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

Should you visit Birmingham or Dublin?

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 Dublin 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.

Dublin

Dublin is a laid-back, friendly, and welcoming 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 Dublin: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Birmingham or Dublin?

Travelers will usually find more to do in Dublin. Although Birmingham and Dublin are roughly the same size, Dublin has more sights and attractions for tourists. Dublin is very popular for its nightlife, historical sights, and big city activities, while Birmingham attracts visitors for its theatre productions, music, and quaint atmosphere. Dublin is more touristy than Birmingham and is popular for its friendly and social nightlife, its local pubs, and its role as the birthplace of Guinness. It is also well known for The Guinness Storehouse. Birmingham is famous for its strong musical routes and its very livable atmosphere.

How is Birmingham different from Dublin?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Spend time exploring the excellent sights and museums in either Birmingham or Dublin.

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 Dublin can be an interesting and educational experience. There are a number of museums around town including the National Museum of Ireland, the Little Museum of Dublin, and the National Gallery of Ireland.

Is Birmingham or Dublin Better for Theater?

Birmingham is a great destination for its theatre productions. However, Dublin 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.

Dublin is not a theatre destination.

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

Picking the best cuisine and restaurants between Birmingham and Dublin can be difficult as they are each nice in their own way.

There are plenty of up and coming restaurants around 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.

Visitors will find a budding food and restaurant scene in Dublin. Seafood has become popular around town, but you can also try traditional favorites like stew, pancakes, or coddle.

Is Birmingham or Dublin Better for Nightlife?

Dublin is an amazing city to visit for nightlife. Also, Birmingham is not as popular, but is still a nice city for nightlife and partying.

Dublin has a colorful and one-of-a-kind nightlife scene. Temple Bar is where you'll find the greatest concentration of pubs and nightlife. The city is among the friendliest and most welcoming, and this is seen even in the vibe around town at night.

Birmingham has plenty to do after the sun goes down. 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.

Is Birmingham or Dublin Better for Music?

Birmingham is terrific for its live music scene. Also, Dublin is still popular, but not quite as popular for its music scene.

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.

Dublin has a thriving music scene. The best places to hear live music around town are the back street pubs that feature local groups.

Is Birmingham or Dublin Better for its Old Town?

Dublin 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 Dublin. On the south side of the River Liffey are three different historic parts to the city. The Medieval Quarter is the oldest. To the east is Temple Bar, and further east is the Georgian Quarter.

Birmingham does not have a historic old town.

Is the Shopping Better in Birmingham or Dublin?

If you're looking to go shopping, Birmingham and Dublin both offer plenty of excellent 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.

Dublin is a popular shopping destination with plenty of stores. Head to Grafton Street to see a number of brand name and local shops. It's a pedestrian street that is fun to wander around.

Is Birmingham or Dublin Better for Families?

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

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.

Dublin is a very kid-friendly city. Explore the waterways with the viking splash, learn about the vikings at the museum Dublina, or visit any of the other kid-friendly museums around town, or see a show at The Gaiety.

Is Birmingham or Dublin Better for Couples?

Both Birmingham and Dublin are excellent 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.

Dublin is a very popular place to visit for couples. It's laid-back vibe and countless pubs make it a fun weekend getaway for couples.

Is Birmingham or Dublin Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

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

Dublin is very popular with the backpacker crowd. There are a number of popular backpacker hostels around town. The pub scene is also popular with the young crowd.

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 Dublin Better for Students?

Birmingham is terrific for students. Also, Dublin is still popular, but not quite as popular 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.

It's common for students to visit Dublin. While student accommodation can be a bit expensive in town, the nightlife and social aspect of living in the city center makes it well worth it.

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

Birmingham and Dublin both offer nice 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.

Dublin has a few public transit options. There is a comprehensive bus system around town.

Is Birmingham or Dublin a more walkable city?

Dublin is an amazing city to visit for its walkability. Also, Birmingham is not as popular, but is still a nice city for its high level of walkability.

Dublin is a very easy city to get around on foot. Because it is so compact and flat, it is easy to explore the city center on foot.

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

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

Should I spend more time in Dublin or Birmingham?

How long in Birmingham or Dublin?

In either Birmingham or Dublin, you'll find plenty of activities to fill your time. In our opinion, Dublin has more to see and do, so we recommend spending more time in Dublin than Birmingham. In general, 1-5 days is a good amount of time for Birmingham, and 2-5 days is enough time in Dublin.

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

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

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

One day in Birmingham or Dublin?

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 live music and food around the fun city of Dublin, there's plenty to do. Anyone can find something fun to do here. One of the main draws to the area is the nightlife. Make sure you visit the old town while you're here. But since there are so many activities, you'll likely want to spend more than one day exploring.

A weekend in Birmingham or Dublin?

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 food and shopping around the destination of Dublin, 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 nightlife. In a weekend, you should have a good grasp of this city.

Five days in Birmingham or Dublin?

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.

Dublin, 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 Dublin?

Travelers enjoy the museums and theater when visiting the historic 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.

Dublin is a popular place that is full of things to see and experience. One of the main draws to the area is the nightlife. 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 Walking Tours in Ireland, and The Best Luxury Tours to Ireland.

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

Which is Bigger, Birmingham or Dublin?

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

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 Dublin in the Summer?

The summer brings many poeple to Birmingham as well as Dublin. The music scene and the family-friendly experiences are the main draw to Birmingham this time of year. Also, many travelers come to Dublin for the city activities, the music scene, and the family-friendly experiences.

In the summer, Birmingham is a little warmer than Dublin. Typically, the summer temperatures in Birmingham in July average around 17°C (63°F), and Dublin averages at about 16°C (60°F).

In the summer, Birmingham often gets more sunshine than Dublin. Birmingham gets 196 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Dublin receives 166 hours of full sun.

Birmingham usually gets less rain in July than Dublin. Birmingham gets 44 mm (1.7 in) of rain, while Dublin receives 50 mm (2 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Birmingham or Dublin in the Autumn?

Both Dublin and Birmingham are popular destinations to visit in the autumn with plenty of activities. Many travelers come to Birmingham for the shopping scene and the music scene. Also, many visitors come to Dublin in the autumn for the city's sights and attractions, the shopping scene, and the music scene.

In October, Birmingham is generally around the same temperature as Dublin. Daily temperatures in Birmingham average around 11°C (52°F), and Dublin fluctuates around 11°C (52°F).

Birmingham usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Dublin during autumn. Birmingham gets 103 hours of sunny skies, while Dublin receives 97 hours of full sun in the autumn.

In October, Birmingham usually receives less rain than Dublin. Birmingham gets 54 mm (2.1 in) of rain, while Dublin receives 70 mm (2.7 in) of rain each month for the autumn.

Should I visit Birmingham or Dublin in the Winter?

Both Dublin and Birmingham during the winter are popular places to visit. Many visitors come to Birmingham in the winter for the museums, the shopping scene, the theater shows, and the cuisine. Furthermore, most visitors come to Dublin for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine during these months.

Birmingham can get quite cold in the winter. Birmingham is much colder than Dublin in the winter. The daily temperature in Birmingham averages around 3°C (38°F) in January, and Dublin fluctuates around 6°C (42°F).

In the winter, Birmingham often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Dublin. Birmingham gets 58 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Dublin receives 56 hours of full sun.

Birmingham usually gets less rain in January than Dublin. Birmingham gets 64 mm (2.5 in) of rain, while Dublin receives 69 mm (2.7 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Birmingham or Dublin in the Spring?

The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Birmingham and Dublin. Furthermore, the spring months attract visitors to Dublin because of the activities around the city.

In the spring, Birmingham is around the same temperature as Dublin. Typically, the spring temperatures in Birmingham in April average around 9°C (48°F), and Dublin averages at about 8°C (47°F).

Birmingham usually receives less sunshine than Dublin during spring. Birmingham gets 136 hours of sunny skies, while Dublin receives 157 hours of full sun in the spring.

In April, Birmingham usually receives less rain than Dublin. Birmingham gets 44 mm (1.7 in) of rain, while Dublin receives 51 mm (2 in) of rain each month for the spring.

Typical Weather for Dublin and Birmingham