In March I have a chance to go to Copenhagen, Barcelona, Madrid or Estonia. I love a good walking city where I can shop, people watch and eat. I am on a budget. What city is the most expensive? The cheapest? I know it will be cold in Estonia but that's not a big concern. I know these cities are very diverse so any input from you world travelers out there would be greatly appreciated.

Of the four cities you list, Copenhagen is easily the most expensive, but I think it's possible to go there on a budget. Barcelona and Madrid are probably cheaper than Copenhagen. Talinn, the capital of Estonia. But given your interests, I'd recommend either Madrid or Barcelona, both of which have more going for them in shopping, walking, and eating. And the weather will be a lot better in Spain.

I meant to write that Talinn is probably the cheapest.

Well if you want to do Copenhagen on a budget you better be prepared to like hot dogs. I was just there and found it much more difficult as a budget traveler to eat there than anyplace I've been (much more so than London, which is also very expensive but has lots more variety of low cost options). I was in Barcelona last March and it does meet your requirements. There were plenty of places for pizza, greek, sandwiches, etc. and of course Tapas is pretty economical. It was great in March. I'm heading to Madrid this coming March so I sure hope it also meets your requirements (as they are pretty much the same as mine). Good luck.

I would vote for Madrid. It can be expensive but it can be cheap too. It's a great city for walking and bags of scenery. Great parks and great terrace cafe's to watch folks.

Blackduff

I have not been to Estonia, but I have been to Copenhagen, Barcelona and Madrid. All three would be fun places to shop and people watch, but we were not impressed by the food in Copenhagen (with the exception of the store front that sold hot waffles with ice cream and chocolate sauce, and oh yes, there is great smoked salmon). Loved the food in Barcelona and Madrid. And the food in Copenhagen is much, much more expensive than the food in Spain, as are hotel accommodations and general costs of travel.

Tallin is a beautiful city and used to be inexpensive. I wouldn't want to spend more than a few days in Tallin, but you could include Helsinki to make it more diverse.

Copenhagen is a great place to visit - but maybe not in March, or for the budget minded.

Is Budapest a possibiity?

Been to CPH twice and Spain once. Not Estonia. Would go back to Spain again before Denmark. Especially in March. Too cold in Denmark and Estonia!

Thanks for the great advice. I am also considering Budapest. Can anyone tell me how Barcelona and Madrid differ?

I love Barcelona and like Madrid. Barcelona IMO has more "heart" and more to see and is a great walking city. Madrid has the Prado and Sofia, and while I liked it, it didn't have as much spirit and gaiety as Barcelona. Don't know a thing about Esonia or Copenhagen (though I have heard Copenhagaen is veyr expensive and in March will also probalby be very cold.)

Barcelona is more varied topographically; it is on the Mediterranean, with a large port and beaches, and it backs up into the mountains. Sightseeing can take you up and down hills for interesting views of the city and differing areas.

The first language in Barcelona is Catalan; in Madrid it is Spanish.

The architecture in Barcelona is unique, with many buildings in the style developed by Gaudi and found, as far as I know, nowhere else.

I found the atmosphere in Madrid at night extremely festive and lively (I was there in July, though), and there are great places to see and hear flamenco at midnight.

Both cities captured my idea of great cosmopolitan centers with lively arts scenes and places one could return to many times without running out of things to do.

My visits to both cities were brief, but they are described in my recent trip report, which is not:

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