Should I spend 1, 2, or 3 days in Birmingham?

Q: Is a weekend (two to three days) enough time in Birmingham?

Since it's a good-sized city, you'll probably need more than a weekend to take advantage of everything to do in Birmingham. Two or three days still gives you a good amount of time to explore, though, as you'll have a chance to experience at least some of the major attractions. In addition to the great live music and fun museums and landmarks, visitors can enjoy the nightlife, shopping, and quaint atmosphere by staying for a weekend.

Should you spend 1, 2, or 3 days in Birmingham?

Many visitors spend one to five days in Birmingham during their trip. If you're not sure how much time you might need here, we have the answers because your journey calls for making the most of every moment. The city offers the chance to listen to some live music, spend time at the museums, take in a show, and enjoy an evening out.

Birmingham was historically a manufacturing hub and today it has many landmarks that reflect its past. The city also has canals, cafes, and a very livable atmosphere. It can make for a fun stop for a few days.

Do you have one or two days to visit Birmingham? Here's our comprehensive breakdown of how much time you might need for your trip along with some suggestions for things to do.

Is one day enough time in Birmingham?

With a variety of sights and attractions, Birmingham is a fairly popular choice for tourists. One day is probably not enough time here even though it's not the largest of cities. You might feel rushed to see the main attractions of Birmingham such as the live music, the famous sights and museums, the theatre, and the nightlife scene. To thoroughly enjoy all that the city has to offer, you'll probably want more time. Most travelers schedule one to five days to fully experience the historic city. Nevertheless, if time is of the essence, we have some nice suggestions for your visit.

How to spend a day in Birmingham

A number of fantastic museums and famous landmarks are found in Birmingham, so spend at least one full day exploring those that look the most appealing to you. Famous sights include the Museum & Art Gallery, Thinktank, and St. Philip's Cathedral.

Live music is very popular in Birmingham, so make sure you spend the evening exploring some of the more popular venues. 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.

Birmingham is a walkable city and easy to explore on foot. With only a day in the city, you'll have no trouble seeing the local sights. Many parts of the city are very walkable.

Is a weekend (two to three days) enough time in Birmingham?

Since it's a good-sized city, you'll probably need more than a weekend to take advantage of everything to do in Birmingham. Two or three days still gives you a good amount of time to explore, though, as you'll have a chance to experience at least some of the major attractions. In addition to the great live music and fun museums and landmarks, visitors can enjoy the nightlife, shopping, and quaint atmosphere by staying for a weekend.

Birmingham, England

How to spend 2 days in Birmingham

If you have more than a weekend (two to three days) in Birmingham, you'll appreciate the added time for everything the city has to offer.

Shopping in Birmingham is very popular, and it's easy to see why. Spend time exploring the many shops and boutiques to find the perfect gift, souvenir, or outfit. 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.

Don't miss an evening at the theater while in town. Whether it's a musical, opera, ballet, or a famous Broadway-style production, Birmingham is known for its wide range of shows. The impressive theater scene includes Broadway shows and musicals. Birmingham Hippodrome is a major theater in town.

A few tour suggestions include:

Operation City Quest Scavenger Hunt - Walsall, UK ($10)
Adventurous Scavenger Hunt in Birmingham by Operation City Quest ($10)

The public transit in Birmingham is fast and efficient. Over the course of a few days, you should be able to explore the city quite easily and affordably. There is a reasonably comprehensive bus system.

More Info

If you're looking for more information about Birmingham, we have even more advice to help you plan your journey.