Madrid or Barcelona: which should you visit first?

Barcelona, the vibrant capital of Spain's Catalonia region, and Madrid, the Spanish capital, are 504 kilometres apart. Travelling between the two cities takes just 2 hours 30 minutes by train (Spanish operator AVE offers a frequent service) and is the best connection on any day. However, which one should you go and see, when you only have time for either Madrid or Barcelona?

Both cities have their own distinctive character, and are well worth a visit. Madrid is a great place to stop on your way to Andalusia and the medieval cities of Cordoba, Granada and Seville, while Barcelona, on Spain's north-eastern Mediterranean coast, is perfect if you want to see both the city and the beach.

However, if you're short of time and can only fit one of them on your list, here are the top five things to consider before you choose. We have compared the weather, art and culture, nightlife and food of these two cities to help you choose the right one for your next visit.

What's the weather like in Barcelona compared to Madrid?  

Barcelona has a milder climate than Madrid. Spain's landlocked capital lies right in the very centre of Spain. This is what gives the city its so-called continental climate. In other words, it can get extremely hot – in summer, the temperature in Madrid is always above 40°C - and extremely cold in the winter.

Barcelona's position on the northern Spanish coast, complete with its own beaches and port, gives the city a more temperate climate, with slightly chillier nights, and that special seaside town atmosphere.

Which city is more cosmopolitan? 

As the administrative and financial capital of Spain, Madrid is Spanish through and through. Barcelona, on the other hand, has a distinctly cosmopolitan feel. Some would say it's the more "European" of the two cities. From Barcelona, it's not far to the French border - the quickest train connection from Barcelona to Montpellier is just 2 hours 52 minutes. Barcelona certainly has a unique feel. This might be because of the city's fierce Catalan identity, which sets the city apart from the rest of Spain.

Which city has the best art & culture? 

Both Madrid and Barcelona are brimming with museums and art galleries. If there's one art gallery to see in Spain, it's the Prado museum in Madrid, probably the country's most famous museum and housing the world's most extensive collection of Spanish paintings, with over 7000 artworks.

Visit the Prado to see masterpieces by Spanish greats such as Velazquez (considered by many to be the greatest Spanish painter of all time), El Greco, famous for his dramatically elongated figures, and Goya. Prepare to be haunted by Goya's eery Black Paintings, painted directly onto the walls of his own house towards the end of his life.

But if Madrid has the Prado, Barcelona has Gaudí. This famous Catalan architect is perhaps single-handedly responsible for Barcelona's quirky modernista charm. No visit to the city would be complete without a visit to the Sagrada Família, the utterly awe-inspiring Roman Catholic basilica, under construction since 1882 and still unfinished. Gaudí's magical Parc Güell is another must. Not to mention the dozens of other Gaudi-designed buildings gracing the city's streets: Casa Milà, Casa Battló, Casa Vicens…

If there's one architectural gem that deserves visiting in Madrid, it has to be the Royal Palace, the official residence of the Spanish Royal Family. Spanning a whopping 135,000 m2, it's the largest functioning royal palace in Europe.

Which city has the best nightlife?

As you might expect, both Madrid and Barcelona have excellent nightlife. But when it comes to nightclubbing, Madrid really goes all out. Unlike Barcelona, the clubs are open until dawn every day of the week. Even the cafés are open until the early hours. Madrid parties to a more "Spanish" schedule: people finish dinner at 21.30, start going out at about midnight, and come home at dawn. So while you're in Madrid, don't forget to switch your watch to Spanish time!

Which city has the best food - Barcelona or Madrid? 

Both Barcelona and Madrid have their own food specialities, making it truly hard to choose. Once you've got past the touristy food stalls, you'll love the wide selection of fresh seafood, snails and fish in Barcelona. It's also worth giving some Catalan dishes a try. But for truly authentic Spanish food at affordable prices, head for Madrid. With its tapas, fresh markets and old-world restaurants, it's a city that truly can't be beaten. And the drinks tend to be a bit cheaper, too.

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