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

Should you visit Birmingham or Bari?

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

Birmingham

Birmingham is a fun-filled, bustling, and historic city. As this is a very quaint destination, you'll find it has a special atmosphere. It's also popular because of the theater, nightlife, and live music.

Bari

Bari is a authentic, local, and cultural port city. Since it's a large city, you'll find plenty of things to do. Other reasons to visit include shopping, museums, and nightlife.

Birmingham and Bari: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Birmingham or Bari?

Visitors will generally find more to do in Bari than Birmingham. While Birmingham is larger than Bari, Bari has more sights, attractions, and activities for tourists. Bari is better known for its food, beaches, historical sights, and big city activities, while Birmingham is more popular for its theatre productions, music, shopping, and quaint atmosphere. Birmingham is more touristy than Bari and is known for its strong musical routes and its very livable atmosphere. Bari is well known for its authentic old town and its role as a ferry port for travelers headed across the Adriatic. Also, Bari is famous for San Nicola.

How is Birmingham different from Bari?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Spend time exploring the high quality sights and museums in either Birmingham or Bari.

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 Bari can be an interesting and educational experience. The city is filled with historical sights and archeological ruins. San Nicola is the main basilica in town and a popular tourist sight. The Castello is also a highlight, as is San Sabino.

Is Birmingham or Bari Better for Theater?

Birmingham is a great city for its shows and theatre. However, Bari is not a theatre destination.

Birmingham offers many theater and performance venues for visitors. The impressive theater scene includes Broadway shows and musicals. Birmingham Hippodrome is a major theater in town.

Bari is not a theatre destination.

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

Bari is an amazing port city 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.

Bari has long been recognized as a culinary destination with great restaurants. It's off-the-beaten-path vibe means that you won't find the overpriced tourist restaurants that have taken over more touristy cities. Instead you'll find locally owned pasta shops that cater to the town's residents. You can taste authentic Pugliese cuisine, which is centered around wheat and olive oil. Orecchiette is the local pasta and seafood is one of the most common staples.

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 Bari Better for Nightlife?

The vibe at night is high quality in both Birmingham and Bari.

Many people head to Birmingham for the nightlife scene. 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.

Bari has plenty to do after the sun goes down. The city really comes to life at night with many dance clubs, bars, and other fun venues. There's plenty of live music as well as jazz clubs and other local bars.

Is Birmingham or Bari Better for Music?

Birmingham is terrific for its music scene. However, Bari is not a live music destination.

Birmingham has become a mecca for musicians from 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.

Bari is not a live music destination.

Is Birmingham or Bari Better for Beaches?

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

Many people head to Bari to enjoy the beach. There's a sandy beach that you can reach by bus outside of the city center. There are also many great beaches around Puglia if you're willing to take a day trip or travel a bit farther.

Birmingham is not a beach destination.

Is Birmingham or Bari Better for its Old Town?

Bari 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 Bari. The old town is filled with historic sights, mazelike streets, and great food. It's pedestrian-only and, because Bari is not as popular with tourists, it holds on to its authentic charm.

Birmingham does not have a historic old town.

Is the Shopping Better in Birmingham or Bari?

Birmingham is a great city for its shopping areas. Also, Bari is not as popular, but is still a nice port city for shopping.

Many visitors explore the shopping areas in Birmingham. 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.

Bari is a great destination for shopping. You won't find the souvenir shops that you find in more touristy cities, so if you take the time to do some shopping while you're in town, you can enjoy a truly authentic and cultural experience.

Is Birmingham or Bari Better for Families?

You'll find high quality kid-friendly activities in either Birmingham or Bari.

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.

Bari is a very kid-friendly city. There are historical sites and castles to explore as well as the fun-filled Miragica amusement park. There's also an impressive underground city that will spark the kid's imagination. Other fun activities include visiting the nearby beaches, taking a kayak tour, or wandering around the old town.

Is Birmingham or Bari Better for Couples?

Birmingham is a great city for couples. Also, Bari is not as popular, but is still a nice port city for romance.

Birmingham is a great city if you're traveling as a couple. Romantic activities around town include taking a beautiful stroll through town, wandering around a park or garden, or seeing the ballet.

Bari is a nice destination for couples. The old town is filled with mazelike streets and the city has many unique activities that appeal to history buffs and outdoor enthusiasts alike.

Is Birmingham or Bari Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Bari is great for backpackers and budget travelers. However, Birmingham is not a good destination for backpackers.

Bari is very popular with the backpacker crowd. There's plenty of hostels around town and the prices are usually very reasonable. Many backpackers pass through this port city on their way to Greece or other Adriatic destinations.

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 Bari Better for Students?

Birmingham is terrific for its student-friendly activities. Also, Bari is not as popular, but is still a nice port city for students.

Birmingham is a very popular place to visit for students. With world class academic institutions and a very diverse and international population, this is a popular place for international students to study.

Bari is a very popular city for students and younger travelers. It's a great student city that offers access to many nearby Mediterranean destinations. There are also a number of historical sights within town that students can visit.

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

Birmingham and Bari both offer notable 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.

Bari has a few public transit options. There are buses around town that are operated by the AMTAB.

Is Birmingham or Bari a more walkable city?

Birmingham and Bari are high quality when it comes to walkability.

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

Bari is a very walkable city. The old town is pedestrian-only and best explored on foot. It's also about a 20 minute walk from the central train station.

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

Should I spend more time in Bari or Birmingham?

How long in Birmingham or Bari?

Visitors can find plenty of fun things to do in both Birmingham and Bari. With generally more activities and things to do, visitors tend to spend more time in Birmingham than in Bari. Usually, 1-5 days is a good amount of time for Birmingham, and 1-3 days is enough time in Bari.

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

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

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

One day in Birmingham or Bari?

Visitors enjoy the theater and nightlife when visiting the destination of Birmingham. Take your pick from the many activities offered here. One day is usually enough time to experience most activities.

With museums and nightlife around the local port city of Bari, there's plenty to do. Anyone can find something fun to do here. One of the main draws to the area is the food. Make sure you visit the old town while you're here. While some people choose to spend more or less time in Bari, one day is sufficent for most.

A weekend in Birmingham or Bari?

Birmingham is a fun place to experience. Most people visit for the live music. If you have a weekend, this is a great place to go. A weekend is often enough time to do most activities. The entire region has so many activities, and you'll want time to do everything.

With nightlife and food around the destination of Bari, there's plenty to do. 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 port city.

Five days in Birmingham or Bari?

Visitors enjoy the live music and food when visiting the fun-filled destination of Birmingham. This city offers something for everyone. Plenty of people spend five days in the area when traveling. Five days is often enough time to do most activities.

Bari, a popular port city, is full of activities for travelers. Visiting the old town is also a must. 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 Bari?

The historic city of Birmingham offers food and shopping. The length of your trip often depends on your style of travel. 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.

Bari 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 Italy, and The Best 10-Day Tours in Italy.

When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Birmingham and Bari, we can see that Birmingham is more expensive. And not only is Bari much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Bari would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Bari and be able to afford a more luxurious travel style by staying in nicer hotels, eating at more expensive restaurants, taking tours, and experiencing more activities. The same level of travel in Birmingham would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Birmingham than you might in Bari.

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

Which is Bigger, Birmingham or Bari?

Birmingham has a larger population, and is about 3 times larger than the population of Bari. When comparing the sizes of Birmingham and Bari, 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 Bari?

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 Bari in the Summer?

Both Bari and Birmingham are popular destinations to visit in the summer with plenty of activities. Many visitors come to Birmingham in the summer for the music scene and the family-friendly experiences. Also, most visitors come to Bari for the beaches, the city activities, and the family-friendly experiences during these months.

In July, Birmingham is generally cooler than Bari. Daily temperatures in Birmingham average around 17°C (63°F), and Bari fluctuates around 25°C (76°F).

It's quite sunny in Bari. Birmingham usually receives less sunshine than Bari during summer. Birmingham gets 196 hours of sunny skies, while Bari receives 336 hours of full sun in the summer.

In July, Birmingham usually receives more rain than Bari. Birmingham gets 44 mm (1.7 in) of rain, while Bari receives 9 mm (0.3 in) of rain each month for the summer.

Should I visit Birmingham or Bari in the Autumn?

Both Bari and Birmingham during the autumn are popular places to visit. Most visitors come to Birmingham for the shopping scene and the music scene during these months. Furthermore, the autumn months attract visitors to Bari because of the city's sights and attractions and the shopping scene.

Birmingham is much colder than Bari in the autumn. The daily temperature in Birmingham averages around 11°C (52°F) in October, and Bari fluctuates around 18°C (65°F).

In the autumn, Birmingham often gets less sunshine than Bari. Birmingham gets 103 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Bari receives 178 hours of full sun.

Birmingham usually gets less rain in October than Bari. Birmingham gets 54 mm (2.1 in) of rain, while Bari receives 70 mm (2.7 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Birmingham or Bari in the Winter?

The winter attracts plenty of travelers to both Birmingham and Bari. The winter months attract visitors to Birmingham because of the museums, the shopping scene, the theater shows, and the cuisine. Furthermore, the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine are the main draw to Bari this time of year.

The weather in Birmingham can be very cold. In the winter, Birmingham is much colder than Bari. Typically, the winter temperatures in Birmingham in January average around 3°C (38°F), and Bari averages at about 10°C (49°F).

Birmingham usually receives less sunshine than Bari during winter. Birmingham gets 58 hours of sunny skies, while Bari receives 110 hours of full sun in the winter.

In January, Birmingham usually receives around the same amount of rain as Bari. Birmingham gets 64 mm (2.5 in) of rain, while Bari receives 62 mm (2.4 in) of rain each month for the winter.

Should I visit Birmingham or Bari in the Spring?

The spring brings many poeple to Birmingham as well as Bari. Additionally, many travelers come to Bari for the beaches and the activities around the city.

In April, Birmingham is generally much colder than Bari. Daily temperatures in Birmingham average around 9°C (48°F), and Bari fluctuates around 14°C (58°F).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Bari. In the spring, Birmingham often gets less sunshine than Bari. Birmingham gets 136 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Bari receives 203 hours of full sun.

Birmingham usually gets more rain in April than Bari. Birmingham gets 44 mm (1.7 in) of rain, while Bari receives 32 mm (1.3 in) of rain this time of the year.

Typical Weather for Bari and Birmingham