Why You Should Visit Madrid Instead Of Barcelona

There’s no doubt Barcelona is a great holiday destination, with plenty of culture and stunning beaches, but Madrid is where you should head to if you want to see the real Spain.
Barcelona is a city of grandeur, filled with stunning Gaudí architecture and cosmopolitan food, drinks, shopping and nightlife. Its international vibe attracts visitors from around the world – but that’s just it: Barcelona is an international city, and Madrid is a Spanish city. Those looking for a holiday on the beach and a visit to an English pub or French restaurant will love Barcelona, but anyone looking for an authentic taste of Spain should head to Madrid.

In many ways, Madrid is somewhat lost in the past, for better or for worse. Small, family-owned shops still close at midday, and many locals don’t speak much English. While this is slowly changing, Madrid still manages to retain its traditional roots by offering visitors a sample of real Spanish culture.

A selection of Spanish cheese in a Madrid shop

What does this mean for a tourist in Madrid? For starters, they should plan to experience delicious Madrileno cuisine, like cocido (a stew made of sausage and chickpeas), savory Manchego cheese or tasty croquetas. Madrid locals take their ham very seriously, and you’ll find giant legs of this pork delicacy dangling from the walls and ceilings of many restaurants. You can even take a course on the art form of slicing Iberian ham.

History buffs and architecture lovers will instantly be charmed by Spain’s capital city. The Plaza Mayor dates back to the 1500s and was once the site of the Spanish Inquisition, now home to Christmas markets and street performers. Still, the 237 balconies facing out onto the cobblestone square bring forth visions of medieval men on horses and European royalty.

A view of the Royal Palace from the Sabatini Gardens

Whereas Gaudi didn’t leave his mark in Madrid, plenty of kings did, and the majestic Palacio Real (the Royal Palace) is a sight to see, its impressive entrance lined with 44 statues of various Spanish royals. A stroll through the delightful labyrinth of greenery in the Sabatini Gardens just to the side of the palace completes the experience.

Although Madrid does have its fair share of ethnic cuisine and trendy bars and boutiques, they still seem to hold fast to their Spanish roots. Many cool new restaurants are built into cave cellars, and you’ll be hard-pressed to find any wine from outside of Spain.

Speaking of which, the wine culture in Madrid is fascinating. With just a few main types named after the region they were cultivated in (Rioja, Ribera, Albariño and Rueda), you can get a glass for €2 just about anywhere. The Spanish are delightfully humble when it comes to their wine. Plan to laugh and chatter over several glasses – pretentious tastings aren’t a thing in Madrid. It’s also not unusual to see a burst of spontaneous flamenco song or dance from a local as the night lingers on.

Wine isn’t the only thing that’s cheap – everything in Madrid is more economical than in Barcelona, like hotels, dining and shopping. A beer is about €1, and a taxi anywhere in the city center shouldn’t be more than €10. You can stay in a hostel with a private bathroom for €50 or a trendy hotel for just over €100. A nice dinner out shouldn’t cost you more than €20-30 per person for three courses and drinks, while a night out with drinks and tapas may be as cheap as €10!

Madrid’s Palacio de Cristal sparkles in the sunshine

If you aren’t convinced yet, just remember that Madrid is Europe’s sunniest capital, with over 300 days of sunshine per year. There’s nothing better than Madrid in the sunshine, after all.

Since you are here, we would like to share our vision for the future of travel - and the direction Culture Trip is moving in.

Culture Trip launched in 2011 with a simple yet passionate mission: to inspire people to go beyond their boundaries and experience what makes a place, its people and its culture special and meaningful — and this is still in our DNA today. We are proud that, for more than a decade, millions like you have trusted our award-winning recommendations by people who deeply understand what makes certain places and communities so special.

Increasingly we believe the world needs more meaningful, real-life connections between curious travellers keen to explore the world in a more responsible way. That is why we have intensively curated a collection of premium small-group trips as an invitation to meet and connect with new, like-minded people for once-in-a-lifetime experiences in three categories: Culture Trips, Rail Trips and Private Trips. Our Trips are suitable for both solo travelers, couples and friends who want to explore the world together.

Culture Trips are deeply immersive 5 to 16 days itineraries, that combine authentic local experiences, exciting activities and 4-5* accommodation to look forward to at the end of each day. Our Rail Trips are our most planet-friendly itineraries that invite you to take the scenic route, relax whilst getting under the skin of a destination. Our Private Trips are fully tailored itineraries, curated by our Travel Experts specifically for you, your friends or your family.

We know that many of you worry about the environmental impact of travel and are looking for ways of expanding horizons in ways that do minimal harm - and may even bring benefits. We are committed to go as far as possible in curating our trips with care for the planet. That is why all of our trips are flightless in destination, fully carbon offset - and we have ambitious plans to be net zero in the very near future.