Portugal and Spain are often compared and their close proximity to one another may have travelers wondering "which destination is right for me?"
While there are many similarities between the two countries, Spain and Portugal have some interesting distinctions that may make your decision easier.
Or if you're still undecided by the end, consider a trip that visits both!
Size
- Consider Portugal if you have a shorter amount of time and want to cover a lot of ground
- For a shorter trip in Spain, don't expect to see the whole country
If you’re looking to tour a whole country, Portugal is significantly easier to see more of. Spain is nearly five times the size of Portugal. While you can easily see most “key” spots in Portugal within a week or two, it would take at least a month or two to be able to cover all of Spains hot spots!
If you’re on a tight time frame, seeing most of Portugal is fairly doable. Physical travel time is shorter, and within a couple hours, you can bounce between the major cities of Portugal (Porto, Lisbon, and Faro). The train between Porto and Lisbon is around 2.5 hours long, and Lisbon to Faro is around 3 hours.
For Spain, while you can take a high speed train to Madrid from Barcelona in around 3 hours, you’re cutting through the country and missing so many awesome cities. There is no “direct” route to hit all the major cities of Spain, like there is for Portugal. In terms of size, Portugal is much easier to cover most of the country.
Landscape
Spain and Portugal share many general landscape similarities, since they are both on the same peninsula. Portugal is known for its coastline, so there are plenty of beaches.
Up north, there are mountains and further south in the Algarve, there are plains with the beachy Algarve region. Spain is a much larger country, so there is a bit of difference in landscape variety. Spain is filled with mountain ranges, rivers, plains, and beaches.
Beaches
- Portugal is great for surfers
- Lots of choice, easy to find beaches with smaller crowds
Both countries have some truly awesome and beautiful beaches. The waves off of the Atlantic make the coasts ideal for surfers, which is why Portugal is a popular choice for anyone trying to catch some waves. Spain (especially southern Spain) boasts sun, sand, and incredible azure water. Major cities will attract crowds, and some of the best beaches will be packed in the warmer months.
The Algarve is quieter than Spain beach towns, so visitors may find smaller crowds in Southern Portugal. The water off the Atlantic will be fairly chilly compared to the Mediterranean beaches. There is also the option of islands.
Portugal has the Azores, while Spain has the Canary Islands, Ibiza, and Majorca. The latter two are known for your traditional beaches. Both the Canary Islands and the Azores are known for its luscious and unique landscape.
The beaches in Tenerife (Canary Island) are extra special. Most of the beaches have black sand, except for Playa de Las Teresitas. This beach sitting right outside of Santa Cruz de Tenerife has sand that is imported from the Sahara Desert.
Beaches in Northern Spain (such as Costa Brava) are filled with cliffs and rocky coves, making for some great photography opportunities. Regardless of which country/beaches you visit, both offer postcard-worthy views.
Highlights
- Spain is great for art lovers
Tourist Destinations in Spain and Portugal
If you love checking off tourist destinations, and you’re big on attractions, Spain definitely takes the win here. Simply because there are so many more major cities in Spain, Barcelona and Madrid beat out Lisbon.
That doesn’t mean that Portugal is lacking attractions. There is plenty to see, such as Sintra and other palaces. If you’re an art fanatic, Spain is definitely the place for you.
Known as the golden trio, Madrid is home to three incredible art museums. Head over to Barcelona and you can see numerous famous art creations from Gaudi, including the Sagrada Familia.
Budget
- Portugal is more affordable when it comes to food and accommodation
If you’re looking to travel on a budget, and you’re hitting the major cities, Lisbon is a more affordable destination compared to Barcelona and/or Madrid. Hotels can be found for around $100 a night in Lisbon, and these are good hotels.
For your typical hotel in Spain, get ready for nearly double that, if not more. Food is also more affordable in Lisbon. A main dish in Portugal is around 10-15 euros, where Spain nearly doubles that.
Attractions are also generally cheaper in Portugal than in Spain. Both cities are generally cheaper than others in Western Europe, but the value you get in Portugal makes it the winner for budget travelers.
Transportation
- Spain is easiest to get to
- There are fewer airports in Portugal
- Train travel is less convenient or readily available in Portugal
Flying
In terms of getting to Spain from abroad, there is no lack of international flights from North America, and within Europe. Many airlines fly directly to Barcelona or Madrid, and it’s easy to hop on another domestic flight to get to whatever city you’re trying to reach.
Thanks to smaller budget airlines, there are plenty of cheap flights from within Europe to various cities across Spain, including Seville, Valencia, and Malaga. If you’re looking to get to some of the islands in Spain, budget airlines offer affordable flights.
Flying to Portugal is a little more difficult, since there are fewer airports. Direct flights across European cities are becoming more common, but Spain definitely takes the cake on flight options.
Trains
One of the best perks of traveling within Europe is most major cities are accessible by rail! Once you reach Spain, whether it be through Madrid, Barcelona, or another outlet, it’s easy to get where you’re going by jumping on a train.
Portugal isn’t as up to speed with rail travel, so besides major cities, it’s hard to get around the country. In this sense, you’re better off renting a car.
Verdict: If you’re relying on public transportation, or you have a wider travel period, Spain is a good choice. If you’re short on time, just visiting the three major cities, and/or don’t mind renting a car, Portugal should be considered. You can drive from top to bottom of Portugal in 6 hours or so.
Food
- Portugal is great for wine lovers
- Be sure to taste Tapas in Spain, but also explore other regional dishes
- Seafood lovers will find many unique dishes in Portugal
- Both countries have many delicious options for vegetarians
- Typically dinner meals are eaten much later in the evening than in the US
Both Spain and Portugal offer delicious but different cuisine opportunities. If you’re interested in seafood, Portugal is a treat. Experience some of the best seafood found in the Mediterranean, including options such octopus, prawns, and cod.
Because the food scene in Portugal is still growing, you can find most of these dishes at fairly affordable prices. Spain, on the other hand, has a food scene that focuses on cured meats and cheese. Vegetarians may prefer Portugal, but even if you’re not big on meat, Spain has some world-renowned restaurants.
Wine
Portugal’s wine country sits on the northern side of the country, north of Porto. A special wine that must be tried when visiting Portugal is the acidic yet crisp “green wine.” Vinho verde pairs well with seafood. In Spain, the wine is often fruity and bold, grown in the Rioja region.
Wine options are plenty in Spain, with wine regions found throughout the country. If wine tasting is a deciding factor, head to Spain for red wine, and Portugal for white wine.
Desserts
If you’re a chocolate lover, a hot chocolate from Spain is a must try! The drink is much thicker than American's will be used to, resembling a liquidy, sippable chocolate pudding. If you’re trying the hot chocolate, make sure to add a plate of churros to dip in the chocolate.
Churros often come with a dipping sauce, usually chocolate and/or caramel. If you’re in Portugal, stop by a bakery and try an egg tart. These tasty treats are usually only one or two euros. Most people enjoy them with a latte, but if coffee isn't your thing, they are still yummy on their own.
Something to be noted
In both countries, many locals dine late into the night. Some places open up early to accommodate tourists, but dinner is normally eaten much later.
If you need a quick bite to hold you over while waiting for a late night dinner, tapa dishes are popular in Spain. Small bites offer the opportunity to try various foods, and are often meant to be shared among a group. Even if you’re by yourself, tapas are generally small enough you can order a couple and try a few different options.
Culture
- Portugal tends to be more laid back
- Spain's big cities are hot spots for art and history
Spain’s culture is heavily influenced by art. This is especially apparent through the architecture. Take La Sagrada Familia for example, and the other architectural masterpieces of Gaudi that float around Barcelona.
Portugal has a more diverse culture, depending on which area of the country you’re in. Down south near Faro and along the coast, you’ll find villages and beach vibes, thanks to some awesome waves that bring great surf. History floats through Lisbon and Portugal, which is apparent through the architecture.
Portugal is more laid back with small towns and castles to visit. Since most of the major tourist spots are near the coast, you’re not very far from the water and beautiful views. Jump on one of the yellow trams that take visitors across the cities, often onto tight streets. Weave through the city and up the hill (Lisbon is steep!) via the tram, and soak in the views over the ocean. The tram is cherished by both locals and visitors.
Spain has bigger cities filled with hustle and bustle, including museums, shops, world-class food, and famous art. Once out of the big cities, it’s easy to find smaller coastal towns with some relaxation opportunities.
You don’t have to go far from the big cities, if you want to do a day trip. Consider heading down to Sitges, about a 30 minute train ride south of Barcelona. The white wall architecture sits on the coast. Enjoy a meal in a café and spend some time popping in the shops, or relaxing near the water.
Nightlife
- Spain is the better destintion if you're after a lot of nightlife activities
Both cities offer great options for nightlife. It’s no secret that Barcelona is one of the biggest party cities in Europe. Many of the cities in Spain offer various forms of nightlife, including late-night tapas bars, rooftop bars (incredible in the warmer weather!), and plenty of clubs.
Anyone looking to go to a party in Spain should also be aware of the party scene of Ibiza Island. Ibiza is one big party. Spend the day hanging on the beach, and get ready for world-class DJs to perform late into the night.
Be prepared to pay a pretty penny to join the Ibiza party/nightlife scene. If you’re looking to stay on the cheaper side, stay on mainland Spain or head over to Portugal.
Portugal also has bars and clubs, but most of them are found in Lisbon and there is less to choose from. If finding a good night club is a priority when trying to decide which country to go to, Spain is the clear winner here.
Weather / Climate
- Mediterranean climate
- Portugal is warmer year round on average
Both Portugal and Spain have Mediterranean climates, so the weather shouldn’t be a deciding factor for which country you choose. Both offer mild winters, with winter temperatures range in the 50s-60s, while Summer can jump up to the high 70s-low 80s.
If you’re looking for sunny days and warmer weather, consider visiting through April-October, when temperatures are warm and the sun is plenty. The cooler months (November-March) bring a fair amount of rain.
Because of Portugal’s size, the weather is more balmy and coastal, where Spain is larger so it has a bit more variety. Both destinations are popular in the colder months, as it’s an easy “winter escape” from the cold. Similarly, you can’t go wrong in the summer months. Hot temperatures with awesome beaches provide the perfect summer getaway.
Overall Verdict
The country for you depends on what you’re searching for! If you want go-go-go action, always looking to bounce between tourist attractions, and want major city action, Spain is probably the route to take. If you want some relaxation and a laid-back vibe (but still fun!) Portugal may be more your scene.
Portugal offers a laid-back charm, while Spain is great for architecture enthusiasts and art lovers. Spain has a much larger tourism scene, meaning long lines and crowds during peak season. Cruise ships also dock in Spain, which can bring in even more visitors.
Shoulder season helps ease the crowds and long lines. If you want smaller crowds but you’re traveling during summer, consider Portugal. Shoulder season and winter, both places are good options. Both countries share a lot of similarities, including gorgeous beaches, incredible food, and good weather.
Portugal is up and coming, and as their tourism industry expands, Portugal will be a top contender for European vacations, like countries including France, Italy, and Spain. With that, consider visiting Portugal while it’s an up-and-coming destination, while prices are still reasonable and it’s not overcrowded with visitors.
If time allows it, consider joining a tour that visits both countries! There are numerous tour companies that offer the opportunity to visit both Spain and Portugal. Neighboring countries and budget airlines make it incredibly easy to visit both countries in one trip.
