Barcelona and Madrid are two perfect weekend cities, but with slightly different character and charm. Whichever you choose, you can expect cozy dining, exciting nightlife and probably a lot of shopping. One of the absolute advantages of Barcelona is the possibility of combining the advantages of beach life, so it’s no wonder that Barcelona emerged as a weekend favorite. A brilliant restaurant and nightlife is certainly something with it all to do. Madrid was shadowed by the coast near Barcelona, ​​but there are also wonderfulrestaurants, great night and cultural life and good shopping.

Attractions in Barcelona – what to see and do

Described variously as rising dough, molten lava and a stone lung, the last secular building designed byAntoni Gaudí, the Casa Milà (popularly known as La Pedrera, ‘the stone quarry’) has no straight lines. Now a UNESCO World Heritage Site, it appears to have been washed up on shore. Gaudí’s original plan for Park Güell called for the plots to be sold and the properties designed by other architects. However, the fantastical exuberance of Gaudí‘s imagination remains breathtaking.

Send Gaudí and the Sagrada Família to hell,’ wrote Picasso – and while it is easy to see how some of the religious clichés of the building and the devotional fervour of its creator might annoy an angry young Cubist, Barcelona’s iconic temple still manages to inspire delight in equal measure. Camp Nou, where FC Barcelona has played since 1957, is one of football’s great stadiums – a vast cauldron of a ground thatholds 98,000 spectators. That’s a lot of noise when the team is doing well, and an awful lot of silence when it isn’t. One of the most perfect surviving examples of the Catalan Gothic style, Santa Maria del Mar is a graceful basilica that stands out for its characteristic horizontal lines, plain surfaces, square buttresses and flat-topped octagonal towers.

Attractions in Madrid – what to see and do

Commissioned by Philip V after the earlier Alcázar was lost to a fire in 1734, the Royal Palace (Palacio Real)is rarely used by the royal family, and many of its 3,000 rooms are open to view. Spain’s most prolific playwright and poet, Félix Lope de Vega Carpio spent the last 25 years of his life in this simple, tranquil three-storey house, now a museum. Faro de Moncloa is a radio and communications tower, at 92m, that provides one of the best views of the whole of the city and the sierras in the distance. In 1405 Henry III constructed a hunting lodge here, but the first monarch to take a really serious interest in El Pardo‘s excellent deer and game hunting estate was Charles I of Spain, who built a sizeable palace here. Templo de Debod is an Egyptian structure, which sits on the outskirts of the Parque del Oeste, dates back 2,200 years and was sent, block by block, by the Egyptian government in 1968 in thanks for Spain’s help in preserving monuments threatened by the Aswan Dam. Occupying an immense, slab-sided building, the Reina Sofía boasts an impressive façade with glass and steel lift-shafts, designed by British architect Ian Ritchie.

Eating and drinking in Barcelona

Just inside the entrance of the Boqueria, on the right-hand side, is this essential market bar, La Pinotxo. Various tapas are available, along with excellent daily specials such as tuna casserole or scrambled eggs with clams. Cafè de l’Acadèmia, on C/Lledó 1, is assured approach to the classics of Catalan cuisine, combined with sunny tables on the pretty Plaça Sant Just. As much tapas bar as restaurant, Cal Pep is always packed: get here early for the coveted seats at the front. Darling of the Sunday papers, El Bulli is possibly the most talked-about restaurant in the world today. There is only a degustación, and diners must arrive by 8.30pm if they are to finish the 30 or so courses by midnight. A comic metaphor for modern-day Barcelona, Himali moved into what was a local boozer, but has retained the silhouettes of famous Catalans – Dalí and Montserrat Caballé among them – on the windows. If you’re curious to try some of the more extreme experiences in postmodern haute cuisine (we’re talking tripe and brains rather than the latest flights of fancy from the Blumenthal school), Manairó is the place to start. Its divine tasting menu takes in small portions of Catalan specialities. Tapaç24 on C/Diputació 269 is another bar focusing on excellent quality produce.

Eating and drinking in Madrid

At Posada de la Villa, you can enjoy tasty Spanish specialties. Areas Chuecha and Malasana have great nightlife. 

Chuecha is known as the city’s Soho and Malasana is students’ favorite. One of the coolest streets in the night life is called Calle del Pez, now home to numerous trendy bars. Popular amongst the actors from the nearby Teatro Alfil, El Pez Gordo buzzes at night and is fabulously mellow during the day. Café del Círculo de Bellas Artesis a point of reference in the city’s café culture. Take a seat amid the columns and female nudes and frown over El País with coffee and a croissant to fit right in. Casa Alberto on C/Huertas 18 is one of the city’ old tabernas, hung with oil paintings. It still has its old zinc bar complete with running water trough to keep the wine cool. Its name is Latin for Madrid, but Matritum has a great selection oftapas and wine from other regions of Spain, most notably Catalonia. Try gambas all cremat (prawns with burnt garlic) or fabulous canapés.

Shopping in Barcelona

Passeig de Gracia is an exclusive shopping street with shops like MaxMara and Escada. At number 96 you will also find one of the most popular designer boutiques Vinçon, perfect for gift shopping or home decor. Other areas include El Born where you can shop among other delicacies in the market hall Mercat Santa Caterina, who was an eye-catching design when it was completely renovated a few years ago. Los Encants is a large market that takes place on Fridays and Saturdays. Come early for bargains among the bags, jewelry and much more. The market is located at La Diagonal and Gran Via.

Shopping in Madrid

A visit to the district of Chueca and Calle de Prado is a shopper’s needs with a lot of fashion, design and small shops. The exclusive shopping can be found in Salamanca. Calle Serrano and Calle Ortega y Gasset are two street names to remember for those who want to visit the big chains. Do not miss the shopping delights of Madrid as well, as the best cheeses in the store Poncelet Punto Selecto Quesos, on Calle Argentina Sola, 27.  The big market El Rasto is held every Sunday, between the Plaza Mayor, La Latina and Puerta de Toledo. Here you can bargain hard and get home with a real trophy, but beware of pickpockets.

Where to sleep

Whichever city you choose for your weekend getaway, it’s worth to try our renting an apartment. Staying in a cozy traditional holiday home in the heart of the city center will guarantee you authentic experience,short commute to the best attractions and at least 30% savings on hotel rooms. Here are some suggestions onwhere to stay in Barcelona and where to stay in Madrid.

Take a break from the city life

Lovely Parc de Ciutadella Barcelona‘s sometimes called “green lung”. A perfect place for picnics, with close to both beach and shopping. Parque Retiro is Madrid‘s equivalent of Central Park. You can have a quiet break and it is also a great place to bring a picnic basket to. Unpacking the black Pata Negra ham, along with good cheeses and fruit.

Coming Soon – events to look forward to

11 to 19 November, 2011, it is time for the Barcelona Independent Film Festival and in Madrid, you can turn off the jazzy tones on November 2 to 30 during the Madrid Jazz Festival at the Centro Cultura de la Villa.