If you’re wondering if should you study abroad in Barcelona or Madrid, you are comparing two of the best cities in Europe. Both cities are incredible places to study abroad. Here is the ultimate comparison for students looking to study abroad in Barcelona or Madrid.
Table of Contents
Quick Overview
About Barcelona
Barcelona is one of the most visited cities in all of Europe. From the beaches to the mountains, it is truly a spectacular city. It is the 2nd largest city in Spain and the metro area is the 6th largest in all of the EU. It is known for having a grid system in most of the city and having some of the most famous architecture in the world.
Metro Population: 5.5 million
# of University Students: 188,000
About Madrid
Madrid is the capital and largest city in Spain. It also has the 3rd largest metro area in the EU. The city is also known for being one of the economic powerhouses in the EU. Some of the most highly regarded museums in the world are also found here. Madrid has European and Muslim influence which also adds to the culture and the beautiful architecture.
Population: 6.55 million
# of University Students: 205,000
Landmarks
Barcelona
Both Barcelona and Madrid have an abundance of landmarks to visit. Barcelona is known to be home to the world-famous Sagrada Familia which was designed by Antoni Gaudi. Gaudi’s unique designs are found throughout the city including Casa Milla, Casa Batllo, and Park Guell.
Other famous landmarks in the city are:
- Montjuic
- Tibidabo
- MNAC
- Cathedral of Barcelona
- Barceloneta
- Ciutadella Park
- Camp Nou
Madrid
Madrid, being the capital city, has many impressive landmarks to see. The Royal Palace is the most impressive sight to see in Madrid. Plaza Mayor is a picturesque plaza in the heart of the city. El Retiro Park is a massive park in the center of the city with world-renowned gardens and the Crystal Palace.
Other famous landmarks found in Madrid are:
- Prado Museum
- Puerta del Sol
- Catedral de la Almudena
- Plaza de Espana
- Santiago Bernabéu Stadium
- Plaza de Oriente
Geographic Setting
Barcelona is in the northeast corner of Spain. The city is nestled between the mountains and the Mediterranean Sea. The setting is absolutely beautiful. Views overlooking the city to the sea are breathtaking. The Mediterranean helps to keep the weather mild for most of the year. Madrid is settled in the middle of Spain. The city is in the highlands of Spain at an elevation of nearly 2,200ft above sea level. The weather in Madrid gets hotter in the summer and colder in the winter.
Winner: Barcelona
Food
As with most big cities, Barcelona and Madrid both have incredible cuisine if you know where to look. Barcelona has more tourists than Madrid so you will want to avoid eating in the touristy areas. Once you dive into the city a little more you can find some extraordinary foods. Barcelona is known for its tapas and paella. Three of the world’s top 50 restaurants are found in Catalonia. Finding a good place to eat isn’t tough in either city but Madrid will have more options. Churros with hot chocolate is one of Madrid’s most famous cuisines. Madrid also tends to have slightly cheaper prices than Barcelona.
Winner: Madrid
Cost
Spain, in general, is already cheaper than in most other countries in Western Europe. Barcelona is closer to Central Europe and has more tourists so the prices tend to be slightly higher than Madrid but still cheaper than most countries to the north. Madrid is in the middle of the country and has a lot more people living there so prices for most things are going to be a little cheaper than Barcelona.
Winner: Madrid
Public Transportation
Barcelona has an excellent public transportation system. The metro lines and the buses seem to be well-maintained. There are 8 metro lines and 230 bus routes connecting the city. Madrid is a much bigger city but has a great transportation system to handle the masses. There are 12 metro lines and 170 bus lines to connect the city. Both cities offer public bikes for both locals and tourists.
Winner: Draw
Walkability
Barcelona is a great city for walking around. The sidewalks are wide and once you are in the center of the city you can see many things on foot. La Ramblas is one of the most famous streets in Barcelona. It is a pedestrian street that leads from Placa Catalunya to the Mediterranean Sea. Most of the main sights to see in Madrid are found near the center of the city which makes it very walkable. If you want to see anything outside of the city center you will need to use other modes of transportation because of how spread out the city is.
People in both cities embrace the Spanish way of leisurely walking. Most locals tend to take their time when they walk anywhere. They always say it is easy to spot an American because of how fast they are walking. When you visit Spain, take your time and enjoy the experience rather than rushing to see everything.
Winner: Draw
Nightlife
Spain has long been regarded as a country that knows how to party and both of these cities are leading the charge. Barcelona has one of the best clubbing scenes in the world. There are dozens of clubs in the city, many of which are considered to be some of the best in the world. Some of the best clubs are Sutton, Opium, Razzmatazz, Shoko, Pacha, Otto Zutz, and Bling Bling. There are plenty of bars to be found but nightclubs are the biggest draw to the city.
Madrid has a great nightlife as well. There are quite a few nightclubs such as Kapital, La Riviera, Gotham, and MoMa. Madrid is more well known for the bars district. There is an abundance of bars in the center of the city where anyone can find a bar to suit their vibe.
Winner: Barcelona (Clubs), Madrid (Bars)
Outdoors & Nature
Barcelona has the luxury of having the mountains and the beach in one city. You can go hiking in the mountains to the north of the city or you can play games on the beach or do water sports in the sea. Madrid has a regional national park, Cuenca Alta Manzanares Regional Park, to the north of the city. You could also go to Retiro Park or the River Walk for other outdoor activities.
Winner: Barcelona
Culture
When comparing these cities, you have to realize that they both have quite different cultures even though they are both in Spain. Barcelona is the capital of Catalonia so the city has more of Catalan influence rather than Spanish. The people speak mainly Catalan but most also know Spanish. One of the most famous Catalan traditions is the Castellers which are the human towers.
Madrid is very influenced by Spanish culture. It is known for bullfighting as well as its famous fiestas. Most people speak Castilian Spanish as their first language. If you are trying to learn the Spanish language Madrid would be a great place to do it. They are also known for art, literature, and architecture.
Winner: Barcelona (Catalonia) Madrid (Spain)
Sports Teams
Spain is home to two of the best and most famous football clubs in the world, Barcelona FC and Real Madrid. Barcelona FC has one of the largest stadiums in Europe, holding nearly 100,000 spectators. Real Madrid has a large stadium as well, holding 81,000 fans.
Both teams are highly regarded and top forces in all of professional football. Real Madrid and Barcelona FC have branched off into other sports such as basketball, hockey, handball, and rugby.
Winner: Draw
Proximity to other cities
Barcelona is in the northeast corner of Spain so it is close to France. A train ride to Paris is only 6 hours. You can also go to nearby cities like Girona, Sitges, and Tarragona. Madrid is in the middle of the country so traveling to other countries, besides Portugal, can be a journey. Famous cities such as Toledo and Segovia are just a short journey from the city.
Winner: Barcelona (Rest of Europe), Madrid (Rest of Spain)
Airport Connectedness
Since Madrid and Barcelona are large cities, they both have big airports. They are both great airports and fares to other airports are typically pretty affordable. You can travel all over Europe and into Africa from both airports for really good prices so don’t worry about it if you’re looking to travel elsewhere.
Winner: Draw
Study Abroad Barcelona:
Study Abroad Madrid:
Overall
Overall, you will enjoy either city. You just need to know what you personally want from a city. If you want to speak or learn the Spanish language, then Madrid is the obvious choice. If you want to experience one of the most beautiful and unique cities in the world, then Barcelona would be your choice. If you have the option, you should visit both cities because they are so different from each other that it really is worth experiencing both.
