When you hear “Madrid vs. Barcelona,” the first thing that springs to mind is football, but if you look beyond the rivalry on the pitch, the competition between these two cities is equally fierce with residents of both convinced their hometown has the other beat. Having lived here for 12 years, I’m firmly team Madrid and, of course, totally biased so I thought I’d invite a guest on the podcast who’s lived in both cities to give me their perspective.
Enter Daniel Welsch, author of the Chorizo Chronicles and presenter of Spain to Go podcast. Daniel has lived in both cities so he’s the perfect person to weigh in on this thorny debate. Together, we discussed the aspects that truly shape life in each city—beyond the football field, of course! The following touches on some of the points we covered in our interview.
Sun, Sand, and Sea? Barcelona’s Beach Advantage
There’s no denying that Barcelona has the advantage when it comes to the beach. However, beaches in Barcelona can be crowded, and as Daniel noted, “a lot of native Barcelonians…have cars so they’re not going to go to the beach in Barcelona if they can go to any one of the beaches up or down the coast.” Compared to the central beaches, these are a lot more pleasant.
Being landlocked, it takes several hours to get to a decent beach from Madrid. That’s not to say Madrileños are out of options: to beat the summer heat, you can head to the mountains or enjoy the city’s public swimming pools. At the end of the day, it really depends if you’re a beach person – as both Daniel and I burn to a crisp as soon as the sun emerges, neither of us finds Madrid lacking in this respect!
A Tale of Two Cuisines
Barcelona’s and Madrid’s food scenes are both thriving with international and local cuisine in great demand. Daniel has a slightly cynical view of Barcelona’s reputation for high-end, experimental cuisine, saying, “They’ll feed you like foam with food flavourings or something… Barcelona is famous for that sort of high-end weirdness.” This focus on the avant-garde isn’t for everyone, especially if you’re looking for a more down-to-earth meal.
Along with fine dining, Madrid also offers no-frills traditional dishes like bocadillo de calamares and hearty cocido madrileño, which are generally pretty reasonably priced. Added to this, prices out of the centre tend to be much cheaper, something Daniel admits does not hold true in Barcelona. “Generally, you’ve got to be prepared to pay big city prices,” he says.
Architecture: Modernist Marvels or Historical Hubs?
One area where the two cities truly stand apart is architecture. Madrid’s mix of Parisian-style buildings and austere Baroque elegance stand in sharp contrast to Barcelona’s flamboyant modernist structures, which are often regarded as some of the most unique in Europe. Daniel explained that Barcelona’s architectural boom was fueled by Catalan wealth returning from the colonies in the early 20th century, leading to “a huge influx of people with a lot of money wanting to show off.”
In Madrid, the architectural highlights lean more toward neo-classical and Baroque styles, with landmarks like the Royal Palace and the Plaza Mayor. While Madrid’s architecture may be more subdued, it’s no less striking—each neighborhood offers its own charm, from the grandiose buildings along Gran Vía to the cozy, labyrinthine streets of La Latina.
Integration and Community
Finally, there’s a question of integration and the social scene. While both cities are welcoming, Daniel noted that he found it easier to make connections with locals in Madrid, saying, “I haven’t found the Catalan people to be as accepting of outsiders as the people in Madrid.” Barcelona’s international community is substantial, with plenty of digital nomads and expats, which is a plus if you’re looking to surround yourself with a multinational crowd. But for those hoping to connect with locals, Madrid might offer a more approachable atmosphere.
So, where does that leave us in the Madrid vs. Barcelona debate? You’ll have to listen to the pod to find out Daniel’s honest answer!
And if you’re visiting Madrid and need a guide to tell you about the city then I’m your gal! The lead writer for Lonely Planet’s Madrid series and long-term resident, I know a thing or two about this city. Get in touch to discuss dates and prices.
