Portugal or Spain, what is your favorite destination?

Which country deserves a place on your travel bucket list?

 

At first glance Spain and Portugal appear to be similar as the two countries share an area in the Iberian Peninsula
They show an old European character, are famous for their charming beaches, and know their delicious cuisine
It features many of the same basic ingredients
So which country deserves a place on your visit list?

 

 

Spain or Portugal:

Which country deserves a place on your travel bucket list?

Touring in Spain and Portugal

It is easy to reach the countries Portugal or Spain through their major airports

The cost is about the same however Spain is home to several major city airports

(Barcelona, ​​Malaga, Ibiza and Madrid)

While that Lisbon is your only option in Portugal. Getting around both countries is easy by bus or train

Driving is also an option.

Spain has affordable flight options and a wider train network which makes it easier to get to and between cities. However, if your trip is short, then the smaller size of Portugal is perfect for you, as the trip from one end to the other takes about six hours, while that time is almost doubled on a trip through Spain.

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Food in Spain and Portugal

Both Portugal and Spain have excellent dining opportunities. More often than not, you will find tomatoes, potatoes, and onions among the ingredients of main dishes. Eggs and rice also appear frequently in Spanish dishes. Popular meals include paella in Valencia or oysters in Galicia, not to mention the excellent seafood dishes in many of Spanish cities.

In Portugal, dishes tend to be more protein, with a strong penchant for meat and seafood, especially cod, as the country has a long coastline with many delicious dishes such as sardines grilled in salt.

In general, both countries offer great flavors and dishes, but vegetables are more prominent on the table in the United States Spain.

Things to do in Spain and Portugal

Portugal, or Spain, is full of museums, art, culture and architecture. However, there is a larger area to be covered in Spain, which is more than five times the size of Portugal.

Madrid, Barcelona, ​​Valencia, Seville, and Bilbao are some of the tourist cities in Spain, although smaller sites such as historic Toledo should not be overlooked. Visitors will also find world-class museums here, from the Museo Nacional del Prado in Madrid to the Guggenheim in Bilbao. However, the country is filled with so much architecture that you don't need much effort to discover it. Other popular things to do in Spain include dining, hiking along the Caminho de Santiago, participating in a flamenco show, or running with the bulls.

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Like Spain, you can spend hours and hours exploring the different neighborhoods in Portugal, with opportunities to visit the cobbled streets that run through Porto and to attend world-class contemporary art galleries, not to mention the country's wonderfully elegant cafes and markets full of meat, cheese and sardines.

And while Spain's museums generally outpace Portugal, there is a smaller art scene worth checking out in Lisbon, including a visit to the XNUMXth-century Castelo de São Jorge, perched atop a hill overlooking the city. Other activities in Portugal include fishing, hiking and day trips to small villages full of castles.

All in all if you have a short holiday then Portugal's smaller size and relative accessibility make it a smarter choice and if you have plenty of time or have a special flair for the arts then Spain is where you want to be.

Beaches in Spain and Portugal

Both Spain and Portugal are home to long stretches of coast. However, Spain enjoys more contrast because it has two coasts in the northwest opposite the Atlantic Ocean and another coast in the Mediterranean that wraps around the southern tip.

On the Atlantic side, you'll find a plethora of wild natural beaches with cool waters and soft sands. My favorite beach town remains San Sebastian, which is known for its wide stretches of sand, beautiful ocean views, and stunning cityscapes. On the Mediterranean side, the ever-popular Costa Brava, which stretches from Barcelona to France, is full of rocky coves, sandy beaches with beautiful waters, small villages and impressive cliffs.

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Portugal only has beaches on the Atlantic coast as the eastern side is bordered by Spain. Facing the Atlantic Ocean also means you will find cooler waters than the Mediterranean (and more waves which is great for water sports but not for swimming).

Most of the tourists who visit Portugal go to the southern Algarve region, where coastal coast Scenic rocky terrain and warmer temperatures.

Both countries are home to many islands although the choice here is in favor of Spain; With its wonderful islands such as Ibiza, Tenerife and Mallorca. While Portugal provides the wonderful Azores with a charming landscape.

Safety in Spain and Portugal

Generally speaking, Spain and Portugal are safe countries and have a low rate of violent crime. However, like many places in Europe, when visiting any of them, you will need to take care of your personal belongings in order to avoid pickpocketing and theft.

It should also be noted that the roads in Portugal are not the best compared to Spain and in fact Portugal ranks as one of the most Europe countries In road accidents, this is partly due to reckless drivers on highways and major roads. Spain, on the other hand, is known for its tourist scams, so take all the usual safety precautions, don't wear expensive items, secure your wallet, and don't give away your belongings.

Weather in Spain and Portugal

Both Spain and Portugal have Mediterranean climates, so the weather is not the deciding factor when comparing the two destinations. While the Portuguese Algarve region enjoys a dry and sunny climate. The region of Galicia in northwest Spain also tends to have an oceanic climate with slightly higher temperatures in summer and winter. The best time to visit these two countries tends to be in the summer or spring because fall and winter bring a lot of rain.

Experts stress that the relative advantage here is for Portugal due to its quieter coastal climate, although the larger size of Spain means you'll find more differences when trying to navigate during the low season.

Travel costs in Spain and Portugal

Spain and Portugal are affordable countries, especially when compared to the rest of Western Europe. Depending on your trip budget, you can spend about 98 euros per day in Portugal, and 111 euros per day in Spain.