Shahd Alhamdan
Saudi Gazette
Madrid and Barcelona are two cities that not only compete in football, but also when it comes to tourism. Here are 10 facts about these two countries.
1. Real Madrid is one of the most popular and richest football teams in the world. The club has over 228 million supporters.
2. If you believe that manicures and pedicures cannot be done without water, then think again. Both are done in Madrid without water due to municipality regulations.
3. Tapas restaurants are found across Spain. Yet, the best ones are in Madrid. Tapas are snacks or small portions of traditional Spanish dishes. In the past, tapas were pieces of bread with ham placed on top. The dish has, however, evolved in a variety of ways.
4. Bulls used for bullfighting in Madrid must be at least five years old. Ill-tempered bulls are usually selected to ensure a fair fight.
5. Madrid’s metro is easy to use and useful. Tourists visiting Madrid for the first time will find the metro extremely particularly ideal. The metro operates until the late hours of most weekdays.
6. On the 23rd of April in Barcelona there is a custom to exchange books or roses with a person you love. This day is known as St George’s Day.
7. Never bargain with an immigrant seller in Barcelona. There could be a fight if you do not buy.
8. The Las Ramblas Street and the Gothic Quarter are good areas to explore and shop in Barcelona. These areas are beautifully laid out with little streets and alleyways. Be warned, the Gothic Quarter and the Las Ramblas Street have a high incidence of thefts.
9. Although beaches in Barcelona are ranked number one globally by National Geographic and the Discovery Channel, there were no beaches in Barcelona before 1992. The coastal area was full of local industries. This, however, changed when the city decided to host the Olymic games.
10. FC Barcelona Museum at Camp Nou was the most visited museum in Barcelona in 2011 and Spain’s third most visited museum. The stadium is also the largest in Europe with capacity to hold 100,000 visitors. The Barcelona football team is the second richest in the world in terms of revenue and profit.
