Barcelona is great for coastal views, Gaudí’s architecture, and a more laid-back vibe, while Madrid is perfect for history, world-class museums, and an authentic Spanish atmosphere.

For the first time since 2014, Barcelona and Real Madrid will meet in the Copa del Rey final, at Seville’s Estadio La Cartuja on Saturday. The mood at each club is very different.

Madrid is the nation’s capital and the larger of the two, with about 3.2 million in the city and 6.5 million in the region. It’s located almost dead set in the middle of the country, and roughly 200 ...