Portugal or Spain: Which to Visit First?

Portugal vs Spain at a Glance

Neither country is better than the other. The right choice depends on how long you have, what you want to see and how much you want to travel between places.

Size and Distances

Spain is more than five times the size of Portugal. In Portugal, the main destinations sit close together: the train from Lisbon to Porto takes about three hours, and the drive to the Algarve is shorter. In a week, you can see Lisbon, Porto and either the Douro Valley or the Algarve without rushing.

In Spain, the main cities are far apart, so most first-time visitors pick one region, such as Madrid and Andalusia, or Barcelona and the Mediterranean coast. High-speed trains make the distances manageable: Madrid to Barcelona takes about two and a half hours, and Madrid to Seville about two hours and twenty minutes.

Costs

Both countries are cheaper than the European average, and Portugal is the cheaper of the two for eating out and accommodation. In Eurostat's price levels for restaurants and hotels, Portugal scores 73.6 and Spain 85.4, against an EU average of 100. Prices in Lisbon, Porto, Madrid and Barcelona are higher than in the rest of each country, and both are more expensive in July and August.

Crowds

Spain received a record 96.8 million international tourists in 2025, and Portugal 29.9 million. Both have busy hotspots in summer, such as Barcelona, Lisbon's historic center and the beaches of the Algarve and the Costa del Sol. Outside those places and outside July and August, Portugal's smaller towns are usually quieter.

Food and Drink

• Portugal is known for fish and seafood, grilled sardines, bacalhau (salt cod), pastéis de nata and its wines, from port in the Douro to vinho verde in the north.
• Spain is known for tapas, paella, jamón ibérico and its wine regions such as Rioja, and for eating late, with dinner often after 9 pm.

If food decides your trip, both win. Portugal is simpler and centered on fresh fish and pastries, while Spain offers more regional variety and a stronger tapas culture.

Weather and When to Go

Both countries are warm and sunny from late spring to early autumn, and May, June, September and October are the best balance of weather and crowds. The main difference is the Atlantic: Portugal's coast is fresher in summer and milder in winter, while inland Spain, including Madrid, gets hotter summers and colder winters.

Portugal or Spain in November? Both work as a city break. Lisbon has an average high of 17.6°C (64°F) in November, with about nine rainy days. In Spain, the south, around Seville and Málaga, stays mild, while Madrid is cooler. In both countries, November is low season, with fewer crowds.

Getting Around

Spain has the longest high-speed rail network in Europe, with 3,973 km of lines, so you can cover long distances quickly without a car. Portugal has no high-speed line yet. Its Alfa Pendular and Intercity trains link Lisbon, Porto, Coimbra and the Algarve, and a car is the easiest way to reach smaller towns and the coast.

There is no direct train between Lisbon and Madrid. A high-speed link is planned, with service expected in the 2030s, but for now the quickest option is a flight of about an hour.

Language

Portugal ranks 6th in the world in the EF English Proficiency Index 2025, with very high proficiency, and English is widely spoken in hotels, restaurants and shops. Spain ranks 36th, with moderate proficiency, so outside the main tourist areas a few words of Spanish help. Portuguese and Spanish are different languages, so try obrigado (thank you) in Portugal and gracias in Spain.

Safety and Entry

Both countries are safe for visitors. Portugal ranked 7th and Spain 25th of 163 countries in the 2025 Global Peace Index. In both, the main risk is pickpocketing in crowded tourist areas and on public transport.

Portugal and Spain are both in the Schengen Area, so one trip counts toward the same limit: US and Canadian citizens can stay up to 90 days in any 180-day period in total, across both countries.

Which Should You Choose?

How to Visit Portugal and Spain in One Trip

• Lisbon and Madrid or Barcelona: fly between the two, about an hour to Madrid. This works for a two-week trip with time in both capitals.
• The Algarve and Andalusia: drive from the Algarve to Seville, then on to Málaga or Granada. This is the easiest combination by car.
• Porto, Lisbon and Barcelona: see the two Portuguese cities first, then fly to Barcelona for the Mediterranean side.

Rental companies often charge extra for taking a car across the border or dropping it off in another country, so check before you book.