Italy or Spain?

I went to Spain and Italy in the same year. Spain was okay, I went to the southern coast. Italy was fantastic, I went to Sorrento and everything was brilliant. I think it depends on which part you plan to go to, but overall, I'd suggest Italy.

I prefer Italy. I'm regularly in Milan, and have travelled all my way down to Sicily (last summer).

Culturally, the cities, the people, not to mention the weather...

Lovely part of the world to travel and experience.

Been to both, lived in Spain. Both are amazing and have great weather. Spain is significantly hotter inland in midsummer.

Obviously Spain is bigger as well and you won't be able to hop around in two weeks like you could in Italy where it's slightly more compact. If you're going in summer Italy will be significantly more touristy in the big cities ie Rome, Venice, Naples, Sorrento and Florence. In Spain if you're lucky only Barcelona and Granada out of the worthwhile cities will be heaving. Beaches are good in both but have a good reputation on the Spanish Costas. Barcelona beach is one of the worst.

The Milanese have a reputation for being cold, being the Londoners or Parisians of Italy. My housemate is from Milan and it shows slightly! Romans on the other hand are purportedly friendlier. The Spanish are known all over as easygoing, perhaps except in Barcelona, but many there would deny being Spanish!

Spain is also significantly cheaper on a day-to-day basis.

Now I've written this, I want to just go back to Rome and arse around, since I've seen it all

Thanks! In what way is the weather better in Italy? How important is learning Italian before you go there, or the basics at least, do people there speak English or French much?

Thanks for your response! What else can you do in the beachy areas of Spain eg Malaga? Which do you personally prefer?

Firstly I wouldn't recommend Málaga as a city to visit as there's pretty much nothing there of interest that can't be seen elsewhere. But there are loads of resort towns on the Costa del Sol that are worth visiting even if frequented by lots of Brits. If you're asking which country I prefer, I can't really answer as I've lived in one and not the other so am biased towards Spain.

Worth noting that outside tourist areas in Spain, English levels will be pretty low. Probably slightly better for Italy.

I'm thinking of travelling to either Italy or Spain for 2 weeks, for anyone who has travelled to both which country did you prefer and why? It can take anything into account eg weather, beaches, cities, culture, friendliness of people etc

I've heard great things about both countries so any input would be much appreciated!

(P,S by Spain I do NOT include places like Magaluf / drunken locations)

During the summer tourists swarm to cities like Fiorentina.

Italy, Spain was okay but Italy, there is just something about the country, the people and the culture that one cannot explain. I love Italy, the nightlife in Firenze (for example) is very good so if you were planning on going out for a night it is fun

Thanks, I've been looking at this question on things like yahoo answers and a lot of people have said the same thing (Italy over Spain for the culture, sights, art etc). I know I keep asking this but what's the comparison of weather / beaches between Italy and Spain? Is spain hotter and has better beaches or are Italian beaches nice too (tbh I've never really heard someone go to Italy for beaches mainly the culture). What else is there to do in Spain (and Italy)?

[Also seeing as youre from France how do you think South of France vs Italy compares?]

That is a football club... in the city of Firenze.