or Annecy. Generally, people tend to spend more time in Birmingham due to the larger number of activities and things to do. Usually, 1-5 days is a good amount of time for Birmingham, and 2-4 days is enough time in Annecy.

Families should spend more time in Annecy than Birmingham. Because of the many family-friendly attractions and fun things to do for kids in Annecy, it's a great place to visit with the whole family.

Couples should spend more time in Annecy than Birmingham. You'll find plenty of romantic sights and fun activities in Annecy that are perfect for a weekend getaway or a longer couple's trip.

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Annecy than Birmingham if your budget allows for it. With a larger number of budget-friendly sights, good nightlife, and active things to do, anyone traveling on a budget would have a good time in Annecy.

One day in Birmingham or Annecy?

Many travelers enjoy the live music and food when visiting the destination of Birmingham. One day is often enough time to do most activities.

Annecy might be a small town, but there's plenty to do in the area. Anyone can find something fun to do here. One of the main draws to the area is the food. Make sure you spend some time hiking while you're in the area. But since there are so many activities, you'll likely want to spend more than one day exploring.

A weekend in Birmingham or Annecy?

Birmingham is a great place to explore. It is common to spend a weekend here. Don't miss the live music, as that's what most people do. With all of its activities, you can easily fill a weekend here. Your budget might influence how long you stay.

Even though Annecy is a small town, it has plenty of activities to choose from. Most visitors spend time around the old town while in the area. It offers something for everyone. Many people spend a weekend here. One of the main draws to the area is the food. In a weekend, you should have a good grasp of this alpine town.

Five days in Birmingham or Annecy?

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Birmingham. Don't miss the live music, as that's what most people do. For many, it makes a great getaway for five days. With all of its activities, you can easily fill five days here. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do.

Annecy, a popular alpine town, is full of activities for travelers. Hiking can easily take up a good amount of your time here, too. Most people find that five days is more than enough time to see everything. Your budget might influence how long you stay.

A week in Birmingham or Annecy?

Travelers enjoy the museums and theater when visiting the historic destination of Birmingham. This city offers a variety of activities to choose from. Most people find that one week is more than enough time to see everything.

Annecy is a popular place that is full of things to see and experience. One of the main draws to the area is the food. One week is plenty of time to see everything, even with extra days to spare. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Bicycle Tours in United Kingdom, Tours for Outdoor and Nature Lovers in United Kingdom, The Best Historical Tours in France, and The Best 10-Day Tours in France.

When comparing the travel costs between Birmingham and Annecy, we can see that Annecy is more expensive. However, the two cities are actually relatively comparable in price, as the difference is somewhat minimal. Generally, this means that you could travel with generally the same travel style and level of luxury in each place. Since both cities are in Europe, it's no surprise that their costs are relatively close, as many destinations here have somewhat similar travel prices overall.

If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Birmingham Expensive? and Is Annecy Expensive?.

Which is Bigger, Birmingham or Annecy?

Birmingham has a larger population, and is about 20 times larger than the population of Annecy. When comparing the sizes of Birmingham and Annecy, keep in mind that a larger population does not always imply the destination has more attractions or better activities. So, always research the type of place that you want to visit along with the activities and attractions that interest you.

When is the best time to visit Birmingham or Annecy?

Both destinations experience a temperate climate with four distinct seasons. And since both cities are in the northern hemisphere, summer is in July and winter is in January.

Should I visit Birmingham or Annecy in the Summer?

Both Annecy and Birmingham are popular destinations to visit in the summer with plenty of activities. The summer months attract visitors to Birmingham because of the music scene and the family-friendly experiences. Also, the hiking, the small town charm, and the family-friendly experiences are the main draw to Annecy this time of year.

In the summer, Birmingham is cooler than Annecy. Typically, the summer temperatures in Birmingham in July average around 17°C (63°F), and Annecy averages at about 22°C (71°F).

It's quite sunny in Annecy. Birmingham usually receives less sunshine than Annecy during summer. Birmingham gets 196 hours of sunny skies, while Annecy receives 285 hours of full sun in the summer.

In July, Birmingham usually receives less rain than Annecy. Birmingham gets 44 mm (1.7 in) of rain, while Annecy receives 61 mm (2.4 in) of rain each month for the summer.

Should I visit Birmingham or Annecy in the Autumn?

Both Annecy and Birmingham during the autumn are popular places to visit. The shopping scene and the music scene are the main draw to Birmingham this time of year. Furthermore, many travelers come to Annecy for the hiking trails, the shopping scene, the small town atmosphere, and the natural beauty of the area.

In October, Birmingham is generally cooler than Annecy. Daily temperatures in Birmingham average around 11°C (52°F), and Annecy fluctuates around 14°C (56°F).

In the autumn, Birmingham often gets less sunshine than Annecy. Birmingham gets 103 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Annecy receives 127 hours of full sun.

Birmingham usually gets less rain in October than Annecy. Birmingham gets 54 mm (2.1 in) of rain, while Annecy receives 78 mm (3.1 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Birmingham or Annecy in the Winter?

The winter attracts plenty of travelers to both Birmingham and Annecy. Many travelers come to Birmingham for the museums, the shopping scene, the theater shows, and the cuisine. Furthermore, many visitors come to Annecy in the winter for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

Annecy can get quite cold in the winter. Be prepared for some very cold days in Birmingham. Birmingham is around the same temperature as Annecy in the winter. The daily temperature in Birmingham averages around 3°C (38°F) in January, and Annecy fluctuates around 4°C (39°F).

Birmingham usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Annecy during winter. Birmingham gets 58 hours of sunny skies, while Annecy receives 62 hours of full sun in the winter.

In January, Birmingham usually receives more rain than Annecy. Birmingham gets 64 mm (2.5 in) of rain, while Annecy receives 55 mm (2.1 in) of rain each month for the winter.

Should I visit Birmingham or Annecy in the Spring?

The spring brings many poeple to Birmingham as well as Annecy. Additionally, most visitors come to Annecy for the small town charm and the natural beauty during these months.

In the spring, Birmingham is cooler than Annecy. Typically, the spring temperatures in Birmingham in April average around 9°C (48°F), and Annecy averages at about 11°C (53°F).

In the spring, Birmingham often gets less sunshine than Annecy. Birmingham gets 136 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Annecy receives 174 hours of full sun.

Birmingham usually gets less rain in April than Annecy. Birmingham gets 44 mm (1.7 in) of rain, while Annecy receives 65 mm (2.6 in) of rain this time of the year.

Typical Weather for Annecy and Birmingham