A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Bath vs. Madrid for Attractions, Food, Couples, and Nightlife

Should you visit Bath or Madrid?

Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?

Which city is more affordable and which is best for your travel style? If you're trying to figure out where to go next, comparing the travel costs between Bath and Madrid can help you decide which place is right for you.

Bath

Bath is a charming, historical, and beautiful spa town. With fun activities and sights, this is a small town worth visiting. Many visitors also come because of it's amazing beauty. Other reasons to visit include museums, nightlife, and food.

Madrid

Madrid is a friendly, authentic, and cultural city. It's an amazing and huge city with tons of activities and things to do. Other reasons to visit include shopping, museums, and nightlife.

Bath and Madrid: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Bath or Madrid?

Travelers will usually find more to do in Madrid than Bath, as it is bigger with more sights, attractions, and activities for visitors. Madrid is more popular for its food, nightlife, music, shopping, and big city activities, while Bath is known for its museums, historical sights, small town charm, and impressive beauty. Bath is popular for its world-renowned Roman built baths as well as its historical architecture and many museums. Madrid is popular for its art and architecture, its tapas and culinary scene, and its lively flamenco dancing. It is also home to The Prado Museum.

How is Bath different from Madrid?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

Let's take a look at the differences and similarities between Madrid and Bath. Then, you can decide for yourself which place is better for your next trip.

Are the Museums and Historical Sights Better in Bath or Madrid?

Bath is renowned for its historical sights. Also, Madrid is not as popular, but is still a nice city for its sights and museums.

Travelers visit Bath from around the world to see its many world-famous attractions. The main draw to Bath is the rich history and most sights are focused on the area's spa city past. The Roman Baths are a highlight of a trip to the city, but other not to be missed places include Bath Abbey, the Royal Crescent, and Pulteney Bridge.

Madrid offers a variety of museums and landmarks to choose from. There are a number of cultural sights in the city including Museo Nacional del Prado, the Royal Palace and Gardens, and Museo Nacional Centro de Arte Reina Sofía.

Is the Food Better in Bath or Madrid? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

Madrid is an unbeatable place for its restaurants. Also, Bath is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its restaurant scene.

Madrid has long been recognized as a culinary destination with great restaurants. The city has a mix of flavors that come from all of Spain. There are amazing markets where you can grab a meal or snack. There are also many high quality restaurants around town where you're guaranteed a good meal. Local favorites include roast suckling pig, Spanish omelette, and meat and chickpea stew.

Visitors will find a budding food and restaurant scene in Bath. Sample afternoon tea or try some local fish and chips. There are a diversity of restaurants to choose from so it's easy to find local favorites, vegetarian options, or international cuisine.

Is Bath or Madrid Better for Nightlife?

Madrid is an excellent place to visit for nightlife. Also, Bath is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for nightlife and partying.

Madrid has a lively atmosphere and nightlife is popular here. Many tourists and international students hang out in the Huertas area, while Malasaña has a bohemian, hipster vibe with small clubs that play indie music. Chueca is a fun area that's known for being gay-friendly with many good bars. Finally, you'll find that the area around Avenida de Brasil is where famous DJs often perform.

Bath has an active nightlife scene for those who seek it out. Head to George Street, which is the liveliest part of the city at night. You'll find a mix of high end restaurants, pubs, and cocktail bars that keep the energy high. One of the most popular nightlife venues in Bath is Bath Komedia, which is a popular music and comedy club.

Is Bath or Madrid Better for Music?

Madrid is an unbeatable place for live music. However, Bath is not a live music destination.

Madrid is known as a music capital around the world. Rock, jazz, and flamenco are all popular in the city. Some of the most well known music venues include Sala Caracol, Sala Clamores, and Costello Club.

Bath is not a live music destination.

Is Bath or Madrid Better for its Old Town?

Bath is a great spa town for its historic old town. However, Madrid does not have a historic old town.

Bath is an extremely popular place to visit the historic old town area. The Roman old town has charming streets and a vibrant environment. On pleasant weekends you'll find tourists and locals alike filling the restaurants and town squares, giving the city an energy and lively atmosphere.

Madrid does not have a historic old town.

Is the Shopping Better in Bath or Madrid?

Madrid is an unbeatable place for shopping. Also, Bath is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its shopping opportunities.

People travel from around the world to go shopping in Madrid. Gran Vía is a main thoroughfare in Madrid that is also popular for shopping. Calle Fuencarral is where you'll find the fashion shops and Calle Preciados is a fun pedestrian area to explore.

Bath is a popular shopping destination with plenty of stores. Head to Stall Street and Union Street for the most popular shopping streets in town. Many visitors pick up jewelry, glass, and fudge or other sweets while exploring the area.

Is Bath or Madrid Better for Families?

Madrid is an excellent place to visit for its kid-friendly activities. Also, Bath is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its family-friendly activities.

Madrid is a very family-friendly destination. Kids love splashing around at Madrid Río, taking a ride on the cable car (Teleférico), and exploring the city's many parks and playgrounds. There's even a maze at Sabatini Gardens. Restaurants around the city are also very kid-friendly.

You'll find plenty of kid-friendly things to do in Bath. The city is all about history and architecture, so at times it can be challenging for the kids to stay entertained. For a change of pace, take a boat on the canal or explore one of the beautiful gardens.

Is Bath or Madrid Better for Couples?

Bath is renowned for romance. Also, Madrid is not as popular, but is still a nice city for its romantic activities.

Bath is a great spa town for couples, as it has plenty to offer. With its beautiful architecture and fascinating history, this city is perfect for couples. Take a canal cruise or wander through the scenic areas to enjoy a romantic trip.

Madrid is a very popular place to visit for couples. Fun and romantic activities around town include taking a boat ride at Casa de Campo, riding a bike in one of the many parks, and enjoy dinner and show in the evening.

Is Bath or Madrid Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Madrid is an excellent place to visit for backpackers and budget travelers. Also, Bath is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for backpackers.

Madrid is very popular with the backpacker crowd. The many hostels around town make it easy for backpackers to find affordable accommodation while also meeting other travelers.

It's common for backpackers to visit Bath. You'll find a surprising number of hostels around town so it's not hard to meet other backpackers while you're in the area.

Is Bath or Madrid Better for Students?

Madrid is an unbeatable place for its student-friendly activities. Also, Bath is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for students.

Students come from all over the world to visit Madrid. With several great universities, this city is popular with international and study abroad students. The city also has a diverse population and an active nightlife that appeals to students.

Bath is a great spa town to visit as a student. The University of Bath offers a number of different programs so this is a popular city for local and international students.

Is Bath or Madrid Better for Public Transit? Which Is Easier to Get Around Without a Car?

Madrid is an unbeatable place for times when you don't have a car. Also, Bath is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its public transit.

Visitors in Madrid can get around quickly with the extensive public transit system. The system includes the Madrid Metro, buses, and a light rail system.

You'll find some public transit in Bath, but it may not be enough to take you everywhere. You likely won't need public transit because it's easy to walk most places, but there are buses around town.

Is Bath or Madrid a more walkable city?

Bath and Madrid are amazing when it comes to walkability.

It's very easy to get around on foot in Bath. It is a very walkable city with most sights and activities packed into a very compact area. There are also many pedestrian areas that are easy to explore on foot.

Getting around Madrid on foot is easy. Most tourists stay in the central part of Madrid where it's compact and relatively easy to walk to most tourist sights.

For even more information, also check out Is Bath Worth Visiting? and Is Madrid Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Madrid or Bath?

How long in Bath or Madrid?

In either Bath or Madrid, you'll find plenty of activities to fill your time. Most visitors tend to spend more time in Madrid than Bath because of the overall number of sights and activities. Usually, 1-3 days is a good amount of time for Bath, and 2-5 days is enough time in Madrid.

Families should spend more time in Madrid than Bath. Because of the many family-friendly attractions and fun things to do for kids in Madrid, it's a great place to visit with the whole family.

Couples should spend more time in Bath than Madrid. You'll find plenty of romantic sights and fun activities in Bath that are great for a weekend getaway or a longer couple's trip.

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Madrid than Bath if your budget allows for it. With a larger number of budget-friendly sights, good nightlife, and active things to do, anyone traveling on a budget would have a good time in Madrid.

One day in Bath or Madrid?

Many travelers enjoy the museums and nightlife when visiting the destination of Bath. The old town is one of the main draws for visitors. One day is often enough time to do most activities.

Madrid is a big city destination where you can fill many days. Take your pick from the many activities offered here. With so much to do, one day is probably not enough time to see everything.

A weekend in Bath or Madrid?

Bath is a great place to explore. It is common to spend a weekend here. Don't miss the museums, as that's what most people do. With all of its activities, you can easily fill a weekend here. Your budget might influence how long you stay.

Madrid is a fun place to experience. If you have a weekend, this is a great place to go. A weekend is often enough time to do most activities. The entire region has so many activities, and you'll want time to do everything.

Five days in Bath or Madrid?

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Bath. Don't miss the museums, as that's what most people do. Make sure you visit the old town while you're here. Five days may feel like too much time unless you plan to do a lot of relaxing. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do.

Madrid is a cultural big city where you can fill many days. This city offers something for everyone. Plenty of people spend five days in the area when traveling. Five days is often enough time to do most activities.

A week in Bath or Madrid?

Travelers enjoy the shopping and museums when visiting the historical destination of Bath. This spa town offers a variety of activities to choose from. Most visitors spend time around the old town while in the area. Most people find that one week is more than enough time to see everything.

The friendly city of Madrid offers shopping and museums. The length of your trip often depends on your style of travel. One week is usually plenty of time to spend here with extra days to spare. With this much time, visitors often visit nearby destinations or take day trips.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Edinburgh, The Best 10-Day Tours from London, The Best Contiki Tours to Spain, and The Best G Adventures Tours to Spain.

When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Bath and Madrid, we can see that Bath is more expensive. And not only is Madrid much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Madrid would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Madrid and be able to afford a more luxurious travel style by staying in nicer hotels, eating at more expensive restaurants, taking tours, and experiencing more activities. The same level of travel in Bath would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Bath than you might in Madrid.

If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Bath Expensive? and Is Madrid Expensive?.

Which is Bigger, Bath or Madrid?

Madrid has a larger population, and is about 30 times larger than the population of Bath. When comparing the sizes of Bath and Madrid, keep in mind that a larger population does not always imply the destination has more attractions or better activities. So, always research the type of place that you want to visit along with the activities and attractions that interest you.