October break- northern lights in Norway or food in Barcelona?

[YorkshireYarns]

Four of us, four days. Teenagers.

which would you go for?
we have never done any of Scandinavia nor any Spain.

Norway. Barcelona is one of the most over-touristed cities on earth. Give them a little breather.

Norway definitely. Fabulous!

If you plump (!) for food you need to go to San Sebastián Donostia, not Barcelona.
Much nicer, safer city, and in October the weather could well be very nice too.
The food is stupendous.

Norway 100%

Norway 100%

Also Spain is not nearly as expensive as Sandinavia...

Northern Lights!

I'd go to one of the other Spanish cities - Barcelona is so touristy and it's not fantastic for food.
November may be a little bit early for northern lights, February might be better.

Oops just saw it's October- they are usually more visible from December to March - even that's not guaranteed though! However my mum saw the northern lights in October in Whitby a few years back.

I've just been through this and had decided on Tromso. For various reasons we have gone for Reykjavík instead but Tromso was very appealing!

We've done Barcelona in half term too in 2019 and it was great, though as said before - extremely touristy and busy.

Another vote for Norway. Hopefully you will get to see the northern lights but even if you don’t it’s a phenomenally beautiful country. The people are friendly, the food is amazing and if you love good coffee and cinnamon buns you will be happy.

Barcelona is so touristy. I’d go to Malaga or Valencia or Seville instead. Better food!

bit early for northern lights.

Valencia is great

Only problem with October is the skies may not be dark enough for long enough..same applies once you get into March.

The aurora are actually most frequent around the equinoxes (late Sept and late March) due to the position of the Sun and the orientation of Earth's magnet field...so seeing Aurora in October isn't that infrequent.

I'd go for Barcelona, depending on budget. I tried to plan a long weekend in Norway and it was very expensive.

Barcelona is my favourite city and unfortunately we never managed to take DC there.

Gaudi's buildings in the Exaimple are amazing. You can go into the Pedera building and walk on the roof among the stylish chimney pots.

The Sagrada Familia is beautiful at sunset with the sun shining through the stained glass windows.

Also Park Guell with its broken tile mosaics and lizards.

You can get a cable car across the harbour, go to the fair in Tibidabo, and visit the bizarre Joan Micro gallery.

I don't like Las Ramblas but it is an interesting walk. Nearby is the old part with narrow streets, Picasso museum and a cathedral guarded by geese.

Finally there is a beach area if the weather is good.

Neither, I'd go to Malaga. Beautiful under-rated city with great food. Will also be warmer than Barcelona.

I think Stockholm is nicer than Oslo. Plenty to see in a few days. It will be expensive though. Spain is a lot cheaper. Personally I’d look at Seville, Cordoba and Granada if going for a week. For food; northern Spain.