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

Should you visit Birmingham or Brussels?

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

Birmingham

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

Brussels

Brussels is a authentic, colorful, and multicultural city. It's an amazing and huge city with tons of activities and things to do. Other reasons to visit include museums, nightlife, and food.

Birmingham and Brussels: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Birmingham or Brussels?

Travelers will usually find more to do in Brussels. Although Birmingham and Brussels are roughly the same size, Brussels has more sights and attractions for tourists. Brussels is more popular for its food, historical sights, shopping, and big city activities, while Birmingham is known for its theatre productions, nightlife, music, and quaint atmosphere. Birmingham is popular for its strong musical routes and its very livable atmosphere. Brussels is popular for its beautiful architecture, grand squares, diverse population, and delicious waffles. It is also home to La Grand Place (Grote Markt).

La Grand Place (Grote Markt)

How is Birmingham different from Brussels?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

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

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 Brussels can be an interesting and educational experience. Popular sights include Saint-Michel Cathedral, Place Royale, and the Belgian Royal Museum of Fine Arts. The city is filled with impressive architecture, fascinating art museums, and innovative science and technology museums.

Is Birmingham or Brussels Better for Theater?

Birmingham is well known for theatre. However, Brussels 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.

Brussels is not a theatre destination.

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

Brussels 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 Brussels. While the city is most known for its waffles and fries, the diversity of dishes and international restaurant selection continues to grow. There are Lebanese, Japanese, and Indian restaurants among others. Popular local dishes include moules-frites, waterzooi (a stew), and stoemp (made with mashed potatoes and vegetables).

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 Brussels Better for Nightlife?

Birmingham is well known for nightlife. Also, Brussels is still popular, but not quite as popular for nightlife and partying.

Birmingham is a popular destination for visitors looking to party into the night. 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.

If you're looking for night time activities Brussels has a few options to choose from. The city's nightlife is quieter and more mellow than some other major cities around Europe. That doesn't mean there aren't plenty of dance clubs and bars where you can hang out. Keep your wits about you after the sun goes down as some areas are a bit rougher than others.

Is Birmingham or Brussels Better for Music?

Birmingham is renowned for live music. However, Brussels 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.

Brussels is not a live music destination.

Is Birmingham or Brussels Better for its Old Town?

Brussels 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 Brussels. The old town in the city center is where you'll find the greatest concentration of historic sights. The area is surrounded by tree-lined boulevards and is easy to explore.

Birmingham does not have a historic old town.

Is the Shopping Better in Birmingham or Brussels?

Brussels 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 Brussels. Although it's famous for diamonds, the city also has many shopping streets where you can find designer brands, vintage shops, and other unique boutiques that are fun to explore.

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 Brussels Better for Families?

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

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.

Brussels is a very kid-friendly city. The city has a number of unique kid-friendly activities including a Mini-Europe Museum, a Comic Strip Museum, and Train World. The city is also a chocolate lover's dream with many factories and chocolate shops around town.

Is Birmingham or Brussels Better for Couples?

Both Birmingham and Brussels are high quality destinations to visit as a couple.

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.

Brussels is a very popular place to visit for couples. From beautiful buildings and museums to shopping, dining, and chocolate shops, there are plenty of romantic spots around town. There's a vibrant nightlife scene and many diverse restaurants that couples can enjoy exploring.

Is Birmingham or Brussels Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

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

Brussels is very popular with the backpacker crowd. The city has an active nightlife and a number of hostels that are great for backpackers, but do take note that some areas can get a bit rough at night, so make sure you understand where you are.

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 Brussels Better for Students?

Birmingham is renowned for students. Also, Brussels 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.

Brussels is a very popular city for students and younger travelers. The city has a number of universities that attract students from around the world. The multicultural setting is great for students of the world.

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

Brussels is an amazing city to visit 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.

Public transit in Brussels is top-notch. Transit options include train, tram, metro, bus, and waterbuses.

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

Is Birmingham or Brussels a more walkable city?

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

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

Brussels is a very walkable city. If you stay in the historical area, it's easy to walk around and many boulevards are being converted to pedestrian areas.

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

Should I spend more time in Brussels or Birmingham?

How long in Birmingham or Brussels?

In either Birmingham or Brussels, you'll find plenty of activities to fill your time. In our opinion, Brussels has more to see and do, so we recommend spending more time in Brussels than Birmingham. However, 1-5 days is a good amount of time to spend in either destination.

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

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

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

One day in Birmingham or Brussels?

The city of Birmingham offers shopping and museums. With all of its activities, you can easily fill one day here. It will give you the chance to have new experiences.

When visiting Brussels, people usually allow for lots of time. Anyone can find something fun to do here. One of the main draws to the area is the shopping. Make sure you visit the old town while you're here. While some people choose to spend more or less time in Brussels, one day is sufficent for most.

A weekend in Birmingham or Brussels?

Birmingham is a popular place that is full of things to see and experience. If you have a weekend, this city makes for a great vacation. While some people choose to spend more or less time in Birmingham, a weekend is sufficent for most. Take your pick from the many activities offered here.

When visiting Brussels, people usually allow for lots of time. 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 shopping. In a weekend, you should have a good grasp of this city.

Five days in Birmingham or Brussels?

Birmingham is a popular choice for travelers. Five days here is typical. It's no surprise that live music is why people visit. While some people choose to spend more or less time in Birmingham, five days is sufficent for most. The entire region has so many activities, and you'll want time to do everything.

Brussels, 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 Brussels?

Birmingham is a great place to explore. It's no surprise that live music is why people visit. One week is more than enough time to enjoy everything. Take some day trips to nearby places to fill the extra days. This city offers something for everyone.

Brussels is a popular place that is full of things to see and experience. One of the main draws to the area is the shopping. 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 Cultural Tours in Belgium, and The Best Luxury Tours to Belgium.

When comparing the travel costs between Birmingham and Brussels, 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 Brussels Expensive?.

Which is Bigger, Birmingham or Brussels?

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

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 Brussels in the Summer?

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

Birmingham is around the same temperature as Brussels in the summer. The daily temperature in Birmingham averages around 17°C (63°F) in July, and Brussels fluctuates around 18°C (65°F).

In the summer, Birmingham often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Brussels. Birmingham gets 196 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Brussels receives 186 hours of full sun.

Birmingham usually gets less rain in July than Brussels. Birmingham gets 44 mm (1.7 in) of rain, while Brussels receives 75 mm (3 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Birmingham or Brussels in the Autumn?

Both Brussels 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 Brussels because of the city's sights and attractions and the shopping scene.

In the autumn, Birmingham is around the same temperature as Brussels. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Birmingham in October average around 11°C (52°F), and Brussels averages at about 12°C (54°F).

Birmingham usually receives less sunshine than Brussels during autumn. Birmingham gets 103 hours of sunny skies, while Brussels receives 114 hours of full sun in the autumn.

In October, Birmingham usually receives less rain than Brussels. Birmingham gets 54 mm (2.1 in) of rain, while Brussels receives 70 mm (2.8 in) of rain each month for the autumn.

Should I visit Birmingham or Brussels in the Winter?

Both Brussels 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, the shopping scene, and the cuisine are the main draw to Brussels this time of year.

It's quite cold in Brussels in the winter. The weather in Birmingham can be very cold. In January, Birmingham is generally around the same temperature as Brussels. Daily temperatures in Birmingham average around 3°C (38°F), and Brussels fluctuates around 3°C (38°F).

In the winter, Birmingham often gets more sunshine than Brussels. Birmingham gets 58 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Brussels receives 49 hours of full sun.

Birmingham usually gets around the same amount of rain in January as Brussels. Birmingham gets 64 mm (2.5 in) of rain, while Brussels receives 67 mm (2.6 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Birmingham or Brussels in the Spring?

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

Birmingham is around the same temperature as Brussels in the spring. The daily temperature in Birmingham averages around 9°C (48°F) in April, and Brussels fluctuates around 10°C (49°F).

Birmingham usually receives less sunshine than Brussels during spring. Birmingham gets 136 hours of sunny skies, while Brussels receives 147 hours of full sun in the spring.

In April, Birmingham usually receives less rain than Brussels. Birmingham gets 44 mm (1.7 in) of rain, while Brussels receives 57 mm (2.2 in) of rain each month for the spring.

Typical Weather for Brussels and Birmingham