Barcelona vs Madrid – Which One to Visit on Your Trip to Spain?
The main difference between Barcelona and Madrid is the beach. Both cities are amongst the prettiest in the world. When it comes to architecture and culture, both cities come neck to neck. What about the food and bars? Once again, you will eat delicious food and party like crazy in both places!
Therefore, you have nothing to worry about. Whether you choose Madrid or Barcelona to visit first, you won’t go wrong. We spend several months a year in Spain and always visit the two. What can we say? We love Spain and its people. Whether in Seville, Cordoba, Granada, Barcelona, or Madrid, Spaniards will welcome you with a smile.
Quick Comparison
As mentioned, Barcelona lies on the Mediterranean coast. Thus, the city has over 3 miles (5 km) of splendid sandy beaches. On the other hand, Madrid is on a plateau at the footsteps of the Guadarrama mountain range. Winters are colder in Madrid than in Barcelona. Though summers are equally hot, the sea makes quite a difference.
While some 3.6 million people live in Madrid, 1.6 million do so in Barcelona. Nevertheless, both cities have top-notch infrastructure, including two of the best metro systems in the world. You won’t have any trouble finding the hotel you like in either one. Some 8.6 million people visit Barcelona each year, while 5.3 go to Madrid. Thus, Barcelona is more touristy.
If You Have to Choose
Choose Madrid if you like museums. The ones in the Spanish capital are amongst the best in the world. Evidently, if you are a beach bunny, go to Barcelona. Choose Madrid if it’s your first time in Spain. Your first tour to Europe must include its best cities: Paris, London, Rome, Budapest, and most certainly Madrid.
If you are looking for a base to travel further in Spain, go to the capital. Since Madrid is in the center of the country, it’s easier to go to other destinations. Go to Barcelona in winter if you don’t like the cold. Just like Naples, Santorini, or Malta, the city has mild winters. Madrid in winter is not bad either, with plenty of activities to fill your days.
Barcelona
Before moving here, we visited Barcelona many times. Therefore, we could be a bit biased. We love it! The city is safe, fun, and so welcoming. Barcelona is one of the most cosmopolitan cities in the world. However, thanks to its size and transport system you will move around the city hassle-free.
Due to the weather, you can bike around the city all year round! As you know, Barcelona is one of the most photographed cities in the world. Besides, the city’s parties are legendary. In one day in Barcelona, you can see UNESCO-listed World Sites, go to the beach, walk the streets of the old town, and party the night away.
Main Sights
The Sagrada Familia Temple is the city’s most iconic landmark. Arguably, Park Güell is the second. UNESCO included these two masterpieces and other of Gaudí’s works in its World Heritage Site List. However, the city is full of architectural wonders. Granted, we have to mention the football station: Camp Nou.
Though the city is not that big, it’s very diverse. Neighborhoods in Barcelona are quite different and have a special character. The medieval part of the center (Old Town) is close to the sea. Eixample is from the 19th and 20th Centuries. Montjuic Hill presides over Barcelona. The incredible hill is full of nature and architecture.
Museums
In all honesty, the museums in Madrid are much better than the ones in Barcelona. However, the city has world-class museums too. The massive palace perched on Montjuic Hill is the Museu Nacional d’Art de Catalunya. It’s got an impressive collection of paintings from the 11th to the 20th Century. Nearby is CaixaForum. The beautiful art nouveau factory is now a contemporary art museum.
On the other side of Montjuic is the Joan Miro Museum. The views from there are stunning. It’s got the biggest collection of pieces by the artist in the world. You have two museums to visit in the Old Town. The Barcelona Museum of Contemporary Art is in the heart of El Raval. From there, go to the Picasso Museum in El Born.
Hotels
The Miramar Hotel is our favorite in the city. The contemporary building is on the slope of Montjuic Hill. The super-comfortable rooms come with a balcony and offer breathtaking views of the city and the sea. If you are looking for an apartment, stay at Be Mate Paseo de Gracia. Great units in an unbeatable location.
For luxury, class, and service, stay at El Palace Hotel. The lavish hotel from 1919 is one of the best in the country. The best hotel in the old town is the 5 star Mercer Hotel. It’s a refurbished palace with a rooftop pool and a garden. Since it’s in the center of Barri Gotic, you can walk to the beach!
Restaurants and Bars
Regarding restaurants, the match Barcelona vs. Madrid ends in a tie: travel to any and eat like a king. However, Barcelona has 29 Michelin-starred restaurants, while Madrid 22. The best tapas bars line Carrer Blai, a pedestrian street in Poble Sec. For Indian food, go to Ramblas Raval. If you get hungry on the beach, have a bite and a drink at the chiringuito.
We love the restaurants and coffee houses on Enric Granados Street in the heart of Eixample. Gracia is famous for its local bars and restaurants. Go to Plaza del Sol and mingle with the locals. The best bars in the city are in El Raval. Begin in Bar Madame Jasmine and end wherever your new friends take you. Stop by El Nacional on Paseo de Gracia for a posh dinner.
Moving Around
You won’t have any problem moving around either city. However, since Barcelona is smaller, it’s easier to walk around. You can walk to all of the attractions in the Old Town and Eixample. However, if you get tired, hop on the metro. Watch your personal belongings and get everywhere super fast. The metro takes you to Barceloneta and the beaches further north.
The best way to move around Barcelona is biking. There are bike lanes everywhere. The bike ride along the coast is mandatory. You can take the cable car from Barceloneta Beach to Montjuic Hill. To go to Park Güell, take the metro and then the electric stairs. You can go to the airport by metro, suburban train, and both public (46) and private buses (Aerobus).
Day Trips
Our favorite day trip from Barcelona is to Sitges. This mid-size town is packed with lovely beaches, bars, restaurants, and fun people. Take the suburban train from Passeig de Gracia, França or Sants Stations. The journey takes some 45 minutes. From there to Tarragona is an hour by train. Its roman theatre by the beach is stunning.
Girona is an hour by train from Barcelona. The city’s historic core is beautiful. From Girona, you can go to Figueres to check Dali’s magical museum. The whole trip from Barcelona takes approximately 2 hours. Trains leave from Sants Train Station. If you have more time, take an hour bus to Cadaques. It’s the prettiest fishing town in Catalonia.
What’s Special about Barcelona
What we love the most about Barcelona is its vibe. Over the years, the city has attracted cool people from every corner of the world. Today, Barcelona is a beacon of liberty and civil rights. Together with Madrid, both are the gayest and most relaxed cities in Europe! All races, sizes, tastes, orientations, cultures, and parties are welcomed!
Don’t pay any attention to negative reports. The vast majority of Catalans like tourists and are great hosts. That’s why communities from everywhere call the city home. All you have to do is be respectful and mingle with the locals! Due to its size and weather, Barcelona is the perfect place to spend all day long outside. You’ll never have a dull moment.
Madrid
Madrid is all about architecture, history, and people. It was the center of one of the biggest empires that ever existed. The Royal Palace and the Cathedral are a testament to those times. Today, the city is modern and vibrant. The tallest contemporary towers in Spain line Paseo de la Castellana.
You’ll spend most of your time in the center. Salamanca and Castellana are posh historic neighborhoods. Boulevards lined with tall trees and gorgeous palaces cross this area. Chamberi is a bit more eclectic. Locals go there to eat and socialize. Malasaña and Chueca have lots of character. The best nightlife in the city is here. The historic core will take your breath away.
Main Sights
Madrid’s icons rival the ones in Barcelona. The Plaza Mayor from the 16th Century is the heart of the city. The buildings that line the plaza have 237 balconies! You should not miss this square even if you only have 2 days in Madrid. The Puerta del Sol is nearby. It used to be an access gate to medieval Madrid. Look out for the statue of the bear and the tree, symbols of the city.
The Puerta de Cibeles is one of the busiest most recognized squares in the country. Retiro Park is our favorite spot in the city. It’s got palaces, ancient trees, and a lovely lake. The Royal Palace is to the west of Plaza Mayor. The Cathedral and the Royal Theatre are there. Walk north to Plaza España and the Egyptian Debod Temple.
Museums
A visit to the Prado Museum is mandatory. The collection inside is one of the greatest in the world. The Reina Sofia Museum of Modern Art is nearby. Picasso’s masterpiece Guernica is inside. The other grand museum is the Thyssen-Bornemisza, one of the largest private collections in the world. The three occupy what is known as the Golden Triangle of Art in the center.
However, the city offers more. CaixaForum is a contemporary art museum designed by Herzog de Meuron next to the Prado. The Archaeological Museum in the center homes an impressive collection of ancient artifacts. The National Library is in the same massive building. Don’t miss the Convent of Las Descalzas Reales. The former royal palace became one of the richest convents in the world.
Hotels
Our favorite hotel in Madrid is Principe Pio, with views of the Royal Gardens and Palace. Thus, you can walk everywhere. The metro to the entire city is 2 minutes on foot. The recently refurbished rooms are comfortable and perfectly isolated. The Riu Plaza España is next door. The outdoor heated pool is the best in the city. The views from the Riu are epic. It’s one of the best hotels in Madrid for families.
Pamper yourself and book a room at the luxurious Westin Palace Hotel. When it opened in 1912, it was the largest in Europe. Today, it’s an old-world hotel with modern-day conveniences and lots of class. Oriente Palace Apartments offers the best apartments in Madrid. It’s a traditional Spanish building in front of the Royal Palace. The fully-equipped units are fancy and big!
Restaurants and Bars
As mentioned, you’ll eat delicious food in Madrid or Barcelona. Restaurante DCorazon is a 16th Century cave beneath Plaza Mayor. They specialize in traditional Spanish food and wine. You can eat at the Cibeles Palace. The fancy restaurant has a splendid terrace with awesome views. The terrace at the Riu Plaza España is the best place to have cocktails with jaw-dropping views.
We usually have coffee at Murillo Café, in front of the Prado Museum. Sucre is a tea shop with books and artsy stuff nearby. The best bars are in Chueca. You’ve got over 20 cool places to choose from. Do what the locals do, and bar hop with friends. Have dinner in fancy Salamanca. The best restaurants in the city line the neighborhood’s boulevards.
Moving Around
The best way of moving around Madrid is the metro. There are stations everywhere. The system is fast, reliable, and opens from 6:00 AM to 1:30 AM! Therefore, you can use it to go at night too. Buses crisscross the entire city. You can use the same card for the metro and the buses. Suburban trains are called Cercanias and are connected with the metro.
Biking is a great choice. There are bike lanes everywhere. The city operates its public share biking system. It’s online. You won’t have a problem finding stations. Taxis within the historic core are not expensive. The city’s main train station is Atocha. Trains to the rest of Spain and Europe arrive and depart from here. You can take the metro to the airport.
Day Trips
The easiest day trip from Madrid is to the 16th Century Escorial Royal Palace. The largest Renaissance building in the world is in the middle of lovely gardens. Buses and trains take approximately one hour there. A fast train takes 30 minutes to Toledo. The Imperial City is also the Capital of Three Cultures. You will see Christian, Jewish, and Arab heritage.
Aranjuez is 45 minutes from Madrid by train. The former royal town has one of the nicest gardens in the world. Toledo and Aranjuez are so pretty that UNESCO included both in its World Heritage Site List. The fast AVE train takes 1 hour and 40 minutes to reach Valencia. However, Valencia is so amazing that it deserves a couple of nights.
What’s Special about Madrid
As much as we love Barcelona, it is not as grand and monumental as Madrid. The second-largest city in the European Union is a cultural powerhouse. People are open-minded, modern, and in constant change. However, the city still feels old and traditional. Since people from all over the country call it home, it represents the best of Spain.
Besides, you will fall in love with the locals. Madrileños are easy to talk to, cultured, fun, and welcoming. Go out for tapas and cañas, and you will end up making friends. Architects will be equally happy in both places. Barcelona is the epicenter of Catalan Modernism, while palaces dot Madrid. Regarding nature, both cities have lovely parks in the center.
If You Still Haven’t Decided
If you have less than a week, you have to choose between Barcelona or Madrid. Go to both cities only if you can spend 3 nights in each. Though still not enough time, at least you will get to see the best attractions, albeit rushing. There are countless flights between both cities. You can reach both airports by fast public transport.
The fast AVE train is a great option too. It only takes 2 and a half hours. Though flights take less, the train stops in the center of both cities. Another thing to consider is when to go. There are incredible festivals all year round in both cities. Depending on your tastes, you may want to go to some and avoid others.
