Birmingham City Guide

Birmingham is known for the Balti curry. There’s a wide range of international foods, especially Indian, Pakistani, Chinese, and Italian. Vegetarian and vegan options are plentiful. Late-night takeaways are common in city and student areas.

The nightlife is lively with clubs and bars mainly on Broad Street and in the Gay Village, plus pubs and live music venues.

The city has a strong coffee scene with many independent specialty shops and local roasters. British tea culture is also popular.

Tipping is appreciated but optional. A 10-12.5% service charge may be added in restaurants. Taxis expect rounding up or a small tip. Personal services often get about 10%.

SIM cards are sold at mobile shops (EE, Vodafone, O2, Three) at the airport and city center, as well as in supermarkets and convenience stores. eSIMs are also available from major providers. No ID needed for pay-as-you-go SIMs.

City center areas are generally clean with regular waste pickup. Some outskirts may have more litter.

Some late-night pharmacies and 24/7 convenience stores are available. Food takeaways often open late, but full 24/7 services are limited.

Supermarkets offer many international products, especially in diverse neighborhoods. Major chains include Tesco, Sainsbury's, Asda, Morrisons, Aldi, and Lidl. The Bull Ring Markets have fresh produce.

Card and contactless payments are widely accepted. Cash is rarely needed.

ATMs are easy to find at banks, supermarkets, and convenience stores. Most UK bank cards don’t charge fees for withdrawals, but international cards might.

Birmingham has many state and independent schools. Notable independents include King Edward's School and Edgbaston High School for Girls. The International School of Birmingham focuses on global curricula.

The nomad scene is small but growing, with meetups and networking opportunities in co-working spaces and local tech events.

Large parks and an extensive canal network offer great green spaces with shaded paths and good running trails.

Popular routes include parks and canal towpaths. The city is generally safe for runners and hosts regular races.

Several major chain gyms and local centers offer memberships and drop-in passes.

Many public and private courts, mainly hard surfaces. Book via local council or clubs. Coaching and equipment rental are available.

Padel courts exist but are fewer than tennis. The sport is growing in popularity.

Many yoga studios offer various styles and drop-in classes. All instructors speak English.

Various martial arts are taught including Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, Muay Thai, Boxing, Judo, Karate, Taekwondo, and MMA. English-speaking instructors and drop-in classes are common.

No outdoor skiing nearby. An indoor snow center is about 1.5 hours away in Milton Keynes.

Kayaking and paddleboarding on canals and reservoirs. Sailing and windsurfing available at nearby watersports centers with equipment rentals.

No surfing near Birmingham. Nearest surf spots are on the Welsh or Cornish coasts, several hours away.

No marine diving nearby; inland diving in quarries exists but requires travel.

Public NHS care is free for residents and generally good. Private options exist with shorter waits. English is spoken by all staff. Major hospitals include Queen Elizabeth and Heartlands.

Tap water is safe and meets high standards.

Many parks with playgrounds, family-friendly cafes, and baby supplies are easy to find. Popular spots include Thinktank Science Museum, Cadbury World, and National SEA LIFE Centre.

Birmingham is very LGBTQ+ friendly. The Gay Village is a safe, vibrant area, and events like Birmingham Pride are large. Legal protections are strong.

Birmingham is pet-friendly with many dog-friendly parks and accommodations. Vet clinics and pet stores are easy to find.