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

Should you visit Birmingham or Bilbao?

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

Birmingham

Birmingham is a vibrant, fun-filled, and bustling city. This destination also has one of those special and quaint feelings. And you can't forget about the museums, theater, and nightlife.

Bilbao

Bilbao is a friendly, industrial, and authentic city. Since it's a large city, you'll find plenty of things to do. Other reasons to visit include nightlife, shopping, and museums.

Birmingham and Bilbao: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Birmingham or Bilbao?

Both Bilbao and Birmingham have plenty of things to do for travelers. Both provide a wide variety of sights and activities for tourists. Birmingham is very popular for its theatre productions, food, music, and quaint atmosphere, while Bilbao attracts visitors for its historical sights and big city activities. Birmingham is famous for its strong musical routes and its very livable atmosphere. Bilbao is famous for it's world-class culinary scene, its modern museums, and its lovely parks.

How is Birmingham different from Bilbao?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

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

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 Bilbao can be an interesting and educational experience. A favorite museum in town is the popular Guggenheim Museum. From its iconic building to the unique exhibits, this is a must-see stop during your visit. Other highlights around town include the Museo de Bellas Artes de Bilbao, the Museo Vasco, as well as the city's unique bridges.

Is Birmingham or Bilbao Better for Theater?

Birmingham is well known for its theatre productions. However, Bilbao 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.

Bilbao is not a theatre destination.

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

Birmingham is a good destination for its restaurant scene. However, Bilbao is not a culinary destination.

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.

Bilbao is not a culinary destination. The food scene is among the best in Spain. The city has several world renowned restaurants, including a few Michelin-starred restaurants, but there are also smaller eateries that cater to the locals and tourists alike. Make sure you try the pintxos, which are small dishes that are the Basque region's answer to tapas. Many include seafood and are cooked with olive oil and garlic.

Is Birmingham or Bilbao Better for Nightlife?

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

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.

Bilbao has plenty to do after the sun goes down. There's a great late night scene that centers around eating and drinking. There are lively nightclubs, a good live music scene, and no shortage of people heading out on the town.

Is Birmingham or Bilbao Better for Music?

Birmingham is an amazing city to visit for its live music scene. However, Bilbao is not a live music destination.

Live music, and music in many other forms, is everyone 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.

Bilbao is not a live music destination.

Is Birmingham or Bilbao Better for its Old Town?

Bilbao is very good for its historic old town. However, Birmingham does not have a historic old town.

Bilbao is a good destination for visiting its old town. The old town, often called Casco Viejo, is filled with historic architecture, great local bars, and some interesting shopping.

Birmingham does not have a historic old town.

Is the Shopping Better in Birmingham or Bilbao?

If you're looking to go shopping, Birmingham and Bilbao both offer plenty of high quality spots.

Shopping is a popular activity when visiting 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.

Bilbao is a popular shopping destination with plenty of stores. Gran Vía is the most popular shopping street in town. There are also historic boutique shops around the old town.

Is Birmingham or Bilbao Better for Families?

Birmingham is well known for its family-friendly activities. Also, Bilbao is still popular, but not quite as popular for its kid-friendly activities.

Birmingham is a very kid-friendly city. 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.

Bilbao offers lots of family activities. The city offers some great museums such as the Guggenheim Museum. Families will also enjoy taking a ride of the Artxander Funicular, and exploring Mercado de la Ribera. You can also enjoy walking around Park Abandoibarra and exploring the creative sculptures.

Is Birmingham or Bilbao Better for Couples?

Birmingham is well known for its romantic activities. Also, Bilbao is still popular, but not quite as popular for couples.

Couples visit Birmingham frequently as it offers plenty of romantic activities. Romantic activities around town include taking a beautiful stroll through town, wandering around a park or garden, or seeing the ballet.

Bilbao is a good city for couples to visit. The city is filled with a vibrant enjoy with parks and outdoor strolls that couples will enjoy. There are also many great museums and romantic restaurants as well as some great shopping streets.

Is Birmingham or Bilbao Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

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

Bilbao is popular with backpackers and budget travelers. There are plenty of hostels to choose from and a good social scene that makes it easy to meet other backpackers.

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 Bilbao Better for Students?

Birmingham is an amazing city to visit for students. Also, Bilbao is still popular, but not quite as popular for its student-friendly activities.

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.

It's common for students to visit Bilbao. This is a popular study abroad destination with many great museums and educational opportunities for international students.

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

Bilbao 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 Bilbao can move around easily with public transportation. The metro system has three lines. There is also a tram and bus system.

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

Is Birmingham or Bilbao a more walkable city?

Birmingham is well known for its high level of walkability. Also, Bilbao is still popular, but not quite as popular for its ease of walking around.

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

Bilbao is a somewhat walkable city. It's a fairly walkable city with several pedestrian-friendly areas.

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

Should I spend more time in Bilbao or Birmingham?

How long in Birmingham or Bilbao?

Visitors can find plenty of fun things to do in both Birmingham and Bilbao. With generally more activities and things to do, visitors tend to spend more time in Birmingham than in Bilbao. Usually, 1-5 days is a good amount of time for Birmingham, and 2-3 days is enough time in Bilbao.

Families should spend more time in Birmingham than Bilbao. 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 Bilbao. 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 Bilbao 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 Bilbao.

One day in Birmingham or Bilbao?

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

With museums and nightlife around the authentic city of Bilbao, there's plenty to do. Anyone can find something fun to do here. But since there are so many activities, you'll likely want to spend more than one day exploring.

A weekend in Birmingham or Bilbao?

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.

With nightlife and shopping around the destination of Bilbao, 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 Bilbao?

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.

Bilbao, 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 Bilbao?

Travelers enjoy the museums and theater when visiting the bustling 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.

Bilbao 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 Bicycle Tours in United Kingdom, Tours for Outdoor and Nature Lovers in United Kingdom, The Best G Adventures Tours to Spain, and The Best 3-Day Tours from Madrid.

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

Which is Bigger, Birmingham or Bilbao?

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

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 Bilbao in the Summer?

The summer brings many poeple to Birmingham as well as Bilbao. Many visitors come to Birmingham in the summer for the music scene and the family-friendly experiences. Additionally, most visitors come to Bilbao for the city activities and the family-friendly experiences during these months.

In the summer, Birmingham is cooler than Bilbao. Typically, the summer temperatures in Birmingham in July average around 17°C (63°F), and Bilbao averages at about 20°C (68°F).

In the summer, Birmingham often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Bilbao. Birmingham gets 196 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Bilbao receives 188 hours of full sun.

Birmingham usually gets less rain in July than Bilbao. Birmingham gets 44 mm (1.7 in) of rain, while Bilbao receives 51 mm (2 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Birmingham or Bilbao in the Autumn?

Both Bilbao and Birmingham are popular destinations to visit in the autumn with plenty of activities. Most visitors come to Birmingham for the shopping scene and the music scene during these months. Also, the autumn months attract visitors to Bilbao because of the city's sights and attractions and the shopping scene.

In October, Birmingham is generally cooler than Bilbao. Daily temperatures in Birmingham average around 11°C (52°F), and Bilbao fluctuates around 16°C (62°F).

Birmingham usually receives less sunshine than Bilbao during autumn. Birmingham gets 103 hours of sunny skies, while Bilbao receives 125 hours of full sun in the autumn.

It rains a lot this time of the year in Bilbao. In October, Birmingham usually receives less rain than Bilbao. Birmingham gets 54 mm (2.1 in) of rain, while Bilbao receives 111 mm (4.4 in) of rain each month for the autumn.

Should I visit Birmingham or Bilbao in the Winter?

Both Bilbao and Birmingham during the winter are popular places to visit. The winter months attract visitors to Birmingham because of the museums, the shopping scene, the theater shows, and the cuisine. Also, the museums and the shopping scene are the main draw to Bilbao this time of year.

The weather in Birmingham can be very cold. Birmingham is much colder than Bilbao in the winter. The daily temperature in Birmingham averages around 3°C (38°F) in January, and Bilbao fluctuates around 9°C (48°F).

In the winter, Birmingham often gets less sunshine than Bilbao. Birmingham gets 58 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Bilbao receives 77 hours of full sun.

Bilbao gets a good bit of rain this time of year. Birmingham usually gets less rain in January than Bilbao. Birmingham gets 64 mm (2.5 in) of rain, while Bilbao receives 130 mm (5.1 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Birmingham or Bilbao in the Spring?

The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Birmingham and Bilbao. Also, many travelers come to Bilbao for the activities around the city.

In the spring, Birmingham is cooler than Bilbao. Typically, the spring temperatures in Birmingham in April average around 9°C (48°F), and Bilbao averages at about 12°C (54°F).

Birmingham usually receives more sunshine than Bilbao during spring. Birmingham gets 136 hours of sunny skies, while Bilbao receives 117 hours of full sun in the spring.

Bilbao receives a lot of rain in the spring. In April, Birmingham usually receives less rain than Bilbao. Birmingham gets 44 mm (1.7 in) of rain, while Bilbao receives 129 mm (5.1 in) of rain each month for the spring.

Typical Weather for Bilbao and Birmingham