The Ultimate 3-Day Birmingham Itinerary for First-Time Visitors

Planning a visit to Birmingham for a long weekend? This 3-day itinerary is made for you.

I’ve lived near Birmingham for many years (I was born about 10 miles away) and go into the city a lot. The itinerary includes my favourite things for first time visitors to do in the city.

Day 1 Morning: Birmingham Back To Backs

Step back in time at Birmingham Back to Backs. If you love history, it’s one of Birmingham’s attractions not to be missed!

There are 15 carefully restored 19th-century houses that were once home to working-class families. Located just a short walk from the Bullring, the houses are arranged around a shared courtyard and have been furnished to reflect different periods of history, from the 1840s through to the 1970s.

The only way to see them is via a guided tour which takes approximately 90 minutes. The tours are popular so you’ll need to book in advance but it’s well worth the pre planning.

Lunch: Birmingham's Chinese Quarter

After your tour of the Back-to-Backs, enjoy lunch in the nearby Chinese Quarter. This area is packed with restaurants serving everything from authentic dim sum and noodle dishes to Korean barbecue and Japanese cuisine. Alternatively there are also plenty of independent burger restaurants and cafés within a short walk of the attraction.

Day 1 Afternoon: Library of Birmingham and Birmingham Museum and Art Gallery

Start the afternoon with a visit to the Library of Birmingham. A library may not be the first attraction that appears on most people's sightseeing lists, but it’s one of the top visitor attractions in Birmingham on TripAdvisor, it’s the biggest public library in Europe and it’s free.

The modern architecture is unique and nothing like any other library you’ll have seen before. Inside you’ll see the book rotunda, the central core of the library, where thousands of volumes spiral upwards, showcasing its grand, modern steel-and-glass design.

Highlights include the Shakespeare memorial room on level 9 (housing one of the world’s most significant Shakespeare collections) Head up to level 3 and level 7 to explore two an outdoor garden terraces and amazing views of Birmingham.

Another free attraction in the centre of the city which is not to be missed is the Birmingham Museum and Art Gallery. It’s just a short walk from the library so it’s great to do the two attractions together.

It explores Birmingham’s history and there are many short term exhibits such as the Ozzy Osbourne exhibition which is on display until September 2027.

The museum is also home to an excellent collection of Pre-Raphaelite paintings, perfect for art enthusiasts to browse. In addition, there’s the Staffordshire Hoard Gallery which showcases the largest, most significant collection of Anglo-Saxon gold and silver ever discovered.

It’s all housed in a grade 2 listed building. If you want to break up your afternoon with refreshments, treat yourself at the Edwardian tearooms inside.

Finish your day by admiring the impressive architecture of the Town Hall and Council House as well as the Queen Victoria Statue in Victoria Square.

Dinner: There are plenty of restaurants to choose from in the surrounding area to enjoy your favourite cuisine. They include Dishoom (bombay comfort food), Damascena, (middle Eastern dishes), Tattu (Chinese cuisine), Cow and Steak (steakhouse) and Cosy Club Birmingham (particularly great for cocktails).

Day 2 Morning: West Midlands Police Museum

A hidden gem in the centre of Birmingham is the West Midlands Police Museum. It’s housed inside a former Victorian police station and lock-up. There’s plenty for all ages. Explore the former prison cells, interview rooms and charge offices that were used in the 60s and 70s. See the interactive exhibits which reveal how crime-solving techniques have evolved over the years.

Discover stories of some of the region's most notorious crimes, learn about the challenges faced by police officers throughout history and even try your hand at solving a case.

Lunch: Why not head to The Ivy Temple Row: A polished brasserie serving modern British cuisines. There’s also afternoon tea, and cocktails.

Day 3 Afternoon: The Jewellery Quarter

The Jewellery Quarter is well known for producing over 40% of the UK’s jewellery. Plus it’s home to over 150 independent retailers, more than 80 bars and restaurants and 2 museums.

The great thing about the Jewellery Quarter is that there is something for everyone. You can visit either the Coffin Works Museum (learn about coffin furniture and its history in Birmingham. There’s also the Pen Museum where you can try your hand at writing with a quill. You’ll learn about the social history behind the trade, including how thousands of women were employed in the factories and the industry's surprising link to the founding of the University of Birmingham.

If that’s not your thing, there are Escape rooms, a bouldering centre and Skratch Golf, Europe’s first dedicated indoor golf destination.

Dinner: Stay in the Jewellery Quarter and choose one of the many restaurants covering everything from casual dining to fine cuisine.

Day 3 Morning: Birmingham Botanical Gardens

After two busy days exploring the city, start your final day with a more relaxed pace at the beautiful Birmingham Botanical Gardens.

Located just a short distance from the city centre in Edgbaston, these 15 acres of landscaped gardens offer a peaceful escape from the urban bustle. Wander through the Victorian glasshouses, discover tropical plants, cacti and exotic flowers, or simply enjoy a stroll around the colourful gardens and lawns.

You’ll need to either get the 23 bus, take the tram to Edgbaston village and walk the 10 minutes from there or get an Uber or a taxi which takes about 10 minutes.

It's worth checking whether any special events or outdoor performances are taking place.

Lunch: Before leaving, stop by the café for a coffee and a slice of cake while enjoying views across the gardens.

Day 3 Afternoon: Digbeth and the Custard Factory

Head back to the city centre for a complete contrast and spend the afternoon exploring Digbeth.

Often described as Birmingham's coolest neighbourhood, Digbeth is famous for its colourful street art. Every corner seems to feature a new mural, making it one of the best places in the city for photography. You can embark on a self-guided art tour to see the amazing artwork.

There’s also guided tours if you prefer.

The centrepiece of the Digbeth area is The Custard Factory, a former industrial site that has been transformed into a hub of independent shops, cafés, bars and entertainment venues. You can play VR or visit the Chance & Counters board game cafe.

Depending on when you visit, you may find pop-up markets, exhibitions or live events taking place.

Evening: Dinner in the Balti Triangle

No visit to Birmingham would be complete without experiencing the city's most famous culinary contribution – the balti.
Head to the renowned Balti Triangle, located south-east of the city centre, where you'll find dozens of authentic curry restaurants serving the dish that Birmingham proudly claims as its own.

More things to do in Birmingham

If you're staying longer or simply want to swap out one of the activities in this itinerary, Birmingham has plenty more to offer. Here are a few more ideas to help you make the most of your visit:

Sea Life Centre - explore some amazing marine life. Learn learn about sea life conservation, penguins, sharks and more

Cadbury World - take a short train ride to Bournville (about 10 minutes from the city centre) and visit Cadbury World. Learn about the history of chocolate, go on a mini ride and discover how chocolate is made today. This attraction is great for families with kids.

Canal walk or canal boat trip – Birmingham has more miles of canals than Venice. Take a leisurely walk along the waterside or enjoy a relaxing boat cruise to see the city from a different perspective.

Brindleyplace – One of Birmingham's most attractive waterfront areas, filled with restaurants, cafés and bars. It's a lovely place to spend an evening or enjoy lunch by the canal.

Think Tank Science Museum  

This multi-award-winning science museum features four floors of over 200 hands-on exhibits, a 4K planetarium, an outdoor science garden, and a child-sized mini-city called MiniBrum. Definitely don't miss the Planetarium!

Bullring & Grand Central - Whether you're looking for high street brands, designer stores or simply want to see the famous Bull sculpture, Birmingham's main shopping district is worth exploring.

Gas Street Basin – Watch colourful narrowboats come and go while enjoying a drink at one of the waterside pubs.

Symphony Hall – Frequently voted one of the world's best concert venues, with performances ranging from classical music to comedy and contemporary artists.

Black Country Living Museum – Around a 25-minute drive from Birmingham city centre, this award-winning open-air museum brings the Industrial Revolution to life. You may even recognise it from Peaky Blinders. If you're travelling by public transport - take a train from Birmingham to Tipton. It's a 20 minute walk from the station or catch a bus straight to the musuem. You can get a 1/3 off tickets to the museum if you travel by train - more details here.

Winterbourne House & Garden – A beautiful Edwardian house with seven acres of botanical gardens, located next to the University of Birmingham.

Cannon HIll Park - escape to Cannon HIll Park for some respite from the city. Enjoy a walk around the lake, enjoy some crazy golf and visit Birmingham's Wildlife  and Conservation centre (see snakes, monekys, lemurs and more!)

The MAC (Midlands Arts Centre) – Situated in Cannon Hill Park, this creative venue hosts exhibitions, theatre performances, workshops and independent films throughout the year.

Lego Discovery Centre - one for the kids! home to millions of bricks, rides, build & play zones and a 4D cinema!

Edgbaston Reservoir – If you'd like to escape the city for an hour or two, this peaceful reservoir offers an easy walking route with excellent views across Birmingham's skyline.

Events and festivals – Birmingham hosts fantastic events throughout the year, including the Frankfurt Christmas Market, Birmingham Cocktail Weekend, Birmingham Restaurant Festival and numerous concerts and sporting events.

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