Barcelona or Madrid for my holiday?

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yeye28

Madrid.

From Madrid you can take the train to go to Segovia, Avila (Barcelona is 9 hours away from Madrid).

But both are highly recommended its just that as far as I know from Madrid you can take trips to other places bec. its nearer

I like beaches if Barcelona has great beaches but beaches you can go anywhere and find one. In Madrid and other places I mentioned you will soak up history, see churches more than 200 years old, museums where you'll find the paintings we only hear and see in books/school/postcard, etc etc. Its more of a 'cultural' trip, if you like that kind of thing.

It will really depend on what you want -beaches or history?

laughingnovemberrain

Barcelona - 1000 times over! It is much more beautiful and unique, especially if you enjoy art nuveau (sp?) design and architecture. The gothic quarter is also fascinating. Barcelona has so many interesting neighborhoods and "rincones". Barcelona seems much less of a business-oriented city - more cultural and better for visitors. The beach is pretty, but not the main draw for the city. (One spectacular beach in Spain in San Sebastian on the north coast. I'm sure the south has many beautiful beaches, but I haven't been there yet!)

Madrid is allright, but I found that it paled in comparison to Barcelona. Of course, for art lovers, it is worth a brief visit for the Prado alone. But I found that the city itself is not nearly as vibrant and fascinating as BCN. You can take a trip to Segovia, which is deifinitely a worthwhile day trip for visitors to Madrid (beautiful castle & cathedral, stunning landscape). You can also visit Toledo from Madrid.

Madrid is probably more representative of the traditional Spain, but, for my money, nothing can compare with BARCELONA!

I had to come back and list a few must-sees:

- The Ramblas
- Architecture by Gaudi - take a tour whenever possible, including Palau Guell in the Barrio Chino
- Park Guell (also by Gaudi, but so different)
- The Gothic Quarter, including: the cathedral, the Picasso museum, and:
- Palau de Musica Catalunia (I always forget the proper spelling of those Catalan words), one of the most beautiful buildings I've ever seen (every inch is covered with spectacular decorations)
- Barceloneta (cute neighborhood bordering the beach, go for a casual seafood restaurant)
- The MACBA and CCCB are decent contemporary art museums
- The Poble EspaÃ±ol (again, pardon the inconsistant spelling - Catalan really messes with your Castillian!)
- the Gracia neighboorhood, for a quiet and chic evening

As you can tell, I *really* love Barcelona.

thierry a

Hi Poppy - in the summer I would definitely go for Barcelona. Yep it has the marvelous beaches to where one can escape from the hustle and bustle of the city. Great little places to eat/drink and relax while watching gorgeous species of the human race pass by.... Feast for your eyes that is for sure!!!
Barcelona has LOTS to offer (just like Madrid) these are 2 very different types of places to visit. Barcelona is more vibrant while Madrid is more mondain/styleful/grand.
Barcelona is also easier to visit in just a few days. It has the hop on / hop off bus (which I suggest to take for 2 days: the first day do both routes the northeren and southern one. This should take you some 2 hours per route - try to sit upstairs. The next day - after having decided what to see; I would get off at those places you do not want to miss). Also the gothic sites in the city is faboulous VERY romantic at night when all the streets are lit and some string quartet playing in the streets. But try - once yoou have seen it to get away from the RAMBLAS VERY touristy/VERY busy as well.
No if you decide to go to BCN I am pretty sure that you will LOVE IT and even go back!
Have a funfilled time!
T

anas b

Barcelona ofcourse

Gabriel

If you want to go to beaches, then choose Barcelona. Madrid is really nice too, it has more shopping and museums. If it were me I would go to both but for you I think Barcelona is better since they have beaches.

paia423

Go to Madrid for El Retiro and the art museums.

Juan

If you gon onholiday I will be in barcelona because in madrid in summer itÂ´s really hot. In barcelona you have two beach and if you take a train or bus ca go to calella, sitges...

If you want to book a hotel or need information about madrid and barcelona visit

barcelona

http://www.dimehoteles.com/hoteles-en-Barcelona-ct138p1.htm

Madrid

http://www.dimehoteles.com/hoteles-en-Madrid-ct374p1.htm

regards

beth_verde

Barcelona, for all the reasons listed above plus the Pablo Picasso museum.

Madrid's wonderful,too, if you end up there, but as a destination city I'd pick Barcelona hands down.

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