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

Should you visit Birmingham or Siena?

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

Birmingham

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

Siena

Siena is a romantic, charming, and medieval city. Many visitors also come because of it's amazing beauty. Other reasons to visit include museums, nightlife, and food.

Birmingham and Siena: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Birmingham or Siena?

Travelers will usually find more to do in Birmingham than Siena, as it is bigger with more sights, attractions, and activities for visitors. Birmingham is more popular for its theatre productions, nightlife, music, shopping, and quaint atmosphere, while Siena is known for its food, historical sights, and impressive beauty. Siena is more touristy than Birmingham and is popular for its beautiful medieval architecture, its delicious local restaurants, and the twice yearly Palio horserace. 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 Siena?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Spend time exploring the very good sights and museums in either Birmingham or Siena.

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 Siena can be an interesting and educational experience. At the heart of the city is Cathedral of Santa Maria Assunta and Piazza del Campo. Other world famous sights include Palazzo Pubblico and Museo Civico, Torre del Mangia, and Pinacoteca Nazionale.

Is Birmingham or Siena Better for Theater?

Birmingham is notable for theatre. However, Siena is not a theatre destination.

Birmingham has a number of performance venues where you can see a variety of shows. The impressive theater scene includes Broadway shows and musicals. Birmingham Hippodrome is a major theater in town.

Siena is not a theatre destination.

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

Siena 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 Siena. The town is all about local flavors and many restaurants use local ingredients in their dishes. Pecorino of Pienza is the local cheese, and you'll also find many cured meats. Local pasta dishes include wild boar ragu and a local spaghetti. You'll also find local meats such as lamb, rabbit, chicken and pork.

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 Siena Better for Nightlife?

Birmingham is notable for nightlife. Also, Siena is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for nightlife and partying.

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.

With a handful of venues, visitors can find a fairly lively vibe in Siena. The nightlife is laid back and relaxed. Most visitors enjoy socializing in the evening and meeting friends at Piazza del Campo. There are often live performances which you can enjoy as well as many cafes and wine bars around town.

Is Birmingham or Siena Better for Music?

Birmingham is very popular for live music. However, Siena 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.

Siena is not a live music destination.

Is Birmingham or Siena Better for its Old Town?

Siena is an amazing city to visit for its historic old town. However, Birmingham does not have a historic old town.

Siena offers visitors a world-class historical old town to explore. The beautiful old town is filled with medieval brick buildings. At the heart of the city is Piazza del Campo, which is a lively square with many neighborhoods spreading out from there.

Birmingham does not have a historic old town.

Is the Shopping Better in Birmingham or Siena?

Birmingham is notable for shopping. Also, Siena is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for its shopping opportunities.

Birmingham is an extremely popular place for shoppers. 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.

Shopping is a popular activity when visiting Siena. The main shopping street in town is Via Banchi di Sopra, which has many boutiques that sell clothing, bags, and other items. The town also has many leather goods, ceramics, and other local items available.

Is Birmingham or Siena Better for Families?

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

Birmingham is a very family-friendly place to visit. 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.

Siena is not always a place people visit with their families. The beauty and history may be lost to the little ones but there is a great atmosphere that even the young ones will appreciate. Kids will enjoy climbing to the top of Torre del Mangia or visiting one of the many playgrounds around town.

Is Birmingham or Siena Better for Couples?

Siena is an amazing city 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, Siena has plenty to offer. With its impressive beauty and long running history, this is a truly romantic city. The atmosphere is relaxed and there are plazas and neighborhoods that are great for exploring. There are also many great restaurants, superb wine, and world class sights that are not to be missed.

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 Siena Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

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

Siena is popular with backpackers and budget travelers. Many backpackers visit Siena as a daytrip from nearby Florence. While there are some affordable places to stay here, the atmosphere isn't as backpacker friendly as nearby Florence.

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 Siena Better for Students?

Birmingham is very popular for students. Also, Siena is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for its student-friendly activities.

Students come from all over the world to visit Birmingham. With world class academic institutions and a very diverse and international population, this is a popular place for international students to study.

Siena is a great city to visit as a student. It's home to one of the oldest universities in Italy, and it's a wonderful study abroad destination for any student who wants to spend some time in Italy.

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

Birmingham and Siena 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.

Siena has a few public transit options. TIEMME is the bus service that runs in and around town. Many lines pass through the train station and provide service from there.

Is Birmingham or Siena a more walkable city?

Birmingham and Siena are very good when it comes to walkability.

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

Siena is a very walkable city. The compact town center is best explored on foot.

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

Should I spend more time in Siena or Birmingham?

How long in Birmingham or Siena?

You'll be able to find lots of things to do in Birmingham or Siena to fill your time. Many travelers usually spend more of their time in Birmingham than Siena because of the number of activities and things to do in the area. Usually, 1-5 days is a good amount of time for Birmingham, and 1-2 days is enough time in Siena.

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

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

One day in Birmingham or Siena?

In Birmingham, many people enjoy the nightlife and live music that this fun-filled 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 museums and nightlife around the medieval city of Siena, 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 Siena, one day is sufficent for most.

A weekend in Birmingham or Siena?

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 Siena, 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 Siena?

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.

Siena, 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 Siena?

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.

Siena 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 Family-Friendly Tours to Italy, and The Best Hiking & Trekking Tours in Italy.

When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Birmingham and Siena, we can see that Birmingham is more expensive. And not only is Siena much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Siena would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Siena 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 Siena.

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

Which is Bigger, Birmingham or Siena?

Birmingham has a larger population, and is about 20 times larger than the population of Siena. When comparing the sizes of Birmingham and Siena, 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 Siena?

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 Siena in the Summer?

Both Siena and Birmingham during the summer are popular places to visit. The summer months attract visitors to Birmingham because of the music scene and the family-friendly experiences. Also, the family-friendly experiences are the main draw to Siena this time of year.

Birmingham is cooler than Siena in the summer. The daily temperature in Birmingham averages around 17°C (63°F) in July, and Siena fluctuates around 23°C (73°F).

In Siena, it's very sunny this time of the year. In the summer, Birmingham often gets less sunshine than Siena. Birmingham gets 196 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Siena receives 316 hours of full sun.

Birmingham usually gets around the same amount of rain in July as Siena. Birmingham gets 44 mm (1.7 in) of rain, while Siena receives 45 mm (1.8 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Birmingham or Siena in the Autumn?

The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Birmingham and Siena. The shopping scene and the music scene are the main draw to Birmingham this time of year. Also, many travelers come to Siena for the shopping scene and the natural beauty of the area.

In the autumn, Birmingham is cooler than Siena. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Birmingham in October average around 11°C (52°F), and Siena averages at about 16°C (61°F).

Birmingham usually receives less sunshine than Siena during autumn. Birmingham gets 103 hours of sunny skies, while Siena receives 177 hours of full sun in the autumn.

In October, Birmingham usually receives less rain than Siena. Birmingham gets 54 mm (2.1 in) of rain, while Siena receives 87 mm (3.4 in) of rain each month for the autumn.

Should I visit Birmingham or Siena in the Winter?

The winter brings many poeple to Birmingham as well as Siena. Many travelers come to Birmingham for the museums, the shopping scene, the theater shows, and the cuisine. Also, many visitors come to Siena in the winter for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

Be prepared for some very cold days in Birmingham. In January, Birmingham is generally much colder than Siena. Daily temperatures in Birmingham average around 3°C (38°F), and Siena fluctuates around 7°C (45°F).

In the winter, Birmingham often gets less sunshine than Siena. Birmingham gets 58 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Siena receives 105 hours of full sun.

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

Should I visit Birmingham or Siena in the Spring?

Both Siena and Birmingham are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities. Also, most visitors come to Siena for the natural beauty during these months.

Birmingham is cooler than Siena in the spring. The daily temperature in Birmingham averages around 9°C (48°F) in April, and Siena fluctuates around 12°C (54°F).

Birmingham usually receives less sunshine than Siena during spring. Birmingham gets 136 hours of sunny skies, while Siena receives 192 hours of full sun in the spring.

In April, Birmingham usually receives less rain than Siena. Birmingham gets 44 mm (1.7 in) of rain, while Siena receives 70 mm (2.8 in) of rain each month for the spring.

Typical Weather for Siena and Birmingham