A Travel Price Comparison for United Kingdom Nottingham vs. Birmingham for Music, Attractions, Nightlife, and Families

Should you visit Nottingham or Birmingham?

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

Trying to figure out where to travel next? This travel comparison between Nottingham and Birmingham can help. It includes a travel cost comparison in addition to other factors. For many travelers, the cost of a destination is a primary consideration when choosing where to go.

Nottingham

Nottingham is a authentic, dynamic, and livable city. Since it's a large city, you'll find plenty of things to do. Other reasons to visit include shopping, museums, and nightlife.

Birmingham

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

Nottingham and Birmingham: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Nottingham or Birmingham?

Travelers will generally find more things to do in Nottingham than Birmingham. While Birmingham is larger than Nottingham, Nottingham has more sights and attractions for tourists. Nottingham is more popular for its big city activities, while Birmingham is known for its museums & sights, theatre productions, nightlife, music, and quaint atmosphere. Nottingham is popular for its authenticity and local cuisine. It is also home to Old Market Square. Birmingham is popular for its strong musical routes and its very livable atmosphere.

How is Nottingham different from Birmingham?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

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

Birmingham is well known for its museums and landmarks. Also, Nottingham is still popular, but not quite as popular for its historical sights.

You'll find a good number of museums and monuments packed into Birmingham. Famous sights include the Museum & Art Gallery, Thinktank, and St. Philip's Cathedral.

Nottingham offers a variety of museums and landmarks to choose from. You'll find history and culture around town. Some of the notable landmarks include Wollaton Hall, the National Justice Museum, Nottingham Castle, and Old Market Square.

Is Nottingham or Birmingham Better for Theater?

Birmingham is well known for theatre. However, Nottingham is not a theatre destination.

Birmingham attracts a wide-range of world-class performances. The impressive theater scene includes Broadway shows and musicals. Birmingham Hippodrome is a major theater in town.

Nottingham is not a theatre destination.

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

Both Nottingham and Birmingham offer good local cuisine and restaurants.

Nottingham offers number of good local restaurants to choose from. You'll find a diversity of restaurants around town that range from local fish and chips shops to international options. Pubs, cafes, and fine dining are all available in town.

Birmingham has a delicious restaurant scene that relies on local flavors. 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 Nottingham or Birmingham Better for Nightlife?

Birmingham is well known for nightlife. Also, Nottingham is still popular, but not quite as popular for nightlife and partying.

Birmingham is a popular destination for visitors looking to party into the night. 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.

If you're looking for night time activities Nottingham has a few options to choose from. Head to the oldest pub in England, Ye Olde Trip to Jerusalem, for a pint or check out one of the trendy clubs around town. The city is also a big sports town, so see if there are any sporting events going on while you're visiting.

Is Nottingham or Birmingham Better for Music?

Birmingham is very popular for live music. Also, Nottingham is still popular, but not quite as popular for its live music scene.

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.

You don't have to look far to find a unique music venue in Nottingham. Many of the best music concerts in the UK make there way to Nottingham. Check out Rock City, which hosts all kinds of concerts.

Is the Shopping Better in Nottingham or Birmingham?

Shopping is a popular activity in both Birmingham and Nottingham.

Nottingham is an extremely popular place for shoppers. Head to the Lace Market, which is a popular shopping area. You can also wander around the center of town on foot and head to the pedestrian streets that are often lined with independent shops or international chains.

Birmingham is well-known for its shopping. 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 Nottingham or Birmingham Better for Families?

Birmingham is well known for its family-friendly activities. Also, Nottingham is still popular, but not quite as popular 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.

Nottingham offers lots of family activities. There are a number of parks and play areas that younger kids will enjoy. You can check out Wheelgate Park, White Post Farm, Rufford Abbey, or Sherwood Pines. Sundown Adventureland is a small theme park that's designed for younger kids under 10. If your kids are into museums, head to the Newark Air Museum.

Is Nottingham or Birmingham Better for Couples?

Birmingham is well known for romance. Also, Nottingham is still popular, but not quite as popular for its romantic activities.

Couples visit Birmingham frequently as it offers plenty of romantic activities. Romantic activities around town include taking a beautiful stroll through town, wandering around a park or garden, or seeing the ballet.

Nottingham makes for a fun place to visit for a couple. You'll find the typical date night activities around town like arcades, minigolf, and some interesting restaurants. There are also parks where you can enjoy a stroll in nature.

Is Nottingham or Birmingham Better for Students?

Birmingham is very popular for students. However, Nottingham is not popular with students.

Birmingham is a very popular city for students. With world class academic institutions and a very diverse and international population, this is a popular place for international students to study.

Nottingham is not popular with students.

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

Nottingham 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 Nottingham can move around easily with public transportation. There are buses and trams around town that connect into the rail network. The multi-operator system is organized by the Robin Hood Network.

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

Is Nottingham or Birmingham a more walkable city?

Nottingham and Birmingham both are superb when exploring on foot.

Nottingham is very walkable. It is trying to transform itself into a pedestrian-friendly city, and you'll find some areas that are particularly walkable. The city center is very compact and generally walkable.

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

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

Should I spend more time in Birmingham or Nottingham?

How long in Nottingham or Birmingham?

In either Nottingham or Birmingham, you'll find plenty of activities to fill your time. Most visitors tend to spend more time in Birmingham than Nottingham because of the overall number of sights and activities. Usually, 1-2 days is a good amount of time for Nottingham, and 1-5 days is enough time in Birmingham.

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

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Birmingham than Nottingham 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 Nottingham or Birmingham?

With live music and food around the cultural city of Nottingham, there's plenty to do. Anyone can find something fun to do here. While some people choose to spend more or less time in Nottingham, one day is sufficent for most.

With theater and nightlife around the vibrant city of Birmingham, there's plenty to do. Anyone can find something fun to do here. One of the main draws to the area is the live music. While some people choose to spend more or less time in Birmingham, one day is sufficent for most.

A weekend in Nottingham or Birmingham?

With food and shopping around the destination of Nottingham, 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 city.

With nightlife and live music around the destination of Birmingham, there's plenty to do. It offers something for everyone. Many people spend a weekend here. One of the main draws to the area is the live music. In a weekend, you should have a good grasp of this city.

Five days in Nottingham or Birmingham?

Nottingham, a popular 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.

Birmingham, a popular city, is full of activities for travelers. This is a popular place to visit for five days. In five days, you should have a good grasp of this city. Your budget might influence how long you stay.

A week in Nottingham or Birmingham?

Nottingham 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 popular place that is full of things to see and experience. One of the main draws to the area is the live music. 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 Family-Friendly Tours to United Kingdom, The Best Hiking & Trekking Tours in United Kingdom, The Best Historical Tours in United Kingdom, and The Best One Week (7-Day) Tours in United Kingdom.

When comparing the travel costs between Nottingham and Birmingham, we can see that Birmingham is more expensive. However, the two cities are actually relatively comparable in price, as the difference is somewhat minimal. Generally, this means that you could travel with generally the same travel style and level of luxury in each place. Since both cities are in Europe, it's no surprise that their costs are relatively close, as many destinations here have somewhat similar travel prices overall.

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

Which is Bigger, Nottingham or Birmingham?

Birmingham has a larger population, and is about 4 times larger than the population of Nottingham. When comparing the sizes of Nottingham 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 Nottingham or Birmingham?

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 Nottingham or Birmingham in the Summer?

Both Birmingham and Nottingham during the summer are popular places to visit. Many visitors come to Nottingham in the summer for the city activities, the music scene, and the family-friendly experiences. Also, most visitors come to Birmingham for the music scene and the family-friendly experiences during these months.

Nottingham is around the same temperature as Birmingham in the summer. The daily temperature in Nottingham averages around 16°C (62°F) in July, and Birmingham fluctuates around 17°C (63°F).

In the summer, Nottingham often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Birmingham. Nottingham gets 196 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Birmingham receives 196 hours of full sun.

Nottingham usually gets more rain in July than Birmingham. Nottingham gets 51 mm (2 in) of rain, while Birmingham receives 44 mm (1.7 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Nottingham or Birmingham in the Autumn?

The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Nottingham and Birmingham. Most visitors come to Nottingham for the city's sights and attractions, the shopping scene, and the music scene during these months. Also, the autumn months attract visitors to Birmingham because of the shopping scene and the music scene.

In the autumn, Nottingham is around the same temperature as Birmingham. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Nottingham in October average around 11°C (52°F), and Birmingham averages at about 11°C (52°F).

Nottingham usually receives more sunshine than Birmingham during autumn. Nottingham gets 112 hours of sunny skies, while Birmingham receives 103 hours of full sun in the autumn.

In October, Nottingham usually receives less rain than Birmingham. Nottingham gets 47 mm (1.9 in) of rain, while Birmingham receives 54 mm (2.1 in) of rain each month for the autumn.

Should I visit Nottingham or Birmingham in the Winter?

The winter brings many poeple to Nottingham as well as Birmingham. The winter months attract visitors to Nottingham because of the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine. Also, the museums, the shopping scene, the theater shows, and the cuisine are the main draw to Birmingham this time of year.

It's quite cold in Birmingham in the winter. The weather in Nottingham can be very cold. In January, Nottingham is generally around the same temperature as Birmingham. Daily temperatures in Nottingham average around 4°C (39°F), and Birmingham fluctuates around 3°C (38°F).

In the winter, Nottingham often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Birmingham. Nottingham gets 61 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Birmingham receives 58 hours of full sun.

Nottingham usually gets less rain in January than Birmingham. Nottingham gets 49 mm (1.9 in) of rain, while Birmingham receives 64 mm (2.5 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Nottingham or Birmingham in the Spring?

Both Birmingham and Nottingham are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities. The activities around the city are the main draw to Nottingham this time of year.

Nottingham is around the same temperature as Birmingham in the spring. The daily temperature in Nottingham averages around 8°C (46°F) in April, and Birmingham fluctuates around 9°C (48°F).

Nottingham usually receives more sunshine than Birmingham during spring. Nottingham gets 151 hours of sunny skies, while Birmingham receives 136 hours of full sun in the spring.

In April, Nottingham usually receives around the same amount of rain as Birmingham. Nottingham gets 47 mm (1.9 in) of rain, while Birmingham receives 44 mm (1.7 in) of rain each month for the spring.

Typical Weather for Birmingham and Nottingham