Birmingham · Guides
Where to stay in Birmingham for a week or a month
A month in Birmingham feels different depending on where you wake up. Here's how the city centre's neighbourhoods compare for a longer stay — for work, for family, or for finding your feet before a move.
By the Your Perfect Stay team · Updated
Start with what your days look like
Central Birmingham is compact. From the Jewellery Quarter in the north to Brindleyplace in the west is well under half an hour on foot, and the West Midlands Metro tram links the two through the city centre, stopping at St Paul's, St Chads, Grand Central, Town Hall, Library and Brindleyplace.
So the right area is less about distance than about what's outside your door. If you'll travel by train, stay near the station you'll use: New Street for most routes, and Snow Hill or Moor Street for Chiltern trains towards London Marylebone and local lines.
The Jewellery Quarter and St Paul's Square
Birmingham's historic workshop district is still home to working jewellers, with independent restaurants, bars and coffee shops around St Paul's Square, the city's last Georgian square. It's lively in the evening without being loud, and the tram stops at St Paul's and Jewellery Quarter.
Makers Place, on Ludgate Hill, is a five-minute walk from St Paul's Square and from St Chads tram stop, with Snow Hill station 13 minutes away.
Colmore and Snow Hill
Between Snow Hill station and Colmore Row is the city's business district: Victorian banks and chambers, St Philip's Cathedral and its green, and the Great Western Arcade. It suits anyone working in the city's offices, and it's quieter at weekends. St Philip's is a ten-minute walk from Makers Place.
Centenary Square and the civic heart
Around Centenary Square are the Library of Birmingham, Symphony Hall and the ICC; a few minutes east, Victoria Square, the Town Hall and the Museum & Art Gallery. It's the most central place to stay, with New Street a short walk away.
The Octagon, a slender eight-sided tower, is a six-minute walk from the Library of Birmingham and seven from Victoria Square.
Broad Street, Brindleyplace and the canals
West of the centre, Brindleyplace sits on the canals, with restaurants and offices around its squares and the National SEA LIFE Centre beside the water. Broad Street itself is one of the city's main streets for bars and nights out, so it's livelier at weekends.
The Mercian, on Broad Street, is a two-minute walk from Brindleyplace tram stop and five from the canalside squares and Symphony Hall.
A little further out
Edgbaston, to the south-west, is leafy and residential, home to the University of Birmingham, the Queen Elizabeth Hospital and the county cricket ground. Digbeth, to the east, is the city's creative quarter, with warehouse venues, street food and the coach station. Both are a short trip from the centre.
Arriving by air
Birmingham Airport is about 30 minutes by car from the city centre. By train, Birmingham International is a short ride from New Street, and a free shuttle links the station to the terminal.
