Barcelona and Madrid divide Spain like no other debate. Barcelona has the beach, Gaudí, the Gothic Quarter, and a unique Catalan identity that makes it feel like no other city in Europe. Madrid has the Prado, the best nightlife on the continent, Real Madrid, and a warmth and openness that Barcelona sometimes lacks. Both cities have world-class food, football, and culture. Both attract millions of tourists every year. But expats and locals who have lived in both cities are fiercely divided on which one is truly better. Is it the Mediterranean lifestyle of Barcelona or the passionate energy of Madrid that wins?
