Visit Barcelona Or Madrid: Which One Is Better? (2024)

Are you planning a trip to Spain and wonder if you should visit Barcelona or Madrid? 

I spent quite some time in both and I’m here to help!

Madrid and Barcelona are two of the most popular places to visit in Spain, with plenty of things to do and a lively atmosphere. 

You can discover the rich history of Madrid and its world-class museums, or enjoy Barcelona’s beaches and unique architecture. 

So, if you only have time to visit one of the cities, which should it be?

Let’s compare them and find out which city is the best option for you!

Disclaimer: This post may contain affiliate links, which means I may receive a commission, at no extra cost to you, if you make a purchase through a link. I hope you find the information here helpful!

Overview: Barcelona vs Madrid

I visited both Barcelona and Madrid, and I was quite surprised at how different the two cities felt!

The main difference between Madrid and Barcelona is that Barcelona is a beachfront city with Mediterranean vibes, while Madrid is an elegant capital, with an impressive cultural legacy. 

I liked Barcelona better than Madrid, but you might disagree with me!

So, what can you expect from each city? Let’s jump right in!

Tourist Attractions

• Winner: Both

You won’t be bored in either of the cities, as Madrid and Barcelona offer a plethora of things to do!

TOP Things to do in Barcelona

1. Visit Parc Güell

Parc Güell is one of the iconic places to visit in Barcelona, and I think it is the perfect introduction to this unique city. 

The park sits on the top of the hill and offers a beautiful view of the city. However, it is best known for its unique gingerbread-like houses and tiled terraces.

2. Admire Sagrada Familia

Sagrada Familia is one of the symbols of Barcelona. This unique basilica has been under construction for over 100 years and it still needs to be finished!

It was designed by Antoni Gaudi, the architect who is responsible for many unique buildings in the city. 

The works of Antoni Gaudi in Barcelona are listed as UNESCO World Heritage sites, so they are well worth visiting!

You can admire the building from the outside or visit the interior. It gets even more intricate once you’re inside!  

3. Watch the sunset from the Bunkers El Carmel

I love panoramic viewpoints, and Bunkers El Carmel was probably my favorite spot in the city.

I liked it because it was so rugged and unexpected, but once you’re there and see the whole city in front of you it’s truly magical.

The most popular time to go there is for the sunset, but it gets very crowded.

I rented a bike and biked to the site (a very uphill ride!) in the early afternoon, and I was one of the only people there. 

4. Marvel at the unique architecture

It’s hard to put an entire city in one bullet point, but architecture is a big thing in Barcelona. 

From the walking street of La Rambla to impressive buildings in the Gothic quarter, to the unique buildings like Casa Mia and Casa Batlló, walking around Barcelona feels like walking around an open-air museum!

I love how there are a lot of pedestrian-only areas, so you can enjoy an evening stroll or browse Barcelona souvenirs away from the heavy traffic.

5. Enjoy the beaches

Finally, we can’t forget the beaches!

Barcelona is a beachfront town and one of the rare places in Europe where you have a big city right on the beach which is actually nice.

I was in Barcelona in August, so I went for a quick dip every day. I even liked it so much that I extended my stay in the city!

TOP Things to do in Madrid

1. Visit the Royal Palace

Did you know that Spain is a kingdom? To this day, Spain still has a royal family, and you can learn more about the history of the Spanish royalty in their official residence – the Royal Palace.

The royal family doesn’t live there anymore, so you can visit this 18th-century palace and admire the intricate design of its many rooms and hallways.

Top tip if you’re backpacking Europe on a budget, you can visit the palace for free after 5 PM, but the line was insane when I got there so I skipped going in. 

2. Admire Plaza Mayor

Plaza Mayor is the coolest square in Madrid, and I liked how it was lined with vibrant red buildings you can admire as you enjoy a drink on one of the terraces.

I also liked this square because it differed from other posh white buildings in the city center.

3. Grab a drink and enjoy free tapas

One of the coolest traditions I’ve seen in Madrid is their tapas culture. I knew about the tapas culture in Andalucia, but I wasn’t expecting it in the capital!

Still, if you grab a drink in most local places, you’ll also get a small snack on the side for free – tapas or raciones!

I even went to the place where they gave us a full plate of chicken, potatoes, and bread for free with a simple glass of beer! 

I’m vegan so that was not very useful for me, but my friend got a free dinner.

4. Stroll Gran Via

Gran Via is the famous Madrid boulevard. It is lined with impressive landmark buildings like the Metrópolis, Telefónica Building, and Plaza de España (not as pretty as the one in Seville though).

The boulevard was built in the early 20th century, and today it is the center of Madrid’s social life, with endless stores, cafes, and theaters. 

5. Visit Retiro Park

I love a city with dedicated green areas, and Madrid is one of them!

The best place to enjoy nature and escape the city noise is the Retiro Park. The park is known for its artificial lake where you can rent a small boat and the unique Palacio de Cristal.

The famous Prado Museum and Museo Nacional Centro de Arte Reina Sofía are right next to the park too!

Getting There

• Winner: Madrid

Both Madrid and Barcelona are easy to get to from all over the world by flying and public transport.

However, Madrid’s central position makes it slightly easier to reach.

Getting to Barcelona

Barcelona has an international airport about 10 km from the city, and a “budget airlines airport” in Girona, about 100 km from the city.

It is important to check which airport you’re flying into if you’re taking Ryanair to Barcelona!

You can take a 30-minute shuttle bus to the city center from the main Barcelona airport.

To get to Barcelona Girona station, I took a 1.5-hour long bus from Barcelona Nord bus station. 

Barcelona is quite far from other tourist attractions in the country, but you can take a bus or a train everywhere.

Trains from Barcelona are quicker than buses but can get quite pricey. 

Ticket prices increase closer to your travel date, so I used this website to check the prices and book tickets in advance!

✈️ Find cheap flights to Barcelona!

Getting to Madrid

If you’re already in the country, you can easily reach Madrid by flying from many European and worldwide destinations or public transport. 

Madrid is the Spanish capital, so it is connected to every other city in the country. 

I flew to Madrid from France with easyJet and the flight was quite affordable! You can also find cheap domestic flights to Madrid too.

Madrid Airport is about 12 km from the city center, and you can take a metro from the airport straight to the city center!

If you’re using public transport, you can take a bus or a train to Madrid.

Trains are usually faster and more comfortable, but buses are a cheaper transportation option in Spain.

Madrid is in the middle of the country, and you easily add a visit to Madrid to your Andalucia itinerary like I did!

I took a train from Madrid to Seville, as it was the same price as a bus. However, I booked the train about 2 weeks in advance, as it was not the same price on the departure date!

🚌 Compare buses and trains to Madrid here!

Accommodation

• Winner: Both, Madrid is cheaper in the summer

There is no shortage of accommodation in Barcelona or Madrid!

If you’re a solo traveler, you’ll love hostel options in these cities. With so many party and social hostels, you won’t have any issues making friends in hostels if traveling solo!

The accommodation prices are comparable, but Madrid can be cheaper in the summer.

Barcelona is one of the most popular summer destinations in Europe, so the accommodation prices in the summer increase significantly. 

Where to stay in Barcelona

Backpacker Hostel: Black Swan Hostel
Mid-range Option: Hostal Centric (I stayed here and loved it!)
TOP Pick: The Conica Deluxe B&B

Where to stay in Madrid

Backpacker Hostel:  Onefam Sungate Hostel (I loved this hostel for solo backpackers!)
Mid-range Option: Hostal Main Street Madrid
TOP Pick: Catalonia Gran Vía Madrid

Getting Around

• Winner: Both

The ease of getting around won’t be a detrimental factor when deciding whether you should visit Madrid or Barcelona. 

Both cities have great public transport systems, and you don’t need to rent a car to get around.

If your accommodation is not within walking distance of tourist attractions you can use a metro or a bus in both cities.

I only used the metro to get to the airport and the train station in Madrid, and walked the rest of the time.

In Barcelona, I took a bus a couple of times to go to the beach because my hotel was a bit far from the beach, but I walked the rest of the time.

I also rented a bike in Barcelona which was a fantastic way to explore the city! Barcelona was surprisingly bike-friendly, with many bike lanes throughout the city.

Both cities are pedestrian-friendly and walkable!

Nightlife

• Winner: Both

Spain is known as one of the best places for nightlife in Europe, and that’s exactly what you can expect from both Barcelona and Madrid.

I love the laid-back atmosphere, and how locals love to gather for drinks and late dinners in the city.

There is always something going on in both cities!

While you’ll find clubs and bars in both cities, there are slight differences between the two.

The biggest difference is the summer beach parties in Barcelona. You simply can’t have those in Madrid, as it is inland.

However, Madrid and its tapas culture is something you won’t find in Barcelona!

What are tapas you might ask.

Tapas are small dishes, basically snacks, that are served alongside drinks in bars. Tapas culture is the most prominent in Andalucia, but I also saw it a lot in Madrid!

Honestly, it’s really cool! 

You go for a drink and get a plate of something to snack on for free. And some places give you proper meals! Potatoes, olives, bread, meats….

As you can see, you can’t go wrong with either city!

Cost of travel

• Winner: Both

Finally, another aspect to consider when planning your trip is which one is more expensive, Madrid or Barcelona?

The prices are quite similar, but the total cost will depend on when you visit.

What does that mean?

Barcelona is a coastal town, so it is more expensive to visit in the summer. It is definitely not a cheap beach destination. 

At the same time, prices in Madrid don’t change much throughout the year. 

Sure, the city also has high and low seasons, but the difference is not as intense as in Barcelona.

When I say that the price difference is intense, I’ve seen hostel dorm beds for 200€ this summer in Barcelona!

Generally, you can expect to spend 60-120€ per day in both cities if you’re traveling on a budget.

Your daily average will be lower in the low season and higher in the summer. 

In fact, you can easily spend up to 200€ per day in the summer, even if you’re backpacking Europe on a budget! 

Europe is expensive this summer, especially on the weekends.

The price of food, drinks, and activities is about the same in both cities. When I compare my spending, I don’t see any dramatic difference.

Better for backpackers

• Winner: Both

If you’re backpacking in Spain, you might have to decide between adding Barcelona or Madrid to your itinerary.

If you have time, you should visit both as they are both great destinations for backpackers!

Both cities have so many backpacker hostels to choose from, lively nightlife, affordable prices, and endless fun things to do year-round.

Spain in general is one of the best countries to backpack in Europe, and two of its biggest cities are certainly some of the best stops on your itinerary.

However, if you only have time for one it might depend on your itinerary.

As I said earlier, Madrid is logistically better connected to Andalucia and Portugal by public transport.

Barcelona is on the beach so it is a better choice in the summer, as you can spend the day on the beach and cool down in the sea.

At the same time, you can always take a cheap flight from Barcelona to your next destination too!

Barcelona is better for you…

Barcelona is the place for you if you want to explore a vibrant beachside city, with impressive architecture, lively nightlife, and cool viewpoints.

I felt like Barcelona was a more urban and energetic destination than Madrid. 

Also, if you’re visiting Spain in the summer, Barcelona is an easy choice because it is next to the beach. 

Barcelona is also a great destination for vegans, there were so many vegan restaurants that I couldn’t even visit all on my list!

Madrid is better for you….

Madrid is a fantastic destination if you visit Spain in winter, autumn, or spring and seeking a cool city break.

If you like culture and history, Madrid offers many museums, galleries, and historical buildings to discover.

The city feels like an upscale travel destination, while still being quite budget-friendly!

I liked how there are many green areas in the city where locals gather for picnics and terraces to enjoy tapas and drinks with friends.

I wouldn’t visit Madrid in the summer, as the city gets super hot and there is no beach nearby!

Should you visit both Barcelona and Madrid?

Finally, is it worth going to both Madrid and Barcelona?

100% Yes! The two cities are very different and it almost doesn’t feel like you’re in the same country!

The architecture is different, the vibes are different, and you’ll get to see different tourist attractions.

Sure, Madrid and Barcelona are quite far from each other, and visiting both is not as simple as visiting nearby cities like Seville or Granada.

Still, if you have at least 5 days in the country, you can see both cities!

FAQ: Madrid vs Barcelona

Final Thoughts: Visit Barcelona or Madrid

Deciding whether to visit Barcelona or Madrid depends solely on your personal preferences!

I don’t think you can go wrong with either city! Spain is one of the most popular countries to visit in Europe, and two of its biggest cities are a tourist hotspot for a reason. 

I loved Barcelona more, but I still really enjoyed Madrid too! 

However, I changed my flight and extended my stay in Barcelona, while I was content with spending 3 days in Madrid and continuing with backpacking Andalucia. 

So, which one looks like the better place to visit to you?

Now that you’ve decided between Madrid and Barcelona, find out if you should add Cordoba or Granada to your itinerary!