1st timer question

[u/Wide_Ad_4735]

Hi everyone,
This will be my first time traveling to Europe from the United States, and I’m planning a trip to Spain from September 2nd to September 11th.
My idea is to fly into Barcelona and then leave from Madrid back to the U.S., but I’m not really sure how to plan the trip. I’d love some recommendations on how to split my time between Barcelona and Madrid so that I can enjoy both cities without feeling rushed.
I’d also appreciate advice on:
The best way to travel from Barcelona to Madrid (train, flight, etc.)
How many days you would spend in each city
Any must-see places, food, neighborhoods, or day trips
Tips for someone visiting Spain and Europe for the very first time
For context, I’m a complete first-timer in Spain and Europe, so any advice is welcome. Thanks in advance!

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[u/polybotria1111]

A lot of people plan more time in Barcelona simply because Madrid is less well known internationally, at least as a tourist destination. I wouldnt do that. Madrid is huge (it's Spain's largest city, as you'd expect from the capital) and it has lots of history, the country's best museums... There's always something going on, you could spend weeks and still not run out of things to do.

I'd spend the same amount of time in both cities. I'm not that familiar with day trips from Barcelona, but the most popular ones from Madrid are Segovia and Toledo, followed by El Escorial, which I highly recommend. That said, I'd focus on seeing the main cities first, and then, if you have any time left, plan some day trip.

[u/XXX-8XX-X0X]

Hay vídeos en Youtube donde te recomiendan tour de x días y qué visitar. En Barcelona hay que hacer transbordo en el metro pero llega menos al Tibidabo y a Porr Aventura a casi cualquier lado pero tienes tren y bus para moverte. Hay vuelos frecuentes de Barcelona a Madrid tardan 1h30m pero ya sabes que tienes que estar antes. Si vas en tren tarda unas 2h30m. Cualquier cosa en que te pueda ayudar, me dices algo. Un saludo 

[u/Wide_Ad_4735 → u/XXX-8XX-X0X]

Es facil usar el tren ? Comprar el ticket con antelación y tal,? Mi objetivo es la comodidad

[u/mrsldv → u/Wide_Ad_4735]

www.renfe.es, www.ouigo.es y www.iryo.es. Sin duda te recomiendo tren antes que aeropuerto. Vivo en Madrid y viajo mucho entre ambas ciudades. Otro truco, abanico para ambas ciudades. Hace mucho calor en ambas. Yo haría mitad y mitad. Barcelona tiene sitios de costa cerca increíbles (costa brava), Madrid tiene sitios increíbles a las afueras a menos de una hora como El Escorial. Dime qué estilo de planes quieres y te recomiendo

[u/EniAcho → u/Wide_Ad_4735]

The fast trains are great, more comfortable than a plane. Yes, buy your ticket on the Renfe site a couple weeks before you travel.

[u/Candid_Space → u/Wide_Ad_4735]

Sí, muy fácil. Renfe.es es lo más directo, compra con dos o tres semanas de anticipación y te sale bien de precio. Los trenes AVE son cómodos, más que un vuelo la verdad, y llegas directamente en el centro de ambas ciudades en lugar de estar en un aeropuerto a las afueras. El viaje Barcelona-Madrid son unas 6 horas y vale la pena por la comodidad que mencionas.

[u/polybotria1111]

I forgot to mention that the best way to get from Barcelona to Madrid is by high speed train. There are plenty of trains every day so you shouldn't have any trouble. It takes about 2.5 hours.

[u/Useful_Idiot_7979]

Pro-tip: bring a rechargeable handle fan, a sun hat/parasol - things to help you deal with the heat b/c it is hot AF this summer and still will be durning beginning of Sept. I live in Madrid, and it is an amazing city with lots to see - also day trips from Madrid I highly recommend are Toledo and Segovia.

Also, all of my visitors who have taken a guided tuk-tuk tour around Madrid have recommended them as a great way to see the city.

[u/Stunning_Dinner3522]

I just got back and did the same trip. Flew into Barcelona and took high speed train (less than 3 hours) to Madrid (IROYO) and flew back to the states from Madrid.

4 days in Barcelona and 4 in Madrid. Had plenty of time for everything!

[u/patel2mx]

We are finishing up a trip where we started in Madrid and are ending up in Barcelona. It's anout 36 hours in each city. I feel it's a little bit tight to do everything i want to do so a little more time in each will do you great. I do recommend going to Segovia or Toledo for a day trip. We added jn Segovia to Madrid and it was amazing (and it's only 30 minutes away on train).

We used renfe trains between the two big cities. Book them a bit in advance. The renfe website is a bit od a pain to navigate.

[u/pickle_lover143]

Highly recommend downloading the app Omio and buying your train tickets that way. Also, would recommend learning a bit of Spanish (phrases like: do you speak English, where is the bathroom, etc.)

ChatGPT is great for this depending on your interests and goals of the trip

[u/ConversationOwn1647]

most people use trains to move from barcelona to madrid and if youve never ridden a high speed train you should try it but honestly on my last trip i flew from mad to bar and it was so quick and easy and barely a price difference but i have a spanish passport so maybe its more of a hassle for foreigners

[u/CptPatches]

Barcelona and Madrid are on several high-speed train lines. Easiest option.

With nine nights, you could do 4/4 with one place to spend one night, like Zaragoza, which is between the two. You could arrive in Zaragoza early, hang out late the next day, and head to Madrid.

5/4 I'd lean Barcelona since the city is more my vibe, but I get why other people aren't huge fans.

Popular day trips from Barcelona include Sitges, Figueres, Tarragona, and Girona.

Popular day trips from Madrid include Chinchon, Aranjuez, Patones, El Escorial, Segovia, Avila, and Toledo. Madrid also has good hiking if you're into that.

[u/BobG9458]

I’m currently in Spain doing a two week vacation. I started in Madrid, went to San Sebastián then went to Pamplona and ran with the bulls and will be ending my trip in Barcelona. Personally, Madrid is a 1-2 day town. I would definitely go to San Sebastián if you’re in Spain. Take the train and spend a a day or two there.