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

Should you visit Valencia or Birmingham?

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

If you're trying to decide where to visit between Valencia 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.

Valencia

Valencia is a architectural, friendly, and coastal coastal city. It's a large city with plenty of activites for visitors as well. Many visitors also come because of it's amazing beauty. Other reasons to visit include hiking, shopping, and museums.

Birmingham

Birmingham is a vibrant, fun-filled, and bustling city. This destination also has one of those special and quaint feelings. And you can't forget about the museums, theater, and nightlife.

Valencia and Birmingham: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Valencia or Birmingham?

Travelers will generally find more things to do in Valencia than Birmingham. While Birmingham is larger than Valencia, Valencia has more sights and attractions for tourists. Valencia is very popular for its food, nightlife, resorts, beaches, historical sights, hiking, big city activities, and impressive beauty, while Birmingham attracts visitors for its theatre productions, music, and quaint atmosphere. Valencia is more touristy than Birmingham and is popular for its rich cultural, world class museums, beautiful old town, and local cuisine (which includes paella). It is also well known for La Ciutat de les Arts i les Ciències. Birmingham is famous for its strong musical routes and its very livable atmosphere.

How is Valencia different from Birmingham?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

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

Plenty of people visit the excellent sights and museums in both Valencia and Birmingham.

With a variety of museums, monuments, and historical sights, a trip to Valencia can be an interesting and educational experience. The city is famous for its architecture and culture. Most of the main attractions are concentrated in Ciutat Vella and can be easily accessed on foot. Notable landmarks include La Lonja de Seda, Catedral de València, and Plaza de la Virgen. There are also several world class museums including Oceanogràfic de València and La Ciutat de les Arts i les Ciències de València.

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.

Is Valencia or Birmingham Better for Theater?

Birmingham is well known for its theatre productions. However, Valencia 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.

Valencia is not a theatre destination.

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

Valencia is an amazing coastal city to visit for its local flavors and cuisine. Also, Birmingham is not as popular, but is still a nice city for its local cuisine and restaurants.

Valencia has long been recognized as a culinary destination with great restaurants. The city is famous as the birthplace of paella, which is one of Spain's most famous dishes. Beyond the paella, there are a number of other amazing traditional dishes. Fideuà is similar to paella but made with noodles instead of rice. All i pebre is an eel and potato dish and clóchinas are tiny local mussels. For dessert make sure you try the flan de calabaza, which is pumpkin flavored. Many restaurants also have tapas that can be shared. Restaurants in the old town are charming and delicious, but out by the beaches the quality isn't as good.

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 Valencia or Birmingham Better for Nightlife?

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

Valencia has a colorful and one-of-a-kind nightlife scene. Dinner starts late, so you can expect the nightlife to pick up even later. During the summer there are all night terrace parties and year round you'll find nightclubs filled from evening to dawn. If all night raves aren't really your thing, you'll also find plenty of local bars where you can hang out with friends in a more relaxed setting. The nightlife scene really is varied enough that there's something for everyone.

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 Valencia or Birmingham Better for Music?

Birmingham is an amazing city to visit for its live music scene. However, Valencia is not a live music destination.

Live music, and music in many other forms, is everyone 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.

Valencia is not a live music destination.

Is Valencia or Birmingham Better for Resorts?

Valencia is very good for its luxury resorts. However, Birmingham is not a resort destination.

Valencia has a handful of resorts to choose from. You can choose between staying near the old town (Ciutat Vella) or out by the beach. One of the best beach areas is El Cabanyal. It's still close enough in to be well connected by public transit but offers a great coastal vibe as well.

Birmingham is not a resort destination.

Is Valencia or Birmingham Better for Beaches?

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

Many people head to Valencia to enjoy the beach. There are several urban beaches in town that are accessible by public transit. Many offer surprisingly long stretches of sand with wide beaches and plenty of activity. The beaches can get crowded during the summer months, but they are generally large enough to accommodate the crowds. La Malvarrosa Beach is one of the most popular because of its proximity to the city. El Saler Beach is further out and popular with the locals and Port Saplaya is a colorful area with shopping and beaches.

Birmingham is not a beach destination.

Is Valencia or Birmingham Better for its Old Town?

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

Valencia offers visitors a world-class historical old town to explore. For culture, history, and the majority of the city's attractions, you'll want to spend your time in Ciutat Vella (old town).

Birmingham does not have a historic old town.

Is Valencia or Birmingham Better for Hiking?

Valencia is very good for hiking. However, Birmingham is not a hiking destination.

Many people include a hike when visiting Valencia. Most people miss out on the beautiful hikes through the nearby countryside, but if you venture out of town you can enjoy some beautiful walking trails. Many run along the coastline or pass through rolling hills. There is varied landscape in the area with pine forests, orange groves, and vineyards all common.

Birmingham is not a hiking destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Valencia or Birmingham?

Shopping is a popular activity in both Birmingham and Valencia.

Valencia is a popular shopping destination with plenty of stores. As the third largest city in Spain, you'll find most designer brands around town. The main shopping street is Calle Colon where you'll find the well-known European brands mixed in with the lesser-known Spanish brands. For a more local experience head to Mercado Central where you'll find local produce, colorful seafood, and a unique foodie vibe.

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.

Is Valencia or Birmingham Better for Families?

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

Valencia is a very kid-friendly coastal city. The city has some kid-friendly museums, an impressive zoo, and the largest aquarium in Europe (with its own dolphin show). Head to the Science Museum or simply wander around the museum complex. There are water activities and a beautiful futuristic style that attracts families and influencers with its photogenic atmosphere. There are also countless playgrounds of all sizes around town and a number of parks and outdoor spaces where kids can run around. There's a city park that runs through town and has playgrounds and bike trails. You can also spend a fun-filled day at the beach.

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.

Is Valencia or Birmingham Better for Couples?

Valencia and Birmingham are both excellent to visit as a couple.

Couples visit Valencia frequently as it offers plenty of romantic activities. The city is filled with interesting culture, beautiful weather, and delightful cuisine. There are sandy beaches and luxury hotels that will make for an amazing romantic getaway. There are also many beautiful gardens and charming neighborhoods that you can explore. Couples can split a paella and sip sangrias in one of the many charming restaurants around town.

Birmingham is a great coastal city if you're traveling as a couple. Romantic activities around town include taking a beautiful stroll through town, wandering around a park or garden, or seeing the ballet.

Is Valencia or Birmingham Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

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

Valencia is very popular with the backpacker crowd. It's often overlooked for more popular destinations, but this city has plenty to offer in the form of affordable accommodation and food as well as interesting sights.

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 Valencia or Birmingham Better for Students?

Valencia and Birmingham are terrific places to visit for students.

Valencia is a great destination for students. The city is young and vibrant with a lot of culture and beautiful neighborhoods. It's also well connected to the rest of Spain with a convenient central train station.

Birmingham is a very popular coastal 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.

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

You'll find somewhat comparable public transit options in both Valencia and Birmingham.

You'll find some public transit in Valencia, but it may not be enough to take you everywhere. Public transit is available in the form of buses and a tram/metro system but the system isn't as comprehensive as it could be and much of the city is surprisingly dependent on cars.

While Birmingham offers some public transit options, it might not be your first choice. There is a reasonably comprehensive bus system.

Is Valencia or Birmingham a more walkable city?

Valencia and Birmingham both are excellent when exploring on foot.

Valencia is a very walkable coastal city. Walking is the best way to explore many parts of the city and you can walk from one side of the Ciutat Vella to the other in about 20 minutes. This area is where you'll find most of the city's main attractions. There are other neighborhoods that are a bit less pedestrian-friendly.

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

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

Should I spend more time in Birmingham or Valencia?

How long in Valencia or Birmingham?

In either Valencia or Birmingham, you'll find plenty of activities to fill your time. Most visitors tend to spend more time in Birmingham than Valencia because of the overall number of sights and activities. Usually, 2-3 days is a good amount of time for Valencia, and 1-5 days is enough time in Birmingham.

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

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

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

One day in Valencia or Birmingham?

When visiting Valencia, people usually allow for lots of time. Anyone can find something fun to do here. Make sure you visit the old town while you're here. 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 Valencia or Birmingham?

When visiting Valencia, people usually allow for lots of time. 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 coastal city.

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 Valencia or Birmingham?

Valencia, a popular coastal 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.

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 Valencia or Birmingham?

Valencia 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 G Adventures Tours to Spain, The Best 3-Day Tours from Madrid, 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 Valencia and Birmingham, we can see that Birmingham is more expensive. And not only is Valencia much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Valencia would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Valencia 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 Valencia.

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

Which is Bigger, Valencia or Birmingham?

Birmingham has a larger population, and is about 22% larger than the population of Valencia. When comparing the sizes of Valencia 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 Valencia 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 Valencia or Birmingham in the Summer?

Both Birmingham and Valencia during the summer are popular places to visit. Most visitors come to Valencia for the beaches, the hiking, the city activities, 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, Valencia is generally a little warmer than Birmingham. Daily temperatures in Valencia average around 25°C (76°F), and Birmingham fluctuates around 17°C (63°F).

It's quite sunny in Valencia. In the summer, Valencia often gets more sunshine than Birmingham. Valencia gets 303 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Birmingham receives 196 hours of full sun.

Valencia usually gets less rain in July than Birmingham. Valencia gets 9 mm (0.4 in) of rain, while Birmingham receives 44 mm (1.7 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Valencia or Birmingham in the Autumn?

The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Valencia and Birmingham. The autumn months attract visitors to Valencia because of the hiking trails, the city's sights and attractions, the shopping 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.

Valencia is much warmer than Birmingham in the autumn. The daily temperature in Valencia averages around 19°C (66°F) in October, and Birmingham fluctuates around 11°C (52°F).

Valencia usually receives more sunshine than Birmingham during autumn. Valencia gets 198 hours of sunny skies, while Birmingham receives 103 hours of full sun in the autumn.

In October, Valencia usually receives more rain than Birmingham. Valencia gets 94 mm (3.7 in) of rain, while Birmingham receives 54 mm (2.1 in) of rain each month for the autumn.

Should I visit Valencia or Birmingham in the Winter?

The winter brings many poeple to Valencia as well as Birmingham. The museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine are the main draw to Valencia 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, Valencia is much warmer than Birmingham. Typically, the winter temperatures in Valencia in January average around 12°C (53°F), and Birmingham averages at about 3°C (38°F).

In the winter, Valencia often gets more sunshine than Birmingham. Valencia gets 162 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Birmingham receives 58 hours of full sun.

Valencia usually gets less rain in January than Birmingham. Valencia gets 32 mm (1.3 in) of rain, while Birmingham receives 64 mm (2.5 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Valencia or Birmingham in the Spring?

Both Birmingham and Valencia are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities. Many travelers come to Valencia for the beaches, the activities around the city, and the natural beauty.

In April, Valencia is generally much warmer than Birmingham. Daily temperatures in Valencia average around 15°C (60°F), and Birmingham fluctuates around 9°C (48°F).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Valencia. Valencia usually receives more sunshine than Birmingham during spring. Valencia gets 213 hours of sunny skies, while Birmingham receives 136 hours of full sun in the spring.

In April, Valencia usually receives less rain than Birmingham. Valencia gets 40 mm (1.6 in) of rain, while Birmingham receives 44 mm (1.7 in) of rain each month for the spring.

Typical Weather for Birmingham and Valencia