Should I go to Madrid or Barcelona first?

So which one should I go to? 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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Cheaper, with more variety, better food, and generally more to do than Barcelona, Madrid gets the top prize for a longer trip. If you're in the south of France and want a quick weekend in Spain and to experience Gaudi's architecture, Barcelona is the one for you.

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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 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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Both the cities are well connected via train taking about 2.5 hrs minimum and via road 6 hrs min . I would suggest 4 days in Barcelona and 3 days for Madrid to be able to spend just the right amount of time to cover all important landmarks and get the feel of this places .

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A first-time visitor could easily spend a week here, but many tourists often allot just 2 days in Madrid (maybe 3) before moving to the next city. Don't worry if you find yourself crunched for time, you can easily see all the main sights on a well-organized 2-day Madrid itinerary.

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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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The best time to visit Madrid is in the fall (September to November) or spring (March to May), when balmy temps blow through the city, making it come alive. But if you don't mind layering up or experiencing a toned down Madrid, visit in the winter when hotels reduce their rates.

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How Many Days Do You Need in Madrid? After spending a week in Madrid, we think that 2 days in Madrid is the right amount of time to see the main highlights of the city, though there's PLENTY more to do, see, eat, and drink to fill your time if you're lucky enough to have more.

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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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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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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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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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Recommend that you do not skip Madrid ~ the Prado, Palace, Gran Via, Plaza Mayor and all the beautiful buildings are worth seeing. Also, Toledo, 1/2 hour via AVE train is definitely worth an overnight stay (Hostal Posada de Manolo, near the cathederal is excellent). Sevilla, 2 1/2 hours via AVE is interesting.

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Madrid is a great city to visit in and of itself, and even better if you plan on taking some side trips. With its central location in Spain, Madrid provides the perfect base for day trips or weekend getaways.

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The cheapest time to visit Spain is usually from December to March, though you can also enjoy affordable flights and hotels in early spring and late autumn. The winter months see many vibrant markets and activities dedicated to annual celebrations such as Christmas, Carnival, and New Year's Eve.

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February is currently the cheapest month to fly to Madrid. At this moment in time June is the most expensive month. These prices are determined by multiple factors and booking in advance can help keep costs down if your schedule is not as flexible.

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As Spain's capital and largest city, Madrid offers a lifetime's worth of things to see, do and experience. However, if you're just passing through, we think 7 days in Madrid is perfect for getting to know the city.

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Seriously though, if you really want to get under the skin of the Spanish capital (and its surroundings), five days of laidback sightseeing beats a whirlwind weekend getaway hands down, allowing you stacks of time to take in all the main attractions – and then some.

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