I’m a born and bred Brummie. Here’s 16 of the biggest mistakes I see tourists make in Birmingham

By Fionnuala Bourke

Editor

Published 19th Nov 2023, 07:02 BST

Updated 22nd Nov 2023, 06:16 BST

Birmingham is a weird and wonderful place - it can be difficult to understand, so here’s how to make sure any Brummie likes you!

It’s not difficult to see why thousands of tourists flock to Birmingham each year and we’re more than happy to welcome them, but sometimes they have a difficult time understanding our city.

There’s plenty going on in Birmingham for tourists - from visiting the German Christmas Market to tucking into a balti - but it’s important to get a full Brummie experience if you take the trouble to come to the city.

We’re renowned for our welcoming nature and modesty, but you don’t want to get caught out doing the wrong thing, do you?

Take a look at our list to help you make the most of a visit it Brum:

Our German Christmas Market hasn't been ranked the best in Britian for no reason. And it's definitely a 'must do' on any trip to Brum during the festive season, but spare some time to look around the rest of the city centre, including our iconic Bullring and Jewellery Quarter, and you can also enjoy a trip to the Big Wheel and Ice Rink in Centenary Square, and our other city centre Christmas Market at Cathedral Square (aka Pigeon Park - see number 5).

1. Spending all your time in the German Christmas Market

Our German Christmas Market hasn't been ranked the best in Britian for no reason. And it's definitely a 'must do' on any trip to Brum during the festive season, but spare some time to look around the rest of the city centre, including our iconic Bullring and Jewellery Quarter, and you can also enjoy a trip to the Big Wheel and Ice Rink in Centenary Square, and our other city centre Christmas Market at Cathedral Square (aka Pigeon Park - see number 5). | Anastasija - stock.adobe.com

The Peaky Blinders gang moved out of Small Heath many moons ago. The area is largely residential now, although, if you're a football fan you can always watch a game at Birmingham City's ground at St Andrews, or pop into The Roost for a pint, like Ed Sheeran has done in the past.

2. Trying to find the Peaky Blinders in Small Heath

The Peaky Blinders gang moved out of Small Heath many moons ago. The area is largely residential now, although, if you're a football fan you can always watch a game at Birmingham City's ground at St Andrews, or pop into The Roost for a pint, like Ed Sheeran has done in the past. | Declan Hillman - stock.adobe.com

There's loads of things you can do in Birmingham that just don't cost anything. The Ikon Gallery (pictured) is a briliant example, it has an abundance of amazing exhibitions ot check out, although donations are encouraged across all our arts and heritage venues.

3. Not visiting Birmingham's free attractions

There's loads of things you can do in Birmingham that just don't cost anything. The Ikon Gallery (pictured) is a briliant example, it has an abundance of amazing exhibitions ot check out, although donations are encouraged across all our arts and heritage venues. | BirminghamWorld

OK, we may be stretching this one, but Birmingham really does have more miles of canals than Venice - 35 of them, in case you were wondering. They're just, kind of, not as wide as those of the water based Italian city!

4. Thinking you're in Venice because of all the canals

OK, we may be stretching this one, but Birmingham really does have more miles of canals than Venice - 35 of them, in case you were wondering. They're just, kind of, not as wide as those of the water based Italian city! | Marius Igas - stock.adobe.com

Christmas Market Christmas

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