Birmingham, England, pulses with a dynamic blend of history, culture, and modernity. Known as the "City of a Thousand Trades," Birmingham's industrial past is evident in its Victorian architecture and canalside heritage. Today, it's a thriving hub of innovation and diversity, with landmarks like the futuristic Library of Birmingham and the historic Jewellery Quarter. The city's cultural scene thrives with world-class theaters, including the iconic Birmingham Hippodrome, and vibrant arts venues like the Custard Factory. Explore the lively markets of Digbeth, savor a diverse culinary landscape from Michelin-starred restaurants to traditional Balti houses, and immerse yourself in the city's rich heritage at the Birmingham Museum and Art Gallery. Birmingham's welcoming spirit and vibrant atmosphere promise a memorable experience in the heart of the West Midlands.
If you're a local seeking a weekend escape, read on. With a wide selection of nearby destinations, both domestic and international, there's something for everyone. Here are some weekend getaway ideas for residents in the Birmingham, England area, all accessible within a direct 4-hour flight. Best of all, these trips can be enjoyed without the need to take annual leave (perfect for those working Monday to Friday, 9 to 5). It all comes down to what you wish to do at your chosen destination.
Amsterdam, Netherlands (AMS) - 1 Hour 10 Minute Flight
Why go?
Amsterdam combines rich history with a vibrant cultural life and a relaxed, friendly atmosphere (more than just what you read or hear about).
What to do?
Click here to view The BEST Things to Do in Amsterdam
When to go?
Year-round
Who can fly you there?
KLM from BHX - See flight deals
How much will it cost to fly there?
Airfare: €100+
Want to take the train instead?
Where can you stay?
Who will pick you up?
Berlin, Germany (BER) - 2 Hour Flight
Why go?
Explore Berlin's dramatic history, cutting-edge architecture, and dynamic cultural scene.
What to do?
Click here to view The BEST Things to Do in Berlin
When to go?
Year-round
Who can fly you there?
Ryanair from BHX - See flight deals
How much will it cost to fly there?
Airfare: €60+
Want to take the train instead?
Where can you stay?
Who will pick you up?
Edinburgh, Scotland (EDI) - 1 Hour Flight
Why go?
Experience Edinburgh's rich history, from its famous castle to its annual international festivals.
What to do?
Click here to view The BEST Things to Do in Edinburgh
When to go?
Year-round
Who can fly you there?
easyJet from BHX - See flight deals
How much will it cost to fly there?
Airfare: €60+
Want to take the train instead?
Where can you stay?
Who will pick you up?
Dublin, Ireland (DUB) - 1 Hour Flight
Why go?
Enjoy Dublin’s literary pubs, historical treasures, and the warm hospitality of its people.
What to do?
Click here to view The BEST Things to Do in Dublin
When to go?
Year-round
Who can fly you there?
Aer Lingus from BHX - See flight deals
How much will it cost to fly there?
Airfare: €30+
Want to take the train instead?
Where can you stay?
Who will pick you up?
Barcelona, Spain (BCN) - 2 Hour 10 Minute Flight
Why go?
Explore Barcelona’s unique blend of Catalan culture, innovative architecture, and vibrant street life.
What to do?
Click here to view The BEST Things to Do in Barcelona
When to go?
Year-round
Who can fly you there?
easyJet from BHX - See flight deals
Vueling from BHX - See flight deals
How much will it cost to fly there?
Airfare: €60+
Want to take the train instead?
Where can you stay?
Who will pick you up?
Valletta, Malta (MLA) - 3 Hour 15 Minute Flight
Why go?
Valletta offers a compact historic city, steeped in history and surrounded by the Mediterranean’s blue waters.
What to do?
Click here to view The BEST Things to Do in Malta
When to go?
Year-round
Who can fly you there?
Ryanair from BHX - See flight deals
How much will it cost to fly there?
Airfare: €100+
Want to take the train instead?
Where can you stay?
Who will pick you up?
Lisbon, Portugal (LIS) - 2 Hour 40 Minute Flight
Why go?
Discover Lisbon's enchanting blend of traditional heritage and contemporary culture, set against a backdrop of seven sun-drenched hills.
What to do?
Click here to view The BEST Things to Do in Lisbon
When to go?
Year-round
Who can fly you there?
easyJet from BHX - See flight deals
How much will it cost to fly there?
Airfare: €90+
Want to take the train instead?
Where can you stay?
Who will pick you up?
Budapest, Hungary (BUD) - 2 Hour 40 Minute Flight
Why go?
Budapest is known for its dramatic cityscape, thermal baths, and a nightlife pulsing with energy.
What to do?
Click here to view The BEST Things to Do in Budapest
When to go?
Year-round
Who can fly you there?
Ryanair from BHX - See flight deals
How much will it cost to fly there?
Airfare: €130+
Want to take the train instead?
Where can you stay?
Who will pick you up?
Venice, Italy (VCE) - 2 Hour 15 Minute Flight
Why go?
Venice enchants with its intricate canal system, historic architecture, and striking art scene.
What to do?
Click here to view The BEST Things to Do in Venice
When to go?
Year-round
Who can fly you there?
Ryanair from BHX - See flight deals
How much will it cost to fly there?
Airfare: €200+
Want to take the train instead?
Where can you stay?
Who will pick you up?
Santorini, Greece (JTR) - 3 Hour 50 Minute Flight
Why go?
Experience breathtaking sunsets and stunning volcanic landscapes in Santorini, a jewel of the Aegean.
What to do?
Click here to view The BEST Things to Do in Santorini
When to go?
Summer
Who can fly you there?
easyJet from BHX - See flight deals
TUI Airways from BHX - See flight deals
How much will it cost to fly there?
Airfare: €150+
Want to take the train instead?
Where can you stay?
Who will pick you up?
Munich, Germany (MUC) - 1 Hour 50 Minute Flight
Why go?
Munich boasts a mix of traditional Bavarian culture and modernity, famously celebrated in its annual Oktoberfest.
What to do?
Click here to view The BEST Things to Do in Munich
When to go?
Year-round
Who can fly you there?
Lufthansa from BHX - See flight deals
How much will it cost to fly there?
Airfare: €200+
Want to take the train instead?
Where can you stay?
Who will pick you up?
Paris, France (CDG, ORY, XCR, BVA) - 1 Hour 30 Minute Flight
Why go?
Paris entices with its unrivaled art, architecture, cuisine, and a timeless sense of style.
What to do?
Click here to view The BEST Things to Do in Paris
When to go?
Year-round
Who can fly you there?
easyJet from BHX - See flight deals
Air France from BHX - See flight deals
Ryanair from BHX - See flight deals
How much will it cost to fly there?
Airfare: €20+
Want to take the train instead?
Where can you stay?
Who will pick you up?
Dubrovnik, Croatia (DBV) - 2 Hour 55 Minute Flight
Why go?
Visit Dubrovnik for its stunning Old Town encircled by massive stone walls and the sparkling Adriatic Sea.
What to do?
Click here to view The BEST Things to Do in Dubrovnik
When to go?
Year-round
Who can fly you there?
Jet2 from BHX - See flight deals
How much will it cost to fly there?
Airfare: €150+
Want to take the train instead?
Where can you stay?
Who will pick you up?
Istanbul, Turkey (IST, SAW) - 4 Hour Flight
Why go?
Istanbul mesmerizes with its historic mosques, bazaars, and the unique blend of Europe and Asia on the Bosphorus.
What to do?
Click here to view The BEST Things to Do in Istanbul
When to go?
Year-round
Who can fly you there?
Pegasus from BHX - See flight deals
How much will it cost to fly there?
Airfare: €100+
Want to take the train instead?
Where can you stay?
Who will pick you up?
Glasgow, Scotland (GLA) - 1 Hour Flight
Why go?
Glasgow stands out with its rich industrial history, vibrant cultural scene, and friendly locals.
What to do?
Click here to view The BEST Things to Do in Glasgow
When to go?
Year-round
Who can fly you there?
easyJet from BHX - See flight deals
How much will it cost to fly there?
Airfare: €50+
Want to take the train instead?
Where can you stay?
Who will pick you up?
Stockholm, Sweden (ARN) - 2 Hour 25 Minute Flight
Why go?
Stockholm spreads across islands connected by bridges with a historic old town and vibrant modern culture.
What to do?
Click here to view The BEST Things to Do in Stockholm
When to go?
Year-round
Who can fly you there?
Ryanair from BHX - See flight deals
How much will it cost to fly there?
Airfare: €50+
Want to take the train instead?
Where can you stay?
Who will pick you up?
Salzburg, Austria (SZG) - 1 Hour 55 Minute Flight
Why go?
Follow the sounds of Mozart in Salzburg, a city of baroque architecture set against the dramatic backdrop of the Alps.
What to do?
Click here to view The BEST Things to Do in Salzburg
When to go?
Year-round
Who can fly you there?
TUI Airways from BHX - See flight deals
How much will it cost to fly there?
Airfare: €200+
Want to take the train instead?
Where can you stay?
Who will pick you up?
Innsbruck, Austria (INN) - 2 Hour 10 Minute Flight
Why go?
Innsbruck, nestled in the heart of the Alps, offers a unique combination of urban and outdoor adventures.
What to do?
Click here to view The BEST Things to Do in Innsbruck
When to go?
Year-round
Who can fly you there?
easyJet from BHX - See flight deals
How much will it cost to fly there?
Airfare: €200+
Want to take the train instead?
Where can you stay?
Who will pick you up?
Pisa, Italy (PSA) - 2 Hour 20 Minute Flight
Why go?
Pisa is renowned for its iconic Leaning Tower, beautiful duomo, and vibrant student culture.
What to do?
Click here to view The BEST Things to Do in Pisa
When to go?
Year-round
Who can fly you there?
Jet2 from BHX - See flight deals
How much will it cost to fly there?
Airfare: €100+
Want to take the train instead?
Where can you stay?
Who will pick you up?
Palma de Mallorca, Spain (PMI) - 2 Hour 25 Minute Flight
Why go?
Palma de Mallorca boasts beautiful beaches, a historic old town, and vibrant local markets.
What to do?
Click here to view The BEST Things to Do in Palma de Mallorca
When to go?
Year-round
Who can fly you there?
Ryanair from BHX - See flight deals
Jet2 from BHX - See flight deals
easyJet from BHX - See flight deals
How much will it cost to fly there?
Airfare: €50+
Want to take the train instead?
Where can you stay?
Who will pick you up?
Madrid, Spain (MAD) - 2 Hour 30 Minute Flight
Why go?
Dive into Madrid's rich tapestry of art, history, and lively culinary scenes in Spain’s capital.
What to do?
Click here to view The BEST Things to Do in Madrid
When to go?
Year-round
Who can fly you there?
easyJet from BHX - See flight deals
How much will it cost to fly there?
Airfare: €30+
Want to take the train instead?
Where can you stay?
Who will pick you up?
Seville, Spain (SVQ) - 2 Hour 45 Minute Flight
Why go?
Immerse yourself in the heart of Andalusian culture in Seville, where flamenco, festivals, and historic architecture abound.
What to do?
Click here to view The BEST Things to Do in Seville
When to go?
Spring, Fall
Who can fly you there?
easyJet from BHX - See flight deals
How much will it cost to fly there?
Airfare: €50+
Want to take the train instead?
Where can you stay?
Who will pick you up?
Porto, Portugal (OPO) - 2 Hour 25 Minute Flight
Why go?
Porto charms with its stately bridges, historic port wine cellars, and a beautiful riverside area.
What to do?
Click here to view The BEST Things to Do in Porto
When to go?
Year-round
Who can fly you there?
easyJet from BHX - See flight deals
How much will it cost to fly there?
Airfare: €20+
Want to take the train instead?
Where can you stay?
Who will pick you up?
Zurich, Switzerland (ZRH) - 1 Hour 50 Minute Flight
Why go?
Zurich combines cultural vibrancy and rich history with a backdrop of picturesque lakes and mountains.
What to do?
Click here to view The BEST Things to Do in Zurich
When to go?
Year-round
Who can fly you there?
easyJet from BHX - See flight deals
How much will it cost to fly there?
Airfare: €150+
Want to take the train instead?
Where can you stay?
Who will pick you up?
Nice, France (NCE) - 2 Hour 10 Minute Flight
Why go?
Nice boasts a stunning seaside promenade, vibrant markets, and a sunny, temperate climate.
What to do?
Click here to view The BEST Things to Do in Nice
When to go?
Year-round
Who can fly you there?
easyJet from BHX - See flight deals
How much will it cost to fly there?
Airfare: €50+
Want to take the train instead?
Where can you stay?
Who will pick you up?
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