Barcelona
If you do nothing else in Barcelona, you'll want to visit Gaudí's La Sagrada Família, a stunning modernist cathedral with four tall, thin spires. The structure is so complex and the design so ambitious, construction began in 1882 and is projected to be complete in 2026.
Park Güell is another eye-popping Gaudí creation, but it's a completely different experience than the cathedral. Look for the storybook gatehouse, mosaic lizard, stone columns, and curved benches that beckon visitors to linger.
Stroll Las Ramblas, a popular pedestrian boulevard dating back to Medieval times. The walkway is thick with tourists, street performers, flower vendors, and outdoor cafes.
Immerse yourself in the artworks of modern masters by visiting Museu Picasso, which focuses on the artist’s early works, and Fundació Joan Miró, featuring 22 rooms of the artist’s works spanning his entire career.
Dine on Catalan cuisine at Lasarte, the city's first Michelin three-star restaurant, or Can Pineda, which has been serving diners since 1904.
Madrid
Madrid has plenty of museums that are worth taking time to explore. The Museo de la Reina Sofia houses the work of Pablo Picasso and Salvador Dali, among other great artists. Other collections like the Museo de América, the National Archeology Museum and the Museo de la Ciudad are worthy of hours spent exploring as well. And no art lover's trip to this city would be complete without a stop at the Museo del Prado, which features one of the world's finest collections of European art from the 12th to early 19th centuries including more than 140 works by Goya.
At night, Madrid hits the town. Start your evening with a flamenco show that will put fire in your veins, or sip sangria while people watching on a quiet square. When in Madrid, you must enjoy tapas and paella, but prepare yourself: in this night owl city, dinner is usually served around 9 or 10pm.