What area within Madrid and Barcelona is the most central to stay in for a tourist?

Question

What area within Madrid and Barcelona is the most central to stay in for a tourist?

Answer 1

Sue's answer is quite good...

I also recommend the area around La Gran Via... It is one of the main streets, and most of the important things to visit are within walking distance. We stay at the Senator Gran Via because my husband works for the chain, and we have a good discount... I have recommended the TRYP Gran Via to friends and they were very happy with it... It is a 3 star hotel and medium priced...

Here is a good hotel site for you to find more hotels in the area.

http://www.solmelia.com/solNew/html/dire...

As to Barcelona. Anywhere  along Las Ramblas, or Plaça de Catalunya and up Passeig de Gracia. Also on the Avinguda Paral-lel or Laietana.

I can't recommend any one in particular, because in Barcelona I always stay with family, but there are many great  hotels in the city.

The following website is excellent, not only for lodgings, but also for general information on what to see in Barcelona...and there is plenty!...

http://www.barcelona.com/

Answer 2

There is nowhere directly between the both that I would recommend visiting. If you are willing to hire a car or pay for train fares, then I would recommend staying in Valencia. Its on the coast, is a great city with lots to see and do and has a great night life. Both Madrid and Barcelona are around a 3.5 hour drive away

Answer 3

In Madrid, the most prestigious part of town to stay is along or near the Gran Vía.  We stayed very close to the Plaza Mayor, (not far from there, but where I wanted to stay), and were very happy with the location.  Anyplace near the older two parts of town are good.  Or, if you want to stay at the Ritz, the most expensive place in town (or, at least, one of the top two), that's near the Prado Museum.

In Barcelona, the best two spots are the Eixample district, or near the Ramblas.  

In most European cities, you want to stay in or near the oldest part of town because that's where all the tourist attractions are.  Barcelona is sort of an exception to that rule, because they had a big heyday in building in the last century or so.