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Is the train from Madrid to Barcelona scenic?

The Madrid to Barcelona route is one of the most popular, and it's easy to see why. The scenery is stunning, and there's so much to see and do along the way. Whether you're looking for breathtaking mountain views, stunning coastal scenery, or charming Spanish towns and villages, this journey has it all.



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Without a doubt, taking the train is faster, cheaper, more convenient, and greener than flying. By taking the train you: Don't have to make your way to and from the cities' airports which are located out of town, unlike the train stations which are located in the city centers of Madrid and Barcelona.

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For a scenic stop on your way from Madrid to Barcelona, hop off the train in Zaragoza, another lovely Spanish destination for you to explore. Home to some spectacular examples of Moorish architecture, it is the capital of the scenic Aragón region and the fifth-largest city in the country.

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With such artistic and historical value, spending at least two days in the city is best. Yet, you can enjoy the best of Barcelona in a day if you plan it right. Prepare to be surprised because you will not believe how beautiful the city is.

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As Spain's two premier cities, you can't go wrong whichever you choose. But if you had to ?select one, which should it be: Madrid or Barcelona? Of course, you should visit both. And with the high-speed AVE train now serving a direct route between Madrid and Barcelona, the journey is quicker and easier than ever.

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Well, it depends on what you're looking for. If it's traditional culture, Madrid can offer classy museums and easy day trips to historic cities, but if it's a more laidback, perhaps beachy break then it has to be Barcelona.

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Madrid is more walkable. But aside from that, Barcelona is just harder to get around. Tourist attractions and nightlife hubs are spread out and often require public transportation to get from point A to B.

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Barcelona is easily worth two days, and no one would regret having a third day (or a fourth, or a fifth…). If you can spare only one full day for the city, it will be a scramble, but a day you'll never forget.

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For most travelers, 6 to 9 days is the perfect amount of time for a Spain trip with stops in both Barcelona and Madrid. If you don't mind a fast-paced journey, you can see the highlights of this route in less time—as few as about 5 days.

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Yes, Barcelona and Madrid is safe for tourism, but tourists can be easy prey for pickpockets. There is little violent crime and few unsafe areas but compared to barcelona, Madrid is safe destination but it is also huge city! Both are very beautiful cities in Spain.

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Barcelona consumer prices are around 9% higher than Madrid, and restaurants and shopping trips will cost a few euros more. Barcelona rental prices are the highest in Spain according to Deloitte, averaging €21.30/m2 (i.e. you're paying over €1,000 a month for a regular flat).

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The cities that have come closest to this number have been selected for the ranking of the most beautiful cities in the world. The city of Barcelona obtains the bronze medal in this ranking with an 81.9% coincidence.

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Traveling by high-speed train The fastest way to travel from Madrid to Barcelona is by taking the AVE high-speed train. This modern and luxurious train will get you to your destination in just under 3 hours. For actual travel times, check out our timetable.

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Restaurants and the Food Scene At the top end of the spectrum, when using Michelin-starred restaurants as your guide, Barcelona (24) just beats Madrid (22), but the overall breadth of the food scene is heartier in the capital of Spain.

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Madrid is a large, vibrant city with lots of cultural and historical attractions, as well as a wide variety of restaurants, nightlife and shopping. Seville is a smaller, more traditionally Spanish city. It has some of the finest Moorish architecture in Spain, and is known for its traditional flamenco music and dance.

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Of his many creations, Park Guell and Sagrada Familia are considered to be his most important works. If you are in Barcelona, these two iconic masterpieces are a must-visit. Opt for a combo ticket so you can explore Park Guell and Sagrada Familia on the same day.

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In short, do visit Park Güell first -which is on top of a hill-, then stroll down to the bohemian neighbourhood of Gràcia for lunch and then head to Sagrada Família. Don't forget also drop by Sant Pau when you finish SF, it's just a short ten minutes walk from there.

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Public transport such as the metro, tram and FGC are the quickest, simplest, most convenient and most sustainable way of getting around Barcelona. You can choose from the different ticket types and travel cards. Bicycles are a healthy, clean and silent way of getting around the city.

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