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

Should you visit Birmingham or Lille?

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

Birmingham

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

Lille

Lille is a cultural, culinary, and friendly city. This is also a very beautiful destination which attracts plenty of visitors. Other reasons to visit include nightlife, food, and shopping.

Birmingham and Lille: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Birmingham or Lille?

Tourists will generally find more to do in Birmingham than Lille. It is bigger and it has more sights, attractions, and activities for travelers. Birmingham is very popular for its museums, theatre productions, music, and quaint atmosphere, while Lille attracts visitors for its food, historical sights, shopping, and impressive beauty. Birmingham is famous for its strong musical routes and its very livable atmosphere. It is also well known for Victoria Square. Lille is famous for its beautiful architecture, excellent shopping, and world class food scene.

How is Birmingham different from Lille?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Birmingham is notable for its sights and museums. However, Lille is a mediocre city for its museums and history.

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.

While most people don't head to Lille specifically for the museums and attractions, it does offer a few options. The city offers an amazing atmosphere, with many of the most beautiful buildings near Place du Général de Gaulle (the main square). Top rated attractions in town include Palais des Beaux-Arts, Musée du Louvre-Lens, and Eglise Saint-Maurice.

Is Birmingham or Lille Better for Theater?

Birmingham is notable for its theatre productions. However, Lille 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.

Lille is not a theatre destination.

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

Lille is an amazing city 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.

Lille has long been recognized as a culinary destination with great restaurants. The city has a cuisine all its own. There are many local dishes that are recommended with some of the most popular being les moules (mussels), the Welsh (a beer and cheddar cheese dish), and la carbonade flamande (beef stew). Most dishes are served with a hearty side of fries. The mussels are a favorite and are served with various toppings including local cheese. You can expect your very own pot of mussels with each order. Many of the restaurants around the main square (General de Gaulle Square) offer these local specialties. Outside the old town you'll also find plenty of international restaurants including Asian street food.

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 Lille Better for Nightlife?

The vibe at night is excellent in both Birmingham and Lille.

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.

Lille has plenty to do after the sun goes down. With its young population and countless places to hang out, there's rarely a dull night around town. The most popular nightlife areas are Rue Masséna and Rue Solférino. The city also offers plenty of theaters and shows that you can enjoy.

Is Birmingham or Lille Better for Music?

Birmingham is very popular for its live music scene. However, Lille 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.

Lille is not a live music destination.

Is Birmingham or Lille Better for its Old Town?

Lille 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 Lille. The old town (Le Vieux Lille) is charming to explore. Many of the buildings are from the 16th or 17th centuries and feature very ornate architecture. The area is filled with shops and restaurants and it stays active throughout the day. This is an area where locals and tourists alike live and play.

Birmingham does not have a historic old town.

Is the Shopping Better in Birmingham or Lille?

Lille 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 Lille. The city is filled with shopping opportunities. Almost any store you could want is in or around the old town and the two main shopping centers in town are McArthur Glen and A l'Usine. Also by the train station is a shopping mall.

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 Lille Better for Families?

Birmingham is notable for its family-friendly activities. However, Lille is a mediocre city 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.

Lille is not always a place people visit with their families. There are a handful of kid-focused activities like a small zoo, a small amusement park, several museums and even a puppet theater. Many of the restaurants also have kid's menus that are reasonably priced.

Is Birmingham or Lille Better for Couples?

Birmingham is notable for its romantic activities. Also, Lille is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for couples.

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.

Lille is a good city for couples to visit. Couples who enjoy shopping, dining out, and exploring beautiful cities will enjoy a visit. There are many great restaurants worth experiencing, as well as beautiful architecture and fun shops.

Is Birmingham or Lille Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

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

Lille is popular with backpackers and budget travelers. This small city flies under the radar for most backpackers, but there are a handful of hostels and a great experience for those who venture here. It feels more off the beaten path than some French cities, but you'll find great food and a nice atmosphere.

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 Lille Better for Students?

Birmingham is very popular for students. Also, Lille 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.

Students come from all over to stay in Lille. The city is home to a number of students, both local and international. It has a lower cost of living than many places in France as well as a youthful vibe with fun activities and plenty of shopping.

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

Lille 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 Lille can move around easily with public transportation. There is a metro as well as trams and buses throughout the city.

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

Is Birmingham or Lille a more walkable city?

Lille 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.

Lille is a very easy city to get around on foot. The old town in particular is compact and best explored on foot, but even outside of the old town, many areas are easily explored 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 Lille Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Lille or Birmingham?

How long in Birmingham or Lille?

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

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

One day in Birmingham or Lille?

In Birmingham, many people enjoy the nightlife and live music that this historic destination offers. Lots of people come for the live music. This city offers a variety of activities to choose from. Because of this, one day is usually enough time for a trip here.

With shopping and nightlife around the cultural city of Lille, there's plenty to do. Anyone can find something fun to do here. Make sure you visit the old town while you're here. While some people choose to spend more or less time in Lille, one day is sufficent for most.

A weekend in Birmingham or Lille?

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Birmingham. For many, it makes a great getaway for a weekend. This would be the perfect place to spend a weekend, as it has just the right amount of activities. The length of your ideal trip is an individual decision.

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

Five days in Birmingham or Lille?

Birmingham is a fun place to experience. In Birmingham, many people enjoy the food and shopping that this destination offers. Lots of people come for the live music. This would be the perfect place to spend five days, as it has just the right amount of activities.

Lille, a popular city, is full of activities for travelers. Visiting the old town is also a must. 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 Lille?

You'll find shopping and museums around the fun-filled destination of Birmingham. Take your pick from the many activities offered here. Lots of people come for the live music. One week is plenty of time to see everything, even with extra days to spare.

Lille 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 10-Day Tours from Paris, and The Best 2-Week Tours from Paris.

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

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

Which is Bigger, Birmingham or Lille?

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

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 Lille in the Summer?

Both Lille 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. Also, many travelers come to Lille for the family-friendly experiences.

In the summer, Birmingham is around the same temperature as Lille. Typically, the summer temperatures in Birmingham in July average around 17°C (63°F), and Lille averages at about 17°C (63°F).

In Lille, it's very sunny this time of the year. In the summer, Birmingham often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Lille. Birmingham gets 196 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Lille receives 202 hours of full sun.

Birmingham usually gets less rain in July than Lille. Birmingham gets 44 mm (1.7 in) of rain, while Lille receives 66 mm (2.6 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Birmingham or Lille in the Autumn?

The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Birmingham and Lille. Many travelers come to Birmingham for the shopping scene and the music scene. Also, many visitors come to Lille in the autumn for the shopping scene and the natural beauty of the area.

In October, Birmingham is generally around the same temperature as Lille. Daily temperatures in Birmingham average around 11°C (52°F), and Lille fluctuates around 12°C (54°F).

Birmingham usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Lille during autumn. Birmingham gets 103 hours of sunny skies, while Lille receives 105 hours of full sun in the autumn.

In October, Birmingham usually receives less rain than Lille. Birmingham gets 54 mm (2.1 in) of rain, while Lille receives 78 mm (3.1 in) of rain each month for the autumn.

Should I visit Birmingham or Lille in the Winter?

The winter brings many poeple to Birmingham as well as Lille. 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 Lille for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine during these months.

Lille can be very cold during winter. Birmingham can get quite cold in the winter. Birmingham is around the same temperature as Lille in the winter. The daily temperature in Birmingham averages around 3°C (38°F) in January, and Lille fluctuates around 3°C (38°F).

In the winter, Birmingham often gets more sunshine than Lille. Birmingham gets 58 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Lille receives 47 hours of full sun.

Birmingham usually gets more rain in January than Lille. Birmingham gets 64 mm (2.5 in) of rain, while Lille receives 59 mm (2.3 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Birmingham or Lille in the Spring?

Both Lille and Birmingham are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities. Also, the spring months attract visitors to Lille because of the natural beauty.

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

Birmingham usually receives less sunshine than Lille during spring. Birmingham gets 136 hours of sunny skies, while Lille receives 158 hours of full sun in the spring.

In April, Birmingham usually receives around the same amount of rain as Lille. Birmingham gets 44 mm (1.7 in) of rain, while Lille receives 45 mm (1.8 in) of rain each month for the spring.

Typical Weather for Lille and Birmingham