Spain - Madrid and Barcelona
 

Madrid - 1 day
Barcelona - 3 days.
July'12
Hostel recommendations for both and must see's for both. 2 /22 year olds. budget tight but happy to splurge on must see's.

Also - forgot to say - we love history/culture for both Madrid and Bercelona

For Madrid in one day my top recommendations are the Prado Museum and the Royal Palace. You should also make sure to walk through the Plaza Mayor because it is so historical. If you would like to see Guernica in person, go to the Reina Sofia for a quick pop-in. It will be a long day, but it can be done.

is there a reason you are only spending one day in Madrid? why not do 2 days in each? Madrid has the Prado, Puerta del Sol, Plaza Mayor, Palacio Real, and Retiro park. Take a walk along Gran Via and see Spain's grandest boulevard while marveling the architecture. Madrid's nightlife is off the hook. Sobrino de Botin is billed as the oldest restaurant in the world.. check it out

Hotel Suggestion in Barcelona=Condes de Barcelon
Rest. suggestion in Barcelona=Cerveceri'a Calalana or maybe Costa Gallega
Beside the above a very interesting take-in in Madrid in the Arts category would be the home/museum of the artist Joaquin Sorolla

Have you purchased your guide books yet?

thank you all - no guide books as yet

Budget accomodation in the best location in both cities. Basic but private bathrooms and just fine:

Hostal Orleans in Barcelona. In the vibrant El Born area, ten minutes walk to the Barceloneta beach: http://www.hostalorleans.com/index.php?lang=en

About El Born: http://www.barcelona-tourist-guide.c...s/el-born.html

Hostal Perla Asturiana in Madrid. Just off majestic Plaza Mayor, 200 meters from vibrant Plaza Santa Ana and the heart of the city Puerta del Sol and close to the fabulous Barrio de las Letras with great bars, cafés, jazz and flamenco venues and nightlife in general:
http://www.perlaasturiana.com/index.php

About Barrio de las Letras and Plaza Santa Ana: http://www.barrioletras.com/
http://www.gomadrid.com/sights/plaza-santa-ana.html

Always updated on Madrid: http://www.esmadrid.com/en/portal.do

Note that you'll be visiting Madrid during the Veranos de la Villa festival (Summer in the city). Concerts with top artists on quite spectacular outdoor scenes every night through July and August: http://veranosdelavilla.esmadrid.com/