Madrid or Barcelona?

When we think of Spain, colorful lively images come to mind, of winding narrow streets of sunny villages and eclectic architecture and fiery dresses swinging to the rhythms of passionate music. The second thing that comes to mind is the magnificence of Spanish towns, so pick your choice: Madrid or Barcelona?

Each of these two cities is an embodiment of the Spanish essence and spirit. Yet there is a (symbolic) competition between the Catalan capital city of Barcelona and the capital of Spain, Madrid.

Madrid

The warm weather and beautiful atmosphere of this city that has a population of around 3.3 million people make it a fascinating place and one of the most beloved capital cities in the world. Among the things you simply must visit are Prado and Reina Sofia Museums, the Royal Palace of Madrid or beautiful parks like Buen Retiro or the Casa de Campo lake. Apart from this, Madrid also houses the World Tourism Organization headquarters, the Royal Spanish Academy and the Cervantes Institute. Also, here you can participate in the Cibeles Madrid Fashion Week.

Barcelona

Spain’s second largest city, Barcelona, some say, matches Madrid in beauty… and more. It is more than an administrative center, focusing on the cultural development. Many of its monuments are part of the UNESCO World Heritage Sites: the Sagrada Familia by Gaudi, the Palau de la Musica Catalana, the Park Guell and the Casa Vicens.

Recently, the Catalan government has announced that they intend to make a referendum on the possibility of independence from Spain. This has brought about a certain degree of dissatisfaction from the Government in Madrid.

Returning to our question, Madrid or Barcelona? After all, why do you necessarily have to choose? Our advice is to travel to Spain and visit them both and see for yourself!