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

Should you visit Birmingham or Toulon?

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 Toulon 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.

Toulon

Toulon is a industrial, authentic, and off-the-beaten-path port city. It's a gorgeous place to visit. Other reasons to visit include shopping, museums, and nightlife.

Birmingham and Toulon: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Birmingham or Toulon?

Travelers will usually find more to do in Birmingham than Toulon, as it is bigger with more sights, attractions, and activities for visitors. Birmingham is more popular for its museums, theatre productions, nightlife, music, and quaint atmosphere, while Toulon is known for its scuba diving & snorkeling, beaches, historical sights, and impressive beauty. Birmingham is more touristy than Toulon and is popular for its strong musical routes and its very livable atmosphere. It is also home to Victoria Square. Toulon is popular for its old town, its coastal setting, and its popularity with local vacationers.

How is Birmingham different from Toulon?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Birmingham is a well-known place for its sights and museums. Also, Toulon is not as famous, but is still a good port city to visit for its museums and history.

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.

Toulon offers a variety of museums and landmarks to choose from. Many of the sights are found in the old town and harbor areas. Some of the most interesting attractions include the Opera House, the Allied Landings Museum, the Naval Museum, and Cathédrale Sainte-Marie-de-la-Seds.

Is Birmingham or Toulon Better for Theater?

Birmingham is a well-known place for theatre. However, Toulon 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.

Toulon is not a theatre destination.

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

Picking the best cuisine and restaurants between Birmingham and Toulon can be difficult as they are each good 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 Toulon. There are a variety of cafes and restaurants that are found along the harbor or in the old town. Whether you want waterfront views or a charming street front cafe, there are great options available. Many restaurants offer local seafood but you'll also find pastries, traditional local food, a several Italian restaurants.

Is Birmingham or Toulon Better for Nightlife?

Birmingham is a well-known place for nightlife. Also, Toulon is not as famous, but is still a good port city to visit for nightlife and partying.

Birmingham offers plenty to do in the evening. 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 Toulon. It's a relatively large city and traditionally a sailor's town, so the city has a long running tradition of partying into the night. While it doesn't have the party-hard reputation of some places, you likely won't be bored at night. Head to the harbor area or the beaches around Mourillon for the most lively bars and cafes.

Is Birmingham or Toulon Better for Music?

Birmingham is an unbeatable place for live music. However, Toulon 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.

Toulon is not a live music destination.

Is Birmingham or Toulon Better for Scuba Diving and Snorkeling?

Toulon is adequate for the nearby scuba diving and snorkeling. However, Birmingham is not a scuba or snorkeling destination.

There are few places where you can go snorkeling in Toulon. There are a few beaches in the area that are worth checking out with a mask and snorkel. You'll likely see some underwater life hanging out by the rocks in the quieter areas.

Birmingham is not a scuba or snorkeling destination.

Is Birmingham or Toulon Better for Beaches?

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

Many people head to Toulon to enjoy the beach. The beaches are sandy and less crowded than some of the more popular areas. The most accessible beach is Mourillon Beach which has public facilities and restaurants. If you're willing to venture a little farther from the center of town you'll find Mitre Beach which has some snorkeling. Battere Basse Beach is a bit quieter and also has snorkeling. Anse de Méjean is a popular spot with the locals.

Birmingham is not a beach destination.

Is Birmingham or Toulon Better for its Old Town?

Toulon is adequate for its historic old town. However, Birmingham does not have a historic old town.

Toulon is a good place to visit the old town. The old town has plazas, terraced cafes, and plenty of outdoor shopping opportunities that visitors can enjoy.

Birmingham does not have a historic old town.

Is the Shopping Better in Birmingham or Toulon?

If you're looking to go shopping, Birmingham and Toulon both offer plenty of very good 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.

Toulon is a popular shopping destination with plenty of stores. If you're looking for traditional local shopping opportunities then this is your place. There are a number of traditional Provençal markets around town but the most famous is Cours Lafayette. You can shop with the locals looking for produce or flowers. There's also a weekend farmers market, Petit Cours, that is fun to explore.

Is Birmingham or Toulon Better for Families?

Birmingham is a well-known place for its family-friendly activities. Also, Toulon is not as famous, but is still a good port city to visit 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.

Toulon is a family-friendly city. The city may be known as a hub for the French navy, but there are also activities that kids and adults alike can enjoy. There are several military themed museums, a few good beaches, and local shopping. There's also the enjoyable cable car ride that you can take to the top of Mont Faron as well as several nice seaside walks in the area.

Is Birmingham or Toulon Better for Couples?

Birmingham is a well-known place for romance. Also, Toulon is not as famous, but is still a good port city to visit for its romantic activities.

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.

Toulon makes for a fun place to visit for a couple. Couples will appreciate the walks along the coast or through the harbor. There are also nice restaurants, interesting art galleries, and a few good hotels around town that make for a nice couple's weekend.

Is Birmingham or Toulon Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

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

Toulon is popular with backpackers and budget travelers. It doesn't have the reputation of many nearby towns along the French Riviera, so you can still find some affordable hostels and cafes in the area. You also won't find the crowds so you can enjoy a touch of the authentic local culture.

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 Toulon Better for Students?

Birmingham is an unbeatable place for students. However, Toulon is not popular with students.

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.

Toulon is not popular with students.

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

Birmingham and Toulon 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.

Toulon has a few public transit options. There are buses as well as petits trains (little tourist trains) that you can take around town.

Is Birmingham or Toulon a more walkable city?

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

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

Toulon is a very walkable city. You can walk around the old town and harbor area where many of the sights are concentrated.

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

Should I spend more time in Toulon or Birmingham?

How long in Birmingham or Toulon?

You'll be able to find lots of things to do in Birmingham or Toulon to fill your time. Many travelers usually spend more of their time in Birmingham than Toulon 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 Toulon.

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

One day in Birmingham or Toulon?

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 museums and nightlife around the industrial port city of Toulon, there's plenty to do. Anyone can find something fun to do here. While some people choose to spend more or less time in Toulon, one day is sufficent for most.

A weekend in Birmingham or Toulon?

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 nightlife and food around the destination of Toulon, there's plenty to do. It offers something for everyone. Many people spend a weekend here. In a weekend, you should have a good grasp of this port city.

Five days in Birmingham or Toulon?

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.

Toulon, a popular port city, is full of activities for travelers. 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 Toulon?

Travelers enjoy the museums and theater when visiting the bustling 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.

Toulon 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 Luxury Tours to France, and The Best Budget Tours to France.

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

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

Which is Bigger, Birmingham or Toulon?

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

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 Toulon in the Summer?

Both Toulon 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. Furthermore, the beaches, snorkeling, and the family-friendly experiences are the main draw to Toulon this time of year.

Birmingham is cooler than Toulon in the summer. The daily temperature in Birmingham averages around 17°C (63°F) in July, and Toulon fluctuates around 24°C (75°F).

In Toulon, it's very sunny this time of the year. In the summer, Birmingham often gets less sunshine than Toulon. Birmingham gets 196 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Toulon receives 366 hours of full sun.

Birmingham usually gets more rain in July than Toulon. Birmingham gets 44 mm (1.7 in) of rain, while Toulon receives 5 mm (0.2 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Birmingham or Toulon in the Autumn?

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

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

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Toulon this time of the year. Birmingham usually receives less sunshine than Toulon during autumn. Birmingham gets 103 hours of sunny skies, while Toulon receives 205 hours of full sun in the autumn.

In October, Birmingham usually receives less rain than Toulon. Birmingham gets 54 mm (2.1 in) of rain, while Toulon receives 90 mm (3.5 in) of rain each month for the autumn.

Should I visit Birmingham or Toulon in the Winter?

The winter brings many poeple to Birmingham as well as Toulon. Many travelers come to Birmingham for the museums, the shopping scene, the theater shows, and the cuisine. Additionally, many visitors come to Toulon 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 Toulon. Daily temperatures in Birmingham average around 3°C (38°F), and Toulon fluctuates around 7°C (44°F).

In the winter, Birmingham often gets less sunshine than Toulon. Birmingham gets 58 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Toulon receives 150 hours of full sun.

Birmingham usually gets less rain in January than Toulon. Birmingham gets 64 mm (2.5 in) of rain, while Toulon receives 73 mm (2.9 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Birmingham or Toulon in the Spring?

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

Birmingham is much colder than Toulon in the spring. The daily temperature in Birmingham averages around 9°C (48°F) in April, and Toulon fluctuates around 13°C (56°F).

It's quite sunny in Toulon. Birmingham usually receives less sunshine than Toulon during spring. Birmingham gets 136 hours of sunny skies, while Toulon receives 245 hours of full sun in the spring.

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

Typical Weather for Toulon and Birmingham