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

Should you visit Birmingham or Reykjavik?

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

Birmingham

Birmingham is a historic, vibrant, and fun-filled city. This is a quaint and attractive place to visit, too. Other reasons to visit include shopping, museums, and theater.

Reykjavik

Reykjavik is a friendly, clean, and green city. Many visitors also come because of it's amazing beauty. Other reasons to visit include nightlife, hiking, and shopping.

Birmingham and Reykjavik: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Birmingham or Reykjavik?

Travelers will usually find more to do in Birmingham than Reykjavik, as it is bigger with more sights, attractions, and activities for visitors. Birmingham is more popular for its museums, theatre productions, food, nightlife, music, shopping, and quaint atmosphere, while Reykjavik is known for its hiking and impressive beauty. Reykjavik is more touristy than Birmingham and is known for its proximity to natural beauty and many thermal pools, as well as its active nightlife scene and many festivals. Birmingham is popular for its strong musical routes and its very livable atmosphere. It is also home to Victoria Square.

How is Birmingham different from Reykjavik?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Birmingham is an excellent place to visit for its museums and history. However, Reykjavik does not have 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.

Reykjavik does not have museums and landmarks.

Is Birmingham or Reykjavik Better for Theater?

Birmingham is an excellent place to visit for theatre. However, Reykjavik 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.

Reykjavik is not a theatre destination.

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

Birmingham is a nice place to visit for its restaurants. However, Reykjavik is lacking in options for its restaurant scene.

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.

You'll find the standard options when it comes to food in Reykjavik. Traditional Icelandic food may not have the best reputation, but restaurants these days are pretty good with a variety of dishes to choose from. Popular foods in the area include fish, lamb, and Icelandic skyr (a type of yogurt).

Is Birmingham or Reykjavik Better for Nightlife?

Birmingham is an excellent place to visit for nightlife. Also, Reykjavik is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for nightlife and partying.

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.

Reykjavik has an active nightlife scene for those who seek it out. The city offers the best nightlife in Iceland and you'll be surprised at the number of clubs, bars, and craft breweries that you can choose from. Almost all of the popular nightlife spots are around Laugavegur, a major shopping street in town.

Is Birmingham or Reykjavik Better for Music?

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

Birmingham is known as a music capital 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.

Reykjavik is not a live music destination.

Is Birmingham or Reykjavik Better for Hiking?

Reykjavik is an amazing city to visit for hiking. However, Birmingham is not a hiking destination.

Many people visit Reykjavik specifically for its hiking. The city offers easy access to some of the world's most spectacular scenery. There are many hikes that you can easily reach from town. They pass through diverse landscapes that include waterfalls, mountains, glaciers, and beaches.

Birmingham is not a hiking destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Birmingham or Reykjavik?

Birmingham is an excellent place to visit for shopping. Also, Reykjavik is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its shopping opportunities.

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.

Reykjavik offers some nice shopping areas. The city's main shopping street is Laugavegur, which is where you'll find the most activity around town as well as a bustling atmosphere.

Is Birmingham or Reykjavik Better for Families?

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

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.

Reykjavik is a very kid-friendly city. With its many outdoor activities and hands on museums, the city is great for kids. The cafes and restaurants are family-friendly and their are plenty of entertainment options for the whole family.

Is Birmingham or Reykjavik Better for Couples?

Both Birmingham and Reykjavik 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.

Reykjavik is a very popular place to visit for couples. There are museums, outdoor activities, and even the northern lights that make this city very romantic. The cafes are laid-back and the atmosphere is friendly.

Is Birmingham or Reykjavik Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

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

Reykjavik is popular with backpackers and budget travelers. There are a number of hostels around town, but they can be pretty expensive. Transportation can also be pretty challenging for 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 Reykjavik Better for Students?

Birmingham is an amazing city to visit for its student-friendly activities. Also, Reykjavik is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for 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.

Reykjavik is popular with students. Students will enjoy a unique experience in this city. There are good academic programs as well as beautiful outdoor settings that you can explore.

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

Birmingham and Reykjavik both offer good 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.

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

Is Birmingham or Reykjavik a more walkable city?

Birmingham and Reykjavik are excellent when it comes to walkability.

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

Reykjavik is a very walkable city. The city is small and compact, so it's easy to explore on foot.

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

Should I spend more time in Reykjavik or Birmingham?

How long in Birmingham or Reykjavik?

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

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

One day in Birmingham or Reykjavik?

You'll find museums and theater around the city of Birmingham. One day is a great amount of time to relax and see the many things that Birmingham has to offer. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do.

With shopping and nightlife around the clean city of Reykjavik, there's plenty to do. Anyone can find something fun to do here. One of the main draws to the area is the hiking. Make sure you spend some time hiking while you're in the area. While some people choose to spend more or less time in Reykjavik, one day is sufficent for most.

A weekend in Birmingham or Reykjavik?

You'll find theater and nightlife around the vibrant destination of Birmingham. This is a popular place to visit for a weekend.A weekend should give you a good understanding of everything this city has to offer. This city offers a variety of activities to choose from.

With nightlife and shopping around the destination of Reykjavik, 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. One of the main draws to the area is the hiking. In a weekend, you should have a good grasp of this city.

Five days in Birmingham or Reykjavik?

You'll find nightlife and live music around the vibrant city of Birmingham. The length of your ideal trip is an individual decision. If you have five days, this city makes for a great vacation. Most people head to the area for the live music. Five days should give you a good understanding of everything this city has to offer.

Reykjavik, a popular city, is full of activities for travelers. This is a popular place to visit for five days. Hiking can easily take up a good amount of your time here, too. 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 Reykjavik?

Birmingham is a popular choice for travelers. 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. It will give you the chance to have new experiences.

Reykjavik is a popular place that is full of things to see and experience. One of the main draws to the area is the hiking. 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 Budget Tours to Iceland, and The Best Tours for Seniors to Iceland.

When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Birmingham and Reykjavik, we can see that Reykjavik 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 Reykjavik would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Reykjavik 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 Reykjavik Expensive?.

Which is Bigger, Birmingham or Reykjavik?

Birmingham has a larger population, and is about 9 times larger than the population of Reykjavik. When comparing the sizes of Birmingham and Reykjavik, 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 Reykjavik?

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 Reykjavik in the Summer?

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

Birmingham is much warmer than Reykjavik in the summer. The daily temperature in Birmingham averages around 17°C (63°F) in July, and Reykjavik fluctuates around 11°C (52°F).

Birmingham usually receives more sunshine than Reykjavik during summer. Birmingham gets 196 hours of sunny skies, while Reykjavik receives 171 hours of full sun in the summer.

In July, Birmingham usually receives less rain than Reykjavik. Birmingham gets 44 mm (1.7 in) of rain, while Reykjavik receives 52 mm (2 in) of rain each month for the summer.

Should I visit Birmingham or Reykjavik in the Autumn?

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

Reykjavik can get quite cold in the autumn. In the autumn, Birmingham is much warmer than Reykjavik. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Birmingham in October average around 11°C (52°F), and Reykjavik averages at about 5°C (41°F).

In the autumn, Birmingham often gets more sunshine than Reykjavik. Birmingham gets 103 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Reykjavik receives 83 hours of full sun.

Birmingham usually gets less rain in October than Reykjavik. Birmingham gets 54 mm (2.1 in) of rain, while Reykjavik receives 86 mm (3.4 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Birmingham or Reykjavik in the Winter?

Both Reykjavik 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 Reykjavik for the shopping scene and the cuisine during these months.

Reykjavik can be very cold during winter. Birmingham can get quite cold in the winter. In January, Birmingham is generally much warmer than Reykjavik. Daily temperatures in Birmingham average around 3°C (38°F), and Reykjavik fluctuates around -0°C (32°F).

Birmingham usually receives more sunshine than Reykjavik during winter. Birmingham gets 58 hours of sunny skies, while Reykjavik receives 27 hours of full sun in the winter.

In January, Birmingham usually receives less rain than Reykjavik. Birmingham gets 64 mm (2.5 in) of rain, while Reykjavik receives 76 mm (3 in) of rain each month for the winter.

Should I visit Birmingham or Reykjavik in the Spring?

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

The weather in Reykjavik can be very cold. Birmingham is much warmer than Reykjavik in the spring. The daily temperature in Birmingham averages around 9°C (48°F) in April, and Reykjavik fluctuates around 3°C (38°F).

In the spring, Birmingham often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Reykjavik. Birmingham gets 136 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Reykjavik receives 140 hours of full sun.

Birmingham usually gets less rain in April than Reykjavik. Birmingham gets 44 mm (1.7 in) of rain, while Reykjavik receives 58 mm (2.3 in) of rain this time of the year.

Typical Weather for Reykjavik and Birmingham