🙋🏻♂️ 24 MISTAKES 🚫 to avoid when you visit SPAIN 🇪🇸
ฝัง
- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 28 พ.ค. 2024
- → Check out the 24 mistakes you should avoid for a superb stay in SPAIN 🇪🇸.
#spaintips
-----------------------------------------
Welcome to Road trip Spain & Portugal, where we help you prepare the perfect road trip with lots of tips and information.
-----------------------------------------
🙋🏻♂️ If possible, please find a video related to your question before posting. Thanks a lot!
-----------------------------------------
ABOUT US
We are Cecilia and Tony and travelling throughout the Iberian Peninsula is our passion. On the channel we want to share that passion with you sharing practical advice to help you with your trip.
-----------------------------------------
CREDITS
We write, record and edit our own videos. Most photos and videos are ours, recorded on numerous trips around Spain and Portugal. When we use third-party videos, we do so under permission.
► Maps: ©2019 Google, Imágenes ©2019 TerraMetrics ©2019 Inst. Geogr. Nacional España.
⚠ Check out also:
▶ Mistakes you should avoid in Barcelona th-cam.com/video/omkpBmQ5KQ8/w-d-xo.html
▶ Mistakes you should avoid in Madrid th-cam.com/video/lTu3jLq0gPk/w-d-xo.html
I am now home in Canada after a trip to Europe including a month in Spain. I watched many of your videos whilst planning this trip and can’t thank you enough for your advice on do’s and don’ts. Everything worked out perfectly thanks to you and it was a pleasure to be able to say thank you in person when we bumped into you in Madrid train station. The main thing I learned is that Spain is such a beautiful, interesting and amazing place I have to go again. Thank you again.
Dear Pamela, it was lovely to see you in Atocha. We envy your strength and disposition for an entire long trip! Thank you very much for your kind words. All the best!
I would be starstruck if I saw this couple in real life! 😍🙌
@@grapestsx we keep meeting followers every time we are on the road, always a true pleasure!
@@grapestsx I could hardly believe it when I saw Tony and his wife at Atocha train station. We were all waiting for the platform to be notified for the Barcelona train. They were travelling home after being in Sevilla researching a future video. Tony is just as approachable and charming in real life as he is on the screen.
May I disagree on the point of rudeness? I find Spaniards super nice and caring people. I really appreciate how everyone tried to help us even if we didn’t speak same language. I really felt comfortable when I was travelling in Spain. Best people ever. ❤
Glad you had such a great experience in Spain! 👏👏👏 Hope you'll never come across those rude people lurking out there. We encounter them on a regular basis. Good thing they are the minority!
@@ROADTRIPSpainandPortugal ❤️
@@TG1181 Haha, he never met Dutch people. I am Dutch living in Spain, and yes, Spanish are not rude. For this, you need the Dutch.
Tony! I’m from San Francisco California USA 🇺🇸. Thank you for your honesty. I have followed your TH-cam channel before I arrived in Barcelona 🇪🇸 and I wish I have paid more attention. I wandered around aimlessly in Montserrat but still had a wonderful experience! I am now in Madrid Spain 🇪🇸 and am so grateful for your educational channel Tony! God bless you and your lovely wife!
Thank you so much for your kind words! Hope your stay in Madrid was great. All the best!
As someone who has been planing a trip to Barcelona during 2024 for some time, your good advice is very much appreciated Senor Galvez. Thank you for your time.
You welcome, Daryl. Don't miss our essential guide to Barcelona here th-cam.com/video/AJ8A4PHB248/w-d-xo.html
@@ROADTRIPSpainandPortugal :) Filed for future reference. Gracias señor G.
With each new video, you show quality and competence! Essential information, always in a simple and objective way, which facilitates memorization! The production of the video is always impeccable! Not to mention the sympathy and empathy you convey. I really like all of your videos, but I particularly appreciate the ones where you give your impressions and experiences. I loved!
Dear Yara, many thanks for your kind words and all the support you show towards our work. All the very best!
Very informative and helpful. Thanks!
👏👏👏👏
Thank's Tony! Another great, helpful video! Nice new intro too!
Thanks, Preston! Always trying to improve the way we do our videos!
I love love your videos. Gracias!
¡De nada, Melissa!
Outstanding video. Thank you.
👍👍👍
Excellent advice and tips as always Tony. Many thanks.
Thank YOU!
Such great tips. Thank you.
👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻
Great video like always, Gracias
Gracias a ti, Marcia.
Great video!
Thank you!
Thank You! very useful informations.
Our pleasure!
What an awesome video. You're a rock star😊 Muchisimas gracias.
¡Gracias a ti!
Thank you for all the work you put into these videos! It's wonderful seeing the love you have for Spain and how you try to share that with the world.
That's very kind of you, Antoine, thanks a lot. Specially please to read the recognition for the work we do. All the best.
Love all your videos and can’t wait for the next one. We LOVED the menu des dia while in Barcelona a few weeks ago, loved every local restaurants that offered it👍 Thanks for your tips and the dedicated video on that topic🙏
So great to hear that!
Thanks!
Very kind of you!
Once again you have provided an excellent source of practical information. Muchas Gracias
¡De nada!
Thank you for the video and highlights...it does help drastically in planning our trip to Barcelona
Great to hear that, Pixie, we also have a video on mistakes you should avoid in Barcelona here: th-cam.com/video/omkpBmQ5KQ8/w-d-xo.html
Your channel about visiting Spain is second to none. Good job, and thanks a lot.
Thanks a lot, Peter.
Gracias Tony!
👍
Tony, it is such fun to watch and listen to you! Thank you so much for your enthusiasm for Spain. After 4 separate trips, you make me want to live there, can’t wait to return again!
Thank you for your kind words, John.
Always good to see another video upload, Senor Galvez. 😀
One new video every Sunday! All the best!
Very good advice, as you said not just for Spanish or Portugal travel.
Thanks Dave, some advice is very specific to Spain but other recommendations can be applied almost anywhere in the world. All the best.
¡Muchas gracias! Excellent tips and vídeo. Honest and direct. Perfect.👍🥂
¡Gracias a ti! Thank you, Anna.
Great video Tony! We are planning at 2-3 week trip to Andalucia next April and your Tip #2 reminded me to check the calendar for Feria de Abril 2024 in Seville. The dates are right about the time we were planning on visiting. Thanks for the reminder!
Great to hear that, Kerri. Most people are unaware that, while really nice to look at on the outside, indoors the Feria de Abril is pretty much a private event. Not really sure it's worth paying expensive accommodation prices just for the privilege of not participating in the fiesta.
Anyone coming here to Granada. Do not miss doing a guided night tour of the Alhambra.
It is incresible at night and the tours are dliberately only done in one direction so as you can take those incredible people free photos.
Also if you are in this area then also make sure you visit the caves at Nerja. You will not be disappointed.
Enjoy.
I visited Barcelona and Zaragoza in March.. and loved it! I applied some of your advice. Thank you! Going back to Spain in June. :))
👏👏👏 Great to hear you had a lovely trip!
I'm in Barcelona now visiting for a month. Your videos have been such a God send 🙏🏼 Thank you for all of your great advice and guidance!!!
Delighted to hear that, Sarah, have a great time in Barcelona.
The coffee part both surprised and disappointed me, haha
Another excellent video! I loved your last mistake - not visiting Zaragoza! We visited Zaragoza last year on your recommendation and you are spot on! Zaragoza is a beautiful city - thank you for letting us know about it!
Delighted to hear you liked Zaragoza!
Felicidades por tus videos gracias , aunque ya fui pero como regreso te seguire desde ahora.
Gracias a ti.
Hi Tony. It is such a pleasure to watch you and I’m so thankful for your knowledge and time. Do you have a video to give an indication of a loose itinerary for a 1 month trip around Spain please?
Thank you! We don't have such video here, but have one on our Spanish-language channel: th-cam.com/video/zjCtNv5MeKE/w-d-xo.html
We visited Zaragoza for a night during Palm Sunday a couple weeks ago. Beautiful city! We stayed at Hotel Catalonia El Pilar and got to enjoy the religious processions right outside our hotel. I get the sense that not too many tourists outside of Spain visit Zaragoza; it is a hidden gem. Aljaferia Palace and the Basilica were awesome - on par with the more famous tourist sites I've seen in Spain.
Great to hear you loved Zaragoza! Palm Sunday in Zaragoza is fantastic, it's one of our favorite processions. And the hotel where you stayed is just perfect if you are coming during Easter. We are preparing an updated video on Zaragoza where we will talk about Easter and other aspects of our city.
In a few months I'll be doing my fifth trip to Spain, and the third trip to Spain since the pandemic ended. My last trip was quite amazing, doing a circle through Castilla y Leon. While Madrid/Barcelona are must-see, going to lesser-known cities is an excellent idea. In this, Burgos and Valladolid did not disappoint, they are great alternatives to Seville and Madrid. This year I'll be visiting the places I haven't gotten around to yet: Santiago de Compostela, Zamora and Zaragoza. I'll also revisit Seville because the last time I committed the sin of not giving such a great city enough time. I am particularly excited about Zaragoza, I hear it's quite amazing and full of history. I love Spain so much, as you can tell.
Great to hear of your passion for Spain, David. You are absolutely right about the existence of so many off-the-beaten track fascinating cities, but we understand when someone visits a country for the first time wants to focus on the basics.
Another amazing helpful video, I was feeling a bit anxious about taking the train to my hotel. I would have to walk 2 blocks, thank you for sharing that thief story. I think I’ll just take a taxi, you guys are the best!! 🙏💕
Hello again, walking to the hotel is not so critical as all the stages involved in the train trip. A taxi is always a wise choice. All the best!
I also like taking a tour that just gives you a day or two in each city, so I can pick what I really love (usually not a main tourist destination) and go beach there later for an extended time,
👍
Thank you, thank you, thank you. Your videos are extremely helpful as we plan our first trip to Spain to meet a former German exchange student at her new (to her) vacation home in Moclinejo which will also be available on Airbnb. We will fly into Barcelona for three nights and then ride the train to Madrid for another three nights. We will then travel by train to Malaga where she will meet us at the train station for our week in Andalucía. Your information has impacted our decisions on almost every part of our trip. We leave Arkansas (USA) in a little over three weeks.
Thanks so much for your kind words, Charles. As your former student will have told you, temperatures are unusually high in Spain this year, so check the forecast a few days before traveling to make sure you pack the right clothes. All the best!
Hey Tony thank you for your great videos. can you carry pepper spary in spain and and portugal ? Thanks again
Thanks, Andrew. You can, but only of a specific number of models authorized by the government. You will have to research that part as we haven't got more specific info on that regard.
@@ROADTRIPSpainandPortugal thank you
I am sitting in JFK rn getting ready for my flight to Madrid. Back in December I signed up for a month long study abroad in Barcelona on a whim. I speak no Spanish, but I wanted to go. These videos have been super helpful, especially in booking my ticket on Renfe to get from Madrid to Barcelona tomorrow morning.
These videos have been great for someone like me who knows nothing!
Delighted to hear that, hope you have a wonderful stay!
the pickpocket issue cannot be overstated. we were fully aware of this prior but we let our guard down at a cafe in barcelona with our everyday bags under the table. someone was able to come in, sweep their foot under the table without us noticing, and managed to steal my friends handbag… you have to always be aware of your belongings.
Sorry to hear of your experience. We can't be more emphatic about the issue, we've talked about it here, on our video on mistakes to avoid in Barcelona th-cam.com/video/omkpBmQ5KQ8/w-d-xo.html and quite a few other videos as well. Place your belongings in a place they cannot be accessed by criminals.
My ancestors were from Spain
👍
Excellent videos, Tony - thanks very much! We're planning a trip to Cordoba and Granada, so can you recommend web sites to book local tours (city/historic/food+drink)? Thanks v much. :-)
PS I have seen your excellent videos on the cities we plan to visit. train travel, etc. M
Hi Mike, we usually recommend Civitatis, a large Spanish local operator. Check activities:
- for Córdoba here: www.civitatis.com/en/cordoba-espana/?aid=2167&cmp=YTENG
- for Granada here: www.civitatis.com/en/granada/?aid=2167&cmp=YTENG
All the best.
Another great video thanks. Would you say it’s necessary that I pre purchase tickets to the Mesquita in Cordoba please? Cheers from Marg in Australia
It wasn't essential in the past, but with some many tourists in Spain right now, you never know.
@@ROADTRIPSpainandPortugal okay thanks
Love your videos! Thanks you so much for the amazing information you provide. We are leaving in a couple weeks for our first trip to España. Half of our time there will be doing a modified version of your Pyrenees road trip (staying in Torla an extra day for hiking and staying in Alquézar to go canyoning in Sierra de Guara). We are not very worried about pickpockets in the villages but we will also be in Toledo, San Sebastián, and Tarragona for two days each and flying in and out of Madrid. We know we will need to be more cautious in those cities. One of the tips I see a lot is to not look like an "American tourist" to avoid being targeted. Do you agree with this advise? If so, what would you say makes an American tourist stand out?
Hi Jo, many thanks for your kind words. We don’t agree with the don’t look like an American tourist advice. Why attempt to be you to be someone you are not? I think people handing out that advice really mean “don’t look the distracted tourist that thinks can go around with their cellphone sticking out of their back pocket”. Have a superb trip.
@@ROADTRIPSpainandPortugal You are very kind! But people saying that seem to be implying that Americans dress differently than Europeans (and not in a good way).
However, I appreciate knowing that as long as we do not appear distracted and careless we'll probably be okay., even if we're more casual than the dapper Spaniards :)
@@joclements7232 Spain is the 2nd country in the world in terms of tourist arrivals. There are Americans, Asians (so many of them), Africans, everyone with their own looks and identity. The risk does not lie in the appearance but rather in the attitude. Distracted tourist = easy target. Have a wonderful trip!
Thank you very much for your guidance ! its interesting i watch your videos almost everyday.
can you share to us, if bad things happen to tourist who's passport got missing/stolen, or involve into accident, fights... what to do, what to prepare before visiting Spain?
Thank you! Always call the police or get help from your accommodation to call the police. And have your insurance policy always at hand.
Hola Tony! Thank you for your great videos! Im planning a trop to Barcelona next Fall and, without knowing, I made the mistake of booking my trip during the Merce festival (I arrive in Barcelona on Sept 24. for 1 week, and I can't change the dates) The festival looks great but I dont like big crowds and try to avoid them. Will it be more difficult to move around the city with public transports and visit attractions? Do you have any recommandation to still enjoy the trip ? Muchas gracias!
Hi Agnes, do not worry, the Mercè are the big Barcelona fiestas, but it's pretty much a local event, it doesn't involve a large influx of tourists to the city. The crowds you will find in Barcelona during the period won't be different from any other period, Barcelona is always packed with tourists. All the best!
@@ROADTRIPSpainandPortugal Thank you for you reply, Tony! Much appreciated!
Can u do a video on the best tourists card for Lisbon and Spain??
See th-cam.com/video/ETAPYlnNPQM/w-d-xo.html and th-cam.com/video/gmLm0uu1ojQ/w-d-xo.html and th-cam.com/video/DdI8q2ExeHo/w-d-xo.html
Just curious. We are planningnour trip and you mentioned staying away from Sangria and Paella? Where would you recommend getting a taste of those in Spain. We cant wait to visit. #tripofalifetime
We recommended staying away from restaurants advertising the combo "sangria and paella". Paella is perfectly fine for as long as it's eaten at a proper paella restaurant. We have an entire video dedicated to sangría: th-cam.com/video/rxzQRiR1y4w/w-d-xo.html
Tony, could you tell me what city is on your computer monitor, in the background of your video? Also, you showed some beautiful photos of a city with narrow streets -----where is that?
Hi Carolyn, the city is Zaragoza, see here: th-cam.com/video/gy5oNZ-GtfA/w-d-xo.html If you could tell us the exact minute and second the city with narrow streets appear we will reply to you second question.
Hello, thank you for these tips as we prepare for our trip to Spain in October. Just on #11- pickpockets, Do we need to carry our passports while we go and sight see in Spain? Specifically we will be in Barcelona, Valencia, Seville and Madrid. Do we need to show them at Museums and Tourist attractions and well as random police checks? Muchas Gracias.
Hi Vina, you always need to be with a valid ID on you. It could be your national ID - keep your passport in the hotel safe.
Tony, I watched other videos where people talk about pickpockets. What is the name of the rude-sharing service from the airport, please?
Which airport are you talking about?
Hola desde OHIO USA. I'm going with another adult all over spain by rail in July 2024 ! Por fin! Soy profesor de castellano tambien. I want to get the Spain pass, but I don't know if 1 trip could be, for example Stgo de Compostella a San Sebastian -- or if it is 2 trips. Same with going from Barcelona to Sevilla..... It said that as long as you don't change trains, it's 1 trip? Do you have any advice for me. Muchas gracias I've already studied several of your videos.... Super helpful
...I forgot to mention San Seb to Barcelona -- not sure on that either...
¡Hola! We don't think the Spain Pass is a good deal, you need to take plenty of long distance trips to make it worth your money. Each time you change trains, it will be a new trip. You'll get much better return for your investment buying your tickets in advance. All the best!
I have a question we booked a few nights at the suites marina a few blocks away from the sagrada familia is this a safe neighborhood to walk to restaurants in the evening and what do you think of the hotel thank you
Hi Carlos, we have a specific video where we invite you to leave your question (as it is 100% relevant to the topic of the video): th-cam.com/video/Ra3CHOfcmK8/w-d-xo.html Thank you!
Hi Tony I am going to Martin for four days if I choose one day tour near Madrid which city should I put first priority. There are so many beautiful places to choose from. Thank you in advance for your kind advice.
Hi, we take you mean you are going to Madrid. See our video on the best day trips from Madrid, which should help you decide th-cam.com/video/80L9bhy14fw/w-d-xo.html
Is there any festivals in Madrid around two weeks before the end of September?
Not that we are aware of yet, but there are always big events in Madrid, most months of the year.
I am planning to visit Spain for some golfing in the resorts . Besides golfing, I would also like to spend some a few days to visit cities like Barcelona, Madrid and Seville. What is the best mode of transport as we need to carry our luggages golf bags with us during the trip ? We had initially planned to rent a car and drive from Barcelona airport when we landed there to go around Spain. Finally driving back to Barcelona airport to fly back home. I understand that it is not a good idea to drive if we are in Barcelona and Madrid , but we would need a car to drive to the golf resorts. How do we go about planning this? thanks .
Rent a car for your golfing part of the trip.
@@ROADTRIPSpainandPortugal I am thinking of this . Thanks.
Hello, does anyone know what the place is in 7:01? o_o love it
That's Ordesa national park, we visit it on our road trip through the Pyrenees th-cam.com/video/mg6SoR_E6tk/w-d-xo.html
Do you provide tourist guide services? We will be in Spain in Oct.
We don't, just our self-guided travel tours here travelguidesspainandportugal.com
What night is the final fireworks at the Magic Fountain in the Barcelona Merce festival. September 25 or the 26th???
The official program is not out yet, but it will probably be on the 25th.
I love to travel solo and use buses and trains as much as possible. Does Spain have trouble with frequent train strikes or disruptions to timetables like in France please? Cheers from Marg
Strikes can occur but they are not as frequent and radical as in France.
@@ROADTRIPSpainandPortugal thank heavens cheers!
Hi Tony! Can I ask if we need to bring along passports with us when we visit attractions in Spain? Or is it enough to bring a photocopy of the passport? Thanks so much!
Hi there, a copy of a passport is not a valid proof of ID so carry your home ID (if you have any). On monuments where you are required to show ID (the Alhambra of Granada, for instance), bring your passport along.
Thanks Tony!
Hola Tony! Re-planning our 2nd trip to Spain by way of Camino this fall. What can you suggest for a couple of seniors from the Philippines. Waiting for your suggestions. Regards Brenda and Rafael Veloso
Hola Brenda and Rafael, we haven't done the Camino ourselves so there is very little first-hand information we can share beyond what you will find on our video on Santiago de Compostela. All the best to you.
Thank you so much. Yes we have watched your episode on Santiago de Compostela. Cheers!
Is Cafe Americana a common request to many venadors?
Didn't understand your question?
what is the city at 6:05 it is beautiful
It's this one here: th-cam.com/video/L9dLOVLoPU8/w-d-xo.html
where should I buy the ticket for the Alhambra in Granada. I will be there May 3, 4 and 5 2024. How far in advance should I buy?
Buy it only here www.alhambra-patronato.es/ Check out this short video th-cam.com/users/shortsGzLMbzu8IDE?si=n2Sql00KKzRbYaBK
If we visit 4 cities in Andalusia is it better to use hired car or public transport or blablacar?
Malaga to Ronda to Granada then Cordoba and Seville, 2 days in each city?
We recommend 3 nights in Granada and 3 in Seville. The car will be pretty useless in those cities or in Córdoba and Málaga. Only makes sense to do Málaga-Ronda-Granada.
@@ROADTRIPSpainandPortugal then take public transport from Granada to Cordoba and Cordoba to Seville?
@@majidhargey2104 exactly.
I tried to add a comment/question on your Monserrat video. BUT the comment did not post 2 times, so I emailed you via an email found for you on google. Thx, Richard
Hello Cong, don't know where you wrote to, but we don't reply to questions by email. Unless your email was registered with us, we won't have noticed it. If you can't comment on the Montserrat video, give it a go here.
We don't know what's going on between TH-cam and yourself, but your most recent comment (we received a notification) has gone missing. We assure you we have nothing to do with the disappearance of comments! Leave us your question here at the website where it won't certainly be deleted by some invisible hand: www.roadtripspainandportugal.com/montserrat/
@@ROADTRIPSpainandPortugal I wrote you from your website under the comments box Thanks, Richard H.
Loving your videos , I noticed you had El golfo on the video . Have you spent much time in Lazarote ? We were planning a holiday based on the old town of Teguise which we visited last year . Do you have any thoughts on Teguise ?
Hi Richard, we have quite a lot of material on Lanzarote in the channel, see it here: th-cam.com/play/PLWH9E2sQGIto7R78tt-NcbShWVbKqyYc6.html
@@ROADTRIPSpainandPortugal thanks for the reply, I've watched them all today. Loved them
@@richardsmith6124 👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻
Hello Tony, we are visiting in Barcelona this March. I am renting a car as my wife has limited mobility after a knee surgery last year. Is there a designated parking for people with disabilities near a tourist attraction?
Hi Manny, as we explained in this video th-cam.com/video/omkpBmQ5KQ8/w-d-xo.html driving a car in Barcelona is a definite no-no. You'll be better off (both financially and from the point of view of easy access to places) taking taxis or ridesharing services. There are disabled parking spaces in many places but they are reserved for official disabled label holders issued by the local authorities.
Thank you for nice and useful video. Please try to help me about car parking on public free parking places in Span (especially in suburbia near last metro in big cities or in suburbia of touristic towns). There are usually "gorillas" people which ask for money (on free parking) to secure your car. If you do not give them tips (I do not how much) then they are able to make some damage on your car or even foreigner cars are robbed. How to be clever then they or to surround and move car to other parking with toll where are cameras and lower chance to robbed car?
I think this can be very useful for thousands European tourist in Span which come by car.
Thank you in advance. Best Regards Vladimir
Thank you. So far, we have this video on parking in Spain th-cam.com/video/CavPYmZCxoM/w-d-xo.html
@@ROADTRIPSpainandPortugal Thank you very much, your videos are useful for foreign tourists In Spain. What is recommendation if you see "strange" people on parking called "gorilla's" to leave this parking or to negotiate with them (usually they will ask some mine to "secure ,our car" but not sure to believe them).
@@VladimirZivkovic970 we have no recent experience with gorrillas, people don't carry cash on them these days.
@@ROADTRIPSpainandPortugal Thank you. Looking forward to start our road trip 8500km on south West part of Europe. Have a nice day.
I noticed I am unable to book tickets in advance at the Sagrada Familia for September 2023. Does anyone know why? Is it closed in September?
Tickets are not being sold yet.
¡Hola! Estoy planeando un viaje a España este verano (el final de agosto a septiembre), pero no tenemos tiempo para visitar Barcelona Y Madrid, y no sé cual será la mejor opción para mí. Creo que Barcelona me parece un poco más interesante, pero también he oido que hay muchas turistas allí y estoy preocupado por eso - Madrid asimismo es muy interesante y quiero tener una experiencia más auténtica, si es posible. ¿Qué piensas? ¿Cual te gusta mejor? ¡Muchas gracias!
Hola, hay turistas por todas partes, especialmente en agosto que es el mes de las vacaciones en España. Específicamente en agosto habrá menos turistas en Madrid que en Barcelona.
Hey BunnyWabbit, I moved to Madrid from the U.S. a few years ago after spending several weeks in Barcelona and then in Madrid (to decide which city was better for me). MAD likely will be pretty hot at the end of August/early September, and BCN should be a little cooler. As you know BCN is on the water (and has a beach) which helps with the temp., while MAD is at a high elevation and gets baked by the sun. I finally decided on MAD because 1) the people are far nicer in MAD in my opinion; 2) while there are many tourists, MAD has a less Disneyland type of feel than BCN (i.e., a more "authentic" experience); 3) MAD has better museums and cultural offerings, great public transport, and vibrant street life; and 4) over time, my experience has been that the Catalans have a growing insistence on their own language over Spanish (and some are downright rude about it even when it's clear that someone is a tourist). Of course, all of this is my biased opinion! I hope you have a good trip whatever you decide. Best, Steve
Just spent two weeks in Spain and went from Barcelona to Sevilla. #1 complain of mine is the Spanish attitude, shortness, and some nastiness. I had always heard about French attidude towards tourists, but I have to say Spaniards, for now, hold the #1 position.
It got so bad I wanted to leave at the end of week one. We didn't and kept going, but it took its toll on our overall mood about this trip.
(It was bad enough, I will put this opinion on any Spanish travel blog/video I see!)