Spain
Barcelona
Gaudí, beaches and medieval lanes: a big city between the sea and the hills.
See the Barcelona pageBarcelona or Madrid?
Barcelona and Madrid are about 2 h 30 apart by high-speed train.
Spain
Madrid
Great museums, lively squares and nightlife: the Spanish capital stays up late.
See the Madrid pageOur advice
Rather Barcelona for: beach and sunshine.
| Barcelona | Madrid | |
|---|---|---|
| Best months (our ideas) | May, September | — |
| Atmosphere | Beach and sunshine, Cities and culture, Nightlife and fun | Cities and culture, Nightlife and fun |
| First visit: where to stay | Barri Gòtic (Gothic Quarter) | Sol and the centre |
| Neighbourhoods | Barri Gòtic (Gothic Quarter), El Born, Eixample, Gràcia | Sol and the centre, Huertas (Barrio de las Letras), Malasaña, La Latina |
| Languages | Spanish (Castilian); Catalan, Basque and Galician in some regions | Spanish (Castilian); Catalan, Basque and Galician in some regions |
| Currency | Euro (EUR) | Euro (EUR) |
| Power plugs | C, F | C, F |
| Driving | On the right | On the right |
| Time | UTC+1 (UTC+2 in summer); Canary Islands: one hour behind | UTC+1 (UTC+2 in summer); Canary Islands: one hour behind |
| Our guides |
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