Which city in Spain is more attracting? Madrid or Barcelona?

Question

I want to spend one traveling week in one of the two cities. Which one do you prefer?

How could i prepare for them?

Answer 1

They both have their merits.  Barcelona is a much older city, going back a couple thousands years, and that makes it very interesting with a variety of architecture not found in Madrid but with a lot of very modern architecture in the newer part, Picasso Musuem, Miro Musuem.

Madrid is more Spanish, also has the Prado and the Reina Sophia Art Musuems.



The people in Barcelona ARE NOT friendier than those in Madrid -- as someone else said they are more arrogorant.

Madrid has the best party and partiers and much nicer people. I felt more welcome in Madrid

I prefer Madrid, and if you have a week you can also take a side trip to Toledo, a beautiful Medieval city not to be missed.

Answer 2

What can I say? I'm from Barcelona and there's a huge rivalry between the two. I much prefer Barcelona because the weather is better, is prettier, has beach, sight seeings and lot's of museums and shops. Must sees? I would say all of Gaudí (especially La Pedrera, Parc Güell and Sagrada Familia), Tibidabo/Mirablauu, Montjuic, the beach, the zoo, the Aquarium, Camp Nou ...

I find it more modern-even if it's much older- than Madrid, although I also think this is also a beautiful city worth the visit.

Do not listen to people talking about friendlier or more arrogant people, it's never good to generalize. Also, Barcelona is as Spanish as Madrid. No everything about Spain is flamenco and bullfighting, you know? That's actually more typical of certain areas. I guess this people would think the north west ( having a co-official language besides Spanish, no bullfighting, and backpipes instead of flamenco) is not Spain. That's bollocks. And you can find arrogant people anywhere. Just have fun wherever you decide to go.

Answer 3

I only went to Madrid so im just going to tell you that I had a great experience, everyone was nice and I was able to walk all around the city. There are lots of things to do there.

I havent been to Barcelona but I heard that it was beautiful and very historic as well. Oh and I agree, watch your wallet! Nothing happened to me because I was prepared to not fall for stealing scams

Answer 4

It's all relative.

I like Madrid better, it's more truly Spanish.

Barcelona is more...Catalán.  

Both are full of warm, friendly people.

Both have tons of art and museums to see.

Both have an old quarter, and newer sections that are very pretty and traditional.

Barcelona has beach and mountain and the French border as possible side trips.  As well as wine/champagne country to tour, if you like.

Madrid has lots of small historic cities to explore for side trips, and some mountains, but less rugged.  Rioja wine country is a day trip away.  

Madrid has more medieval history, Barcelona has much more modern history.

Both beautiful cities, both have their own reasons for going.

Answer 5

Barcelona..I lived there for about 3 months and it's beautiful, brush up on your catalan because it's important..otherwise the city is just art in itself! Madrid is a bit dreary in comparison although the nightlife is amazing.

Answer 6

Spend a few days in Barca and a few in Valencia - Valencia is much more beautiful than Madrid.  Don't get me wrong, Madrid is awesome...but really just another big city.  Valencia is gorgeous.  Barcelona is excellent too.  to prepare....read the Lonely Planet Guide for Spain (the city chapters) - or look on their website.  Be prepared for scammers - especially on La Rambla in Barcelona - do not get money out of your wallet on the street!! And don't play the game where they have three little balls under boxes - you'll know what I mean when you see it!!  In Valencia, apart from the beach front and the port which was all revamped for the sailing, it is also worth a visit to the Aquarium - very cool stuff.  Enjoy!

Answer 7

Two years ago, I spent 5 days in Barcelona followed by 5 days in Madrid.  I greatly preferred Barcelona!  

There's  nothing wrong with Madrid, but I found Barcelona to be more charming, more interesting, more warm.  Madrid felt very coldly aristocratic and "distant".   Both cities have lots to offer, so it depends on what YOU like.

Answer 8

I've lived in Spain for 25 yrs and I personally prefer Madrid. Barcelona is a large, dirty, crowded city, plus the people are very arrogant because they consider themselves superior to the rest of the country. They consider themselves the "cultural" capital. I disagree. It's also very industrial and expensive!

Madrid is the capital, and it has many sights worth seeing: museums, palaces, zoo, parks, great shops, and good restaurants and clubs. The people are much friendlier and more open than in Barcelona.

Answer 9

One bit of advice. If you are planning to travel by car don't attempt either city. Driving in Barcelona and Madrid is a nightmare.  That applies to many cities in Spain, though I think Rome in Italy would be worse but only just!

Answer 10

Tough question. Depends on what you like. If you're looking for a more genuine Spanish experience go to Madrid. Me personally, I like Barcelona, but it's the cultural limbo, mix of Spanish-Catalan-Guiri(non-spanish white people). It's smaller, and has so much to offer if you're looking for culture or partying. Always keep an eye on your belongings! As for the people saying that Catalans are friendlier.......well, I've never seen people so unthankful towards the tourists that help local economy so much.

Answer 11

Barcelona!

People are nicer (much much nicer!), ant the city is amazingly beautiful!

The sea is nearby...

Anna: Funny, you're describing Madrilenos perfectly well, but calling them Cataláns... ;o) Come on! Everyone i ever knew from Madrid is more arrogant than the last bottle of coke at the gates of the desert...

As for them being unthankful for tourists, just try to behave like a person and not like a tourist. In my case, it always worked like a charm anywhere in the World. Just don't go throwing peanuts at people and expecting them to behave as trained monkeys.