A Travel Price Comparison for United Kingdom Orkney Islands vs. Birmingham for Attractions, Food, Families, and Couples

Should you visit Orkney Islands or Birmingham?

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 Orkney Islands and Birmingham can help you decide which place is right for you.

Orkney Islands

Orkney Islands is a pristine, remote, and serene archipelago. This is also a very beautiful destination which attracts plenty of visitors. Other reasons to visit include museums, food, and beaches.

Birmingham

Birmingham is a fun-filled, bustling, and historic city. As this is a very quaint destination, you'll find it has a special atmosphere. It's also popular because of the theater, nightlife, and live music.

Orkney Islands and Birmingham: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Orkney Islands or Birmingham?

Visitors will usually find more to do in Birmingham than Orkney Islands, as it offers more sights, attractions, and activities. Birmingham is better known for its museums, theatre productions, nightlife, music, shopping, and quaint atmosphere, while Orkney Islands is more popular for its food, beaches, hiking, and impressive beauty. Birmingham is more touristy than Orkney Islands and is known for its strong musical routes and its very livable atmosphere. Also, Birmingham is famous for Victoria Square. Orkney Islands is well known for its sandy beaches, serene landscape, and well-preserved Neolithic sights.

How is Orkney Islands different from Birmingham?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Are the Museums and Historical Sights Better in Orkney Islands or Birmingham?

Birmingham is great for its historical sights. Also, Orkney Islands is not as popular, but is still a nice archipelago for its sights and museums.

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.

Orkney Islands is a good place to visit if you're interested in museums or other recognizable sights. The islands is home to a number of archaeological ruins including the stone age village of Skara Brae and the neolithic chambered cairn of Maes Howee. Also check out impressive Ring of Brodgar stone circle as well as the oldest dwelling in the UK, the Knap of Howar on Papa Westray.

Is Orkney Islands or Birmingham Better for Theater?

Birmingham is great for its shows and theatre. However, Orkney Islands 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.

Orkney Islands is not a theatre destination.

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

Orkney Islands 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 Orkney Islands. You'll find so many local products on the islands. It's famous for its local beef, lamb, salmon, and seafood, but you'll also find cheeses and produce. There are two breweries on the island as well. Many people pick up some items that they take home with them.

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 Orkney Islands or Birmingham Better for Nightlife?

Birmingham is great for its evening party scene. However, Orkney Islands is not a destination with noteworthy nightlife.

Many people head to Birmingham for the nightlife scene. 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.

Orkney Islands is not a destination with noteworthy nightlife.

Is Orkney Islands or Birmingham Better for Music?

Birmingham is renowned for its music scene. However, Orkney Islands is not a live music destination.

Birmingham has become a mecca for musicians from 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.

Orkney Islands is not a live music destination.

Is Orkney Islands or Birmingham Better for Beaches?

Orkney Islands is great for its beaches. However, Birmingham is not a beach destination.

Orkney Islands is a very popular place to visit for its beaches. The archipelago has hundreds of miles of beaches that feel serene and remote. If you're looking for a tranquil setting that is natural and untouched, you'll have many to choose from. Some of the best beaches on the islands include Tresness Beach, Grobust Beach, and Sands of Evie Beach.

Birmingham is not a beach destination.

Is Orkney Islands or Birmingham Better for Hiking?

Orkney Islands is great for hiking. However, Birmingham is not a hiking destination.

Many visitors go to Orkney Islands for the hiking trails. Rolling hills and rugged landscapes make for relaxing and beautiful walks. There are also many archaeological ruins that you can explore. Favorite hikes in the area include Balfour Village and Mill Dam, Birsay Whalebone, and Birwick to Barth Head.

Birmingham is not a hiking destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Orkney Islands or Birmingham?

Birmingham is great for its shopping areas. However, Orkney Islands is not a noteworthy shopping destination.

Many visitors explore the shopping areas in 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.

Orkney Islands is not a noteworthy shopping destination.

Is Orkney Islands or Birmingham Better for Families?

Birmingham is great for its kid-friendly activities. Also, Orkney Islands is not as popular, but is still a nice archipelago for its family-friendly activities.

You'll find plenty of family-friendly things to do in Birmingham. 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.

Orkney Islands is a family-friendly place to visit. Exploring the beaches is one of the best way to spend your days with kids. There are also several places you can take the kids like Barony Mill, Skate Rumple Alpaca Farm, Corrigall Farm Museum, and Kirbuster Farm Museum.

Is Orkney Islands or Birmingham Better for Couples?

Both Orkney Islands and Birmingham are very good destinations to visit as a couple.

Orkney Islands is a great archipelago if you're traveling as a couple. Nature lovers will enjoy the stunning beaches and beautiful natural setting. There are also some great restaurants and even live music performances that make for a fun date night.

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 Orkney Islands or Birmingham Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Orkney Islands is great for backpackers and budget travelers. However, Birmingham is not a good destination for backpackers.

Orkney Islands is very popular with the backpacker crowd. If camping is your style, you'll find some great campgrounds and campsites that make the most of this beautiful natural setting.

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 Orkney Islands or Birmingham Better for Students?

Birmingham is renowned for its student-friendly activities. However, Orkney Islands 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.

Orkney Islands is not popular with students.

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

Orkney Islands and Birmingham both offer notable public transit to get you around.

While Orkney Islands offers some public transit options, it might not be your first choice. Buses travel to many parts of the islands and many islands are connected by ferries.

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

Is Orkney Islands or Birmingham a more walkable city?

Birmingham is great for its ease of walking around. However, Orkney Islands is not a walkable destination.

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

Orkney Islands is not a walkable destination.

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

Should I spend more time in Birmingham or Orkney Islands?

How long in Orkney Islands or Birmingham?

In either Orkney Islands or Birmingham, you'll find plenty of activities to fill your time. Most visitors tend to spend more time in Orkney Islands than Birmingham because of the overall number of sights and activities. Usually, 3-7 days is a good amount of time for Orkney Islands, and 1-5 days is enough time in Birmingham.

Families should spend more time in Birmingham than Orkney Islands. 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 Orkney Islands. 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 Orkney Islands 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 Orkney Islands.

One day in Orkney Islands or Birmingham?

With museums and food around the remote archipelago of Orkney Islands, there's plenty to do. Anyone can find something fun to do here. Make sure you spend some time hiking while you're in the area. But since there are so many activities, you'll likely want to spend more than one day exploring.

In Birmingham, you'll find shopping and museums. So, one day is just the right amount of time to spend here.

A weekend in Orkney Islands or Birmingham?

With food and museums around the destination of Orkney Islands, there's plenty to do. It's also a great beach destination, too. It offers something for everyone. With so much to do, a weekend is probably not enough time to see everything.

Birmingham is a great place to explore. It is common to spend a weekend here. Anyone can find something fun to do here. Because of this, a weekend is usually enough time for a trip here.

Five days in Orkney Islands or Birmingham?

Orkney Islands, a popular archipelago, 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 archipelago. Your budget might influence how long you stay.

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Birmingham. For many, it makes a great getaway for five days. It offers something for everyone. One reason most visitors come is for the live music. Because of this, five days is usually enough time for a trip here.

A week in Orkney Islands or Birmingham?

Orkney Islands is a popular place that is full of things to see and experience. If you have one week, this archipelago makes for a great vacation. One week should give you a good understanding of everything this archipelago has to offer. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do.

Travelers enjoy the nightlife and live music when visiting the city of Birmingham. Your budget might influence how long you stay. One reason most visitors come is for the live music. 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.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best 2-Week Tours from Edinburgh, The Best Family-Friendly Tours to United Kingdom, The Best Hiking & Trekking Tours in United Kingdom, and The Best Historical Tours in United Kingdom.

When comparing the travel costs between Orkney Islands 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 Orkney Islands Expensive? and Is Birmingham Expensive?.

When is the best time to visit Orkney Islands 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 Orkney Islands or Birmingham in the Summer?

Both Birmingham and Orkney Islands are popular destinations to visit in the summer with plenty of activities. The summer months attract visitors to Orkney Islands because of the beaches, the hiking, and the family-friendly experiences. Also, the music scene and the family-friendly experiences are the main draw to Birmingham this time of year.

In the summer, Orkney Islands is cooler than Birmingham. Typically, the summer temperatures in Orkney Islands in July average around 12°C (54°F), and Birmingham averages at about 17°C (63°F).

Orkney Islands usually receives less sunshine than Birmingham during summer. Orkney Islands gets 129 hours of sunny skies, while Birmingham receives 196 hours of full sun in the summer.

In July, Orkney Islands usually receives more rain than Birmingham. Orkney Islands gets 56 mm (2.2 in) of rain, while Birmingham receives 44 mm (1.7 in) of rain each month for the summer.

Should I visit Orkney Islands or Birmingham in the Autumn?

Both Birmingham and Orkney Islands during the autumn are popular places to visit. The hiking trails and the natural beauty of the area are the main draw to Orkney Islands this time of year. Also, many travelers come to Birmingham for the shopping scene and the music scene.

In October, Orkney Islands is generally cooler than Birmingham. Daily temperatures in Orkney Islands average around 9°C (48°F), and Birmingham fluctuates around 11°C (52°F).

In the autumn, Orkney Islands often gets less sunshine than Birmingham. Orkney Islands gets 73 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Birmingham receives 103 hours of full sun.

It rains a lot this time of the year in Orkney Islands. Orkney Islands usually gets more rain in October than Birmingham. Orkney Islands gets 116 mm (4.6 in) of rain, while Birmingham receives 54 mm (2.1 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Orkney Islands or Birmingham in the Winter?

The winter attracts plenty of travelers to both Orkney Islands and Birmingham. Many travelers come to Orkney Islands for the museums and the cuisine. Also, many visitors come to Birmingham in the winter for the museums, the shopping scene, the theater shows, and the cuisine.

Birmingham can get quite cold in the winter. Be prepared for some very cold days in Orkney Islands. Orkney Islands is a little warmer than Birmingham in the winter. The daily temperature in Orkney Islands averages around 4°C (39°F) in January, and Birmingham fluctuates around 3°C (38°F).

Orkney Islands usually receives less sunshine than Birmingham during winter. Orkney Islands gets 29 hours of sunny skies, while Birmingham receives 58 hours of full sun in the winter.

Orkney Islands gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In January, Orkney Islands usually receives more rain than Birmingham. Orkney Islands gets 106 mm (4.2 in) of rain, while Birmingham receives 64 mm (2.5 in) of rain each month for the winter.

Should I visit Orkney Islands or Birmingham in the Spring?

The spring brings many poeple to Orkney Islands as well as Birmingham. Many visitors come to Orkney Islands in the spring for the beaches and the natural beauty.

In the spring, Orkney Islands is cooler than Birmingham. Typically, the spring temperatures in Orkney Islands in April average around 6°C (43°F), and Birmingham averages at about 9°C (48°F).

In the spring, Orkney Islands often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Birmingham. Orkney Islands gets 135 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Birmingham receives 136 hours of full sun.

Orkney Islands usually gets more rain in April than Birmingham. Orkney Islands gets 56 mm (2.2 in) of rain, while Birmingham receives 44 mm (1.7 in) of rain this time of the year.

Typical Weather for Birmingham and Orkney Islands