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 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 There's a thread about Madrid on this section from last year you might find it helpful

There is also a Barcelona thread

[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!

[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!!

[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

[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

[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. 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.