Which first? Madrid or Barcelona?

Question

I'm planning to go to both cities but I have not decided which city to start with, my duration in spain is about 7 to 10 days. Any advises?

Answer 1

As other answer, check where you'll be arriving/leaving from and go from there. Or try and get a cheap flight to Madrid and then out of Barcelona. Makes the decision for you! There's the fast train (AVE) from Madrid to BCN, or you could take a normal train, or even a cheap internal flight maybe.

Just my personal experience but I would dedicate a little more time to Barcelona than Madrid. There are some great places very close to Barcelona to visit (nice beaches in Sitges and Casteldefels, the Cava tours in the Penedes region - that's only about 45 mins - and also Montserrat monastery, too. Not to mention the sights within the city. Travelling around Madrid is a little tougher, as it's more or less in the middle so bigger thn Barcelona (Barcelona is flanked by the Mediterranean Sea and 2 mountains, so it's fairly compact).

Either way, have fun, and as many have mentioned, it doesn't really matter the order.  

Answer 2

I did Madrid first.  I guess because that was where the flight came in.  But that was really the plan, anyway.  It doesn't really matter.  Which do you prefer?  Do you like to save the best for last?  or start right in on your favorite place, saving a different, or possibly less beloved experience for the second part of your trip?

Barcelona has had its heyday from about the last 100-150 years ago, in terms of the flavor of the city.  The flavor of Madrid is more 16th - 18th centuries.  They both have thriving nightlife, both considered the two best cities in Spain.  Big tourism, big Spanish culture.  More SPANISH in Madrid, more Catalán in Barcelona.  Really a different feel to the city.  I found Madrid more....cozy.  I met wonderful people in both cities.  Maybe you would want to choose based on the markets...the Rastro is on Sundays (in Madrid).  If you really have the urge to go there, and you only have one Sunday, that might be your scale-tipper.  Other than that sort of thing, I don't think it really matters which order you go.  

Answer 3

Where are you flying to?  Get the cheapest flight and start in that city.  It makes no difference as they are completely different.

I think Barcelona is more fun, but perhaps that's because I visited there for holidays and weekend trips, whereas I lived in Madrid.

Answer 4

I don't think it really matters which city you visit first. You'll love both, I'm sure.

Keep in mind that Madrid and Barcelona are like polar opposites when it comes to "what is a Spanish city?".

Madrid, the capital, embodies everything which is "Spanish", very monumental, and a mix of all of Spain's cultures.

Barcelona - and Catalunya/Cataluña/Catalonia - is fighting for their independence FROM Spain and are quick to tell you they "are NOT Spanish - but Catalán". The attitude is very different in Barcelona but it is definitely a beautiful city, taking it as it is and not considering the political implications.

Have a great time in *Spain* - AND also in Barcelona. hehehe...

Saludos, BarcelonaMan/MadridMan @ you-know-where!

Answer 5

I was in Spain from mid-July to the beginning of August, and had a chance to go to both cities. I would recommend going to Madrid first because it's a landlocked city with some history, but as far as I'm concerned, Barcelona is incredible! I LOVED it there! It's more cosmopolitan, there's modern architecture every where, and the atmosphere is totally different to Madrid's. When in Barcelona, you should definitely check out La Boqueria, the massive market right on Las Ramblas. It has a really good organic vegetarian food stand at the very back, aptly named Organic. Even if you're not into that food, it's worth giving it a try. Barcelona also has beaches, something Madrid does not. You can also check out many Antoni Gaudi creations around the city. So, do Madrid first, then Barcelona second. Save the best one for last.

And if you can fit it in, San Sebastian, in the Basque Country, is better than both, in my opinion.

Answer 6

Anyway, you'll find Barcelona lovelier than Madrid.

Madrid it's the capital, it's huge, the museums, the parks, shops. bars and all that... but it is not specially beautiful or charming. Maybe like Paris in a desert (of course without Montmartre, Eiffel Tower, Champs Elysees, river Senna, no Notre Dame or Amelie)

Barcelona has something that you can't tell in a few words. You don't know what it is but it blows your mind.

Maybe a little like if Amsterdam was in the coast of Brazil, or if San Francisco was a city in Italy... something like that.