Malasana street image courtesy of Nicolas Vigier. The city, therefore, is also home to some of his most iconic creations, including Parc Guell, La Pedrera, and the jaw-dropping Sagrada Familia, his final masterpiece thatвЂ™s slated for completion in 2026, 100 years after his death. Of course, as one hotel proprietor told us during a recent visit, Barcelona is Gaudilandia, and home to Catalan modernist master, Antoni Gaudi. From the still lived-in Gothic QuarterвЂ™s Medieval apartment blocks to contemporary additions like Santiago CalatravaвЂ™s Torre Agbar, contrasts abound. The cityвЂ™s laid-back beachside bohemianism is the logical complement to its world-renowned architecture. In the end, though, itвЂ™s hard to compare to BarcelonaвЂ™s wildly diverse style. Opulent gems like the Royal Palace tower over manicured gardens with imposing cornices and columns, while the whimsically gorgeous Palacio de Cibeles now serves as MadridвЂ™s city hall. The cityвЂ™s classical architecture is distinctive and elegant, which makes sense as itвЂ™s been the seat of the Spanish royal family since the 16th century. Hotel Pick: This NH Collection Hotel is a five-minute walk from MadridвЂ™s famous Prado museum.ДЄlmost anywhere you look in Madrid, there are striking 18th- and 19th-century buildings lining the tightly-packed streets. For daring contemporary installations, head to Matadero - a former slaughterhouse turned cultural center, or the indie galleries of Lavapies. Highlights include GoyaвЂ™s вЂњBlack PaintingsвЂќ and important works by 18th-century master Diego Velazquez at the Prado, and PicassoвЂ™s вЂњGuernicaвЂќ at the Reina-Sofia. Its trio of stunning museums - the Prado, the Reina-Sofia, and the Thyssen-Bornemisza - each draw from different epochs in art history as it has played out in Spain and around the world. However, Madrid is queen when it comes to big-ticket art. ThereвЂ™s also cutting-edge contemporary art on display at MACBA and CaixaForum, the latter of which is housed in a repurposed factory and is a striking exercise in modern design itself. BarcelonaвЂ™s offerings are excellent, highlighting works from Catalan abstract artist Joan Miro to a massive collection of PicassoвЂ™s work at Museu Picasso. Thankfully, Barcelona and Madrid are both packed with venerable galleries and world-class art. Nearly every travelerвЂ™s itinerary is peppered with at least one or two museums when traveling Western EuropeвЂ™s major cities. Museo Nacional del Prado image courtesy of Kyle Valenta. (Although, let's be real - considering they're just a two-and-a-half-hour train ride apart, why should you have to choose?) To help travelers who are more on the fence decide which may be best suited for them, we're pegging the cities against each other in nine categories - from museums to food, from nightlife to hotels - toВ help you make your pick between Barcelona and Madrid for your next Spanish getaway. In fact, just mentioning one city to residents of the other is enough to provoke an argument - and plenty of visitors are equally as passionate. While we at love both of SpainвЂ™s two largest cities - Madrid and Barcelona - that doesnвЂ™t mean that everyone agrees on which city is better. Throughout our travels, we've learned that the desire to prove your city's superiority isnвЂ™t strictly an American thing, either. Urban rivalries are no new thing - just ask residents of New York City and Los Angeles in case you're curious. Plaza Mayor in Madrid image courtesy of Kyle Valenta.

Madrid versus barcelona