Barcelona or Madrid
May 5th, 2014, 12:10 PM
#1
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Barcelona or Madrid
Husband and wife over 50 would probably want to go to both but if you could only go to either Barcelona or Madrid for about 3 days, which would be your choice and why. I realize they are probably apples and oranges but I am interested if there is an over-whelming response as to one or the other.
May 5th, 2014, 01:43 PM
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It is apples and oranges, and you didn't even say WHEN you plan to go, which could affect the answer somewhat. I heard Madrid is very hot in July, for example, but Barcelona is not as bad because it is on the coast. Of course it is hot, but not terrible. I have been there in July, and it was fine. I have ony been to Madrid in the Spring and Fall.
YOu don't even state your interests, either, so not much to go on. I like both very much, they are just different, so I wouldn't pick one. It would depend what was important for that trip and the weather, and the rest of the trip -- how well it fit in. I'm sure you aren't going all the way to Spain for only 3 days and that's it (unless you live in France).
Madrid is great for the top art museums and is a more majestically planned city, being the capital. I think Barcelona is a little more cosmopolitan, more relaxed, and of course, if you are interested in architecture, the Gaudi works are not to be missed. I find it easier to dine well in Barcelona, also.
YOu don't even state your interests, either, so not much to go on. I like both very much, they are just different, so I wouldn't pick one. It would depend what was important for that trip and the weather, and the rest of the trip -- how well it fit in. I'm sure you aren't going all the way to Spain for only 3 days and that's it (unless you live in France).
Madrid is great for the top art museums and is a more majestically planned city, being the capital. I think Barcelona is a little more cosmopolitan, more relaxed, and of course, if you are interested in architecture, the Gaudi works are not to be missed. I find it easier to dine well in Barcelona, also.
May 5th, 2014, 02:13 PM
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We four strongly preferred Barcelona over Madrid, went April 2012 (we are two couples in our 60s); the Gaudi influence was fascinating, Miro museum set high over the Med. Sea; the Gothic quarter; Picasso museum; tapas restaurants; easy to maneuver via the subway. Yes, the Sofia Regina & Prado were on our lists of must-dos, and the city has its royal palace, but due to the size or something, lacked a stamp of individuality on us and we wished we had swapped out our fourth night.
May 5th, 2014, 02:27 PM
#4
Madrid can be very hot in the summer, but the summer I went to both, it was more bearable in Madrid than in Barcelona because of the humidity in Barcelona.
I really enjoyed both cities, but I might give the edge to Barcelona if you can only go to one. Really good food, nice setting between the mountains and the sea, interesting architecture and good cultural events. I really enjoyed the market La Boqueria.
Barcelona does not have the same class of museums as Madrid, and Madrid has several interesting day trips (which I haven't taken because we were only there for a night or two on the two occasions I visited).
Madrid has wonderful flamenco and a lively outdoor scene at night which adds to the flavor.
No wrong decision here.
I really enjoyed both cities, but I might give the edge to Barcelona if you can only go to one. Really good food, nice setting between the mountains and the sea, interesting architecture and good cultural events. I really enjoyed the market La Boqueria.
Barcelona does not have the same class of museums as Madrid, and Madrid has several interesting day trips (which I haven't taken because we were only there for a night or two on the two occasions I visited).
Madrid has wonderful flamenco and a lively outdoor scene at night which adds to the flavor.
No wrong decision here.
May 5th, 2014, 03:00 PM
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Madrid is very hot but very dry, so the hotness is quite bearable. Of course, there is a while if Spanish people take it slow in the afternoon and nights are so lively - this is because afternoon is quite hot.
May 5th, 2014, 11:35 PM
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Two very different cities that shows some of the great diversity of Spain. Barcelona is the capital of the Catalan region which is preparing a referendum about seeking independence from Spain later this year. Few football (soccer) matches in the world with more historical and cultural tensions, over- and undertones than the annual meetings between Real Madrid and FC Barcelona, two of the greatest football teams on the planet.
I love Barcelona, but here are some suggestions for fabulous Madrid which I have posted before:
Have breakfast or lunch at Café del Círculo de Bellas Artes in down town Calle Alcalá, 42. One of the city's most emblematic cafés. Grab a window table and watch Madrid life on bustling Calle Alcalá. Take the lift up to the roof topp terrace (the azotea) for great views of the city. http://www.esmadrid.com/en/cargarApl...ntificador=179
Watch the sunset over the Guadarrama mountains from the terrace at El Ventorrillo in the Vistillas park. Great pollo al ajillo (garlic chicken), some say the best in town. Map, video and some pictures: http://11870.com/pro/restaurante-ventorrillo
Have lunch or some tapas at Casa Granada, on the 6th floor of an apartment building just off Plaza Tirso de Molina. Hard to find and an excellent terrace. http://www.tripfilms.com/Travel_Vide...ada-Video.html
Café Central, just off bustling Plaza Santa Ana, is a fabulous jazz venue with live performances from the best artists every night at 10. Artists shift every week. Entrance 15€. Good food also. Populart, a little further down the street, is also a great place.
Experience world class flamenco at one of the best tablaos. Madrid is arguably the flamenco capital of the world. Although the art form comes from the South (Andalucía), everybody has to conquer Madrid to get to the top. On their way there, or as an opportunity to try out new things and get an up close audience, many of them work the top tablaos. I recommend Casa Patas and Cardamomo, both close to Plaza Santa Ana.
http://www.casapatas.com/
http://www.cardamomo.es/
A stroll in the beautiful Retiro Park. http://www.aviewoncities.com/madrid/parquedelretiro.htm
Asturian Casa Mingo for the best grilled chicken and cider: http://www.casamingo.es/
Watch the video, and you're sold:
http://11870.com/pro/casa-mingo/videos/bc313f19
Txirimiri in Calle del Humilladero, 6 gives you an idea of why the Basque kitchen is considered among the best in the world. In the midst of one of the best tapas/restaurant districts in town, in and around Calle Cava Baja in La Latina.
http://www.tripadvisor.com/Restauran...ri-Madrid.html
I never leave Madrid without having had the squid in its own ink and the famous cod at Revuelta, also in the same district.
http://www.tripadvisor.com/Restauran...ta-Madrid.html
The Reina Sofia contemporary art museum. The second floor with Picasso, Dalí, lots of other painitings, posters, films, photos etc., dealing with a couple of the greatest civilizational breakdowns of the 20th century, the Spanish Civil War and WWII, completely blew my mind off a couple of years ago. (And of course Prado and the Thyssen-Bornemisza museums)
Always updated info about Madrid: http://www.esmadrid.com/en/portal.do
You should also download Maribel's Guides to Madrid, dining, hotels and sightseeing (www.maribelsguides.com).
I love Barcelona, but here are some suggestions for fabulous Madrid which I have posted before:
Have breakfast or lunch at Café del Círculo de Bellas Artes in down town Calle Alcalá, 42. One of the city's most emblematic cafés. Grab a window table and watch Madrid life on bustling Calle Alcalá. Take the lift up to the roof topp terrace (the azotea) for great views of the city. http://www.esmadrid.com/en/cargarApl...ntificador=179
Watch the sunset over the Guadarrama mountains from the terrace at El Ventorrillo in the Vistillas park. Great pollo al ajillo (garlic chicken), some say the best in town. Map, video and some pictures: http://11870.com/pro/restaurante-ventorrillo
Have lunch or some tapas at Casa Granada, on the 6th floor of an apartment building just off Plaza Tirso de Molina. Hard to find and an excellent terrace. http://www.tripfilms.com/Travel_Vide...ada-Video.html
Café Central, just off bustling Plaza Santa Ana, is a fabulous jazz venue with live performances from the best artists every night at 10. Artists shift every week. Entrance 15€. Good food also. Populart, a little further down the street, is also a great place.
Experience world class flamenco at one of the best tablaos. Madrid is arguably the flamenco capital of the world. Although the art form comes from the South (Andalucía), everybody has to conquer Madrid to get to the top. On their way there, or as an opportunity to try out new things and get an up close audience, many of them work the top tablaos. I recommend Casa Patas and Cardamomo, both close to Plaza Santa Ana.
http://www.casapatas.com/
http://www.cardamomo.es/
A stroll in the beautiful Retiro Park. http://www.aviewoncities.com/madrid/parquedelretiro.htm
Asturian Casa Mingo for the best grilled chicken and cider: http://www.casamingo.es/
Watch the video, and you're sold:
http://11870.com/pro/casa-mingo/videos/bc313f19
Txirimiri in Calle del Humilladero, 6 gives you an idea of why the Basque kitchen is considered among the best in the world. In the midst of one of the best tapas/restaurant districts in town, in and around Calle Cava Baja in La Latina.
http://www.tripadvisor.com/Restauran...ri-Madrid.html
I never leave Madrid without having had the squid in its own ink and the famous cod at Revuelta, also in the same district.
http://www.tripadvisor.com/Restauran...ta-Madrid.html
The Reina Sofia contemporary art museum. The second floor with Picasso, Dalí, lots of other painitings, posters, films, photos etc., dealing with a couple of the greatest civilizational breakdowns of the 20th century, the Spanish Civil War and WWII, completely blew my mind off a couple of years ago. (And of course Prado and the Thyssen-Bornemisza museums)
Always updated info about Madrid: http://www.esmadrid.com/en/portal.do
You should also download Maribel's Guides to Madrid, dining, hotels and sightseeing (www.maribelsguides.com).
