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

Should you visit Marbella or Birmingham?

Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?

If you're trying to decide where to visit between Marbella or Birmingham, this travel comparison, which includes costs, can help. The overall cost of travel is usually a consideration when deciding where to go next, and the cost comparison down below can help you decide based on the average prices from other travelers along with your own travel budget.

Marbella

Marbella is a high energy, ritzy, and glamorous resort town. This is also a very beautiful destination which attracts plenty of visitors. Other reasons to visit include scuba diving and snorkeling, beaches, and shopping.

Birmingham

Birmingham is a historic, vibrant, and fun-filled city. This destination also has one of those special and quaint feelings. Visitors also love the live music, food, and shopping.

Marbella and Birmingham: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Marbella or Birmingham?

Visitors will generally find more to do in Marbella than Birmingham. While Birmingham is larger than Marbella, Marbella has more sights, attractions, and activities for tourists. Marbella is very popular for its nightlife, resorts, scuba diving & snorkeling, beaches, historical sights, shopping, and impressive beauty, while Birmingham attracts visitors for its museums, theatre productions, music, and quaint atmosphere. Marbella is more touristy than Birmingham and is known for its luxury hotels, beautiful beaches, and lively nightlife. It is also well known for Plaza de los Naranjos. Birmingham is famous for its strong musical routes and its very livable atmosphere.

How is Marbella different from Birmingham?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

Let's take a look at the differences and similarities between Birmingham and Marbella. Then, you can decide for yourself which place is better for your next trip.

Are the Museums and Historical Sights Better in Marbella or Birmingham?

Birmingham is a very popular place for its museums and history. However, Marbella 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.

Marbella does not have museums and landmarks.

Is Marbella or Birmingham Better for Theater?

Birmingham is a very popular place for its theatre productions. However, Marbella 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.

Marbella is not a theatre destination.

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

Both Marbella and Birmingham offer nice local cuisine and restaurants.

Marbella has a delicious restaurant scene that relies on local flavors. The area is filled with tourists, so finding an authentic dining experience can be difficult. Several favorite dishes include croquetas, boquerones, and pulpo.

There are many up and coming restaurants in the Birmingham area. 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 Marbella or Birmingham Better for Nightlife?

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

Marbella has a colorful and one-of-a-kind nightlife scene. European tourists flock to the town for its beaches and resorts. The town has a glamorous nightlife scene with exclusive clubs and ritzy cocktail bars, particularly in Puerto Banus and along the Golden Mile.

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 Marbella or Birmingham Better for Music?

Birmingham is very popular for its live music scene. Also, Marbella is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its music scene.

With so many music venues, you're guaranteed a show any night of the week 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.

Music is a popular form of entertainment in Marbella. Some of the best music venues include Starlite, Kitch Social Club, and Momento.

Is Marbella or Birmingham Better for Resorts?

Marbella is an amazing resort town to visit for its luxury resorts. However, Birmingham is not a resort destination.

If you're looking for a fantastic resort destination, Marbella is a perfect choice. From luxury to family-friendly, this area has plenty of resorts to choose from. Popular resorts in the area include Marbella Club Hotel, Puente Romano Marbella, and Don Carlos Resort and Spa.

Birmingham is not a resort destination.

Is Marbella or Birmingham Better for Scuba Diving and Snorkeling?

Marbella is an amazing resort town to visit for the nearby scuba diving and snorkeling. However, Birmingham is not a scuba or snorkeling destination.

The scuba diving and snorkeling in Marbella is not to be missed. There are more than 100 dive sights and endless snorkeling opportunities in the area. There are deep offshore reefs that you can explore as well as shallower wrecks and caves.

Birmingham is not a scuba or snorkeling destination.

Is Marbella or Birmingham Better for Beaches?

Marbella is an amazing resort town to visit for its beaches. However, Birmingham is not a beach destination.

With world-famous beaches, Marbella is a very popular vacation destination. The area boasts some of the best beaches in Europe. They are hubs of activity with lots of energy, and there are more than 18 miles of sandy beach in the area. Popular options include Guadalmina Beach, San Pedro de Alcántara Beach, and Nueva Andalucía Beach.

Birmingham is not a beach destination.

Is Marbella or Birmingham Better for its Old Town?

Marbella is very good for its historic old town. However, Birmingham does not have a historic old town.

Marbella is a good destination for visiting its old town. Head into the old town to explore a quaint area with small, meandering streets, churches, restaurants, shops, and cafes.

Birmingham does not have a historic old town.

Is the Shopping Better in Marbella or Birmingham?

Marbella is an amazing resort town 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 Marbella. This area attracts vacationers from around Europe and the shopping is some of the best in Europe.

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 Marbella or Birmingham Better for Families?

Marbella and Birmingham are both excellent destinations for the whole family.

Because of its large number of kid-friendly activities, Marbella is very family-friendly. The area has beautiful, family-friendly beaches and many resorts with pools that are great for kids.

Birmingham is known to be 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.

Is Marbella or Birmingham Better for Couples?

Marbella is an amazing resort town 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, Marbella has plenty to offer. The area has luxury resorts, nice beaches, water sports, golf, and water activities that are perfect for a honeymoon or a romantic weekend or a honeymoon.

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 Marbella or Birmingham Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

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

Marbella is popular with backpackers and budget travelers. There are a few good hostels in the area for backpackers who want to enjoy this part of Spain's cost. There's also a lively nightlife scene and plenty of opportunities to meet others.

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 Marbella or Birmingham Better for Students?

Birmingham is very popular for its student-friendly activities. However, Marbella is not popular with 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.

Marbella is not popular with students.

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

Birmingham is a nice place to visit for times when you don't have a car. However, Marbella is lacking in good options for its public transit.

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

Public transit is generally limited in Marbella. There is a bus system through the area, but most visitors prefer to get around by car.

Is Marbella or Birmingham a more walkable city?

Marbella and Birmingham are excellent when it comes to walkability.

Marbella is a very walkable resort town. The old town is particularly walkable and there are a number of hotels and nice resorts within a short walk of the town along a nice promenade.

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

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

Should I spend more time in Birmingham or Marbella?

How long in Marbella or Birmingham?

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

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

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

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

One day in Marbella or Birmingham?

With live music and food around the fun-filled resort town of Marbella, there's plenty to do. Anyone can find something fun to do here. People usually spend lots of time at the beach. But since there are so many activities, you'll likely want to spend more than one day exploring.

The city of Birmingham offers shopping and museums. With all of its activities, you can easily fill one day here. It will give you the chance to have new experiences.

A weekend in Marbella or Birmingham?

With food and scuba diving and snorkeling around the destination of Marbella, there's plenty to do. Travelers enjoy the resorts in the area as well. It offers something for everyone. Many people spend a weekend here. In a weekend, you should have a good grasp of this resort town.

Birmingham is a popular place that is full of things to see and experience. If you have a weekend, this city makes for a great vacation. While some people choose to spend more or less time in Birmingham, a weekend is sufficent for most. Take your pick from the many activities offered here.

Five days in Marbella or Birmingham?

Marbella, a popular resort town, is full of activities for travelers. This is a popular place to visit for five days. It's a great spot for a beach vacation. In five days, you should have a good grasp of this resort town. Your budget might influence how long you stay.

Birmingham is a popular choice for travelers. Five days here is typical. It's no surprise that live music is why people visit. While some people choose to spend more or less time in Birmingham, five days is sufficent for most. The entire region has so many activities, and you'll want time to do everything.

A week in Marbella or Birmingham?

Marbella 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.

Birmingham is a great place to explore. It's no surprise that live music is why people visit. One week is more than enough time to enjoy everything. Take some day trips to nearby places to fill the extra days. This city offers something for everyone.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Sightseeing Tours in Spain, The Best Romantic Tours for Couples in Spain, The Best Bicycle Tours in United Kingdom, and Tours for Outdoor and Nature Lovers in United Kingdom.

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

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

Which is Bigger, Marbella or Birmingham?

Birmingham has a larger population, and is about 8 times larger than the population of Marbella. When comparing the sizes of Marbella and Birmingham, 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 Marbella or Birmingham?

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 Marbella or Birmingham in the Summer?

The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Marbella and Birmingham. Most visitors come to Marbella for the beaches, snorkeling, the music scene, and the family-friendly experiences during these months. Also, the summer months attract visitors to Birmingham because of the music scene and the family-friendly experiences.

In July, Marbella is generally a little warmer than Birmingham. Daily temperatures in Marbella average around 25°C (77°F), and Birmingham fluctuates around 17°C (63°F).

In Marbella, it's very sunny this time of the year. Marbella usually receives more sunshine than Birmingham during summer. Marbella gets 348 hours of sunny skies, while Birmingham receives 196 hours of full sun in the summer.

In July, Marbella usually receives less rain than Birmingham. Marbella gets 2 mm (0.1 in) of rain, while Birmingham receives 44 mm (1.7 in) of rain each month for the summer.

Should I visit Marbella or Birmingham in the Autumn?

The autumn brings many poeple to Marbella as well as Birmingham. The autumn months attract visitors to Marbella because of the shopping scene, the music scene, and the natural beauty of the area. Also, the shopping scene and the music scene are the main draw to Birmingham this time of year.

Marbella is much warmer than Birmingham in the autumn. The daily temperature in Marbella averages around 19°C (67°F) in October, and Birmingham fluctuates around 11°C (52°F).

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Marbella this time of the year. In the autumn, Marbella often gets more sunshine than Birmingham. Marbella gets 213 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Birmingham receives 103 hours of full sun.

Marbella usually gets around the same amount of rain in October as Birmingham. Marbella gets 54 mm (2.1 in) of rain, while Birmingham receives 54 mm (2.1 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Marbella or Birmingham in the Winter?

Both Birmingham and Marbella are popular destinations to visit in the winter with plenty of activities. The shopping scene and the cuisine are the main draw to Marbella this time of year. Also, many travelers come to Birmingham for the museums, the shopping scene, the theater shows, and the cuisine.

Be prepared for some very cold days in Birmingham. In the winter, Marbella is much warmer than Birmingham. Typically, the winter temperatures in Marbella in January average around 12°C (54°F), and Birmingham averages at about 3°C (38°F).

Marbella usually receives more sunshine than Birmingham during winter. Marbella gets 171 hours of sunny skies, while Birmingham receives 58 hours of full sun in the winter.

In January, Marbella usually receives more rain than Birmingham. Marbella gets 83 mm (3.3 in) of rain, while Birmingham receives 64 mm (2.5 in) of rain each month for the winter.

Should I visit Marbella or Birmingham in the Spring?

Both Birmingham and Marbella during the spring are popular places to visit. Many travelers come to Marbella for the beaches and the natural beauty.

In April, Marbella is generally much warmer than Birmingham. Daily temperatures in Marbella average around 16°C (60°F), and Birmingham fluctuates around 9°C (48°F).

It's quite sunny in Marbella. In the spring, Marbella often gets more sunshine than Birmingham. Marbella gets 220 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Birmingham receives 136 hours of full sun.

Marbella usually gets less rain in April than Birmingham. Marbella gets 40 mm (1.6 in) of rain, while Birmingham receives 44 mm (1.7 in) of rain this time of the year.

Typical Weather for Birmingham and Marbella