Madrid vs. Barcelona: The Best New Year’s Eve Experience

Intro

I had had a long journey to Maspalomas, as part as my Christmas/New Years trip of 2024-20245. And I actually had a lot of fun there, but now it was time to spend the last days of 2024 in Madrid and Barcelona, and welcome 2025 the best way possible.

Arriving to Madrid

The flight from Gran Canaria was nice and I was able to sleep a bit as I was up most of the night enjoying the most I could of Maspalomas. Finding a bus in the early morning was not a good time, as I had to wait for almost 40 min in some isolated area in the outskirts of Maspalomas to get to the airport.

But I was finally in Madrid, a big city that I love, and that has a lot to offer. First thing I did was to buy the Metro Pass for the days I was going to be here.

Then I went to do the check in and the room was ready. I stayed in Hotel Negresco Gran Vía, very close to literally everything. The room was small and kinda expensive, but OK for what I needed.

Exploring the Christmas Decorations

It was already nighttime, and even though Christmas had passed a few days ago, in Spain they celebrate the season until Día de Reyes, on January 6. The city was fully crowded. Everyone was out, and I was not really expecting this. When I have travel in the winter to other places, they crowds are manageable, except maybe in some parts of New York City, but Madrid was at another level.

All the streets decorated with Christmas lights was a really nice touch. The season was definitely not over.

I kept walking on this busy night, and the Plaza Mayor was the most decorated, still with the Christmas Market in the middle. I took advantage to meet a couple of friends that I met in Orlando for Halloween Horror Nights and had seen in the last October, and talk with them for a long time, and planned something for the next day.

Kept walking toward Plaza del Sol and the Carousel they built as an attraction shows how well the city invested to bring tourists and locals during this season. And it paid off, every single person on Earth was here haha.

The gigantic Christmas tree by Plaza del Sol was astonishing.

I headed to bed after all these nights of barely any sleep in Maspalomas and was able to wake up a little bit later.

360º Riu Rooftop Bar

Got up, got ready, picked some Starbucks cold brew mocha with almond milk, and went to the famous breakfast chain Vips to meet my friend from Madrid, that had met for the last couple of years in Orlando for HHN.

We talked for hours, but now it was time to part ways, and after refreshing at the hotel, I took the bus with the same Metro Card, to go to 360º Riu Rooftop Bar at the Riu Hotel. There was a line outside and I was afraid it would take long, but it was actually quick. I was up there in no time. Views from the 27th of the Riu coming right up!

I was not really going to order anything, it seemed pretty busy, but I was able to get nice pictures.

Years ago, I explored Madrid a little bit more, and I went to all those buildings in the distance, including the Torres KIO or Gate of Europe. Nowadays they do not seem too interesting for me haha.

After a few minutes just going around, it was time to head back down, and have another coffee.

Barrio Latino

From there I walked to the closest Starbucks, got my coffee, and took a bus that would get me kind of close to the Barrio Latino, and walking right in front of the King’s Palace. I had to hurry since sunset was already upon us.

The walk was productive and was able to see a little bit more of Barrio Latino after all these years, but now, I was hungry again, and had to try an authentic paella!

So I was able to walk in Vermuteria Black Bolita, and they served me this huge paella that left me in shock. No banana for scale, but it was humungous. I had to take some back to the hotel.

The last night in Madrid

And talking about the hotel, returning was not going to be an easy task. I had already resigned myself to have to walk, since Barrio Latino does not really have bus routes, or Metro, but also I guess it was good I had to walk all those calories off lol. But as soon as I got more into Centro the crowds were insane. I had to literally stop myself from even moving because it was impossible to even take a step.

It seemed that there was a show in El Corte Ingles and everyone wanted to see it, and that was what caused the crowds. Unbelievable. At least I was able to make it to the hotel. After dropping off all the leftovers, I went out for one last night of fun before leaving for Barcelona.

Got to the airport early the next morning, and I will always love the architecture of the new terminals. So iconic.

Had more charcuterie at the airport, and took my Vueling flight to Barcelona. So far, this airline had been pretty good to move around. I will be using them for my Passover 2025 trip as well.

Arriving to Barcelona

The plane took a scenic route on the way to El Prat, the Barcelona International Airport, and let us view the city very closely.

I noticed La Sagrada Familia!

And many iconic elements in the city like Torre Agbar…

…or the Tibidabo Hill. I was probably not going to go all the way up there on this trip, but it is really fun in the summer.

Walking around the Center

Landed and took the transportation to my hotel, which I thought for sure it was the Axel 2, but when I got there, they could not find my reservation. I had stayed there years ago, so I was positive that was my hotel. I checked my OneDrive folder I create for every trip with hotel reservations, flights, etc., and guess what? My past self had managed to book the Axel Hotel, the original one, for New Years Eve. What? I was in shock. But now, I was far from that one, so back to the Metro and into the actual hotel. Left my suitcase there, and went out to explore.

After refreshing myself, took another bus to La Sagrada Familia, or the Expiatory Temple of the Holy Family, is a grand, unfinished basilica in Barcelona, Spain, designed by Antoni Gaudí, known for its unique blend of Gothic, Art Nouveau, and Catalan Modernism architectural styles, and is a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

After grabbing another coffee, I took another bus, closer to Casa Batlló, also from Antoni Gaudí. But I did not get tickets for either of them this time around. They’re cool inside though.

One of the privileges or staying in the city center is being able to walk into the hotel in the middle of exploring, and that’s what I did. The room was really great.

And I had a view of the Tibidabo Hill yay! It kind of reminded me of Montmartre in Paris.

A night to chill

It was the night of December 30th, and I wanted this to be a chill night before the craziness of the New Years Eve. I walked around the hotel, seeing all the decorations.

And then got myself a local beer…

… and some tapas from a closeby Tapas Bar that was opened until late. The patatas bravas, the wings and the chorizo wow! I would get them again so fast!

La Rambla and Mercat de la Boqueria

I had complained so much of the crowds in Madrid, I know I am part of the problem lol, but I only noticed the heavy crowds in Barcelona in La Rambla, the famous street known for its lively atmosphere, street performers, markets, and historic landmarks. Be aware of pickpockets!

Walking around is nice, taking all the architecture and culture in, especially on a NYE.

But from this street, you can go to Mercat de la Boqueria, a market full of everything you want to eat, either typical or international.

It was crowded but manageable. I was able to get some more paella and some empanadas because why not? Probably my last meal of 2024.

Decided to walk back to the hotel. I mean there are not many ways to go from here to there, but got myself walking into the little alleyways of the Ciutat Vella and the Gothic Quarter.

Really pretty areas I was walking around.

El Corte Ingles

It was almost the last night of 2024, and I went up to the rooftop bar in the hotel to see the views from there. It was really nice. You could barely see the Torre Agbar on the back.

But got ready again, and went to Plaça de Catalunya, where you can find El Corte Ingles. This huge department store, where you could find anything, has a great view from the top floor. And it was almost sunset time! Perfect!

The view of Museu Nacional d’Art de Catalunya was amazing, but I was still undecided on going there for the NYE Celebrations. It just seemed a bit far, and was scared of crowds or transportation.

The pilars of La Sagrada Familia were also visible from up here. It already looks so different from the last time I saw it a couple of years ago.

A New Years Eve Celebration

It seemed that half of NYC was in Barcelona, because I met acquaintances in the hotel, and joined them for the NYE celebrations. They would just stayed in the hotel for the night and go up to the bar closer to midnight, which I also did. What I was not expecting was to perfectly the fireworks from the rooftop bar so perfectly. They were all the way over Museu Nacional d’Art de Catalunya. They also had drones. Wow, it was amazing.

The whole thing was a vibe, and I did not have FOMO at all. I was glad I stayed in the hotel tonight.

The countdown was close and we were all reminded where we were.

The droid + fireworks effects were from out of this world.

It was way past midnight, and went for a walk looking for something to eat. I noticed the river of people walking on Gran Via from the show, that was kilometers away. Omg I would have had to do the same. But not many places were open to eat a proper meal, and found this burger place that seemed ok.

I got the California burger and took it to the hotel. I ate half of it and the fries. It was good, but not crazy.

Back to the Axel Hotel and to sleep a little bit, since in a few hours I would have to go to Berlin.

Took the bus to the Barcelona Airport, and got into my Vueling flight to BER Berlin International Airport. But you do not have to wait to read what happened. It is at the very end of my last post here.

That concluded my experience between Maspalomas, Madrid, Barcelona and Berlin for the Christmas and New Years season. I had a lot of fun, and it was definitely something to remember forever. Loved the freedom of all these European cities allow you to have, and how much to do you have even in the coldest months.