You’re waist-deep into planning your next Euro-summer…
And you realize something very sad, but very true: you simply can’t see it all. I know you want to. But we both know that neither you nor I have the time or money to see every single shiny euro-summer destination we’ve saved on Instagram.
So if you can only spend a few days in Spain, and you have to choose between Madrid or Barcelona—this is for you.
Madrid vs. Barcelona: Which City is the Must-See During Your Trip to Spain?
I’ve lived in both Madrid and Barcelona for about a month each (and in Spain for a total of almost 5 years), so this is my up-close-and-personal review of both of these cities.
We’ll be judging these two cities based on five categories: vibe, food, things to do, day trips, and price. Let’s see who wins!
The Vibe
Barcelona is artsy, vibrant, and Mediterranean.
Gaudi’s colorful and extravagant works stand out amidst the traditional European architecture. Though it is a coastal city, I wouldn’t call it beachy. There’s really just one stretch (La Barceloneta) that’s actually beach. But it does have a much more energetic and hip vibe compared to Madrid, especially in the summer months.
Madrid is elegant, European, and fancy.
It’s the capital city, and it’s filled with museums, elegant residential areas, and posh people and places. I have yet to see an area of Madrid that’s run-down or unsafe (in Barcelona you can definitely find a few; 👀 El Raval, I’m looking at you).
While vibes are just a question of taste, personally I prefer Barcelona’s feel over Madrid’s. I mean, there’s nothing that beats the feeling of coming out of the Metro, turning around, and seeing the giant Sagrada Familia right behind you.
Barcelona 1, Madrid 0.
The Food
Here’s what I love about both Barcelona and Madrid: since they’re both huge, intercultural boiling pots, you can find food from all over the world.
Of course, you’ll love the fantastic tapas and traditional Spanish dishes, but I do recommend you try a few international eats as well. You can find restaurants from almost every single Latin American country along with European favorites like Italian food and fine French dining.
➡️ These are a few of my favorite foodie finds in Barcelona (plus, the best pizza place you absolutely must try).
Get my complete Madrid 2-day Foodie Guide, right here! Inside you’ll find the best spots to eat famous Spanish dishes like patatas bravas, churros con chocolate, and el bocadillo de calamares: the famous squid sandwich.
Empate (Tie). Since they both have great eats, we’re giving both of them a point: Barcelona 2, Madrid 1.
Things To Do
You’ll find paella cooking classes, flamenco shows, and city bike tours in both Madrid and Barcelona. (But if you want to see a bullfight, you’ll have to go to Madrid, it’s banned in Catalunya.)
Barcelona’s top sights and things to do:
Sagrada Familia (Gaudi’s Greatest Hit)—Tour the inside of this unfinished masterpiece and admire the intricate architecture and designs and bask in the light of the colorful stained glass artwork.
Parc Guell (Gaudi’s Second-Greatest Hit)—This famous and beautiful outdoor park has incredible views of the city and stunning colorful tile artwork. You’ll love this Gaudi gem.
Gaudi’s Other Hits: La Pedrera, Casa Batlló, & Casa Vicens—If you love art and architecture, you’ll definitely want to check out all of Gaudi’s famous works. La Pedrera, Casa Batlló, and Casa Vicens. As you walk around the city, these unique buildings will stand out and make you fall in love with Barcelona.
Barceloneta Beach—With volleyball courts, outdoor gym areas, and the famous shiny sail-shaped W Barcelona Hotel as the backdrop, this popular spot is a great place to spend the afternoon in the summer.
Arc de Triomf—This is just one of Barcelona’s many landmarks. I recommend doing a bike tour through the city to see this and other popular spots like Parc de la Ciutadella, El Born, the famous Santa Maria del Mar Cathedral, and much more.
Camp Nou (Barca’s soccer stadium)—Soccer fans will not want to miss a visit to Camp Nou, the F.C. Barcelona Stadium. See inside the newly-renovated stadium and step inside the locker room where players like Messi, Lamine Yamal, and Ferran have stood!
Visit Tibidabo, a mountaintop amusement park with breathtaking views. A roller coaster on top of a mountain? Yes please!
Explore Montjuïc Mountain, a unique hill in Barcelona filled with fantastic views and lots to do. You’ll take a cable car to the top, where you can find a castle, a mini Spanish town (Poble Espanyol), museums, the Olympic stadium, and botanical gardens.
This is the Ultimate 7-Day Barcelona Itinerary! With the best places to visit, see, stay, and eat, this free guide is exactly what you need to plan a dreamy and delicious eurosummer in Barcelona.
Madrid’s top sights and things to do:
Retiro Park—Madrid’s most famous park, this enormous green space is filled with sculptures, a crystal palace, a small lagoon, gardens, and walking paths. It’s the perfect spot to enjoy an early morning or a lazy afternoon. Make sure you go in the rowboats and explore the lake as well!
Muse around famous museums like El Prado and the Reina Sofia. El Prado is the most popular one, featuring Renaissance, Baroque, and Romanticism artwork from artists like Raphael, Diego Velázquez, El Greco and Francisco Goya. The Reina Sofía Museum is another option; this one has contemporary art including Cubism works from Pablo Picasso and Surrealism works from Salvador Dalí.
Visit the Debod Temple for free. This Egyptian temple in the middle of Spain dates back to the 2nd century BC—and it’s free to visit. Make sure you reserve your spot ahead of time and know that it’s closed on Mondays.
Get the best view of Madrid’s skyline from the Faro de la Moncloa. Ride an elevator up 300 feet to the top of this old light tower for a panoramic view of the city. Closed on Mondays. (Price: €4 per adult, €1-2 per child).
Do a tour of Bernabeu, the Real Madrid soccer stadium! You’ll get to see the players’ benches, locker room, and inside of this impressive stadium.
See a bullfight at Las Ventas Bullring. This gory Spanish tradition will certainly be unforgettable. Check the website here for tickets and upcoming events.
Neither of these cities will bore you. But, there’s really just so much more to do and see in Barcelona, making it the clear winner here.
Barcelona 3, Madrid 1.
🚇 On a side note, both cities are very easy to move around in using the Metro system—though I think Barcelona’s metro feels a little more chungo (sketchy) than Madrid’s.
Day Trip Options
If you’re looking for beachy day-trips with Spanish flair, you’re going to love these options from Barcelona:
Montserrat (45 minutes by car/bus from Barcelona)—Hikers will love this half-day-trip to Montserrat, a uniquely-shaped mountain range near Barcelona. Here, you can see the 11th-century monastery (that’s still functioning today), the Black Madonna, and panoramic views of the stunning landscape.
Costa Brava (1-2 hours by car from Barcelona)—There are so many stunning beach coves along Barcelona’s coastline: The Costa Brava. You can rent a car and drive down the coast, exploring on your own pace. Or, this tour takes you to Tossa de Mar, a stunning coastal town with beaches surrounded by medieval walls!
Tarragona (1.5 hours by car from Barcelona)—This day-trip takes you to both Tarragona, where you’ll explore Spain’s best-preserved Roman archaeological sites, and Sitges, a charming coastal town.
Madrid’s day trip options take you to more stunning traditional Spanish towns—and there’s one beach option as well:
Segovia (1 hour by car from Madrid)—This stunning World Heritage City is famous for the fairytale castle of Alcázar (Walt Disney supposedly modeled the first Disneyland castle after this beauty). It also has a soaring aqueduct and impressive views. This tour takes you to both Segovia, Ávila, and Toledo in one day!
Toledo (1 hour by car from Madrid)—This beautiful city has a rich cultural, religious, and architectural history. Make sure to visit the 13th century High Gothic cathedral—one of only three in the country. Its intricate details and stunning architecture make it a true work of art.
Alicante (2.5 hours by train from Madrid)—This is the closest coastal city to Madrid, and it’s a must-see. In fact, if you have time, I recommend you spend an entire week exploring Spain’s Costa Blanca. But you can do a quick day trip and enjoy the beach, hike the Santa Barbara castle, and enjoy the real paella.
This one’s really just a question of taste as well. If you’re looking for more authentic Spanish medieval town trips, Madrid is a great option. If you like more beachy day trips, stick with Barcelona.
Empate (Tie). Since they both have varied day-trip options, we’re giving both of them a point: Barcelona 4, Madrid 2.
The Price
Flights from the United States to Spain are usually cheapest when your final destination is either Madrid or Barcelona. In my experience (after very intense searches for the cheapest possible flights) it’s very similar, but flying into Barcelona is usually a little cheaper.
In terms of accommodation, Barcelona and Madrid have very similar prices.
Gone are the days where you could find a fantastic airbnb in Spain for $50. *Longful sigh* Today for around $75, you can find a private room in a shared apartment outside of the city center on airbnb. If you want an entire unit to yourself, it’ll cost you more.
And if you stay in a hotel, expect to pay around €110 ($126 USD) per night in Barcelona and €95 ($109 USD) per night in Madrid.
Dining out in Spain is very affordable, along with public transportation (and even taxis). Since Barcelona has more activities and things to do, you’ll probably end up spending a little more on excursions.
All in all, they’re very similar, so this one is ending with an empate (tie) as well.
Barcelona 5, Madrid 3.
The Final Verdict: Barcelona Wins
If you can only visit one Spanish city during your Euro Summer, make it Barcelona.
With Mediterranean vibes and Gaudi’s architectural jewels that cover the city like polka dots, Barcelona is sure to steal your heart. There’s so much to do, so much to see, and so much to eat!
So buy the flight. Pack your bags. And please—please, please, please—plan where you’ll eat. Soon, you’ll be walking down Passeig de Gràcia, Barcelona’s most luxurious avenue, with your jaw dropped to the floor. You’ll marvel at the architecture, the Spanish lifestyle, and the Mediterranean breeze.
And if you do it right, you’ll fill your still-gaping jaw with unforgettable Spanish food—and every bite will be 100% worth the trip.
On a basic scale, I would argue that Barcelona is a much more walkable, compact city...more accessible, easier to explore...
Loved reading this comparison. After visiting both this year in Summer, I have to disagree and say Madrid! I was far more impressed by the food and how more local it felt here.