Madrid and Bacelona?

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Kent L

Both cities are nice. I'm from Barcelona, perhaps that's the reason why I like more Madrid.
What makes the difference, for me, is their people. They are a lot more open and nicer in Madrid. And it is not just a clichГ©.

Actually, many of my friends are foreigners, (and most of them have visited or even lived in both cities) some of them told me that they didn't like something in Barcelona's people, and that they didn't felt that way in Madrid.

Another problem is in Barcelone a some people (they're not most of the population, but they're so noisy and have the politics support that sometimes it seems so) are more worried about wether people speaks or not in catalan that they forget the daily problems (well, not that much in Barcelona, as it is a big city. But in little villages around it, yes, it is a pitiful reality)...

You'll find cool stuff in both places. Don't worry about it. Perhaps Barcelona has more tourists, as it has become a very touristic place, specially after the olympic games. Well, for that reason thigs are a little more expensive, too.

There's not too much Spanish people who are very good in english. (And some of them wouldn't even want to speak in english, because they think that people coming to Spain should speak Spanish, the same way we speak English, if we go for example UK) But as big cities, you'll find everything there, nothing to be much worried about.

You can email me for any other query you may have about both cities. I bet you'll have fun in any of them.

Joan el guiri

Spain is used to tourists as tourism is probably their number one industry.
The Spanish are very friendly towards tourists and English seems to be spoken by most people under 50.
Just treat people as you would like to be treated and you will find everone great!
The Spanish are almost always polite, nice pleasant okay etc etc even if they dislike you. They are not politically correct having had to be politically correct to Franco and his gang only 33 years ago.
The best tourist guides to the two cities are the 'Time Out ' guides which you can buy at the airport.

When in Madrid try to visit some of the towns in the area such as Segovia, Toledo, and Avila; the art galleries; the Retiro on Sunday morning; the Royal Palace.

In Barcelona, explore the old town. For fashion, go up Paseo de Gracia and down Rambla Catalunya.
If you want a day on the beach, take the train to Sitges, just south of the city.

AuburnEm

I am also an american student who just got back from Spain. I thought that the people in Madrid were nicer than those in Barcelona. They all appreciate when you try talking to them in Spanish rather than assuming they can understand English. But in Barcelona they speak Catalan, which is quite different from Castilian Spanish (I found it very hard to understand Catalan).
As for things to do, try catching a flamenco performance in either city... I went in Barcelona and it was amazing!
In Madrid, everyone is in the park El Retiro on Sunday mornings and it's kind of nice to go and explore or just people watch. Also, when in the city, walk around in the side streets away from the touristy spots. Some of the best places to see how real Madrilenos live are off the beaten path.
Enjoy your stay in Spain!

Justoneputt

.Madrid or Barcelona ? Ice cream or chocolate? Saturday or Sunday? Smiling or laughing? Decisions,decisions,decisions. The are full of wonder full people who have a taste for life.There close enough together i think you could enjoy both in almost any Traver schedule. Have a great time

Rocky

They are both wonderful cities. Much of the population speak English and it is very easy to get around. I found the people to the friendly and helpful. Barcelona is one of my favorites in the world. It has some of everything and can be very exciting for you. plan to spend time around the Ramblas area and be sure to take in the fablous museums. Hold tight to your wallet, though, it is a very "pickie" city. Don't plan on too much shopping with the Euro being down so much.
Have fun.

? !

The Spanish people are all very friendly. I have been there lods of times and love it. Most people speak english so you wil be fine.

CHERYL loves Arsenal

i went to barcelona this year with my class and it's just great
if you're a footie fan you could visit the camp nou(although It wasn't as great as I thought it wuld be,but maybe that's coz barcelona ain't really my favorite team!!)
The dali museum,but i think that's in Girona,next to barcelona, was great too,but if you're not interested in art,then don't go to the picasso museum,that was soooooooooo boring!!!!!!!!! left that place in like 5 mins!!!!!

I couldn't really find a lot of people who spoke english very well,but they tried to help anyway!!!!!!!!

HockeyFan

They are both wonderful cities. I found the people from both Barcelona and Madrid very friendly and helpful, but i think that was because i made the effort with spanish. I think it would be worthwhile making the effort and using some spanish, cause the locals appreciate it and offer much more help, and very clearly too.

with regards to things to do:

madrid: prado museum. royal palace. bernabeu stadium. retiro park. casa de campo.

barcelona: parc guell. las ramblas (be wary of pick-pockets), sagrada familia, olympic village, nou camp, gaudis apartments.

personally, barcelona seems to have more to offer, and the fact that it lies on the coast and there is a beach very near to the city centre is particularly pleasant, although, as i say, both are wonderful cities.

hope you have a great time.

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