Barcelona and Madrid, what do I need to know while in town?

Question

I'm planning a trip to Spain and wanted to get input from people who may have visited the cities. Are there things that I need to be aware of? What's fun? Any places that I should not pass up? Thanks to all for their input!

Answer 1

Well you should speak a little Spanish but Barcelona has great architecture, you should also visit Toledo Spain because it has so much history.

Answer 2

I stayed in Barceloneta for 4 days at the end of my 11-day european adventure. had a good time, but not the greatest. Spent a lot of time on the beach, since we stayed a block away. There were actually some really good bars and restaurants on a small stretch of the beach in Barceloneta. La Rambla was cool, but kind of annoying b/c of all the street performers. Beware at night b/c the prostitutes (both female and the lady boys) come out and they like to harass the people walking around the Rambla.

Answer 3

Been to Barcelona but not to Madrid.  As a general rule though, never wear a Barca football top in Madrid and vice versa.

When I was in Barcelona I did more of a cultural thing and so I visited Joan Miró art gallery, olympic stadium, Camp Nou (home of Barcelona, and I think Europes largest footie stadium).

The Sagrada Família (see link below) is very impressive along with Guell park.  There is a lot of architecture inspired by Antoni Gaudí and Lluís Domènech i Montaner.

A must see is Barcelona's most famous street, La Rambla, where there are lots of stalls and shops.  Just remember to barter before you buy, the Catalonians expect it of you.

Answer 4

Keep your valuables close to your body!  Pickpockets abound!  (various parts of both cities, and especially in crowded places).

That said, not much other crime to bother tourists, just the annoyance of having to cancel all your credit cards, etc.  

Interesting points of view already posted.  

Madrid:  the must-see things include the Prado...no matter what, and the Reina Sofía if you're into Modern Art. You should go to the Palacio Real, and walk up Gran Vía, Plaza Mayor (avoid after dark, pickpockets), lots of street monuments you should see, and I recommend the Parque Retiro...you should go the Plaza Mayor Sunday mornings for the stamp and coin market if you have an interest, and the Rastro (also Sunday mornings) flea market.  Just to experience it.  I didn't buy anything, but I did take photos of the colors.  Lots of minor things to do, depending on your interests.

Best side trips from Madrid:  

Toledo (already mentioned - history and art.)

Segovia - great castle there, and the aqueduct.

Salamanca - almost merits two days, because it's so far.

There's a route of castles in the province of Segovia

Avila

Quixote Trail

Rioja

and a few other cities that could be day-tripped or travel to and stay over night.

Barcelona:  You already have some good information.  It always floors me how people can spend two or three days in Barcelona, then not delve any further into the country.  They haven't been to Spain, they've been to Barcelona - almost a whole different thing.  Every part of Spain has its flavor, but Barcelone is unique.  

Parc Güell, Sagrada Familia, Casa Milá and Casa Batlló, a must-see for any architecture buff.  Also the Barrí Gotic.

Apart from all the great suggestions already given, check out the Palau Musica - and check it out early in your trip, they sometimes close to the public, or you can't even get in for the evening concert, because it's private, so make sure you get that taken care of early.  

The Chocolate Museum was very neat.

and Mont Serrat, a monestary outside of town, also very cool.

Mont Juic, with the Poble Espanyol was very interesting, and there's a wonderful (so I've heard) centiury-old amusement park called Tibidabo.  And the zoo.  I was there almost thirty years ago, but it was really good!  

We also did some day-trips from Barcelona:

Tarragona - roman ruins

Figueres - Dalí house and museum

Girona - wonderful medieval city

Cadaqués - impressionist/modern artist mecca

wine country tours - lots of wineries in the area, including my favorite house, and all the cavas are there (Spanish Champagne) nearby.  

Those are only my suggestions and wish list.

Others will give you other ideas.