Spain's 2 cities in January, help me plan my time
 

I will be traveling to Europe in January, and I have roughly 4-6 extra days, and I would like to see visit Spain for the first time. Because of the time of year, I am only interested in cities, specifically Madrid and Barcelona. What are these places like in January? I love art and food and going out, and I am dying to go to the Prado and to see Guernica, but I am curious about some of the other attractions, such as parks, day trips, outdoor activities, etc., this time of year.

Specifically, would it be worth a day trip to Toledo from Madrid this time of year? Also, since I am assuming that a lot of the beaches in Barcelona will be less enjoyable this time of year, should I even go to Barcelona, with all its parks and outdoor activities, in January?

I would love to see both of these great cities if possible, and I could perhaps do 3 nights each place, but if I had to cut it down to 2 and 3, or 3 and 1, (or 2 and 2) with a flight home out of one city, what would you choose to do? I know there is are lots of forums about the perennial Barcelona v. Madrid debate, but I am specifically interested in what these places are like this time of year, and whether the season makes one place a higher priority than the other. Thanks!!!

Please note Guernica is in the Museo Reina Sofía.

Both cities can be cold in January.

Toledo is worth a day trip any time of year.

I was in Madrid and Granada last January. You can read my trip report below. It was a great time to be in both cities..Madrid because there were few crowds in museums and restaurants. Granada because of above and also because it was just about shirtsleeve weather in the daytime and clear skies.

I was in Barcelona in late February and that was great, too, for the same reasons but you are correct about not being able to enjoy beaches or parks quite as much in the cooler months.

If this were my trip, I would combine Madrid with Granada and/or other Andalusian cities.

http://www.fodors.com/community/euro...k-in-spain.cfm

weather2travel.com Spain climate guides

Ronda in Southern Spain. Hotels and Andalucia
www.rondatoday.com/2657/hotel-parador-ronda

My fav spot in winter in Spain

eurocheapo.com/madrid good tips will be chilly

eurocheapo.com/barcelona will be better

Happy Travels!

I don't think of Barcelona as a destination for beaches or parks. Yes, they're there, but I don't see them as the reason to be in Barcelona. The architecture, food, art (though I gather less so than Madrid), history, and general feel of the city are reasons to be there. I've only been there in May.

I've yet to be in Madrid (next month!), but if you give yourself only three days there I would hesitate to do a day trip. It seems there is plenty to experience in the city for three days.

I didn't know Spain had only two cities. Seville and Granada must be oversized towns . . .

I wouldn't think of Barcelona as a beach city considering its long list of other attractions. Whether Barcelona has less "art" than Madrid is a question of taste. It has far more modern art.

Barcelona and Madrid are great cities and very different, a visit to both would make up huge contrasts and be a perfect introduction to a very diverse country.

Both cities would be chilly in January, Madrid more so, but there are days in January touching 60F and there are averages of some 4 hours sun pr. day in both at this time of year according to past 15 years statistics.

The Reina Sofía museum is fabulous. Here is one of Spain's greatest, the flamenco singer Enrique Morente, singing in front of Guernika a couple of days before he tragically passed away last December. Morente devoted much of the end of his career to Picasso's life and work: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MYcGPdjNyD4

About Morente and Picasso: http://www.flamenco-world.com/notici...te02062008.htm

This site provides broad and updated info on Madrid: http://www.esmadrid.com/en/portal.do

Do 3 in Madrid and 3 in Barcelona if you can. 3 days in Madrid is just enough time to see the 3 incredible museums. I swing towards Madrid. With 5 nights in Madrid that would let you do a daytrip to Toledo and Avila or Segovia. Barcelona's beaches aren't that nice even in the summer as they are man made.