A Travel Price Comparison for United Kingdom Birmingham vs. Belfast for Nightlife, Families, Couples, and Food

Should you visit Birmingham or Belfast?

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 Belfast 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. See Birmingham travel costs.

Belfast

Belfast is a affordable, under-rated, and authentic city. Since it's a large city, you'll find plenty of things to do. Other reasons to visit include nightlife and shopping. See Belfast travel costs.

Birmingham and Belfast: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Birmingham or Belfast?

Travelers will usually find more to do in Birmingham than Belfast, as it is bigger with more sights, attractions, and activities for visitors. Birmingham is more popular for its museums and attractions, theatre productions, food, nightlife, music, shopping, and quaint atmosphere, while Belfast is known for its big city activities. Birmingham is popular for its strong musical routes and its very livable atmosphere. It is also home to Victoria Square. Belfast is popular for being the birthplace of the Titanic and the location of the era of the "Troubles".

How is Birmingham different from Belfast?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Birmingham is a well-known place for its sights and museums. However, Belfast does not have museums and landmarks.

With a variety of museums, monuments, and historical sights, a trip to Birmingham can be an interesting and educational experience. Famous sights include the Museum & Art Gallery, Thinktank, and St. Philip's Cathedral.

Belfast does not have museums and landmarks.

Is Birmingham or Belfast Better for Theater?

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

Many visitors plan to see a show while visiting Birmingham. The impressive theater scene includes Broadway shows and musicals. Birmingham Hippodrome is a major theater in town.

Belfast is not a theatre destination.

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

Birmingham is a nice place to visit for its local cuisine and restaurants. However, Belfast is not a good city for its restaurants.

Birmingham offers number of good local restaurants to choose from. 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.

You'll find the standard options when it comes to food in Belfast. While many restaurants have moved towards more modern cuisines, there are still places that hold tight to the traditions of the area. Traditional dishes include pasties, full Irish breakfasts, and oysters.

Is Birmingham or Belfast Better for Nightlife?

Birmingham is a well-known place for nightlife. Also, Belfast is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for nightlife and partying.

Birmingham offers plenty to do in the evening. 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.

With a handful of venues, visitors can find a fairly lively vibe in Belfast. The city has a number of bars and clubs with local DJs or musicians.

Is Birmingham or Belfast Better for Music?

Birmingham is an unbeatable place for live music. However, Belfast is not a live music destination.

Birmingham is a world class music destination. 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.

Belfast is not a live music destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Birmingham or Belfast?

Birmingham is a well-known place for shopping. Also, Belfast is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for its shopping opportunities.

Birmingham is an extremely popular place for shoppers. 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.

Shopping is a popular activity when visiting Belfast. The main shopping areas in the city are Victoria Square Shopping Centre and CastleCourt.

Is Birmingham or Belfast Better for Families?

Birmingham is a well-known place for its family-friendly activities. Also, Belfast 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.

Belfast is a family-friendly city. The city has several great kid-friendly museums, a zoo, and a few indoor or outdoor activity centers where you can let kids play and explore.

Is Birmingham or Belfast Better for Couples?

Birmingham is a well-known place for romance. However, Belfast is not a good city 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.

Most people don't think of Belfast as a couple's destination. There are gardens and parks to explore, several nice hotels with spas, and an Observatory on the 23rd floor of the Grand Central Hotel.

Is Birmingham or Belfast Better for Students?

Birmingham is an unbeatable place for students. Also, Belfast is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for its student-friendly activities.

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

Plenty of students visit Belfast. The city's affordability has made it a popular option for international students headed to the area.

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

Birmingham is a nice place to visit for its public transit. However, Belfast is not a good city for times when you don't have a car.

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

Public transit is mostly limited in Belfast. There is a bus service in the city.

Is Birmingham or Belfast a more walkable city?

Birmingham is a well-known place for its walkability. Also, Belfast is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for its high level of walkability.

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

Belfast is a somewhat walkable place.

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

Should I spend more time in Belfast or Birmingham?

How long in Birmingham or Belfast?

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

Families should spend more time in Birmingham than Belfast. 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.

Couples should spend more time in Birmingham than Belfast. 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 Birmingham than Belfast 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 Birmingham.

One day in Birmingham or Belfast?

In Birmingham, you'll find food and shopping. One reason most visitors come is for the live music. This city offers something for everyone. This would be the perfect place to spend one day, as it has just the right amount of activities.

With shopping and nightlife around the under-rated city of Belfast, there's plenty to do. Anyone can find something fun to do here. While some people choose to spend more or less time in Belfast, one day is sufficent for most.

A weekend in Birmingham or Belfast?

In Birmingham, you'll find shopping and museums. The length of your trip often depends on your style of travel. A weekend here is typical. One reason most visitors come is for the live music. A weekend is a great amount of time to relax and see the many things that Birmingham has to offer.

With nightlife and shopping around the destination of Belfast, there's plenty to do. It offers something for everyone. Many people spend a weekend here. In a weekend, you should have a good grasp of this city.

Five days in Birmingham or Belfast?

Birmingham is a great place to explore. It is common to spend five days here. Five days is a great amount of time to relax and see the many things that Birmingham has to offer. Anyone can find something fun to do here.

Belfast, a popular city, is full of activities for travelers. 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 Belfast?

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Birmingham. Many people enjoy the theater and nightlife when visiting Birmingham. One reason most visitors come is for the live music. One week may feel like too much time unless you plan to do a lot of relaxing.

Belfast is a popular place that is full of things to see and experience. 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 Coach Bus Tours in United Kingdom, The Best Adventure Tours to United Kingdom, The Best Sightseeing Tours in United Kingdom, and The Best Romantic Tours for Couples in United Kingdom.

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

Which is Bigger, Birmingham or Belfast?

Birmingham has a larger population, and is about 4 times larger than the population of Belfast. When comparing the sizes of Birmingham and Belfast, 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 Belfast?

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 Belfast in the Summer?

Both Belfast and Birmingham during the summer are popular places to visit. The music scene and the family-friendly experiences are the main draw to Birmingham this time of year. Furthermore, many travelers come to Belfast for the city activities and the family-friendly experiences.

Birmingham is a little warmer than Belfast in the summer. The daily temperature in Birmingham averages around 17°C (63°F) in July, and Belfast fluctuates around 15°C (59°F).

In the summer, Birmingham often gets more sunshine than Belfast. Birmingham gets 196 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Belfast receives 151 hours of full sun.

Birmingham usually gets less rain in July than Belfast. Birmingham gets 44 mm (1.7 in) of rain, while Belfast receives 70 mm (2.8 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Birmingham or Belfast in the Autumn?

The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Birmingham and Belfast. Many travelers come to Birmingham for the shopping scene and the music scene. Furthermore, many visitors come to Belfast in the autumn for the city's sights and attractions and the shopping scene.

In the autumn, Birmingham is a little warmer than Belfast. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Birmingham in October average around 11°C (52°F), and Belfast averages at about 9°C (48°F).

Birmingham usually receives more sunshine than Belfast during autumn. Birmingham gets 103 hours of sunny skies, while Belfast receives 92 hours of full sun in the autumn.

In October, Birmingham usually receives less rain than Belfast. Birmingham gets 54 mm (2.1 in) of rain, while Belfast receives 90 mm (3.5 in) of rain each month for the autumn.

Should I visit Birmingham or Belfast in the Winter?

The winter brings many poeple to Birmingham as well as Belfast. Many visitors come to Birmingham in the winter for the museums, the shopping scene, the theater shows, and the cuisine. Additionally, most visitors come to Belfast for the shopping scene and the cuisine during these months.

Belfast can be very cold during winter. Birmingham can get quite cold in the winter. In January, Birmingham is generally cooler than Belfast. Daily temperatures in Birmingham average around 3°C (38°F), and Belfast fluctuates around 4°C (39°F).

In the winter, Birmingham often gets more sunshine than Belfast. Birmingham gets 58 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Belfast receives 50 hours of full sun.

Birmingham usually gets less rain in January than Belfast. Birmingham gets 64 mm (2.5 in) of rain, while Belfast receives 80 mm (3.1 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Birmingham or Belfast in the Spring?

Both Belfast and Birmingham are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities. Also, the spring months attract visitors to Belfast because of the activities around the city.

Birmingham is around the same temperature as Belfast in the spring. The daily temperature in Birmingham averages around 9°C (48°F) in April, and Belfast fluctuates around 8°C (46°F).

Birmingham usually receives less sunshine than Belfast during spring. Birmingham gets 136 hours of sunny skies, while Belfast receives 150 hours of full sun in the spring.

In April, Birmingham usually receives less rain than Belfast. Birmingham gets 44 mm (1.7 in) of rain, while Belfast receives 50 mm (2 in) of rain each month for the spring.

Typical Weather for Belfast and Birmingham