Barcelona or Madrid?

[Tillygan60]

Planning a 5 day break in September, either Barcelona or Madrid. Anyone been to both?
Interested in art, museums and general sightseeing.
Was set on Barcelona until I heard about the anti tourist protests and the pick pockets....am I right to be concerned or I am over-reacting?

Barcelona! Beautiful city and great food.

100% Barcelona

Madrid will be baking hot until October. Barcelona much nicer!

Neither……Valencia, Seville or Granada if you going to Spain

Madrid if you're set on just that choice of two, but otherwise I agree with @Kitkat1523 's suggestions.

We went to Barcelona in May and it was wonderful! I believe the protests are against air b&bs, pricing locals out of the city, and not directed at tourists themselves. I know it's got a reputation for pickpocketing but we took the usual precautions (money belt, phone lanyard) and didn't encounter or witness anything.
We felt perfectly safe and comfortable at all times.

Agree re Seville or Valencia

Barcelona was my favourite of the two by miles. More to do and near a beach.

Granada.

Ace.

I've been to both and loved them, admittedly pre-covid though. I can't comment on the heat in Sept because I think we went in Apr/May, so never swam in Barcelona. Barcelona does have the sagrada familiar- BUT, book tickets before you go. We didn't, and even in off season, couldn't get one! There is also the gaudi buildings., las Ramblas and the amazing fruit/veg market.

Madrid had more museums. Museo de America (mainly Sth American artifacts), Archaeological museum, Prado plus many more. We did a day train trip to Toledo. The cathedral was amazing. Absolutely stunning and breathtaking.

Another option is Malaga city (more like a town). Not the coastal resorts, but the town itself. Easy bus from the airport, used it be 3euro each. The beach, castle, museums, fruit/veg market, great restaurants etc. I found it a mix of locals and tourists. We did a day train trip to Ronda to see the bridge, which was also amazing.

Thanks, JC03745...did Malaga earlier this year, it was fantastic!

Definitely Seville over either if that's a possibility.

Seville with a day trip to Cordoba. Both absolutely stunning places. Add in a day to Cadiz if you're missing the sea air. All great.

Been to both, love both, but prefer Madrid. Particularly if it’s art galleries and museums, parks, and general sightseeing - Madrid is awesome. You haven’t lived until you been to the Prado, it will blow you away.

I know you asked for Barcelona or Madrid, but as others have said, Seville is absolutely beautiful. All really walkable, great museums and gardens, lovely stroll along the river and we found restaurants really delicious, reasonably priced and very accommodating of tourists without being 'touristy'.

I haven't been to Barcelona since i was in my early 20s (in my 30s now), but it's a really fun city and great vibes. Architecture is incredible and there is so much to see walking around, plus added bonus of the beach.

Went to both Seville and Madrid in the last few years and loved Seville. Madrid, my husband and I found a little bit tricky to find the right places to eat - we had some great food in the university quarter, but elsewhere we struggled with infiltrating some of the bars (not confident enough to understand how to order, etc.!) and we ended up at a restaurant where the waiter allowed us to order enough tapas-style food to feed a huge party, and then proceeded to laugh about it to someone else in the restaurant...but that was just our experience! Madrid also had beautiful gardens and museums.