Birmingham is the social, cultural, financial and commercial centre of the Midlands, a service-sector city with a strong events, retail and conference economy and a compact core of canals, cultural institutions and universities. For a visitor, the practical geography is simple: most of what you will want to see sits in and around the city centre, with the main rail stations, the Bull Ring shopping area and the canal-side districts all within reach of each other.
Accommodation clusters in a handful of distinct parts of the city: the very centre, the canal-side business and convention district, the Jewellery Quarter to the northwest, Digbeth to the southeast, and quieter residential areas such as Edgbaston and Moseley further out. This guide covers which of those areas to base yourself in, and what each is like to stay in, so you can match a location to the kind of trip you are planning.
Best areas to stay in Birmingham
1. Birmingham city centre
The core of the city is where the largest concentration of places to stay sits, from economy chains to mid-range properties. It is the most practical base for a first visit: you are within walking distance of the Bull Ring, the main shopping streets and the New Street railway station, and several properties are described as being right in front of or next to the station.
This area suits first-time visitors, business travellers and anyone who wants to walk to the sights rather than commute. Expect simple, functional chain rooms alongside larger older properties. One practical point: the centre is served by multiple rail stations, so check which one your accommodation is nearest to before booking.
2. Broad Street and the canal side (Brindleyplace and the ICC)
The area around Broad Street and the canal-side complexes serves the International Convention Centre and the surrounding business district, and it faces the canals, which provide views and ambiance. It is a short walk southwest of the core centre rather than in the middle of it.
This suits conference and business visitors, and anyone who wants canal-side surroundings with restaurants and shopping nearby. The Mailbox multi-use complex, with its restaurants, shops and service outlets, is part of this area. Expect large hotels, including several mid-range and four-star rated properties. Practical point: some listings here describe themselves as not quite the centre, so factor in a walk to the main shopping core.
3. Jewellery Quarter
The Jewellery Quarter lies to the northwest of the centre and is under a ten-minute walk from it. It is a distinct district with its own character, and it appears in the sources as a hostel location as well as a general area name.
It suits travellers who want to be close to the centre without being in it, and who value a quieter base within walking distance of the core. Expect a mix of accommodation types, including social, shared-facility options. Practical point: the walk into the centre is short, so you can treat it as an extension of the central area.
4. Digbeth
Digbeth is the oldest part of the city, on the banks of the River Rea, and sits only streets away from the Bull Ring. It is also where you find the city's nightclubs, which makes it the liveliest option for nightlife.
This area suits budget travellers, backpackers and anyone who wants a social stay close to the centre and to the clubs. Expect hostel-style accommodation with shared dorms and communal spaces, and nightly events. Practical point: the area can look a little uninviting outside the very centre, but it remains close to the Bull Ring and the central sights.
5. Edgbaston
Edgbaston is a leafy residential area to the southwest of the centre, with Victorian villas and a gastro-pub next door to at least one property. It is near the International Convention Centre, the National Indoor Arena and the Bull Ring shopping centre.
It suits visitors who prefer a quieter, residential setting while keeping access to the convention and shopping districts. Expect small, characterful places rather than large chain blocks. Practical point: it is not a walk-to-everything base, so plan on using transport for the centre.
6. Moseley
Moseley is a village-like area to the south of the centre, with its own village centre. It appears in the sources as a location with easy access to the centre of Moseley Village.
It suits travellers who want a neighbourhood feel away from the city core. Expect smaller, mid-priced properties. Practical point: this is an outlying base, so it works best if you are happy to travel in and out of the centre.
Where to stay on a budget, mid-range or splurge
- Budget: shared dorms in hostels, including some with breakfast and evening food included and communal common rooms; economy chain hotels with very simply appointed rooms and just enough space; older properties with attractive rates offset by worn rooms or remote locations.
- Mid-range: standard chain hotels in the centre and at Brindleyplace; small design-led rooms in central locations; Victorian villas and guesthouse-style properties in residential areas such as Edgbaston; extended-stay studios and apartments with kitchenettes.
- Splurge: larger four-star rated hotels serving the convention and business district, including canal-side properties with restaurants and shopping in the same complex.
Best area for a first visit
Stay in the city centre. It puts you within walking distance of the Bull Ring, the main shopping streets and the New Street railway station, and it has the widest choice of accommodation at every level. For a first trip, that combination of walkability and choice is hard to beat.
Frequently asked questions
Which area is best if I want nightlife?
Digbeth, where the nightclubs are, and which is also only streets from the Bull Ring.
Where should I stay if I am attending an event at the ICC?
The Broad Street and canal-side area, including Brindleyplace, which serves the ICC and the surrounding business district.
Can I stay outside the centre and still reach the sights easily?
Yes. The Jewellery Quarter is less than a ten-minute walk from the centre, and Edgbaston is near the International Convention Centre, the National Indoor Arena and the Bull Ring shopping centre.
Where do budget travellers tend to base themselves?
Digbeth, which has hostel-style accommodation close to the centre, and the economy chain hotels scattered around the centre and its edges.
Compare live prices for these areas with the booking tools on this page before you decide.