The argument centering around which city is better between Manchester and Birmingham is one that has been going on forever. However, it will be hard to argue other than that Birmingham is the ultimate number one in this argument if you live in the Second City.
One good thing about the rainy city is that there is a good English school in Manchester, but that won’t apply to many people.
Christmas Market
The Birmingham Christmas Market is one of the most popular events on the calendar, with visitors coming to the Second City around the festive period to take in the atmosphere. It is one of the biggest Christmas markets in Europe, with something for everyone.
The market takes over the city for a month between November and December, and it would be hard to argue that there is a better place to be in England than Birmingham in the lead up to Christmas.
Canals
How many miles of canal does Manchester have? In honesty, the answer doesn’t really matter since it wouldn’t rival the 35 miles that Birmingham boasts. The whole city is connected by the canals, and there aren’t many better places to be to enjoy the summer than drinking in one of the many canal-side bars.
It is also the perfect place for afternoon walks on the weekend, while also visitors can get onto the canals with a number of enjoyable cruises available.
Shopping
When it comes to shopping, it is a closer match between Birmingham and Manchester. The latter has the Trafford Centre, which is an excellent establishment. However, for us, the Bullring still comes out on top. Visitors can enjoy an excellent day browsing around the 160 different shops that can be found in the legendary shopping centre.
The iconic shopping centre is one of the biggest in Europe, and also has been around for much of the lifespans of locals. It was first opened in 1964, before being revamped in 2003.
Nights Out
One of the most prominent comments that Brummies get when they meet people from other cities is that visitors always love their nights out in the Second City. There are certainly a number of reasons for this. One of which is the friendliness of the people that they encounter, while the other is the vast selection of pubs, bars and clubs that are available.
Snobs is one of the oldest clubs in the country, and remains as prominent today as it has ever been. Meanwhile, swanky cocktail bars such as Aluna and The Lost And Found ensure that those looking for an unrivalled experience are able to get one.
Tap Water
One of the aspects that Brummies are most proud of is the tap water. You can argue that the tap water is better elsewhere in the country, but secretly, we all know Birmingham’s tap water is vast superior.
If you don’t believe us, then you can believe food and drink experts that rated it as number one in a blind taste test. The water may not be the main reason to visit Birmingham, but it is certainly one of the factors that visitors are most taken aback by.
As the largest and most populous city outside London, Birmingham has a rich culture, history, and many attractions that make it a great place to live, work and visit. From the famous Christmas market, extensive canal network, incredible places to live, iconic shopping centre, lively nightlife, to the highly-rated tap water, there is no doubt that Birmingham has a lot to offer visitors.
