Let us start with gastronomical delights,  both cities have a lot to offer. Barcelona offers the renowned Catalan cuisine and fantastic international food. Although if you want to find value for money you will have to search a little harder and avoid the tourist traps. Barcelona is more ‘Veg-friendly’ and you won’t find more vegetarian restaurants anywhere else in Spain. Barcelona also has an abundance of vegan restaurants as well.

Eating out in Madrid is a lot easier. Madrid being the capital and situated in the centre of Spain, it offers a more diverse culinary experience taking in all regions of Spain as well as many international tastes. Madrid is full of all kinds of bars and restaurants, from famous names in international cuisine to traditional Spanish tapas bars. There is more value for money in Madrid and the city is not plagued by the tourist-focussed eateries you would find in Barcelona.

In terms of weather and climate, Barcelona probably wins hands down. Barcelona’s proximity to the mediterranean gives it cooler summers and milder winters than Madrid.

Madrid has great springs and falls but can be a little extreme in both the summer and winter. Barcelona also has beaches to cater to those wanting to relax and sunbathe and look out towards the ocean and enjoy the view.

Architecture is one of the main reasons many people visit Barcelona. The city features the world famous Gaudi’s modernist buildings. It is without a doubt the highlight of visiting Barcelona. The Sagrada Familia church, the houses of Gaudi, the Park Guell… they are all very unique and truly breathtaking.

Madrid of course has many buildings to check out especially in the political and economic centre of the country. Not least the impressive and enormous Royal Palace. The sheer size of this building will leave you awestruck.

This week we have covered cuisine and eateries, weather and architecture. But there is still so much more to discuss. Stay tuned for next week's travel blog to find out more...