Apr
I'm planning a trip to Spain and wanted to get input from people who might have visited the cities. Are there things that I need to be aware of? What's fun? Any places that I should not pass up? Thanks to all for their input!
Answer:
Been to Barcelona but not to Madrid. As a general rule though, never wear a Barca football top in Madrid and vice versa.
When I was in Barcelona I did more of a cultural thing and so I visited Joan Miró art gallery, olympic stadium, Camp Nou (home of Barcelona, and I think Europes largest footie stadium).
The Sagrada Família (see link below) is very impressive along with Guell park. There is a lot of architecture inspired by Antoni Gaudí and Lluís Domènech i Montaner.
A must see is Barcelona's most famous street, La Rambla, where there are lots of stalls and shops. Just remember to barter before you purchase, the Catalonians expect it of you.
Answer:
I stayed in Barceloneta for 4 days at the end of my 11-day european adventure. had a good time, but not the greatest. Spent a lot of time on the beach, since we stayed a block away. There were actually some really good bars and restaurants on a small stretch of the beach in Barceloneta. La Rambla was cool, but kind of annoying b/c of all the street performers. Beware at night b/c the prostitutes (both female and the lady boys) come out and they like to harass the people walking around the Rambla.
Answer:
Well you should talk a tiny Spanish but Barcelona has great architecture, you should also visit Toledo Spain because it has so much history.
Answer:
Keep your valuables close to your body! Pickpockets abound! (various parts of both cities, and especially in crowded places).
That stated, not much other crime to bother tourists, just the annoyance of having to cancel all your credit cards, etc.
Interesting points of view already posted.
Madrid: the must-see things include the Prado…no matter what, and the Reina Sofía if you're into Modern Art. You should go to the Palacio Real, and walk up Gran Vía, Plaza Mayor (avoid after dark, pickpockets), lots of street monuments you should see, and I suggest the Parque Retiro…you should go the Plaza Mayor Sunday mornings for the stamp and coin market if you’ve an interest, and the Rastro (also Sunday mornings) flea market. Just to experience it. I didn't purchase anything, but I did take pics of the colors. Lots of minor things to do, depending on your interests.
Ideal side trips from Madrid:
Toledo (already mentioned - history and art.)
Segovia - great castle there, and the aqueduct.
Salamanca - nearly merits two days, because it's so far.
There's a route of castles in the province of Segovia
Avila
Quixote Trail
Rioja
and a few other cities that could be day-tripped or travel to and stay over night.
Barcelona: You already have some good information. It always floors me how people can spend two or three days in Barcelona, then not delve any further into the country. They haven't been to Spain, they've been to Barcelona - nearly a whole different thing. Each part of Spain has its flavor, but Barcelone is very special.
Parc Güell, Sagrada Familia, Casa Milá and Casa Batlló, a must-see for any architecture buff. Also the Barrí Gotic.
Apart from all the great recommendations already given, check out the Palau Musica - and check it out early in your trip, they sometimes close to the public, or you can't even get in for the evening concert, because it's private, so make sure you get that taken care of early.
The Chocolate Museum was very neat.
and Mont Serrat, a monestary outside of town, also very cool.
Mont Juic, with the Poble Espanyol was very interesting, and there's a wonderful (so I've heard) centiury-old amusement park called Tibidabo. And the zoo. I was there nearly thirty years ago, but it was really good!
We also did some day-trips from Barcelona:
Tarragona - roman ruins
Figueres - Dalí house and museum
Girona - wonderful medieval city
Cadaqués - impressionist/modern artist mecca
wine country tours - lots of wineries in the area, including my favorite house, and all the cavas are there (Spanish Champagne) nearby.
Those are only my suggestions and wish list.
Others will give you other ideas.