Which is the better city to visit in Spain for a first-timer, Madrid or Barcelona?

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Conrad

There is an expression in Spanish, "En Madrid, no hay playa" - meaning, "In Madrid, there is no beach". I have lived in both cities and both have their pros & cons.

Madrid in a nutshell:
- Very "Spanish" feeling
- People are a little colder because its the capital city
- Village like streets - feels like an old European city
- Extremely hot in the summer (and no beach) - 40 degrees by 8am!!
- Classical art (not modern like Barcelona) / the main Park (El Retiro) is very Spanish
- The clubs are better than Barcelona, bars are probably not as good, but you need to know where to go (so more difficult for visitors - need to prepare)
- Day trips are decent to Toledo or El Escorial
- Girls are more beautiful in Madrid, in my opinion

Barcelon in a nutshell:
- Very European and Catalunian feeling
- People are more open than in Madrid, but still not exactly welcoming (the Catalunians, as a generality, are not exactly the most hospitable - but a more European makeup to the city relaxes it a bit more than Madrid)
- Broad avenues - masterplanned
- It is on the coast, so beaches and better in the summer
- European and modern art capital - amazing stuff, especially Gaudi / great parks and very modern feeling
- The bar scene is great with so many expats, and the clubs are decent as well (but Madrid is hardcore partying)
- Worth doing a trip to the Salvador Dali museum in Figueroa a few hours north by train
- Nice looking women, but Madrid is slightly better!

Either way, you cannot lose, but Barcelona is a little more tourist friendly, in my experience

Tauro

Please!!!! Of course Madrid. And the world knows it. " From Madrid to the heavens and from up there a lithe hole so I can continue seeing it" It is a great city, with lots of culture and museums, great night life and close to very incredible day trips. The airport is great and the people the best and we speak Spanish.

eucharisto_deo

By all accounts I'm told Barcelona has to be the top of the list.

patch

I've been to and love both cities, but have spent more time in Madrid. Most people would choose Barcelona, and it's a hard choice for me but would probably choose Barcelona as well.
They're both amazing cities. Barcelona has more of a California feel to it. Madrid is more traditional and more like an east coast city. Barcelona has a beach, but on the minus side, is kind of overrun by tourists, unlike Madrid. Both cities have amazing art. Madrid has a slight edge on museums with the Prado and Reina SofÃa, but Barcelona has all this amazing architecture by GaudÃ (this doesn't sound very exciting, but once you see it, you will be amazed).
Of course, the cities are 6 hours on an affordable train ride, so you may be able to go to both.
Have a good time in Spain!

Jamacan Girl

most deffenatly Barcelona! it has so much art and culture! madrid is O.K.

Answerdude

It depends...are you a party person or a culture person and do you want to visit other places in Spain easily by train?

Barcelona is more hip and young with more club life and easy access to islands like Ibiza. Madrid is better for culture, museums and access to wonderful sites like Toledo.

In fact, the access point is important. If you're traveling by train, Madrid affords you more direct access to outlying cities like Granada, Cordoba, Toledo. I suggest doing some research on the sites available in Spain and then decide for yourself what you want to get out of the trip.

Have a great time.

jtitan241

Hello:
Barcelona, offers more and is on the coast and much cooler visit in the summer heat and almost perfect in the winter months, closer to the french coast if you should want to visit there also. When and how long would like to spend there.
have fun
Jason

LULU

I've been to both places. They are very diferent from one another. It will all depends on your interests. I would say Barcelona is more sofisticated than Madrid. Don't take me wrong you will love Madrid.
Do a little search focusing on what you are interested in.
You will love either place you go. If you can, go to both.

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