Birmingham airport offers dozens of short-haul holiday destinations across Europe and beyond, taking to you to beach-side idylls and many of Europe’s finest cities.
Birmingham airport also serves a handful of long-haul destinations, opening up the tantalising possibility of adventurous trips to India, the Middle East and beyond. Here we’ve selected some of the best.
1. Berlin, Germany
Hip, without being over-hyped, relentless and riveting, Berlin is one of the most exhilarating cities in Europe. To uncover the city’s multilayered history, visit the Berlin Wall memorial at Bernauer Strasse, the Deutsches Historisches Museum, the Holocaust memorials and Jewis Museum, or take a tour around the former Stasi Prison, now the Hohenschönhausen Memorial.
However, this is not just a city for history buffs, it is also the ultimate destination for late-night hedonists. The neighbourhoods of Friedrichshain, Neukölln and Kreuzberg are well established for their innovative clubs and bar scenes, with new places opening all the time. Read our full Berlin guide here.
Where to stay in Berlin:
Central, comfortable and with particularly helpful staff, Circus Hotel is deservedly popular. With a quirky, hip design and buzzing bar and restaurant Michelberger Hotel is the place to stay if you want to near Berlin’s best clubs and venues.
2. Bratislava, Slovakia
With a charmingly pretty old town, filled with bars and cafés spilling out on the streets serving wines from the local vineyards, a fresh and contemporary dining scene and an excellent Saturday farmers’ market, Slovakia’s capital makes a relaxed and easy city break.
Under two hours by boat from its big sister Vienna, the influences are apparent, though this city that stood right on the Iron Curtain looks east too. Discover the sights and stories of Bratislava during the Cold War on a bespoke tour in a clapped-out Skoda, before ascending the most prominent Communist monument, the “UFO” tower. The view from the bar at the top is superb.
Where to stay in Bratislava:
Marrol’s Boutique hotel is a comfortable and upmarket hotel in a central townhouse, decorated in a plush, glamorous style, with just a hint of chintz. To stay in midst of the old town’s street life of cafés and bars, small boutique hotel Skaritz Hotel & Residence is a good choice.
3. Brussels, Belgium
Too often overlooked in favour of the romance of Paris or the quaint charm of Bruges, the Belgian capital centres on one of the most glorious squares in Europe, the Grand Place, framed by gothic spires, which look fairy-tale pretty lit up at night. Nearby the 19th-century arcades, the Galeries Royales Saint-Hubert, are Brussels at its most elegant.
Beyond these set-pieces, the city is grand and gritty in turns, with gorgeous Art Nouveau residences in Ixelles, the formal government districts of the EU, fantastic flea markets such as the Marolles, museums dedicated to cartoons, and, of course, atmospheric beer bars.
Where to stay in Brussels:
Jam Hotel, with a rough-luxe aesthetic, mini-rooftop pool, and bar looking out the city skyline is a great option in the Ixelles district.
4. Dubai, United Arab Emirates
Synonymous with urban reinvention, sky-high construction and the extremes of 21st-century architecture, Dubai is a modern spectacle as much as a city. The desert city is also the place to come for a sun and shopping break. As a major airline hub, Dubai makes for a convenient stop-off on a longer trip to destinations across Asia and Australasia.
It’s worth splashing out on the trip up the Burj Khalifa, the world’s tallest tower, with observation decks on the 124th, 125th and 148th floors; check out the fountain shows at ground level – a real crowd pleaser in the evenings. Read our full guide on to what to see and do in Dubai.
Where to stay in Dubai:
Beachside seclusion or downtown hotel? Where you stay matters in Dubai. For a 5-star beachside resort, with impeccable service and an unrivalled choice of restaurants on site, treat yourself to a night at the One & Only Royal Mirage. If you’re after an atmospheric city stay, near the malls and old souqs, stay at the XVA Art Hotel, a simple oasis from the bustle.
5. Istanbul, Turkey
Spectacularly situated on the Bosphorus, the city that straddles Europe and Asia is almost the very definition of the “city of contrasts” cliché. Your mental image of Istanbul, with its domes, minarets and bazaars, is all true – with the Byzantine Hagia Sophia and the exquisite Blue Mosque standout sights.
But this is also a fantastic city for a night out, with its buzzing nightclubs (particularly in Beyoğlu),impressive cocktail bars, high-quality restaurants and waterside fresh fish stalls. Complete your visit with a trip to a traditional hammam and a ferry ride across the Bosphorus. Read a little about why we love Istanbul.
Where to stay in Istanbul:
With an unbeatable central location, boutique Hotel Miniature has particularly a welcoming and helpful staff. As the name suggests Sumahan – on the Water places you right at the water’s edge, in Çengelköy on the Asian side, which is perfect for a little relaxation as you enjoy the wonderful views across the Bosphorus.
6. Tenerife, the Canary Islands
The largest of Spain’s Canary Islands, Tenerife is a longtime favourite as a holiday destination, offering easy winter sun, family beach holidays, charming Spanish-flavoured villages and adventurous hiking on the volcanic landscapes of Mount Teide.
Playa de las Américas and Costa Adeje are the main resorts, but it’s worth exploring beyond here: take a whale-watching boat trip from Los Gigantes, or spend a few days in small old town of Garachico, with a charming town plaza and seawater swimming pools built out of lava.
Where to stay in Tenerife:
For a glamorous resort Hard Rock Hotel offers three pools, swim-up bars, kids’ clubs and adult-only areas. To experience a different side of Tenerife altogether, stay right in the centre of the village of Garachico at La Quinta Roja, a wonderfully restored mansion with courtyard.
7. Amsterdam, The Netherlands
Popular for romantic weekends, high culture and stag dos, Amsterdam is always one of the most appealing cities in Europe to visit. One of the newest attractions is the A’Dam observation deck, complete with Europe's highest swing. From this vantage point you’ll see over the River IJ, across the network of canals, the docks and to the flat Dutch landscape beyond.
From the A’Dam tower, venture out to explore the waterside district of Amsterdam Noord and neighbouring NDSM, the former shipyard-turned creative hub.
Where to stay in Amsterdam:
Stay directly below the A’Dam swing, in the Sir Adam Hotel, which takes up several floors of this creative office-block conversion. If you’re after a more traditional central canalside townhouse Max Brown Hotel Canal District is a cosy and welcoming choice.
8. Paris, France
Paris is a city to explore on foot: wander the banks of the Seine crossing and re-crossing its bridges to take in the sights; lose yourself in the charming streets of the Marais, an old Jewish neighbhourhood turned chic boutique district; or stroll along the Canal St-Martin, a hip eastern quartier known for its bar scene.
Take it slow and discover the different areas at leisure you’ll be sure to uncover something new, from an innovative bistro to a surprising art gallery. Read our Paris guide for some insider tips, and check this out if you're travelling to the French capital in winter.
Where to stay in Paris:
Ideally located for the high-end fashion boutiques of the Champs-Elysees, Hotel Daniel is decorated in lavish, Asian-inspired fabrics, with beautiful attention to detail. For something a more contemporary, the Philippe Starck-designed Mama Shelter is a stylish favourite – book ahead for good deals.
9. New Delhi, India
Direct flights from Birmingham will take you straight the frenetic Indian capital in 8–10 hours. New Delhi is the name for the modern capital, the main centre, though it’s Old Delhi that is home to the major sights of the Mughal Red Fort and the huge Jama Masjid.
The frenetic pace, crowds, fumes and traffic of the city are exhilarating, but exhausting, so once you’ve browsed the bazaars and sampled the street food, it’s time to set off on a journey to the great sights of northern India. The most popular next stop is, of course, the Taj Mahal. If you have time, also visit the state of Rajasthan, rich with architectural marvels in the cities of Jaipur, Jodhpur, Udaipur and Jaisalmer, with their stunning forts.
Where to stay in Delhi:
For the full historic, old colonial experience, stay at the Imperial, centrally located both for the modern city and the sights of Old Delhi. The Haveli Dharampura is an atmospheric restoration of a city mansion, in the centre of Old Delhi.
10. Madrid, Spain
Spain’s headline holiday destinations are along the coast, but its capital, right in the centre of the country, is an ideal city-break destination. It’s no exaggeration to say Madrid holds some of the world’s greatest artworks: Picasso’s Guernica from 1937, housed in the
Museo Nacional Centro de Arte Reina Sofía, remains the most extraordinary visual denunciation of war. The royal collection of the Prado is also a must, with standout collections of Goyas, including his brooding Black Paintings, and Valázquez.
But Madrid really comes into its own after dark. Madrileños are a late-night bunch, with an attitude and style that makes it one of the best city’s in Europe for a night out. Head to Malasaña or La Latina for a late one.
Where to stay in Madrid:
For that rare thing – a room with a balcony in a city-centre location – stay at the Hotel Villa Real, a well-priced 5-star with a timeless feel (most rooms have a balcony, some with terrace). Contemporary without being cold, the Only You Hotel Atocha combines industrial design flare and a social buzz in the bar and common areas.
11. Salzburg, Austria
Watched over by the imposing Hohensalzburg fortress, perched on a cliff above town, Salzburg is picture-perfect vision of glorious Baroque facades and winding alleys – a pristine stage set of a city. And it’s a cinematic connection that draws in visitors from across the globe, for this was the home of Maria and the von Trapp family. The Sound of Music tour takes you to the sights in the city and surrounding mountains and lakes where the film was shot.
But even the von Trapps must play second fiddle to Salzburg’s first son, Mozart, and you can visit both his birthplace and the early family home. Make sure you also hear his work performed in his birthplace, particularly if you visit during the renowned summer Salzburg Festival.
Where to stay in Salzburg:
Right in the heart of the old town, the cosy, Boutique Hotel am Dom is a well-priced option in a stylishly converted old town house. For the comfort and tradition of a typical Austrian hotel, the Goldener Hirsch will appeal, with its stone arches, dark-wood furniture and stag motifs.
12. Zürich, Switzerland
Switzerland’s largest city, Zürich is primarily known as a business destination, but don’t let that put you off. It’s also a dynamic and cultured place, with a first-class selection of museums and galleries, fine restaurants, lively cafés, bars and clubs, particularly in the imaginatively re-worked industrial spaces of Zürich West.
Beyond the city sights, Zürich offers some gorgeous days out, hiking the local hill of Uetliberg, swimming in Lake Zürich, or visiting the epic Rhine Falls, the largest waterfall in Europe.
Where to stay in Zürich:
Right in the old town, in a 500 year old building, the Kindli mixes traditional elements – particularly in the restaurant – with soothing neutrals in the bedrooms. Marktgasse again shows its building’s age in uneven floors and mix of rooms, but has been neatly updated in a chic largely monochrome palette.