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

Should you visit Birmingham or Como?

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

Birmingham

Birmingham is a historic, vibrant, and fun-filled 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.

Como

Como is a vibrant, scenic, and trendy lake area. Many visitors also come because of it's amazing beauty. Other reasons to visit include hiking, shopping, and nightlife.

Birmingham and Como: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Birmingham or Como?

Both Como and Birmingham have plenty of things to do for visitors. Both offer a variety of sights, activities, and attractions for tourists. Birmingham is better known for its museums, theatre productions, nightlife, music, and quaint atmosphere, while Como is more popular for its food, beaches, hiking, shopping, and impressive beauty. Como is more touristy than Birmingham and is known for its long-running history as a resort retreat for upscale travelers. Birmingham is well known for its strong musical routes and its very livable atmosphere.

How is Birmingham different from Como?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Birmingham is an excellent place to visit for its museums and history. However, Como is lacking in options for its 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.

Como offers a handful of options for museums and historical sights. Most people visit for the lakeside setting, but there's history throughout, with notable buildings including the Duomo, Museo Civico, and Basilica di Sant'Abbondio.

Is Birmingham or Como Better for Theater?

Birmingham is an excellent place to visit for its shows and theatre. However, Como 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.

Como is not a theatre destination.

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

Como is an amazing lake area 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.

Como has long been recognized as a culinary destination with great restaurants. The area has its own style of Italian food. Polenta is one of the most popular dishes and it's usually served with meat, fish, or cheese. You can also enjoy several different types of fish such as misultitt (dried fish), salmon trout, pike, bleak, lavarello, and perch.

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 Como Better for Nightlife?

Birmingham is an excellent place to visit for its evening party scene. Also, Como is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for nightlife.

Birmingham has a lively atmosphere and nightlife is popular here. 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.

Como has an active nightlife scene for those who seek it out. It is more known for its glamour and sophistication than its raging party scene. There are fine dining restaurants where you can sip wine and enjoy the view. There are also theaters and jazz clubs that offer a relaxing vibe and a nice night out.

Is Birmingham or Como Better for Music?

Birmingham is renowned for its music scene. However, Como 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.

Como is not a live music destination.

Is Birmingham or Como Better for Beaches?

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

Many people head to Como to enjoy the beach. You'll find lakeside beaches where you can relax, sunbath, or swim. Many are affiliated with clubs and the atmosphere is often trendy and upscale. Don't expect a secluded and natural setting, but there are often nice restaurants nearby.

Birmingham is not a beach destination.

Is Birmingham or Como Better for Hiking?

Como is great for hiking. However, Birmingham is not a hiking destination.

Many visitors go to Como for the hiking trails. There's a wide variety of hiking trails in the area that take you through the mountains or along the water's edge. One of the most popular trails is the Greenway del Lago di Como.

Birmingham is not a hiking destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Birmingham or Como?

Como is an amazing lake area 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 Como. The shopping is comparable to major cities, with everything from high end boutiques to outlets and local markets. There are clothing shops, jewelry stores, and places to pick up local souvenirs. Shopping is a favorite activity for many visitors to Lake Como.

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 Como Better for Families?

You'll find excellent kid-friendly activities in either Birmingham or Como.

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.

Como is a very kid-friendly city. It has parks and gardens to explore, as well as Vezio Castle and many nice walking trails. A highlight for many kids is a visit to Lake Como Adventure Park.

Is Birmingham or Como Better for Couples?

Como is an amazing lake area to visit for romance. Also, Birmingham is not as popular, but is still a nice city for its romantic activities.

For those traveling as a couple, Como has plenty to offer. Its beautiful walks, charming towns, and surrounding natural setting make this a great honeymoon and couple's getaway destination. Dine on Italian cuisine as you sip wine and look out on the pristine waters of Lake Como.

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.

Is Birmingham or Como Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

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

Como is very popular with the backpacker crowd. It's a popular destination with all types of travelers, so you'll find a decent selection of hostels to choose from, and a number of other backpackers around to hang out with.

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 Como Better for Students?

Birmingham is renowned for its student-friendly activities. However, Como is not popular with students.

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.

Como is not popular with students.

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

Birmingham and Como 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.

Como has a few public transit options. There are buses, ferries, and a funicular that travel to different towns around the lake.

Is Birmingham or Como a more walkable city?

Birmingham and Como are excellent when it comes to walkability.

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

Como is a very walkable city. The entire area is very walkable and you'll enjoy many great views during your stroll.

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

Should I spend more time in Como or Birmingham?

How long in Birmingham or Como?

It's fun to spend time in either Birmingham or Como. Generally, people tend to spend more time in Birmingham due to the larger number of activities and things to do. Usually, 1-5 days is a good amount of time for Birmingham, and 2-4 days is enough time in Como.

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

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

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

One day in Birmingham or Como?

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 shopping and nightlife around the scenic lake area of Como, there's plenty to do. Anyone can find something fun to do here. Make sure you spend some time hiking while you're in the area. But since there are so many activities, you'll likely want to spend more than one day exploring.

A weekend in Birmingham or Como?

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 Como, there's plenty to do. Many travelers plan to spend time hiking while in the area. It offers something for everyone. Many people spend a weekend here. In a weekend, you should have a good grasp of this lake area.

Five days in Birmingham or Como?

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.

Como, a popular lake area, is full of activities for travelers. Hiking can easily take up a good amount of your time here, too. 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 Como?

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.

Como 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 One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Rome, and The Best 10-Day Tours from Rome.

When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Birmingham and Como, we can see that Como is more expensive. And not only is Birmingham much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Birmingham would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Birmingham 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 Como would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Como than you might in Birmingham.

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

Which is Bigger, Birmingham or Como?

Birmingham has a larger population, and is about 10 times larger than the population of Como. When comparing the sizes of Birmingham and Como, 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 Como?

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 Como in the Summer?

The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Birmingham and Como. The music scene and the family-friendly experiences are the main draw to Birmingham this time of year. Also, many travelers come to Como for the beaches, the hiking, and the family-friendly experiences.

In July, Birmingham is generally cooler than Como. Daily temperatures in Birmingham average around 17°C (63°F), and Como fluctuates around 23°C (73°F).

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Como this time of the year. Birmingham usually receives less sunshine than Como during summer. Birmingham gets 196 hours of sunny skies, while Como receives 250 hours of full sun in the summer.

In July, Birmingham usually receives less rain than Como. Birmingham gets 44 mm (1.7 in) of rain, while Como receives 60 mm (2.4 in) of rain each month for the summer.

Should I visit Birmingham or Como in the Autumn?

The autumn brings many poeple to Birmingham as well as Como. Many travelers come to Birmingham for the shopping scene and the music scene. Also, many visitors come to Como in the autumn for the hiking trails, the shopping scene, and the natural beauty of the area.

Birmingham is cooler than Como in the autumn. The daily temperature in Birmingham averages around 11°C (52°F) in October, and Como fluctuates around 15°C (58°F).

In the autumn, Birmingham often gets less sunshine than Como. Birmingham gets 103 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Como receives 152 hours of full sun.

It's quite rainy in Como. Birmingham usually gets less rain in October than Como. Birmingham gets 54 mm (2.1 in) of rain, while Como receives 103 mm (4 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Birmingham or Como in the Winter?

Both Como and Birmingham are popular destinations to visit in the winter with plenty of activities. Many visitors come to Birmingham in the winter for the museums, the shopping scene, the theater shows, and the cuisine. Also, most visitors come to Como for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine during these months.

Como can be very cold during winter. Birmingham can get quite cold in the winter. In the winter, Birmingham is cooler than Como. Typically, the winter temperatures in Birmingham in January average around 3°C (38°F), and Como averages at about 5°C (41°F).

Birmingham usually receives less sunshine than Como during winter. Birmingham gets 58 hours of sunny skies, while Como receives 119 hours of full sun in the winter.

In January, Birmingham usually receives around the same amount of rain as Como. Birmingham gets 64 mm (2.5 in) of rain, while Como receives 68 mm (2.7 in) of rain each month for the winter.

Should I visit Birmingham or Como in the Spring?

Both Como and Birmingham during the spring are popular places to visit. Furthermore, the spring months attract visitors to Como because of the beaches and the natural beauty.

In April, Birmingham is generally cooler than Como. Daily temperatures in Birmingham average around 9°C (48°F), and Como fluctuates around 13°C (55°F).

In the spring, Birmingham often gets less sunshine than Como. Birmingham gets 136 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Como receives 176 hours of full sun.

Birmingham usually gets less rain in April than Como. Birmingham gets 44 mm (1.7 in) of rain, while Como receives 76 mm (3 in) of rain this time of the year.

Typical Weather for Como and Birmingham