Old, downtown Madrid not really "crazy noisy". It's not like Times Square in New York City, that's for sure, but there is a lot of foot traffic along, say, the Gran Vía and the major arteries leading to/from the Puerta del Sol.

We'd love to hear of your experiences in Barcelona in the "Favorite Places" forum category if you'd like to offer them. Surely, it would help future travelers to one of Spain's most wonderful cities.

Saludos, MadridMan