A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Ephesus vs. Birmingham for Attractions, Nightlife, Families, and Couples

Should you visit Ephesus or Birmingham?

Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?

If you're trying to decide where to visit between Ephesus or Birmingham, this travel comparison, which includes costs, can help. The overall cost of travel is usually a consideration when deciding where to go next, and the cost comparison down below can help you decide based on the average prices from other travelers along with your own travel budget.

Ephesus

Ephesus is a ancient, world-renowned, and fascinating archeological site. Other reasons to visit include food, shopping, and museums. See Ephesus travel costs.

Birmingham

Birmingham is a fun-filled, bustling, and historic city. This destination also has one of those special and quaint feelings. Visitors also love the live music, food, and shopping. See Birmingham travel costs.

Ephesus and Birmingham: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Ephesus or Birmingham?

Tourists will generally find more to do in Birmingham than Ephesus. It is bigger and it has more sights, attractions, and activities for travelers. Birmingham is very popular for its theatre productions, nightlife, music, shopping, and quaint atmosphere, while Ephesus attracts visitors for its museums and attractions. Ephesus is more touristy than Birmingham and is known for its well-preserved ruins and vast size Birmingham is famous for its strong musical routes and its very livable atmosphere. It is also well known for Victoria Square.

How is Ephesus different from Birmingham?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

Let's take a look at the differences and similarities between Birmingham and Ephesus. Then, you can decide for yourself which place is better for your next trip.

Are the Museums and Historical Sights Better in Ephesus or Birmingham?

Ephesus is an amazing archeological site to visit for its historical sights. Also, Birmingham is not as popular, but is still a nice city for its sights and museums.

Travelers visit Ephesus from around the world to see its many world-famous attractions. Of course, the iconic site is the ruins of Ephesus. There are also several fascinating museums in the area that offer deeper insights into the region's rich history and culture. The Ephesus Archaeological Museum in Selçuk is popular. It has an impressive collection of artifacts excavated from the ancient city, including statues, pottery, and inscriptions. Just outside the museum, the Temple of Artemis section displays remnants of one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World. The Selçuk Museum of Ephesus is another excellent spot to explore, with exhibits that highlight both the daily life of ancient Ephesians and their religious practices. A short drive from Ephesus is the House of the Virgin Mary museum, a revered site believed to be the final home of Mary, mother of Jesus, with a chapel and peaceful surroundings. Lastly, the İsa Bey Mosque and Museum in Selçuk adds to the area's historical depth, offering a glimpse into the Seljuk architecture and Islamic heritage of the region.

With a variety of museums, monuments, and historical sights, a trip to Birmingham can be an interesting and educational experience. Famous sights include the Museum & Art Gallery, Thinktank, and St. Philip's Cathedral.

Is Ephesus or Birmingham Better for Theater?

Birmingham is a great city for its theatre productions. However, Ephesus is not a theatre destination.

Many visitors plan to see a show while visiting Birmingham. The impressive theater scene includes Broadway shows and musicals. Birmingham Hippodrome is a major theater in town.

Ephesus is not a theatre destination.

Is the Food Better in Ephesus or Birmingham? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

There are opportunities to sample the local cuisine at nice restaurants in both Ephesus and Birmingham.

Ephesus has a delicious restaurant scene that relies on local flavors. Most of the food options are found in the nearby town of Selçuk. Popular dishes include kebabs, mezes, and pide (Turkish flatbread pizza). Many restaurants are casual and cater specifically to the tourist crowds.

There are many up and coming restaurants in the Birmingham area. Food reviews are mixed around town. The city has its share of award-winning restaurants, but there are also popular dishes that are more of an acquired taste. Local flavors include pork scratching, Birmingham soup, and brummie bacon cakes.

Is Ephesus or Birmingham Better for Nightlife?

Birmingham is a great city for nightlife and partying. However, Ephesus is not known for its evening party scene.

The nightlife in Birmingham has something for everybody. With tons of students and young people looking to party, there is plenty to do in the evening. You'll find no shortage of pubs, clubs, and music venues around town.

Most people don't head to Ephesus specifically for the nightlife scene, but you can find a few options. The there are a couple of bars and restaurants with live music in the town of Selçuk, but generally the nightlife is very low key.

Is Ephesus or Birmingham Better for Music?

Birmingham is renowned for its live music scene. However, Ephesus is not a live music destination.

With so many music venues, you're guaranteed a show any night of the week in Birmingham. The city has long been a haven for musical creativity, and its influence over the global music scene is apparent. Popular music venues around town include Ghetto Golf, Digbeth Dining Club, and the Sunflower Lounge.

Ephesus is not a live music destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Ephesus or Birmingham?

Birmingham is a great city for its shopping opportunities. Also, Ephesus is not as popular, but is still a nice archeological site for its shopping areas.

Birmingham is well-known for its shopping. The city offers everything from large department stores to smaller local shops. There are several good shopping streets around town as well as large markets and even a jewelry quarter.

Many visitors go to Ephesus to go shopping. Selçuk has a variety of local shops and markets. Traditional handicrafts such as carpet and kilim weaving, ceramics, and leather goods are popular souvenirs. The Selçuk Market is held on Saturdays and offers fresh produce, spices, and other local products.

Is Ephesus or Birmingham Better for Families?

Birmingham is a great city for its kid-friendly activities. Also, Ephesus is not as popular, but is still a nice archeological site for its family-friendly activities.

Because of its large number of kid-friendly activities, Birmingham is very family-friendly. The city has put effort into making sure there are plenty of family-friendly activities around. You can visit a chocolate factory, explore an aquarium, enjoy an animal safari, or explore one of the hands-on museums.

Ephesus is a family-friendly place to visit. Kids who are into history or archeology will enjoy a visit to the famed ruins of Ephesus. There's also the Ephesus Archaeological Museum where everyone can learn about ancient Greek and Roman cultures in an interactive setting. The nearby House of the Virgin Mary offers a peaceful stop where kids can learn about its historical and religious significance in a tranquil environment. For an active experience, families can enjoy a short hike to Pamucak Beach, where children can swim, build sandcastles, and enjoy the Mediterranean sun.

Is Ephesus or Birmingham Better for Couples?

Birmingham is a great city for its romantic activities. Also, Ephesus is not as popular, but is still a nice archeological site for couples.

Birmingham is a great city if you're traveling as a couple. Romantic activities around town include taking a beautiful stroll through town, wandering around a park or garden, or seeing the ballet.

Ephesus is a good archeological site for couples to visit. Many couples stop off at these ruins as part of a bigger tour of Turkey. The ruins are well preserved and impressive, but can get crowded if you visit during the peak times.

Is Ephesus or Birmingham Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Ephesus is very good for backpackers and budget travelers. However, Birmingham is not a good destination for backpackers.

Ephesus is popular with backpackers and budget travelers. Many backpackers stay in the nearby town of Selçuk, which has several hostels. This is also where you'll find a number of restaurants and shopping opportunities.

Birmingham is a challenging destination for budget travelers and backpackers due to the higher prices. It's not the most popular destination for backpackers, but there's at least one affordable hostel in town.

Is Ephesus or Birmingham Better for Students?

Birmingham is renowned for its student-friendly activities. However, Ephesus is not popular with students.

Birmingham is a great destination for students. With world class academic institutions and a very diverse and international population, this is a popular place for international students to study.

Ephesus is not popular with students.

Is Ephesus or Birmingham Better for Public Transit? Which Is Easier to Get Around Without a Car?

Ephesus is great for times when you don't have a car. Also, Birmingham is not as popular, but is still a nice city for its public transit.

Visitors to Ephesus can move around easily with public transportation. The town of Selçuk is well-connected by dolmuşes (shared minivans) that run frequently and offer affordable rides to nearby destinations, including Ephesus, the House of the Virgin Mary, and the Pamucak Beach area.

Birmingham has a few public transit options. There is a reasonably comprehensive bus system.

Is Ephesus or Birmingham a more walkable city?

Birmingham is a great city for its high level of walkability. Also, Ephesus is not as popular, but is still a nice archeological site for its ease of walking around.

Birmingham is a very walkable city. Many parts of the city are very walkable.

Ephesus is a somewhat walkable archeological site. The ruins are spread out over a large area, but most of the key sites, like the Library of Celsus and the Great Theater, are within walking distance of each other. From Selçuk, it's about a half hour walk to the entrance of the Ephesus ruins, but most visitors prefer to take a short taxi or dolmuş ride to the site. Within Selçuk, many of the sites can be reached on foot.

For even more information, also check out Is Ephesus Worth Visiting? and Is Birmingham Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Birmingham or Ephesus?

How long in Ephesus or Birmingham?

In either Ephesus or Birmingham, you'll find plenty of activities to fill your time. Most visitors tend to spend more time in Birmingham than Ephesus because of the overall number of sights and activities. Usually, 1-2 days is a good amount of time for Ephesus, and 1-5 days is enough time in Birmingham.

Families should spend more time in Birmingham than Ephesus. Because of the many family-friendly attractions and fun things to do for kids in Birmingham, it's a great place to visit with the whole family.

Couples should spend more time in Birmingham than Ephesus. You'll find plenty of romantic sights and fun activities in Birmingham that are perfect for a weekend getaway or a longer couple's trip.

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Ephesus than Birmingham if your budget allows for it. With a larger number of budget-friendly sights, good nightlife, and active things to do, anyone traveling on a budget would have a good time in Ephesus.

One day in Ephesus or Birmingham?

With museums and food around the fascinating archeological site of Ephesus, there's plenty to do. Anyone can find something fun to do here. One of the main draws to the area is the museums. While some people choose to spend more or less time in Ephesus, one day is sufficent for most.

In Birmingham, you'll find food and shopping. One reason most visitors come is for the live music. This city offers something for everyone. This would be the perfect place to spend one day, as it has just the right amount of activities.

A weekend in Ephesus or Birmingham?

With food and shopping around the destination of Ephesus, there's plenty to do. It offers something for everyone. Many people spend a weekend here. One of the main draws to the area is the museums. In a weekend, you should have a good grasp of this archeological site.

In Birmingham, you'll find shopping and museums. The length of your trip often depends on your style of travel. A weekend here is typical. One reason most visitors come is for the live music. A weekend is a great amount of time to relax and see the many things that Birmingham has to offer.

Five days in Ephesus or Birmingham?

Ephesus, a popular archeological site, is full of activities for travelers. Most people find that five days is more than enough time to see everything. Your budget might influence how long you stay.

Birmingham is a great place to explore. It is common to spend five days here. Five days is a great amount of time to relax and see the many things that Birmingham has to offer. Anyone can find something fun to do here.

A week in Ephesus or Birmingham?

Ephesus is a popular place that is full of things to see and experience. One of the main draws to the area is the museums. One week is plenty of time to see everything, even with extra days to spare. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do.

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Birmingham. Many people enjoy the theater and nightlife when visiting Birmingham. One reason most visitors come is for the live music. One week may feel like too much time unless you plan to do a lot of relaxing.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Cultural Tours in Turkey, The Best Food and Culinary Tours in Turkey, The Best Family-Friendly Tours to United Kingdom, and The Best Hiking & Trekking Tours in United Kingdom.

When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Ephesus and Birmingham, we can see that Birmingham is more expensive. And not only is Ephesus much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Ephesus would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Ephesus and be able to afford a more luxurious travel style by staying in nicer hotels, eating at more expensive restaurants, taking tours, and experiencing more activities. The same level of travel in Birmingham would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Birmingham than you might in Ephesus.

If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Ephesus Expensive? and Is Birmingham Expensive?.

Which is Bigger, Ephesus or Birmingham?

Birmingham has a larger population, and is about 20 times larger than the population of Ephesus. When comparing the sizes of Ephesus and Birmingham, keep in mind that a larger population does not always imply the destination has more attractions or better activities. So, always research the type of place that you want to visit along with the activities and attractions that interest you.

When is the best time to visit Ephesus or Birmingham?

Both destinations experience a temperate climate with four distinct seasons. And since both cities are in the northern hemisphere, summer is in July and winter is in January.

Should I visit Ephesus or Birmingham in the Summer?

Both Birmingham and Ephesus are popular destinations to visit in the summer with plenty of activities. Most visitors come to Ephesus for the family-friendly experiences during these months. Also, the summer months attract visitors to Birmingham because of the music scene and the family-friendly experiences.

In July, Ephesus is generally much warmer than Birmingham. Daily temperatures in Ephesus average around 27°C (81°F), and Birmingham fluctuates around 17°C (63°F).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Ephesus. Ephesus usually receives more sunshine than Birmingham during summer. Ephesus gets 378 hours of sunny skies, while Birmingham receives 196 hours of full sun in the summer.

In July, Ephesus usually receives less rain than Birmingham. Ephesus gets 1 mm (0 in) of rain, while Birmingham receives 44 mm (1.7 in) of rain each month for the summer.

Should I visit Ephesus or Birmingham in the Autumn?

Both Birmingham and Ephesus during the autumn are popular places to visit. The autumn months attract visitors to Ephesus because of the shopping scene. Furthermore, the shopping scene and the music scene are the main draw to Birmingham this time of year.

Ephesus is much warmer than Birmingham in the autumn. The daily temperature in Ephesus averages around 19°C (66°F) in October, and Birmingham fluctuates around 11°C (52°F).

It's quite sunny in Ephesus. In the autumn, Ephesus often gets more sunshine than Birmingham. Ephesus gets 232 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Birmingham receives 103 hours of full sun.

Ephesus usually gets less rain in October than Birmingham. Ephesus gets 29 mm (1.1 in) of rain, while Birmingham receives 54 mm (2.1 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Ephesus or Birmingham in the Winter?

The winter attracts plenty of travelers to both Ephesus and Birmingham. The museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine are the main draw to Ephesus this time of year. Furthermore, many travelers come to Birmingham for the museums, the shopping scene, the theater shows, and the cuisine.

Be prepared for some very cold days in Birmingham. In the winter, Ephesus is much warmer than Birmingham. Typically, the winter temperatures in Ephesus in January average around 10°C (50°F), and Birmingham averages at about 3°C (38°F).

Ephesus usually receives more sunshine than Birmingham during winter. Ephesus gets 131 hours of sunny skies, while Birmingham receives 58 hours of full sun in the winter.

Ephesus gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In January, Ephesus usually receives more rain than Birmingham. Ephesus gets 149 mm (5.9 in) of rain, while Birmingham receives 64 mm (2.5 in) of rain each month for the winter.

Should I visit Ephesus or Birmingham in the Spring?

The spring brings many poeple to Ephesus as well as Birmingham.

In April, Ephesus is generally much warmer than Birmingham. Daily temperatures in Ephesus average around 15°C (59°F), and Birmingham fluctuates around 9°C (48°F).

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Ephesus this time of the year. In the spring, Ephesus often gets more sunshine than Birmingham. Ephesus gets 231 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Birmingham receives 136 hours of full sun.

Ephesus usually gets less rain in April than Birmingham. Ephesus gets 32 mm (1.3 in) of rain, while Birmingham receives 44 mm (1.7 in) of rain this time of the year.

Typical Weather for Birmingham and Ephesus