Barcelona or Madrid?

[paul_oshea]

Looking to go to one or the other, which would you recommend?! I have never been to spain so would like to go to one of these. :)

[gustavo]

I'm off to Madrid next month :D There's a thread about Madrid on this section from last year you might find it helpful

[pete]

I'm off to Madrid next month :D There's a thread about Madrid on this section from last year you might find it helpful

There is also a Barcelona thread :p

[noby]

I have never been to Madrid, but Barcelona is a fantastic city, and I would go back in the morning.

[Risteard]

Easy.
Whichever of them is playing at home.

[Sligo Hornet]

I have never been to Madrid, but Barcelona is a fantastic city, and I would go back in the morning.

The evenings are much better!:D

[noby]

Nah, I'm busy tomorrow evening.

[paul_oshea]

Whichever of them is playing at home.

Unfortunately Risteard I don't think I would be allowed fit a game in ;) though im sure I could do a trip to the nou camp. :)

I know there is a thread already opened, however I was asking about which is better!! :D

[ifk101]

I was in Barcelona this summer gone with the missus and we thought it was a great spot.

We did the Nou Camp tour, which I thought was on the expensive side. I just wanted to see the pitch but we had to pay for the whole tour to do that - I think it was 25 euros each or something like. But it was my first time there and I wasn't going to do Barcelona without seeing the Nou Camp.

Otherwise plenty of sites to see and plenty of good restaurants to eat at if you're out there courting.

Never been to Madrid but Barcelona's well worth a visit IMO.

[pete]

Was in Barcelona in Spring last year for a week & good spot. Nou Camp & Barca game had to be done but a little on the disappointing.

[Block G Raptor]

Was in Barcelona in Spring last year for a week & good spot. Nou Camp & Barca game had to be done but a little on the disappointing.

Agreed the Nou Camp was a little disappointing for me too. In fact i mentioned to the tour guide that it didn't have a patch on Dalymount which drew confused looks from the guide and thunderous laughter from the other mainly Irish tourists , leading to more confused looks from the guide

[DaveyCakes]

Madrid, Madrid, Madrid.

Excellent city. Barcelona is far too obsessed with being cool and has the worst case of second-city paranoia since Cork.

[Raheny Red]

has the worst case of second-city paranoia since Cork.

Brilliant :D

[sligoman]

I went to both around this time last year. Nightclubs ridiculously expensive in both cities so I'd suggest staying in a pub for nightlife. Barcelona much better imo. Madrid's just a little better than Dublin, which is poor;).

A lot more to do in Barcelona too, feck all to do in Madrid apart from the Bernabeu. If you do go to Madrid, don't go on the tour bus, it's ****.

[superfrank]

Madrid is a great city.

I've been there a few times. My personal favourites are the Parque del Retiro and the train museum at Delicias, iirc. There's also a very good city museum but I can't remember where it is. Saw the Bernabeu as well and the Corte Real. Plaza de Espana is lovely too and great for an evening meal. I highly recommend it.

For me though, my favourite Spanish city is Toledo. About an hour from Madrid by train, it's an old city, UNESCO site I'm sure, and it's simply beautiful. Loads of great medieval buildings like El Greco's house. It really is a love place and there's a great view from the square which is up on the hillside.

[paul_oshea]

anyone know how far the airport marriot hotel is from the centre?! i can get a cheap deal on it so was wondering if it would be feasible to stay there?!

[Cabs88]

Was in Barcelona in Spring last year for a week & good spot. Nou Camp & Barca game had to be done but a little on the disappointing.

How much would tickets for a typical la liga game in barcelona be?

[Dodge]

I went to both around this time last year. Nightclubs ridiculously expensive in both cities so I'd suggest staying in a pub for nightlife. Barcelona much better imo. Madrid's just a little better than Dublin, which is poor;)

Madrid's got the best nightclubs in the world, and at weekends go on all fecking night. You're were obviously in a bad spot. And I say that as someone who thinks Madrid is a pretty dull, dirty city. Didn't have a great time there, but the nightlife was unbelievable.

Barcelona, on the other hand, is my favourite city in the world


How much would tickets for a typical la liga game in barcelona be?

Between €18 and €170 (depending on who they're playing and where you want to sit)

Full detals here on the Barca website (http://www.fcbarcelona.com/web/english/entrades/preus_entrades/futbol/entrades.html)

[sligoman]

Madrid's got the best nightclubs in the world, and at weekends go on all fecking night. You're were obviously in a bad spot. And I say that as someone who thinks Madrid is a pretty dull, dirty city. Didn't have a great time there, but the nightlife was unbelievable.We went to a few places, the clubs are nice but pricewise, they were ridiculous. It was usual price in[like in Ireland] and it included free drink but the prices after the free one were mental.

[pete]

Barcelona is far too obsessed with being cool and has the worst case of second-city paranoia since Cork.

I will take that as compliment. :p The Barcelona Metro starts at 5.30AM just in time to take post nite club goers home.


How much would tickets for a typical la liga game in barcelona be?

Nou Camp tour is ok but match night disappointing. It was wet & I had a cold/bug which might have affected opinion.

Think paid E40-50 (lower mid level directly behind the goal) each for Deportivo last year. You can book on the website & collect tickets before the game. Web site showed a lot of taken seats but on match night was half empty. Seen kids jump down from cheap seats to lower levels.

[Paddyfield]

Madrid, Madrid, Madrid.

Excellent city. Barcelona is far too obsessed with being cool and has the worst case of second-city paranoia since Cork.


I've been to Barcelona and Madrid and I love them both. Barcelona is obsessed with being cool but Madrid in inland and has no river so it is a sweltering place during the summer and would love to be cool.

[Keen2win]

Barcelona

[shakermaker1982]

I'm off to Barca in Feb - got tickets to see Barca against Levante. Good seats and only 30 euros each. Cannot wait!

[Risteard]

Off to Barca Wednesday for cup quarter final. Place is absolutely beautiful.
Many people have told me that there's high levels of theft and muggings but I experienced nothing of the sort and none of the people who told me did either.
Sometimes these stories take on a mind of their own but maybe its true.

Have to make Madrid in the next year or two.

[shakermaker1982]

yeah I've heard that about Barca too Risteard but I'll make sure I'm careful especially on public transport. The only place I've ever been robbed was Prague - somebody nabbed something from my rucksack.

[inexile]

love barcelona think the whole city is just pure quality!! nightlife is excellent loads to due during the day, las ramblas is really enjoyable to just walk down, if your with a ladyfriend she will think its a lovely romantic city and you wont be bored witless either!!!

[sligoman]

I was in Barcelona this time last year with a group of about 20. 2 people were mugged at seperate times/locations, one at knife point.

[deecay]

They musta seen you and said they look easy pickings

[pete]

Barca has a lot of narrow pedestrian streets which might make easier muggings but not seen anything myself.

La Ramblas is supposed to be pick pocket hot spot but if you put your wallet in front pocket I fell makes it difficult to lift. The guys doing the ball with 3 cups trick is an obvious set-up fro pick pockets so beware.

[shakermaker1982]

I was in Barcelona this time last year with a group of about 20. 2 people were mugged at seperate times/locations, one at knife point.

bloody hell :eek:

[Block G Raptor]

My Father was mugged at knife point by a Rafa Benitez lookalike (well dressed in a suit) in the main square after the Fountain Lite show

[gustavo]

Does your father looking anything like this man? (http://img.dailymail.co.uk/i/pix/2007/02_1/hicks0602_450x298.jpg)

[shakermaker1982]

hey lads I've bought tickets for the Barca-Levante game (assuming it was going to be on the Sunday) but am now worried they'll switch it to Saturday for tv. If they do I'm ****** because my flight into Girona doesn't land till 7pm Saturday. Is there any set rule for La Liga tv games i.e. which ones they pick? Do you have to have Levante on so many times a year? Any help greatly appreciated. By looks of it they only decide 5/6 days before games kick off!!! Very strange - especially if your an 'away' fan looking to travel and book accomodation.

[shakermaker1982]

I'm back from Barca and lived to tell the tale.......though I missed the earthquake in England.

I thought the Nou Camp was outstanding - the tour is expensive but worth it. I was shocked at how compact the stadium was - on tv it looks huge and expansive. Got good seats behind the goal and saw 6 goals in total so not too bad. Sagrada Familia was impressive but I was a bit disappointed with the Ramblas. Worth a look but I wouldn't rank it as high as Paris, Rome and Venice in terms of big european cities.