Should you go to Madrid or Barcelona?

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.



People Also Ask

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.

MORE DETAILS

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.

MORE DETAILS

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.

MORE DETAILS

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.

MORE DETAILS

It is difficult to see everything Barcelona has to offer in just two days. So if you can give yourself more time (for example, arriving on Friday evening if you are coming for a whole weekend), we can recommend two spots a bit further from the centre that are also very interesting.

MORE DETAILS

There's so much to see and do in the Catalan capital. You could practically spend a lifetime discovering hidden local gems that most tourists would never stumble upon. However, a week is still the perfect amount of time to spend in the city.

MORE DETAILS

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 .

MORE DETAILS

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.

MORE DETAILS

Two Spanish cities make the list, with Barcelona and Madrid in the top 20 most walkable cities in the world.

MORE DETAILS

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.

MORE DETAILS

Overall Verdict – Lisbon Although both Madrid and Lisbon offer a plethora of sights and activities, Lisbon emerges as the best city due to its blend of historical landmarks, charming neighbourhoods, and vibrant cultural experiences.

MORE DETAILS

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.

MORE DETAILS

Four days is a great amount of time to explore Madrid with plenty of time to see the main sights, eat lots of Tapas, and not feel too rushed sightseeing in Madrid. The Spanish capital is bursting with things to see and do.

MORE DETAILS

Barcelona to Madrid by Train from $7.78 | Official Renfe, iryo & OUIGO Tickets | Trainline.

MORE DETAILS

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).

MORE DETAILS

2. Where is it more expensive to live? Madrid is overall a cheaper city to live in than Barcelona. You can buy a coffee for just €2 and eat out at a regular restaurant for €12 a head, according to Numbeo.

MORE DETAILS

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 .

MORE DETAILS

When you visit Barcelona in five days you have enough time to travel slow and also get to know more beautiful corners in Barcelona and experience the city better. It's recommended to go on a day trip to Montserrat, the mountain and the monastery - about an hour away from Barcelona.

MORE DETAILS

Yes, three days is undoubtedly enough time to get a feel for the Catalonian capital, and even take a short side trip to a nearby destination. 72 hours in Barcelona will undoubtedly allow you to sample the local food, see plenty of Gaudi architecture, and even squeeze in a moment to relax.

MORE DETAILS