Welcome to the city centre of Birmingham. This is a lively and vibrant city with plenty to see and do. We have listed most of the city centre attractions here along with useful web addresses to help you find your way around. The central tourism office is located by the Council House and has a good selection of free handouts and a city map.
Having just arrived in Birmingham, where would you start? A good place to begin is Brindleyplace, just off Broad Street. This area becomes especially lively in the evenings, but assuming you have a full day ahead, take a wander around its modern buildings, cafés, and restaurant bars.
A walk along the canal side will take you to the National Indoor Arena, where the TV series Gladiators was filmed. The National Sea Life Centre is also located here, and you may notice the Ikon Gallery just off Brindleyplace Square.
Walking back along the canal path and passing through the tunnel brings you to Gas Street Basin. Birmingham’s canals are enjoying a renaissance, and the basin often hosts a number of narrowboats moored along its banks.
If you return the way you came and cross the footbridge by the International Convention Centre, you can walk through this spacious and attractive modern building, home to Symphony Hall. The centre hosts many important events and visitors, and its architecture is particularly striking.
You will emerge into Centenary Square, where New Year celebrations and many annual city events are held. The Birmingham Rep Theatre is located here, along with the Hall of Memory and Baskerville House. From here, you can visit the Mailbox or walk through the central library into Victoria Square, home to the impressive Council House and Town Hall.
From Victoria Square there are many places worth visiting. The Birmingham Museum and Art Gallery is highly recommended, and from here you can walk down New Street into the main shopping areas, including the Bullring and Millennium Point. The Chinese Quarter is also only a ten-minute walk away.
For nightlife, the busiest pubs and clubbing areas are around the Chinese Quarter and Broad Street. You could easily spend an entire evening on Broad Street, which offers a wide variety of pubs, clubs, restaurants, and café bars. Star City is further out and best reached by taxi.
Enjoy your stay in Birmingham — we hope you will want to return and visit us again.
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