August 30, 2012
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Spain
So Mrs jigg and I have decided to go to Spain for about 8 nights, flying into Barcelona and then hopping on a train to Madrid.
I wanted to go to Asia, but the travel time is a bit much for a little more than a week’s worth of travel.
In any event, anyone been to these two cities who would have recommendations on what area to stay in and what to see, do, and eat? Thanks!
Comments (9)
Jealous!!!! My boss is going to Spain next week for three weeks, I will ask him for recs!
Not a bad choice!
Oooohhhh have fun! my bff went to Spain back in college and she loved it!
go have paella at la sirena verde. in terms of barca, champagnepout has a good list you can reference, she was just there recently…
Most of the little hotels off Las Ramblas are pretty nice and central to everything. Enjoy!
Barcelona- Architecture & Design !!! So many tourist sites to see there. Casa Miro. Sagrada Familia, Dali museum ..
It’s very touristy though. I would stay away from the restaurants on Las Ramblas b/c they jack up prices… try the side streets if possible
Madrid
- A lot less sight seeing, it’s more of the lifestyle.. Reina Sofia Museum is probably the top attraction b/c of Picasso’s Guernica, Museo de Prado and the National Palace. Retiro Park is a beautiful park with a huge man made lake to row boats and there’s another lake with swans/ turtles. THE WEATHER IS ALWAYS NICE IN MADRID!!!
It’s a walking city too so if something is two subway stops away, you can probably walk there within 5 minutes
Plaza Mayor is another top attraction with lots of tourist restaurants nearby. I don’t mind tourist restaurants but obv. they tend to be expensive but the food isn’t bad.
If you’re there on a Sunday morning the main thing is El Rastro which is a huge street/flea market fair. Metro Stop Latina.
Malasaña is a great “hole in the wall” non-touristy, locals kind of neighborhood so you might want to check that out. My favorite street there is Holy Spirit Street (Calle Espiritu Santo) Good hidden places to eat near this area. It’s sort of like a hippie madrid college town. Metro Stop Tribunal or Noviciado. Home Burger Bar Reference Point Map
Cheuca
is an interesting neighborhood as well. Very LGBT/Alternative lifestyle and has nice bars/restaurants.
Food
- Paella is Barcelona’s main attraction but if its too expensive try Madrid, Churros con Chocolate, Bocadillo de Calamares (Fried calamaries in a sandwhich), Patatas Bravas (must try these- potatoes in spicy sauce), Tinto de Verano, Sangria, Tortilla Espanola (sort of potato and egg quiche), Jamon Iberica (Spanish cured Ham- suuuuuper expensive in the US but cheap in Spain)
And best for last: El Apolo Bar my favorite hangout http://www.elapolo.com/ Site is in English
Their home made, all natural with REAL FRUIT Mojitos are the best (mango, watermelon, strawberry, passionfruit) and also Tinto de Verano (red wine + sprite/seltzer + orange/apple slices)
It’s a very small locals cafe-bar run and owned by this guy Eduardo. If you speak Spanish you can tell him Christine from NY sent you lol
Sorry for the long crazy comment. Spent a semester in Madrid.. loved it. Have fun!
Probably irrelevant this time, but if you ever go back, I would recommend checking out the southern cities. They are gorgeous and not as popular I guess. Last time I was there, we went to Sevilla and Malaga… then Gibraltar, and then took a boat to Morocco, my fave part of it all. It was basically a 3 country visit in about one week.
#1 thing for barcelona imo is GAUDI!
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