It’s the second biggest British city, but hardly a tourist hotspot. Often described as uninteresting or even dull, Birmingham has a mixed reputation at best.

But after years of living in the UK, and visiting over 10 cities, it was time to give this underdog a try. I went there with a friend who has also wanted to “tick it off”. Our long-pushed back weekend trip was finally going to happen!

Main info and interesting facts

Birmingham lies in the centre of the UK, in the region called West Midlands. Thanks to its central location, you can get there from 90% of the UK in under four hours.

Birmingham Airport has direct flights to almost every country in Europe, as well as North Africa, the Middle East, India and Mexico.

The total population is over 1.1 million, of which around 40% is under 25. This makes Birmingham “the youngest city in Europe”.

London is famous for its West End, but the UK’s busiest theatre is in Birmingham – the Hippodrome boasts over half a million visitors each year.

Victoria Square

The proper city centre, “the Trafalgar Square of Birmingham” from which all distances are measured.

The square is named after that monarch, and you’ll find her statue there. No, it’s not the naked woman at the top of the grand fountain! That’s Floozie in the Jacuzzi, or at least that’s the local name for what is officially titled The River. It was made in the early 90s by Dhruva Mistry as part of the redevelopment of the square. On both sides of the fountain are the Guardians – two large sculptures resembling the mythical griffins.

In the western part of the square, there’s a giant, eerie statue Iron:Man by Antony Gormley. With the feet buried in the ground, it appears to have fallen from the sky and plunged into the pavement. Though it looks like a cross between a full body cast and a sarcophagus, the work is a nod to Birmingham’s prosperity during the Industrial Revolution.

My trip timed with Birmingham Open – an exhibition of art by local artists. The reproduced artworks were displayed at the bottom of the stairs, in the form of an open-air gallery. There were so many great pieces… But not enough time to look at them all!

Birmingham Museum & Art Gallery

The majestic building next to Victoria Square houses an extensive museum and gallery, dating back to 1885. The interactive display takes you from the time of Birmingham as a tiny settlement to the bustling city it is today. The museum has the largest collection of Pre-Raphaelite art in the world, although not all of it is on permanent display.

The recent refurbishment didn’t turn out to everybody’s liking, if online comments are anything to go by. Still, a visit to the BM&AG is a must, especially for a first timer.

Bullring & Grand Central Shopping Centre

A shopping mall on a list of city attractions? Yes, a bit odd, but you can’t go to Birmingham and not visit the Bullring. What started as an ordinary market in the Middle Ages has grown into a huge shopping centre. In fact, one of the largest in the UK when coupled with Grand Central! The two are linked by a walkway protruding from the impressive Selfridges building which is covered with 15,000 shiny aluminium discs.

With over 240 shops and restaurants, the Bullring has something for everyone.

The name isn’t accidental and comes from the unethical “sport” of bull-baiting practiced there centuries ago. Today, a bronze statue of a bull by Laurence Broderick reminds the shoppers of this.

Pigeon Park

Built-up and industrial, central Birmingham lacks in green spaces, but it shouldn’t take you long to find Pigeon Park. Its centrepiece, the late-Baroque St Philip’s Cathedral, might be on your to-see list anyway. But even if it isn’t, take a break from extensive walking on one of the benches. Pigeon Park is a peaceful enclave in the middle of Birmingham’s hustle and bustle.

The Black Sabbath Mural

Birmingham is regarded as the birthplace of British heavy metal, with bands like Black Sabbath and Judas Priest hailing from there. Punk rock princess Toyah (one of my favourite British artists) is also a Brummie!

To coincide with Black Sabbath’s final gig in July 2025, street artist Mr Murals (Daniel Russell-Ahern) is working hard on a tribute painting. When completed, the 36-metre mural will run the length of the wall in Navigation Street outside Birmigham’s main train station.

Working in such a prime location, Daniel naturally attracts constant attention. I felt like saying hello, but didn’t want to disturb him. Especially since there was someone else already chatting to him. So, I snapped a photo from afar and carried on walking. There was still so much in Birmingham to see!

Chinatown

Once referred to as the Chinese Quarter, Birmingham’s Chinatown adopted its current name only recently, in 2024. It’s full of shops, restaurants (I only tried one, Look In – it was good and affordable), and typical Chinese architecture. Don’t miss the beautiful 7‑storey pagoda in Holloway Circus.

Gay Village

Birmingham’s Chinatown is so close to the Gay Village that they actually overlap.

We walked past the crowded Missing and went into Sidewalk. The huge windows make you feel like you’re sitting outside, but they get covered during evening strip shows. The music was a commercial pop from quite a few years ago, probably to please mid-late millennials like ourselves!

Around the corner, there’s The Village Inn. It wasn’t as busy as you’d expect on a Saturday evening, but we enjoyed our time there, watching a drag show from one of the comfy booths.

Cafés

The two cafés we tried for breakfast were great picks. Coffee Joint offers to “transport you to the heart of the Middle East” with its interior and fusion menu. I spent quite a while wondering if that orange tree in the middle was real or not. The staff (which were super friendly, by the way) told me that it’s artificial. But I could swear that it’s real!

Cherry Reds promises to be “your little home from home”. The outdoor sitting area is perfect for people watching, but the best spot is by the window on the second floor. There’s also a small stage, suitable for a stand-up show or an intimate concert.

Birmingham Canals

Did you know that Birmingham has 35 miles of navigable waterways? More than in Venice! This extends to over 100 miles if we include the whole Birmingham Canal Navigations system.

The heart of the network is Gas Street Basin, with its colourful houseboats, some historic architecture (part of it Grade II listed), and many bars and restaurants. Another place to get a good feel of the area is the Old Turn Junction. Find a spot on one of the bridges, or the steps in front of the Utilita Arena, and watch boats and ducks glide past on the water.

Centenary Square

Once a very bland, industrial area, the square has come a long way. The turning point was the 1989 redevelopment which coincided with the centenary of Birmingham’s gaining city status, hence the name. Today, it’s the stage for major events like New Year’s Eve celebrations and Rememberance Day services. In the winter, it turns into a hub of Christmas activities.

The square is surrounded by important cultural landmarks, like the Birmingham Repertory Theatre, Symphony Hall and the Library of Birmingham. The latter is the largest public library in the UK, and I regret I didn’t get a chance to explore it (it’s closed on Sundays). The stunning exterior reminded me slightly of the National Library of Kosovo.

In the centre of the square, Hall of Memory honours those who died in WWI.

My first impression

So, is Birmingham as bland as they say? Or is it UK’s underrated gem? Neither. I wouldn’t call any city “boring”. It usually has something to do with your expectations. If anything, I’d say that Birmingham unfairly gets these harsh, exaggerated opinions.

Did my first impression manage to spark your interest in Birmingham? If nothing else, I hope you just enjoyed reading it! Let me know if I missed anything.