Please Share Your Personal Favorites for Madrid and Barcelona

I would agree with all the posts above. Also want to add Rick's suggestion for checking out the convent in Madrid where the cloistered nuns sell cookies. It's a kick.
http://www.ricksteves.com/plan/destinations/spain/nuns.htm

Hi Ed,

I hope this isn't too controversial: In Madrid, we loved the spectacle OUTSIDE the bullfighting arena on Sunday evenings. I believe the seasons runs through October. While I personally could never support the fights, I do recommend heading out to the Plaza de Toros an hour or so before a match starts and just taking in the scene. (It's only a 5-min. metro ride from downtown, or a 1-mile walk from the Retiro). When we were there, there were ticket hawkers, concession stands, old Spanish men reading up on the day's fighters, and a marching band. A fun party atmosphere.

Enjoy Spain!

In Madrid....Retiro Park to relax and see Spanish families at play; the Prado and the Thyssen-Bornemisza for great art treasures; the royal place to see how the other half lives; Plaza Mayor for lunch and a walk to see the artists; La Latina and Chueca for lunch or dinner; Plaza Santa Ana and area at night for tapas, bars, and clubs; trips to Segovia, Toledo, and even Avila.....

Madrid: Retiro Park and barrio des las letras area (right across from El Prado). Both are great for ambiance and people watching. There are also a couple of nice little cafes looking directly at the Prado; great little tapas and snacks plus friendly service and great locations.

Barcelona: walking Las Ramblas, strolling through the Eixample district, wandering the Barri Gotic, sitting in placa reial (right off Las Ramblas) for an evening drink (if you enter from Ramblas, try the first place to your right ... great service!).

Ed - Barcelona is one of Europe's most exciting and vibrant cities. La Rambla, all the way down to the old Port, The Port itself with the Aquarium, picking up a Barcelona Open air bus and touring for a few hours, getting off and back on as often as you like. Gaudi's unbelievable architecture, the cafes, street performers, artists, and bands that are all along La Rambla, and Europe's number one Market - La Boqueria, also located right on La Rambla.
Then there's The Casino Barcelona - A very nice spot with excellent restaurants.
You guys will love it - guaran-damn- teed!!!

Greg

Agree with all the above, plus...

Barcelona: Gaudis Park Guel, and climbing up (and through) the Sagrada Familia.

Madrid: Churros and hot chocolate pudding for breakfast! Sure, it's not the healthiest food you'll ever eat, but it's worth doing once or twice when you're there. We particularly liked "Churro Meastro" but there are no shortage of churro joints - don't turn your nose up, foodies, this is something you must experience!

I agree with all the posts above about Barcelona, if you have time for a day trip, Montserrat was great!

Montserrat was great outside of Barcelona. I took a boat tour down at the water in Barcelona - that was a highlight. Rick Steves has it written up in his book. It was relaxing and great views of the coast.

I wasn't impressed with the Las Ramblas at all - thought it was too crowded, tacky and touristy.

Personally I liked Barcelona much better than Madrid - all the small pedestrian streets in Barcelona were great

We really enjoyed the Maritime Museum in Barcelona. It is near the port end of the Ramblas. If you are a boater you should check this out.

We enjoyed Mercat de la Boqueria as a separate outing from Las Ramblas because we wanted to see the market early in the morning - and the shops and stalls along Las Ramblas were either not open or just setting up.

Montserrat was a wonderful day trip (a FULL day!).

And don't miss the Gaudi!

Had the wonderful Madrid Stew and house red at Taverna Bola last evening near Opera Metro stop, strongly recommend. Day trip to Toledo very easy and wonderful... take Rick's wacky train to start... Cathedral worth ridiculous admission, PALACIAS RESTAURANT great bargain. George, Pgh

Personally, I feel quite unimpressed with Las Ramblas, and even go out of my way to avoid walking down them. My wife, on the other hand, loves 'em. As far as special nooks go, you might want to check out La Ciutadella (the BCN equivalent of Central Park) especially at dusk, when people turn out for impromptu tangoing, free concerts start and people relax after the working day. I also like the Plaza St. Felipe de Neiri -- a quiet square in the old town, the walls of the church are still scored with the shrapnel of one of the world's first airborne attacks on a civilian population. It is strange that such a sobering monument to the savagery of war can be such a peaceful setting. Maybe the presence of a daycare center which uses the square as a playground has something to do with that. My standard recommendations are here: http://quia-absurdum.com/barcelona/two_days.html

well this is pretty specific but when I was there as a student I really, really, really enjoyed las trufas. It's a chocolatey dessert type of thing that all the pastry shops in Madrid sell. here's a pic if this link works(although the kind I would get did not have these sprinkles):

http://www.susetic.com/fotos/AlexOD/Trufas-1.jpg

I also loved the Plaza Mayor in Madrid.

Madrid favorites: Prado Museum, Retiro Park, Palacio Royale, Almudena Cathedral, Templo de Debod.

I most enjoyed strolling around the Bari Gothik in Barcelona at dusk, sitting on a stone wall,and listening to whatever musician showed up, especially those who played the Spanish guitar. Very memorable and evocative.

The walking tour of the Old City was worthwhile - our guide told us about the fascinating political history of the city - and that there are still Nationalists in the government (Franco only died in 1975).

The Parc Guell, with the green parrots darting through the palm trees, and all of Gaudi's fantastical buildings are not to be missed.

A note: “Si us plau” (please in Catalan) is pronounced “sees plow” (I was corrected when I said “see oos plow” - Rick was wrong!).

And of course eating tapas and drinking Txakoli, the Basque white wine. Enjoy!

A very special "Thank You" to everyone that posted their suggestions. Looking forward to a dinner of paella and a very late night snack of churros con chocolate! Adios amigos!!!