Madrid or Barcelona

Both Barcelona and Madrid are "old world," in that they each have sections that are hundreds of years old (of course, their history goes back far further). They're not like Rotterdam or Frankfurt, which were heavily bombed in WW II and then reconstructed in modern styles. The problem is, they are COMPLETELY different from each other, and you will find lots of people who prefer Madrid, prefer Barcelona, like both, and hate both. Looking at a variety of travel websites, my impression of the consensus is that Barcelona is slightly preferred overall. I do want to emphasize how different they are. If someone said to you, "I hated Los Angeles, and loved San Francisco - what will I think of Chicago?" you'd be hard-pressed to answer (I know I would). That's because they're too different, so one cannot generalize reactions to one across to the others. I am still trying to explain this to a friend who loved Madrid - he thinks he will thus, categorically, love Barcelona, and it doesn't work that way. Remember, the two cities are now only 3 hours apart by fast train, so depending on how much time you have, you can easily see both. On the other hand, both have a variety of day trips available, so you can stay in one for a while if you prefer. Are there any specifics that would sway you other than atmosphere? For example, only Madrid has the Prado, one of the world's great art collections, along with the Thyssen Bornemisza and the Reina Sofia galleries. Only Barcelona has the Sagrada Familia, one of the world's most special buildings, along with other Modernista architecture by Gaudi and others. If anyone in your party has mobility problems, tourist Madrid is flat, while tourist Barcelona is hilly. Let us know the rest of your itinerary, and others can chime in with which of the two will fit best (both logistically and stylistically) with it.

Harold sums it up quite well. I will just say this: We LOVE Madrid and really like Barcelona. Both cities are must sees in Spain and are so totally different. We will return to Barcelona some day but will return again and again to Madrid.

I'll give you the opposite view. Barcelona is more old world with a gothic district and some Roman remnants. Madrid only goes back to when Phillip II moved the capital from Toledo in 1561. According to RS, he didn't have money so the new government buildings were done in cheap brick rather than expensive marble.
The oldest building in town is from 1480 and most of it is 17th or 18th century. I don't generally like big cities but Barcelona was the better of the two. I also like the fact that Barcelona has beaches. Both cities have plenty of park space to relax in. If it matters to you Madrid still has bullfights, Barcelona doesn't. For old world, you may want to consider Toledo, which has the best twisty medieval street plan of anywhere in Spain; or Granada, which has the mostly pre-12th century Alhambra. Avila, has the best medieval wall I've seen to date. Segovia has a great Roman aquaduct plus a templar church that goes back to the early Crusades.

I too would not consider Madrid "old world" at all. It is, if I remeber correctly, the newest of European capital cities, though that is relative. But Toledo and Segovia are easy daytrips and provide rich traditional Spanish, Moorish and even Jewish culture and architecture. And Madrid has amazing art. But your two teenage sons will probably prefer Barcelona. It has a great nightlife and beaches. And the Gaudi architecture is so wacky that they might actually enjoy touring some of it. My guess is that might be your better bet, because you will get old world charm in the Gothic Quarter and Barcelona has a cultural feel more like France than Spain.

Enjoyed Madrid but definitely preferred Barcelona-loved everything about the city.

Thanks to all of you for your responses. Truly appreciate it.

I think your teenage sons would prefer Barcelona. More lively, active atomosphere. Cool Gaudi architecture, smaller museums, great tapas, Ramblas, markets, etc.

Barcelona is great, but the Ramblas, in my humble opinion, is one of the most depressing places of any major European city.

For reasons others have stated, with teenagers I would opt for Barcelona. They are both wonderful cities and very different. I love them both. Madrid is a very elegant city to me, with wonderful galleries etc, Barcelona is a bit edgier and fun, if that makes sense. And very easy to get around.

Haven't been to Madrid but Barcelona definately felt like a place that had been occupied for thousands of years - because it has! I agree that Las Ramblas is overrated. There's some good stuff to see on it (the market!) but strolling down it once was plenty for me. However it's right next to the Barri Gothic, which I think is the best, most evocative and atmospheric "old town" I've seen in Europe so far. And the beach is never a bad thing!

For what it's worth, I much prefer Barcelona for reasons noted above.