A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Birmingham vs. Barcelona for Nightlife, Music, Backpackers, and Attractions

Should you visit Birmingham or Barcelona?

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 Barcelona can help you decide which place is right for you.

Birmingham

Birmingham is a bustling, historic, and vibrant city. This is a quaint and attractive place to visit, too. It's also known for nightlife, live music, and food.

Barcelona

Barcelona is a youthful, colorful, and laid-back city. It's an amazing and huge city with tons of activities and things to do. This is also a very beautiful destination which attracts plenty of visitors. Other reasons to visit include beaches, shopping, and museums.

Birmingham and Barcelona: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Birmingham or Barcelona?

Travelers will usually find more to do in Barcelona than Birmingham, as it is bigger with more sights, attractions, and activities for visitors. Barcelona is more popular for its food, nightlife, beaches, historical sights, shopping, big city activities, and impressive beauty, while Birmingham is known for its theatre productions and quaint atmosphere. Barcelona is more touristy than Birmingham and is popular for its landmarks designed by Antoni Gaudí, its wild nightlife, and its urban beaches. It is also home to Basilica Sagrada Familia. Birmingham is popular for its strong musical routes and its very livable atmosphere.

How is Birmingham different from Barcelona?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

Let's take a look at the differences and similarities between Barcelona 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 Barcelona?

Spend time exploring the superb sights and museums in either Birmingham or Barcelona.

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.

With a variety of museums, monuments, and historical sights, a trip to Barcelona can be an interesting and educational experience. Architecture and history all contribute to the city's impressive sights and museums. Famous landmarks include the Basílica de la Sagrada Família, Casa Milà, and the Palace of Catalan Music. In addition to Casa Milà, there are several other landmarks that are designed by Gaudi. You can expect a crowd outside any of his creations.

Is Birmingham or Barcelona Better for Theater?

Birmingham is a well-known place for theatre. However, Barcelona is not a theatre destination.

Birmingham attracts a wide-range of world-class performances. The impressive theater scene includes Broadway shows and musicals. Birmingham Hippodrome is a major theater in town.

Barcelona is not a theatre destination.

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

Barcelona is great for its local flavors and cuisine. Also, Birmingham is not as popular, but is still a nice city for its local cuisine and restaurants.

The food selection at local restaurants is excellent in Barcelona. With easy access to fresh produce, there are many food markets around town. You'll also find great fresh local dishes at the many restaurants. While some restaurants are more touristy, particularly along Las Ramblas, there are also many local options that offer higher quality dishes. Make sure you try the paella, croquettes, and jamon iberico. Many visitors enjoy taking a cooking class while they're in town as well.

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 Barcelona Better for Nightlife?

Barcelona is an amazing city to visit for nightlife. Also, Birmingham is not as popular, but is still a nice city for nightlife and partying.

Barcelona has a colorful and one-of-a-kind nightlife scene. The city offers an amazing nightlife at a much more affordable price than many places in Europe. There are beach parties, boat parties, and bars that stay packed late into the night. The city also hosts many street fiestas and music festivals.

Birmingham has plenty to do after the sun goes down. 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.

Is Birmingham or Barcelona Better for Music?

Birmingham and Barcelona are both destinations where visitors can find amazing live music.

Birmingham is known as a music capital around the world. 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.

Live music, and music in many other forms, is everyone in Barcelona Popular music venues include Tablao de Carmen, Razzmatazz, and Jamboree.

Is Birmingham or Barcelona Better for Beaches?

Barcelona is very good for its beaches. However, Birmingham is not a beach destination.

Many people head to Barcelona to enjoy the beach. The city features long sandy beaches where you can soak up the Mediterranean sun right in the heart of town. Many of the beaches can get crowded during the warmer months, but if you're looking for a party, then this is the place. These are urban beaches, so don't expect the pristine coastal setting that you might find in a more remote areas. Popular beaches include Bogatell Beach, Barceloneta Beach, and Nova Icària.

Birmingham is not a beach destination.

Is Birmingham or Barcelona Better for its Old Town?

Barcelona is great for its historic old town. However, Birmingham does not have a historic old town.

There is a nice variety of sights in the old town of Barcelona. Dating back 2,000 years the Gothic Quarter remains a hub of life and activity. It's fun to explore the wandering streets or people watch in one of the plazas. There are also many fascinating boutique shops and restaurants. Many people consider the Gothic Quarter to be one of the best parts of Barcelona.

Birmingham does not have a historic old town.

Is the Shopping Better in Birmingham or Barcelona?

Barcelona is an amazing city to visit for shopping. Also, Birmingham is not as popular, but is still a nice city for its shopping opportunities.

People travel from around the world to go shopping in Barcelona. Head to Portal De L'Angel, Rambla de Catalunya, or Passeig De Gracia for some of the city's best shopping districts.

Birmingham is a popular shopping destination with plenty of stores. 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.

Is Birmingham or Barcelona Better for Families?

Birmingham is a well-known place for its family-friendly activities. Also, Barcelona is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for its kid-friendly activities.

Birmingham is a very family-friendly place to visit. 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.

Barcelona is a family-friendly city. The city has a bit of a party vibe, but there are also kid-friendly activities everyone. With a number of museums, an aquarium, and lots of parks, the whole family can stay entertained. There's also a playground with a great view right by Sagrada Familia. Also make sure you check out the Magic Fountain Show near Plaça d'Espanya, wander through the aquarium, or sample some chocolate at the Chocolate Museum.

Is Birmingham or Barcelona Better for Couples?

Birmingham is a well-known place for romance. Also, Barcelona is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for its romantic activities.

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.

Barcelona makes for a fun place to visit for a couple. It's an active city with a party atmosphere, so young couples will enjoy their time here. Couples can take a sunset cruise or enjoy a Flamenco show. There are also many great viewpoints around town.

Is Birmingham or Barcelona Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Barcelona is an amazing city to visit for backpackers and budget travelers. However, Birmingham is not a good destination for backpackers.

Many backpackers frequent Barcelona. There are many hostels around town, each with its own personality. Many of the hostels also organize activities or dinners for guests so it's easy to meet other travelers. Backpackers will also appreciate the young vibe and late night party venues that keep the city fun and entertaining.

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 Barcelona Better for Students?

For students, both Birmingham and Barcelona are amazing places to visit.

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.

Barcelona is a great destination for students. This is a popular study abroad destination and you'll find international students from around the world. It's a beautiful city with plenty to see and do. It's also a lively city, but do expect the price tag to be higher than other Spanish cities.

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

Barcelona is great for times when you don't have a car. Also, Birmingham is not as popular, but is still a nice city for its public transit.

Visitors to Barcelona can move around easily with public transportation. There's a metro, bus, and tram system that navigates the city. It's a huge city, and while many places are accessible by public transit, sometimes the trip can be hot and frustrating.

Birmingham has a few public transit options. There is a reasonably comprehensive bus system.

Is Birmingham or Barcelona a more walkable city?

Birmingham is a well-known place for its walkability. However, Barcelona is not a good city for its high level of walkability.

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

Barcelona is generally not a very walkable city. The city is more spread out than many other major European cities and you'll find wide roads with lots of car traffic. There are some neighborhoods and plazas that are fun to explore on foot and the city has designed "superilles," which are areas where car traffic has been directed around pedestrian-friendly plazas so visitors can explore, relax, or play.

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

Should I spend more time in Barcelona or Birmingham?

How long in Birmingham or Barcelona?

Both Birmingham and Barcelona have a number of activities to choose from. With generally more activities and things to do, visitors tend to spend more time in Barcelona than in Birmingham. Usually, 1-5 days is a good amount of time for Birmingham, and 3-7 days is enough time in Barcelona.

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

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Barcelona 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 Barcelona.

One day in Birmingham or Barcelona?

You'll find museums and theater around the city of Birmingham. One day is a great amount of time to relax and see the many things that Birmingham has to offer. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do.

When visiting Barcelona, people usually allow for lots of time. Anyone can find something fun to do here. Make sure you visit the old town while you're here. But since there are so many activities, you'll likely want to spend more than one day exploring.

A weekend in Birmingham or Barcelona?

You'll find theater and nightlife around the vibrant destination of Birmingham. This is a popular place to visit for a weekend.A weekend should give you a good understanding of everything this city has to offer. This city offers a variety of activities to choose from.

When visiting Barcelona, people usually allow for lots of time. Most visitors spend time around the old town while in the area. It offers something for everyone. With so much to do, a weekend is probably not enough time to see everything.

Five days in Birmingham or Barcelona?

You'll find nightlife and live music around the vibrant city of Birmingham. The length of your ideal trip is an individual decision. If you have five days, this city makes for a great vacation. Most people head to the area for the live music. Five days should give you a good understanding of everything this city has to offer.

Barcelona, a popular city, is full of activities for travelers. This is a popular place to visit for five days. Visiting the old town is also a must. In five days, you should have a good grasp of this city. Your budget might influence how long you stay.

A week in Birmingham or Barcelona?

Birmingham is a popular choice for travelers. One week is usually plenty of time to spend here with extra days to spare. With this much time, visitors often visit nearby destinations or take day trips. It will give you the chance to have new experiences.

Barcelona is a popular place that is full of things to see and experience. If you have one week, this city makes for a great vacation. One week should give you a good understanding of everything this city has to offer. 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 Contiki Tours to Spain, and The Best G Adventures Tours to Spain.

When comparing the travel costs between Birmingham and Barcelona, we can see that Barcelona 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 Barcelona Expensive?.

Which is Bigger, Birmingham or Barcelona?

Barcelona has a larger population, and is about 61% larger than the population of Birmingham. When comparing the sizes of Birmingham and Barcelona, 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 Barcelona?

Both places have a temperate climate with four distinct seasons. As both cities are in the northern hemisphere, summer is in July and winter is in January.

Should I visit Birmingham or Barcelona in the Summer?

Both Barcelona and Birmingham during the summer are popular places to visit. Many travelers come to Birmingham for the music scene and the family-friendly experiences. Furthermore, many visitors come to Barcelona in the summer for the beaches, the city activities, the music scene, and the family-friendly experiences.

Birmingham is cooler than Barcelona in the summer. The daily temperature in Birmingham averages around 17°C (63°F) in July, and Barcelona fluctuates around 23°C (73°F).

In Barcelona, it's very sunny this time of the year. In the summer, Birmingham often gets less sunshine than Barcelona. Birmingham gets 196 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Barcelona receives 308 hours of full sun.

Birmingham usually gets more rain in July than Barcelona. Birmingham gets 44 mm (1.7 in) of rain, while Barcelona receives 22 mm (0.9 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Birmingham or Barcelona in the Autumn?

The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Birmingham and Barcelona. Many visitors come to Birmingham in the autumn for the shopping scene and the music scene. Furthermore, most visitors come to Barcelona for the city's sights and attractions, the shopping scene, the music scene, and the natural beauty of the area during these months.

In the autumn, Birmingham is much colder than Barcelona. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Birmingham in October average around 11°C (52°F), and Barcelona averages at about 17°C (63°F).

Birmingham usually receives less sunshine than Barcelona during autumn. Birmingham gets 103 hours of sunny skies, while Barcelona receives 181 hours of full sun in the autumn.

In October, Birmingham usually receives less rain than Barcelona. Birmingham gets 54 mm (2.1 in) of rain, while Barcelona receives 94 mm (3.7 in) of rain each month for the autumn.

Should I visit Birmingham or Barcelona in the Winter?

The winter brings many poeple to Birmingham as well as Barcelona. Most visitors come to Birmingham for the museums, the shopping scene, the theater shows, and the cuisine during these months. Additionally, the winter months attract visitors to Barcelona because of the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

Birmingham can be very cold during winter. In January, Birmingham is generally much colder than Barcelona. Daily temperatures in Birmingham average around 3°C (38°F), and Barcelona fluctuates around 9°C (48°F).

In the winter, Birmingham often gets less sunshine than Barcelona. Birmingham gets 58 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Barcelona receives 146 hours of full sun.

Birmingham usually gets more rain in January than Barcelona. Birmingham gets 64 mm (2.5 in) of rain, while Barcelona receives 44 mm (1.7 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Birmingham or Barcelona in the Spring?

Both Barcelona and Birmingham are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities. Also, the beaches, the activities around the city, and the natural beauty are the main draw to Barcelona this time of year.

Birmingham is cooler than Barcelona in the spring. The daily temperature in Birmingham averages around 9°C (48°F) in April, and Barcelona fluctuates around 13°C (55°F).

It's quite sunny in Barcelona. Birmingham usually receives less sunshine than Barcelona during spring. Birmingham gets 136 hours of sunny skies, while Barcelona receives 204 hours of full sun in the spring.

In April, Birmingham usually receives less rain than Barcelona. Birmingham gets 44 mm (1.7 in) of rain, while Barcelona receives 51 mm (2 in) of rain each month for the spring.

Typical Weather for Barcelona and Birmingham