Barcelona, Malaga or Marbella?
 

My husband and I (30's) are planning a trip to Spain. We can stay in one of these cities via a hotel program my company has. I would like to really get the feel of Spanish culture, have some beach time and see a place with charm.
Do any of the above fit this category or should we scrap the hotel deal and go elsewhere?
In terms of Barcelona, if we go, I would like to see some of the city with real spanish feel and not feel like I'm in any city (I'm in Manhattan daily).
Thanks for any advice.

ttt

JES, Each place you mention is very different, so it depends on what you like. Of the three, I would pick Barcelona because of the Gaudi architecture, museums, and the overall feel of the city. It's only on a beach, but not being a "beach person" I can't vouch for how great the beach is. Marbella is on a beach and is smaller and more of a touristy location, but does has it's charm and is fairly close to some great daytrips such as Granada, Ronda, and several white village. Malaga is a fairly large city and generally isn't a big tourist draw, but has some interesting cites including a great Picasso Museum (better than the one in Barcelona), a palace on top of the hill with a great view and a nice alcazar.

I love Manhattan too, but believe me, Barcelona is nothing like it. From what you've said, that might be your best pick, but do a search here and go to bookshops and check out guidebooks as well as other websites.

I would say Malaga for sure. It is very easy to do day trips to Rhonda, Nerja Beach and Granada from here, by bus. Each of these places has plenty of charm and history. You actually go past Marbella on one of these bus trips, so you could always make a quick detour.

We found Barcelona nice, but didn't get as much an authentic Spanish feel as in the south of Spain, where it is less touristy and not 'big city' like.

I love Barcelona, but also have to say Malaga or Marbella, (they're very close). Reasons? Barcelona has amazing architecture and just a great vibe, but it is a BIG city. Malaga's a city also, but its the daytrips that are such a draw for me. Nerja, Ronda, Granada, Gilbraltor, even Marbella is terrific for an afternoon or long evening. These are small towns, villages, each very spectacular (in it's own way) and very different from any city, or any place else you have ever been, except, ofcourse the south of Spain!

I'm going to Barcelona as the first trip to Spain.

I think I can call up just enough high school Spanish but it may be irrelevant as I see a lot of Catelan street and place names which I'm not even sure how to pronounce even if I read it.

Still, seems like more to see than other Spanish cities except of course Madrid and Seville.

Thank you for all of your advice. Bling and Zwho, would you suggest staying in Malaga the entire time and doing day trips (taking advantage of the hotel deal) or making that our base and spending nights or two in the other towns? Again, I want to experience the food, culture, etc. and don't want to miss something just because of a "hotel deal" i.e. Seeing an adorable dinner spot in a more intimate area in one of the smaller towns, but having to run to catch the last bus back. What are your thoughts?

Also, how far are these towns from Malaga?

Which were your favorites?

Thanks for all your help!!!!

Please, sweetie darlings, you can't compare fabulous, swinging Barcelona to touristy, dull-as-dishwater Malaga. And Marbella was over in 1982 (on July 2, to be exact).

Go to Barcelona to see the architecture of Antonio Gaudi, eat exquisite Catalan cuisine, shop in fashionable boutiques, and party in some of the best clubs in Spain.

If you want to hang out with English chavs from Essex go to Malaga. If you want to hang out with the Spanish version of Lovey and Thurston Howell, III, spend your holiday in Marbella.

There's no comparison, guv.

I am the greatest star there is. The stars are ageless!

Balenciaga, you are an authentic uproar!

Barcelona is best, so don't put Málaga (and certainly not Marbella) to the test.

When you say you want Spanish culture, what, exactly, are you looking for?

I spend every August in Málaga which is a vapid hole of a city that I only stay in because my dance teacher is there. It is falling apart and ruins are only worth seeing if they are over 300 years old. This stuff is from last century (as in 20th).

As for Barcelona, where will your hotel be? I live there and yes, it is more Catalán/European than Spanish, but it is actually a small town if you are comparing it with Manhattan. You still have your cafés and your neighbors and if you are there long enough, you start to recognize faces on the street. Also, the neighborhoods are manageable and it is a beautiful walking city. And if you are in your 30s, I think it is quite the place to be. The bars are fantastic (if you want, I will name names), and there are fabulous restaurants (again, upon request). Aside from that, you have great cultural stuff to do. The MACBA is a nice morning and the restaurants around it are very good (chocoalte cake at Fragile is orgasmic, so eat it with your hubby). Gràcia feels older and quainter, but is full of students and great nightlife. The Barceloneta is a little rundown, but who cares when the champagne and sandwiches are that good at the Champañería?

Málaga has little to offer when compared to Barcelona. Even when compared to Tulsa, Oklahom, for that matter, and we are talking about a place whose museum has been dubbed "the cowboy museum" and where, to see the "really interesting architecture," you have to penetrate the weird vibes of Oral Roberts U.

Forget Marbella. Nouveau Riche, drugs drugs drugs (unless that is your thing), expensive and sub-par food, no Spaniards unless they are your employees. . . a total bust.

Claire Gunter

We actually stayed in the Malaga town centre, and didn't even notice there was a touristy area a few kms away until we were on a bus trip to Nerja!

Wow, you really have some very hip people answering you. I'm suprised they can stand sharing space with us mere mortals. True, Malaga is a very touristy place, but there is still some great stuff to see there and as I said it makes a great base for day trips. We actually used Malaga to go to Nerja, Ronda, Gibraltor and Granada. We then drove to Seville dropped off the car and used it as a base to take the train to Cordoba. We also visited a small town right next to Nerja called Frigiliana (I think). I can't say it enough. Each place is very exotic, lots of Moorish influences, and even though its not Gaudi, it ain't chicken liver either! Sorry, but as cool as Barcelona is, and it is, its still a city and thats what JES didn't want. P.S. Out of all the places we have been, Manhattan is still my very favorite! One more thing, timeshare apartments are abundant and cheap all over the costa del sol from Malaga to Marbella. You should investigate.

To me there is no contest: Barcelona is by far the best. I disagree totally with Bling who wrote that the Costa del Sol is less touristy than Barcelona. Barcelona has a very wide sandy beach and you can easily access the resort beach towns on the Costa Brava from there. Listen to the experts who have posted earlier. Plus the food in Barca is amazing!

Believe me, Barcelona is not "any city" that you've ever been in before, including your home town. But be aware that in Barcelona you are going to get a lot of Catalan "culture."

Do notice that the folks recommending Malaga are quick to tell you how convenient it is to LEAVE there on day trips to other places....

You have a choice and there is even a question? It blows my mind. BARCELONA.

For some reason I didn't see the updated responsed until I switched computers (even though, yes, I was refreshing the page).
Hmmm a little bit of a debate. I can see both sides.
Barcelona is definitely sounding attractive to me and Malaga sounds like it's in a good area to explore the nicer surrounding towns.
Zwho--if I went Southern, do you recommend that I bag my Malaga hotel and stay in the surrounding towns overnight?

laclaire, I will definitely seek advice from you if I chose Barcelona.

Thanks for all of the options so far!

I'm also in NYC daily and have been to all 3. No contest BARCELONA. Malaga-didn't really do it for me and Marbella kind of reminded me of Palm Springs sans water for some reason. Bot Barcelona, now thats's a great city but very very different than our fair NYC.

Wondering why it reminded you of Palm Springs--is it very dry?

I'm still wondering if I should use Marbella as a base (I can stay at the Marbella Club Hotel) for day trips or if I should pack up and overnight in Seville, etc. Can anyone help?

Barcelona - Malaga to me was like Miami Beach or Lauderdale - touristy, couldn't see the beach at times due to the number of high rises, etc. We spent two weeks in spain last spring and Malaga was our least favorite. When are you going? As for hotels, in Barca, search for the H10 chain - nice places, variety of locations and price ranges but none that are excessive. If my trip report is still on the board, you might find more suggestions there. Have a blast!

cmeyer--When you were in Malaga did you go to Marbella at all? What you explain definitely doesn't interest me, but I was thinking of staying in Marbella for 3 nights where I relax on the beach for a day or 2 and see the old town of Marbella and check out the coast, then do day and side trips to Ronda, Grenada, Seville.....
When you were in Barca, did you do side trips to charming towns?
My choices are Barca & side towns, Marbella and side trips or Amalfi coast of Italy--Revello & Ischia (with the hotel plan my company is offering).

I came upon this forum while looking for info on Spain. My wife and I too are going to Spain this July. We are going to MAdrid and Barcelona and either San Sebastian or Marbella. Any thoughts, have read such mixed comments on Marbella, and know little about Sansebastion except it allow a day trip to Bilbao. Are there beaches in San sebastian that you do not have to schlepp to?