Planning a September city break? Make the most of 48 hours in Birmingham, with a mix of culture, food, green spaces, creative experiences and plenty to see and do. From exploring Birmingham’s canals and neighbourhoods to discovering its history and independent scene, here’s how to make the most of your trip.

DAY ONE

Mornings in Birmingham

Start your trip by exploring Birmingham’s city centre, taking in its squares, architecture, shops and cultural highlights. If you’re visiting during Birmingham Heritage Week, make the most of the programme of special tours and events taking place across the city. Take a break at one of the city’s independent coffee shops along the way, whether that’s a speciality coffee at Faculty Coffee in Piccadilly Arcade, a coffee and bite at Wayland’s Yard Coffee & Brunch Cafe / Diner, or a stop at Ocha Cafè near Birmingham Hippodrome. Birmingham has a growing independent café scene, with plenty of options to discover across the city centre and beyond.

 

Explore Birmingham’s City Centre

Spend the morning exploring more of Birmingham, starting at Birmingham Museum & Art Gallery, which has multiple galleries including a celebrated collection of Pre-Raphaelite art and a Staffordshire Hoard gallery. From here, wander through the city centre towards Birmingham Cathedral, where you can enjoy a lively and informative tour. 

Take some time to explore the Jewellery Quarter’s independent shops, cafés and historic streets, or browse Birmingham Artisan Markets for local makers and unique finds, before continuing on to your next stop. For something different, visit Ikon Gallery at Brindleyplace, a contemporary art gallery housed in a striking Victorian building.

Make the Most of Birmingham’s Evening

Keep the evening going with dinner at Lulu Wild, where traditional dim sum, Chinese classics and modern twists sit alongside a menu of creative cocktails. Think crispy duck, bao buns, dumplings and sharing dishes, followed by a cocktail or two from the drinks menu. Lulu Wild food menu |  Lulu Wild drinks menu.

Alternatively, settle in for Thai food at Siamais, with an à la carte menu packed with dishes designed for sharing, followed by cocktails from its extensive drinks menu. Siamais à la carte menu | Siamais drinks menu.

Looking for something different? Discover more restaurants and places to eat across Birmingham here.

Then it's time to experience Birmingham after dark. Experience the world's first official Formula 1® simulator racing experience at  F1 Arcade, or head to NQ64 for retro arcade games and cocktails, or check what's on at Utilita Arena Birmingham for a live gig, comedy show or event during your visit. You can find this information here.

 

DAY TWO

From Safari Park to Green Spaces

Begin your second day with breakfast and coffee at Cherry Red's Cafe Bar or Grand Central Kitchen before heading to West Midlands Safari Park for a fantastic morning. Home to lions, elephants, giraffes, rhinos and more on the safari drive-through. Alternatively, head to Cadbury World to discover the story behind one of Birmingham's most famous brands and enjoy a chocolate-filled experience.

On your way back to Birmingham, slow things down with a stroll through Cannon Hill Park or Winterbourne House and Garden, both offering plenty of green space and a chance to enjoy some quieter surroundings.

Lunch by the canals and see the city from the water

Head back towards the city centre and make your way to Brindleyplace for lunch, with plenty of restaurants and cafés surrounding the canals. Afterwards, experience Birmingham from a different perspective with a Brindley Cruises canal trip. The one-hour guided cruise takes you along the city’s waterways, with live commentary sharing more about the canals and the places you pass along the way. If you’d rather explore on foot, Go Jauntly features a range of walks across Birmingham and the wider West Midlands, including routes to help you discover more of the city’s canals, parks and green spaces.

Discover Digbeth

Continue your day in Digbeth, one of Birmingham’s most distinctive neighbourhoods, known for its creative scene, independent venues and colourful street art. Choose your own way to explore, whether that’s playing board games at Chance & Counters, catching a film at The Mockingbird Cinema or getting creative at Splash Art Republic. Finish your 48 hours with dinner and drinks, with plenty of independent restaurants, bars and nightlife to choose from in Digbeth.

Make Birmingham your base for the weekend and choose a centrally located hotel, making it easy to explore the city. Our top hotel picks for a weekend like this are: The Grand Hotel Birmingham, Leonardo Royal Hotel Birmingham, Hilton Garden Inn Birmingham Brindleyplace, Aloft by Marriott Birmingham Eastside or Hotel Du Vin. If you would like more options, find more places to stay here.

Looking for more things to do?

For more inspiration on things to see and do, take a look at our Birmingham guide here.