My daughter, 21, is studying in London this semester and she and a friend have booked a flight to Spain for 5 days. She has asked me to get help from Fodors. I have advised her to search this site but meanwhile here is her request. I believe that while they would like some night life, they are looking to do some sightseeing and not just soak up sun. Thanks in advance. "I am going to Spain from the March 30- April 4 so I will have 4 full days and 2 half days. I am flying into a town an hour out of Barcelona. Can you please ask your fodors what I should do?? SHould I stay in Barcelona for 5 days? Should I take a overnight train to Madrid? Is it worth it? Are there small citys near Barcelona that we should just hit up instead! I have to know soon so i can book hostels!!

I am a college student, and I liked Madrid better than Barcelona, but I'm probably in the extreme minority of people my age who would say that.

I stayed at hostalopera (NOT a hostel) for a double for 58 Euros. I highly recommend. Sometimes cheap hotels are better or similar price-wise as compared to hostels, and I much prefer my own room and bathroom.

We took a day trip to Montserrat from Barcelona and really enjoyed it. In my opinion, it would be hard to do both cities in 5 days ... my friend and I had a week between both.

We flew between Barcelona and Madrid on iberia.

Citys is not a word ... "cities" is.

Good luck.

Hi Susan,
For my money, less is more. Both cities have a lot to see but you can't do both justice in just 5 days so better stick with Barcelona, it is nearer for her after all...
Madrid is certainly more "Spanish", I would argue, however, that Barcelona has more to see. Both cities are great for art lovers, though Barcelona favours modern art and architecture on the whole. Madrid has the Prado museum (one of the greatest art museums in Europe) and the magnificent royal palace, but coming from London with the National Gallery and Buck house (as we locals call it ; ) ) Gaudi architecture and the olympic development etc is probably more diverse.
Hope this helps.

Barcelona is a dump with no character and full or utterly pretentious pieces of architecture, and nothing of any real merit, full of pseuds. Madrid is a real city full of interest and culture, go there!

I like Madrid a lot, but I LOVE Barcelona. The architecture is some of the best-looking you'll find anywhere, it's got great museums (not that Madrid doesn't), it's fun and festive, it's much more beautiful than Madrid (which is for the most part modern looking), has great food and a fun yet sophisticated vibe.

I too like Madrid but LOVE Barcelona. For a college student especially, I'd recommend Barcelona over Madrid, although our college student daughter is leaving for Italy for 6 months and we're meeting her there and may take her on to Madrid with us (then to Salamanca and Leon) if she can take the time off, but really, I think she'd prefer Barcelona over Madrid, (but this is the way our schedule's going this time.) But she can be sure, she'll have fun in either place.

If she does decide on Madrid, I suggest she do a day trip to Toledo or Segovia.

I thought kids were supposed to do internet-based research for their parents, not the other way around. There are Easy Internet cafes all over London. Tell her to do her own research, unless she's going to invite you along for the trip.

5 days is enough time see both Madrid and Barcelona. But take a Span Air flight instead of the train. It costs only around $60 US!

I toured Spain last year and love Barcelona too; lots of fun and interesting overall.
good luck!

Anyone under the age of 50 will prefer Barcelona. Madrid is much more stodgy and appeals to the old farts. It's really quite dull other than the Prado and Royal Palace. The interesting sites are outside the city like Toledo or Segovia.

Barcelona is a much more vibrant, youthful town.