Madrid or Barcelona
 

My wife, kids (teenagers) and I will have 3 days to spend in Spain the last week of December 2011. I am not sure whether we should spend our time based in Madrid or Barcelona. Also, is it too far/costly to do a day trip between each city? Any advice on the subject would be greatly appreciated.

This subject has been discussed many times.

Even with the high speed train between the two, it is unwise to take a day trip from either.

Madrid-World class museums, excellent hub to visit nearby towns

Barcelona-I sense of design and architecture found no where else in the world.

I loved Barcelona. I went with my 26 yr old daughter, and we loved Gaudi Park, Ramblas, Picasso Museum (beautiful building as well as an interesting perspective of his earlier works), Sagrada Familia, all the architecture, the Catalan Music Center (absolutely gorgeous), the food. Madrid is fine if you love art museums. Otherwise, I prefer Barcelona and wish we had more time there.

Either would be fine (but both would be impossible). That being said, you can get a good overview of Madrid in 3 full days, but in Barcelona I think it would be more of a tease. I spent 3 days in Madrid and felt like I was able to see much of the city. I spend a week in Barcelona and felt like I could stay another week. As Aduchamp1 points out, the 2 cities have different character and highlights.

In either case, I would avoid any day trips because both cities have so much to see.

Have your family look at the main attractions of both, and see what the consensus is. From the perspective of my daughter, who has been to both (as a high school and college student), she'd go for Barcelona.

This subject has been discussed ad nauseum here. I prefer Madrid, difficult to zero in as to why. I recommend you sit down with a travel book with plenty of pictures and commentary, look through it and see which one appeals more to you.

I love Barcelona a bit more. It is easier to navigate and
might be more fun for children.

The age old question to which there is no answer. The art museums in Madrid blow me away. Many people don't dig it. Madrid is more old school Spain, Castillian. Barcelona is Catalan, feels like it's own country. Also has the ancient Roman vibe going on around the Bari Gotic.

Thanks to all who responded.

Madrid will always get my vote as I spent my junior year of college there eons ago. but hubby and I were just discussing that we hardly know Barcelona at all. we only spent 2 1/2 days there last May. would love to go back and spend more time there. honestly, you can't go wrong with either city. Madrid does have the world class art museums, in my mind (an art lover), a must do! and Barcelona has alot more cool architecture. both have great food.

I hope you enjoy your time, whichever you choose. Both are great cities!

While usually I'd suggest to throw a coin as you can't go wrong with either city, I might lean towards Barcelona in late December.
Madrid is Europe's "highest capital", and it can get really cold up there.
Barcelona will be milder - but you might have a bigger chance of rain.

Well, I might be wrong, but I'd go to Barcelona without any doubts if I were you... I'm so in love with Barcelona, I think it has an amazing vibe of design, that yo cannot find anywhere else... Barcelona is so international, yet so typical catalonian that it is such a different place from any other city of Spain and Europe.

Madrid is a very nice city as well but it sooo full of concrete that it made me feel suffocated... If you like museums and large cities, go to Madrid. However, your kids might get bored visiting museums all the time...

There's something special about Barcelona... I do not know if it is the sea front, of if it is about its design, or maybe it is because of the bread with tomato, or maybe the cava... But I just love Barcelona!!