Birmingham is full of surprises. Once a somewhat drab industrial city, this Midlands metropolis has reinvented itself as a vibrant destination, blending rich industrial heritage, a thriving arts scene, world-class museums and cutting-edge cuisine. A two-day trip offers a perfect taste of this dynamic city, leaving you eager for more! To help you make the most of your visit, we’ve crafted an insider’s guide to 48 hours in Birmingham, showcasing the best of its cultural delights and culinary highlights.
Where to Stay
Make the most of your short break with a hotel that’s right in the heart of the action. There are several elegant options in the MICHELIN Guide selection, and we’ve rounded up three of our favourites.The upscale Hotel du Vin Birmingham is an easy stroll from the city’s main shops and attractions. Occupying a red-brick Victorian pile that was once a hospital, it's the perfect blend of classic and contemporary. The décor comes with a certain richness – think leather upholstery, bold colours and stylish period features – and the rooms are pleasingly spacious.
Equally well-located is Malmaison Birmingham, part of the celebrated chain that’s renowned for its flamboyant style. Sitting within the Mailbox development – a former Royal Mail sorting office and Birmingham’s fanciest shopping district – the hotel’s former guests include Beyoncé, Prince and Katy Perry, but anyone can feel like a rock star by staying in the Nirvana suite, complete with neon lighting and mirrored jacuzzi. There are plenty of (not-so-standard) standard rooms too, with comfortable beds and the hotel’s own branded toiletries.
Your final option for a luxury stay is the reliably classy Hyatt Regency, just a stone’s throw from the centre. It boasts floor-to-ceiling windows in every room, offering superlative views of the city; a lavish spa that includes a hammam; and it can even accommodate pets. This light and airy hotel is right next to the Symphony Hall so is an ideal choice if you’re planning to take in a concert during your stay.
Day One
Morning
After breakfast, begin your tour of the city’s cultural heritage at the world-class Birmingham Museum & Art Gallery. First opened in 1885, the refurbished museum has been given a modern twist, with traditional works by Camille Pissarro and David Cox rubbing shoulders with those by Cold War Steve and Bridget Riley. Visit the ‘Made In Birmingham’ display which highlights the incredible impact of such home-grown products as Cadbury’s chocolate and HP Sauce, and find out why Birmingham is known as ‘the city of a thousand trades’.
After emerging from the museum, it’s a short five-minute stroll to Birmingham Cathedral (otherwise known as The Cathedral Church of St Philip). An oasis of calm, its beautiful grounds are the largest green space in central Birmingham, and the building itself, while small, is a rare and elegant example of English Baroque architecture. But whatever you do, don’t forget to go inside and see the four stunning stained-glass windows. Designed by the Birmingham born pre-Raphaelite artist Sir Edward Burne-Jones and his friend William Morris, they’re considered among the finest in the world.
Lunch
When it’s time to refuel, you’ll find plenty of tempting lunch options close by. One terrific, MICHELIN Starred option is Adam’s, a Birmingham institution. The flagship of the eponymous Adam Stokes, his culinary skill shines through in pared-back dishes available from a set lunch menu of three or five courses – all served in smart, stylish surroundings.Alternatively, seafood fans shouldn’t miss sister restaurant The Oyster Club by Adam Stokes. The atmosphere is relaxed, walk-ins are welcome and the full menu is available in the bar area as well as the main restaurant. Alongside its signature oysters, there’s the option to enjoy a few small plates or go all out with the selection of premium fresh fish. Whatever you choose, accompany it with a glass of champagne or a house cocktail.
Afternoon
Following a satisfying lunch, head west of the city centre to the famous Jewellery Quarter. Steeped in history, the area has over 100 specialist retailers, making it unquestionably the UK’s bling central – indeed, 40% of the country’s jewellery was produced there. Discover the area in-depth with a guided walking tour (book in advance), browse for a bargain on your own or visit the Pen Museum and find out how Birmingham became the centre of the world’s steel pen trade.Close by and definitely worth a look is the Library of Birmingham, not least to marvel at its distinctive modern architecture, which some have likened to a pile of foil-wrapped Christmas presents. Home to the largest public library in Europe, this postmodern building also boasts stunning rooftop gardens, panoramic city views and a celebrated Shakespeare Memorial Room.
Finish up your tour of Birmingham’s west side with a wander round its network of canals. Birmingham famously has more canals than Venice, and the heart of the network is Gas Street Basin, which is lined with colourful narrowboats and trendy bars and restaurants. It’s a great place to mooch and to grab a pre-dinner drink.
Dinner
No visit to Birmingham would be complete without going to an Indian restaurant, and it so happens that the city’s only Two MICHELIN Star establishment is also one of the UK’s finest examples of the cuisine. Chef Aktar Islam was born and bred in Brum, but his restaurant Opheem offers something very different to the typical experience found elsewhere in the city. Its tasting menu is highly creative, offering carefully crafted dishes that present familiar flavours in extraordinary new ways – all available with an expertly selected wine pairing.
For a slightly more familiar British-Indian restaurant, we highly recommend a trip to Asha’s, the Birmingham branch of singer, actress and gourmet Asha Bhosle’s renowned restaurant chain. A favourite with celebrities, Asha’s serves authentic dishes from across the Indian subcontinent, with some surprising new twists. The surroundings are opulent, with atmospheric lighting and stylish décor.
Either one of these superior examples of the Midlands' long history of South Asian cuisine offers a fitting end to your first day in Birmingham.
Day 2
Morning
After a refreshing night’s sleep, start your day by exploring 200 years of history at Birmingham Back to Backs, the city’s last surviving court of back-to-back houses. Take a guided tour of the four restored historic properties, including a tailor’s shop, and marvel at the lives of genuine past inhabitants. Make sure you pre-book to avoid disappointment!The tour takes around 90 minutes, so you’ll have plenty of the morning left to indulge in some retail therapy. With options for every pocket close to the centre, whatever your preference you won’t need to go far. Bullring & Grand Central is the UK’s largest city-centre-based shopping centre, boasting a branch of Selfridges alongside other high street favourites. For a more independent flavour, head to the Great Western Arcade, an ideal place for one-of-a-kind gifts and unique fashions. And for dedicated bargain hunters, the famous Rag Market has second-hand stalls as far as the eye can see.
Lunch
Having shopped ’til you drop, you’ll have definitely earned your lunch, and central Birmingham has plenty of quality options to choose from. Vegetables are put centre stage at Land, where the set menu consists of largely plant-based dishes that showcase the chef’s original streak. The menu evolves with the seasons, but whenever you come, you’re sure to be convinced of the virtues of meat-free cooking at this relaxed, intimate restaurant.
Afternoon
Post-lunch, it’s time for something a little bit different. To the east of the city centre is Digbeth, known as ‘the creative quarter’, or Birmingham’s answer to Shoreditch. It’s adorned with amazing street art, and you can follow a dedicated three-mile walking tour of the most impressive pieces. En route, be sure to drop into The Custard Factory, the former HQ of Bird’s Custard. There’s no yellow stuff in sight, but crazy golf, board games and a cult cinema are among today’s attractions. Finish up your tour of Digbeth by stopping for a pint at Birmingham’s oldest pub, The Old Crown, established in 1368.
Dinner
If you’re willing to make the trip out of the city centre, round off your two days in Birmingham with an unforgettable meal at another of the city’s top restaurants. MICHELIN Starred Simpsons is located in a Grade II listed Georgian mansion and has been serving the Midlands’ culinary scene for 30 years. There’s a playful edge to many of the modern dishes, with top-quality ingredients and expertly chosen wine flights adding to the already considerable appeal.
If you’d rather stay central, make for the more modern, minimalist surroundings, of Folium. It’s run by a two-person team – Ben in the kitchen, his partner Lucy out front – and offers a warm welcome and inviting atmosphere. The menu is mostly seafood based, and largely determined by what fresh ingredients are available on the day.
Whichever restaurant you choose, you’ll enjoy a special end to your two days in this vibrant, inspiring city.
Address Book
Birmingham Back to Backs, 50-54, 55-63 Inge St, Hurst St, Birmingham B5 4TEBirmingham Cathedral, Cathedral Square, Colmore Row, Birmingham B3 2QB
Birmingham Museum & Art Gallery, Chamberlain Square, Birmingham, B3 3DH
Bullring & Grand Central, Moor St, Birmingham, B5 4BU
Gas Street Basin, Birmingham, B1 2JR
Great Western Arcade, Colmore Row, Birmingham, B2 5HU
Library of Birmingham, Centenary Sq, Birmingham, B1 2ND
Pen Museum, The Argent Centre, 60 Frederick St, Birmingham, B1 3HS
Rag Market, 50 Edgbaston St, Birmingham, B5 4RQ
The Custard Factory, Gibb St, Deritend, Birmingham, B9 4AA
The Old Crown, High St, Deritend, Birmingham, B12 0LD
Hero Image: One of Birmingham's many canals. © trabantos/iStock
