Barcelona and Madrid are the two largest cities in Spain as well as the most visited. As the two most iconic cities in Spain, you can rest assured that either city is incredible to explore but yet they offer very different experiences. If you are trying to decide whether to visit Barcelona or Madrid, this is the ultimate guide to help you decide which city to visit.
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Barcelona or Madrid Overview
Barcelona
Barcelona is the second-largest city in Spain and the capital of Catalonia. It is one of the most visited cities in all of Europe (for good reason). The city is known for its setting between the mountains and the Mediterranean Sea. Barcelona has a beautiful Gothic quarter, beautiful beaches, and a unique building grid system towards the mountains.
Some of the most famous landmarks in Spain, like Sagrada Familia and Park Güell, are located here. Barcelona is also unique from the rest of Spain because the people here speak Catalan as their first language and Castilian Spanish as their second language.
Madrid
Madrid is the capital and largest city in Spain with 3.3 million people which also makes it one of the largest cities in the European Union. It has one of the largest economies in Europe and is considered to be one of the most liveable cities in the world. The city has influences from the Moors, Habsburgs, and Spanish culture.
Madrid is home to beautiful architecture, palaces, and plazas as well as expansive city parks. It is home to some of the most famous museums in Europe, like the Prado Museum. Being the capital of Spain, you can expect to experience one of the nightlife scenes in the world.
Things to See
Barcelona
Sagrada Familia is a cathedral designed by Antoni Gaudi that began construction in 1882 and is still under construction to this day.
Park Güell is one of the most iconic places in the city and was designed by Barcelona’s favorite architect, Antoni Gaudi.
The Cathedral of Barcelona is a Gothic cathedral completed in 1448.
Tibidabo is a large hill with the Sagrat Cor Church and an amusement park overlooking the city.
The MNAC is the National Museum of Art of Catalonia and sits at the base of the mountain Montjuic which has a historic fortress overlooking the city.
Madrid
Plaza Mayor is one of the most famous plazas in Madrid and even in Spain.
Royal Palace of Madrid is the official residence of the Spanish Royal Family, even though they actually do not live there. It is one of the largest palaces in Europe.
El Retiro Park is a massive public park, full sculptures, gardens, and monuments.
Plaza de Toros de Las Ventas is the largest bullfighting ring in Spain and the 3rd largest in the world.
The Prado Museum is considered to be one of the greatest art museums in the world.
Food
Barcelona
Many of the traditional dishes found in Barcelona are found throughout Spain. Paella is a popular dish that originated just to the south in Valencia so you can expect to find many restaurants serving excellent paella. Tapas are another staple among the locals and are just part of the culture in Barcelona. For those of you who don’t know, tapas are basically the Spanish version of appetizers but oftentimes are used as the entrée if someone were to order enough.
Sangria is one of the most popular alcoholic drinks in Barcelona so you should definitely consider ordering a pitcher when eating out. Calçots are green onions that are deliciously prepared and served with a special sauce.
Madrid
Madrid is a city where many different cultures collide so you can find incredible foods from all over the world but there are a few staple cuisines you should try. Bocadillo de Calamares, or fried squid sandwich, is Madrid’s most famous sandwich even though the city isn’t near the ocean. If you go to Madrid when the weather is a little cooler, you should try a traditional pork stew called Cocido Madrileño. Another food you need to try when you visit Madrid is the Churros con Chocolate which is eaten at all times of the day. The hot chocolate you dip the churros in is actual melted chocolate, not what most people would think.
Getting Around
Barcelona
For a city the size of Barcelona, it is actually quite walkable. You will want to use public transportation in order to explore different parts of the city on foot. Just looking at a map of the metro system can be a little intimidating but it is actually quite easy and efficient to use so don’t be scared! The buses and the metro use the same tickets which makes getting around even easier. I would recommend investing in a T-10 pass which gives you 10 rides at your leisure. Renting a scooter or a bike is excellent for riding along the beach but probably not in the rest of the city.
Madrid
With large plazas and wide sidewalks, most of the main attractions in Madrid are best explored on foot. The area between the Royal Palace and El Retiro Park is an excellent area to explore without using public transportation. If you want to visit somewhere like Las Ventas Bullring, you will want to take public transportation. Madrid has one of the largest metro systems in the world so you should definitely utilize it while you’re here. There is also an expansive network of buses that can get you pretty much anywhere you need to go.
Nightlife
Barcelona
Barcelona is known around the globe for being one of the best places to party in the world. The city is full of bars, pubs, and nightclubs. There are nightclubs for people of all ages and some of the most famous clubs in the world are located here. Be sure to dress up a little because most places won’t let you in wearing regular street clothes. Some great bars to experience are Dow Jones Bar and The George Payne Irish Pub. Some of the best clubs in the city are Sutton, Opium, Razzmatazz, Input, Pacha, and so many others.
Madrid
Madrid is up there with the best of the best in regard to its nightlife. It has world-class nightclubs and enough bars to suit any vibe. Anywhere you find yourself in the center of the city will have an abundance of bars you can explore. Many of the university students party in the area of Malasaña. Some of the best nightclubs in Spain are in Madrid. Kapital, Barceló Theatre, and Opium are some of the best places to go clubbing in Madrid. The metro is not open all night so keep that in mind before you travel too far away to go clubbing.
Day Trips
Barcelona
Girona is a city along the coast just to the north of Barcelona. It is known for its Old Quarter and for being a filming location for Game of Thrones.
Montserrat is a small mountain range with a picturesque monastery not far from Barcelona.
Tarragona is a coastal city to the south of Barcelona, known for its Roman ruins.
Madrid
Toledo is a city known for its Arab, Jewish, and Christian influences within its old city walls. It is less than an hour from Madrid.
Salamanca is an ancient city that is home to one of the oldest universities in the world, dating back to the 1100s.
Segovia is known for its ancient landmarks like its massive Roman aqueduct which dates back to 100s AD.
Other cities on the Iberian Peninsula that you may want to consider visiting are Valencia, Lisbon, or Malaga.
Overall
Barcelona and Madrid are the largest cities in Spain and also the most visited. Barcelona is known for its Gothic Quarter, impressive cathedrals, and long sandy beaches. Madrid is known for its palaces, impressive plazas, and its public parks. One of the best ways to help you decide which city to visit is for you to decide if the beach is an important aspect of a city for you.
If you are looking for a city full of “eye-candy”, Barcelona is an excellent place to find beautiful vantage points. If you are more into Spanish culture and food scenes, Madrid would be the choice for you. As far as nightlife goes, Barcelona has a better clubbing scene and Madrid has a better bar/pub scene.