Traveling within the same country has a lot of advantages - it allows you to get to know more about history, culture, architectural masterpieces or national traditions. Having made a sightseeing tour, you can choose several places for a closer acquaintance. For example, having discovered Spain, a tourist will certainly want to return to one of the cities, for example, Madrid or Barcelona.
The main city of Spain and the capital of Catalonia are long-standing rivals in terms of tourism, each of them claiming leadership. Therefore, we will try to compare shopping, cuisine, architectural highlights and historical monuments.
Good shopping
Oddly enough, Madrid is on the shopping list, along with Paris and Milan. Spanish designers have very little left to conquer European catwalks, in this city they are ready to offer original models, bright sunny colors and a special cut. The quality and beauty of Spanish footwear has long been legendary. The best area for shopping for designer clothes is Salamanca, exclusive models, jewelry salons, antique shops - everything you need for expensive shopping.
Barcelona has its own famous places for good shopping, for lovers of expensive, exclusive things, walking through boutiques and salons, there is a direct road to Gracia Boulevard. Those tourists who like to shop, but at the same time consider their own finances, need to find El Corte Inqles - a network of large shopping complexes located in different parts of the Catalan capital. Popular edible souvenirs include jamon, delicious jerky, Spanish wines, and olive oil. In the Old Town there is the Boqueria market, one of the most famous in the world, where you can buy meat and seafood, vegetables and fruits.
Spanish cuisine
Everything that they know how to cook delicious in Spain can be found in its heart, beautiful Madrid. Cold tomato soup, known as gazpacho from Andalusia, seafood rice, referred to in this country as paella, pork steaks and octopus, lamb and beef tripe. The inhabitants of the Spanish capital are distinguished by their delicate taste, love for unusual cuisine and gastronomic "zest". It was in this city that many chefs who are now world-famous began their careers.
Barcelona will surprise gourmets with a huge selection of fish and seafood dishes, although the inhabitants of the city themselves do not refuse meat, first of all, pork, which they know how to cook well on coals. Paella is popular in Catalonia and its capital, and in different forms, rice is served with vegetables or herbs, with meat or seafood. There is also a local specialty - "black rice", in the preparation of which cuttlefish ink is used.
Attractions and entertainment
The heart of the Spanish capital is the square with the long name Puerta del Sol, which sounds very beautiful in the translation of "Gate of the Sun". The main cultural attractions located in this place are the so-called zero kilometer (reference point for distances) and the symbol of the city - a bear trying to get to the delicious fruits of the strawberry tree. The Plaza Mayor is considered the second interesting square in Madrid. In the Middle Ages, grandiose fairs were held here, bullfights and public executions were held. And at the end of the journey through Madrid history, tourists find themselves at the Royal Palace and the Cathedral.
It is difficult in Spain to find another city with the same number of attractions as in Barcelona, it is not without reason that it is called the architectural wonder of the country. Walking along the old city streets, you can simultaneously travel through history, notice how one style changes another, and all together looks very harmonious.
Barcelona has its own Old Town, and the oldest quarter in it is the Gothic. The visiting card is the Cathedral, chosen by the archbishop as a residence, in the same area there are the Real Major, the palace complex, the chapel, which is consecrated in honor of St. Agatha, the Gothic fountain. The Catalan capital also surprises with its museums, the main one of which is the Picasso Museum.
Spain is rich in beautiful cities with a long history and therefore attractive to foreign tourists. Therefore, passionate Madrid will be chosen by guests from the East who:
- know where to buy clothes from fashion designers from the capital;
- love national cuisine;
- would like to visit the main square of Spain.
Travelers who will travel to beautiful Barcelona:
- dream of plunging into the Middle Ages;
- love paella and seafood;
- love walking in markets and shopping centers.
