Where to go for a holiday, Spain or Portugal?

So if you’re wondering where to go for a holiday, Spain or Portugal, we’ve picked out the highlights of both countries to help you decide (plus an idea of how to squeeze both into one trip).

While costs will vary across both countries, Portugal tends to be slightly cheaper than Spain when it comes to eating out, visiting attractions and other travel costs. Portugal regularly features on lists of the cheapest places in Europe, along with destinations in eastern Europe, so it’s a fantastic option if you’re on a budget. Inevitably prices tend to be higher in cities and major tourist centres, such as some of the beach resorts on the Algarve, while you can still find great breaks on a budget in Spain, but on value alone, Portugal wins out.

At five times the size of Portugal, Spain quite simply has more packed within its borders than its smaller neighbour. And when it comes to sightseeing, the string of cities dotted across the country mean that you won’t be short of options, from the Alhambra in Granada and the architecture of Seville to Valencia’s mix of contemporary and historic, the capital Madrid and Catalonia’s jewel, Barcelona.

Alhambra, Granada, Spain

That’s all before you look at the less high-profile destinations; modern art in Bilbao, Picasso in Malaga, Roman history in Tarragona and Girona, the unforgettable cathedral in Santiago de Compostela, and ancient Salamanca, to name a few. Not forgetting Spain’s islands, where you can explore medieval Alcudia and the historic heart of Palma in Majorca, neighbouring Minorca and Tenerife’s colourful capital.

You certainly won’t be short of sightseeing in Portugal though, from Lisbon to second city Porto, the fairytale palaces of Sintra and the historic towns dotted among the vineyards of the Douro Valley, alongside centuries of history at UNESCO-listed Guimaraes, university city Coimbra, Roman remains at Evora and more.

Vineyards in the Douro Valley, Portugal

The best sightseeing in Spain and Portugal depends partly on what appeals most to you; Portugal’s smaller size means you can often combine several locations in an easy trip, while Spain’s variety of sights will tempt you to return over and over again.

Neither Spain nor Portugal are most famous for their wildlife, with other natural, urban and historic attractions usually taking top billing. However, there’s plenty for animal-lovers and bird-spotters to find in each. In Portugal, head to the eastern end of the Algarve to the Ria Formosa, a protected natural reserve which is home to lagoons, wetlands and more than 300 species of birds – the perfect place to go birdwatching in Portugal. Or Portugal’s islands are a great location to spy marine life, including whale and dolphin watching in the Azores and Madeira.

Ria Formosa in the Algarve, Portugal, is home to more than 300 bird species

If you’re considering Spain, there’s whale-watching in the Canary Islands too, although the mainland is home to some more unusual creatures, including brown bears, wolves, lynx and wildcats, found in the country’s mountains and national parks. All are elusive so sightings are few and far between, but it’s a rare opportunity to spot these animals in Europe.

Bird-watchers should also head to Andalucia, where migratory species are often to be seen alongside the native birds in locations like the Sierra Nieves, Doñana National Park and around Huelva, as well as along the coastline at the Costa Blanca and Costa del Sol, or in the north at Cantabria.

Both Spain and Portugal have their share of spectacular scenery, whether you’re looking for coast or countryside. Both have mountain ranges, with the majestic peaks of the Pyrenees on Spain’s border with France, as well as the Sierra Nevada range in Andalucia and Cantabrian mountains, not to mention Mount Teide, the soaring volcano at the heart of Tenerife that’s Spain’s highest peak.

Mount Teide, Tenerife

Portugal’s mountains may be less well-known, but there are peaks on both the mainland and the islands. The Serra da Estrela stretch for around 60 miles through northern Portugal, while in the Azores, Mount Pico is the country’s highest point at 2,351m.

Both countries are better known for their wonderful coastlines, around 1,100 miles of it in Portugal along the Atlantic, and over 3,000 miles of coast in Spain, along the Mediterranean and the Atlantic. It’s almost impossible to choose which country has the best seaside though. Spain is famous for its Costas, especially the Mediterranean Coast which is home to the Costa del Sol, the Costa Blanca and the Costa Brava, among others. But along with long stretches of golden sand and picturesque fishing villages, you’ll find more dramatic waves around the southern tip at Tarifa on the Costa de la Luz, and the Costa Verde in the north, Spain’s well-named green coast. If you’re looking for the best beach in Spain, you really are spoiled for choice.

Benagil Cave, the Algarve, Portugal

Meanwhile Portugal has its own dramatic coast, including the stretch west of Lisbon running towards Cascais plus the windswept south-western point near Sagres, which the Romans believed was the end of the world. But you can also find glorious stretches of golden sand all along the Algarve, from small coves backed by equally golden rocks to Praia da Falésia which stretches for almost four miles.

And that’s all before you start to discover the countryside, with plenty to tempt in both Spain and Portugal. Spain’s Costas are also the perfect starting point to head inland on a walking holiday, whether you fancy walking in the Costa Blanca, including the mountains around Calpe, or the trails near Huelva in the Costa de la Luz, the Costa Tropical, the mountains of Andalucia, Cantabria, or even on Minorca, Lanzarote and Gran Canaria. Or head off on one of the world’s great walks, along part of the Camino de Santiago to Compostela, to experience the green north.

Walking the Camino de Santiago, Spain

There’s also the unique landscapes of Tenerife, with their ancient forest, volcanic scenery and subtropical plants, as well as the vineyards of Rioja, thundering waterfalls, and stalactite-encrusted caves to discover. Portugal has its own temptations for those looking for unforgettable landscapes. The tapestry of vine terraces, river and historic towns makes the Douro Valley one of the most memorable corners of the country, with a chance to soak up the views from a cruise or train ride too. Or you’ll find more vineyards in the Alentejo, plus the region’s picturesque hilltop towns around Europe’s largest artificial lake, the Grande Lago.

Levadas, Madeira

One of the most unusual landscapes to explore must be Madeira, a subtropical corner of Portugal in the Atlantic Ocean, where ancient irrigation channels have been turned into walking trails known as levadas and a variety of exotic plants flourish in the gentle climate’s gardens. But the most dramatic scenery has to be in Portugal’s other islands, the Azores where sparkling blue-green lakes fill volcanic craters, thermal springs steam, lava tubes curve through the hills and pineapples and tea plantations thrive in the hills.

You’ll find plenty that’s similar when it comes to food in Portugal and Spain, influenced by their location on the Iberian peninsula, but also dishes which are unique to each country.

If you love fish and seafood, either country will ensure a string of delicious meals – Portugal is also known for its bacalhau, or salt cod, as well as goose barnacles.

You’ll also find plenty of cured meat in both, from chorizo (in Spain) to chourico (in Portugal) not to mention various hams.

But there’s plenty that’s different in each country too, including some of the herbs and spices used. The Moorish influences in Spain mean you’ll find cinnamon and saffron cropping up in dishes such as paella, which hails from near Valencia.

Spanish tapas

In Portugal meanwhile, there’s more kick with peri-peri chillis as a legacy of the country’s one-time colonial presence in Africa. In Spain, you can’t miss eating tapas, including croquettes and patatas bravas, or a refreshing bowl of gazpacho too. In Portugal, arroz de marisco is the country’s more soup-like answer to paella, while arroz de pato is another traditional Portuguese dish, mixing strips of duck with rice. And no visit is complete without at least one of the famous pasteis de nata, the custard tarts which originated in the Belem area of Lisbon.

Both Spain and Portugal have generally sunny climates, with hot summers and mild winters, although the north of both countries is cooler and wetter in winter, while Portugal’s Atlantic coast is more windswept than Spain’s Mediterranean coast. If you’re looking for winter sun, it’s hard to beat Spain’s Canary Islands, where temperatures still hover in the low 20Cs in December, with more than 300 days of sunshine year-round.

Even on the mainland, cities such as Seville are best visited in late spring or autumn when it’s sunny and warm but without the fierce heat of summer, while the temperatures are also pleasantly warm in the Costa del Sol in April and October with around 320 days of sunshine in the year.

In Portugal, the Algarve is also known for its mild winters and sun almost year-round. The ocean breezes along the coast are also great for cooling the hotter months, although it’s worth remembering that temperatures can also drop between autumn and spring as a result. And you can expect warm, sunny weather in Lisbon during spring and autumn as well, although the city is not at its best during peak summer’s soaring temperatures. If you’re planning a summer break, Madeira is ideal if you’re hoping to avoid anywhere too hot with a generally mild climate year-round – winters aren’t as sunny as the Canary Islands but you’ll dodge the UK’s chillier weather, while in mid-summer, temperatures still stay in the mid 20Cs. Portugal’s north also tends to be cooler in the summer months, including second city Porto and the Douro Valley.

Both Spain and Portugal have some fantastic beaches along their coastlines, not to mention some of Spain’s best beaches on the country’s islands, both the Balearics and the Canary Islands. On Spain’s Mediterranean coast, including the Costa del Sol, the Costa Brava and the Costa Blanca, the beaches tend to be gentler than the other coasts or in Portugal. Here you’ll find calmer waters and long stretches of golden sand, as well as plenty of facilities at the resorts along the coast.

Las Teresitas, Tenerife

If you’re looking for quiet, unspoiled beaches, these can be harder to find among the popular Costas though. With the wilder windswept beaches of the Costa de la Luz in the south, you can find watersports including windsurfing and surfing, plus coves within national parks, so it’s still possible to escape the crowds. Spain also has the bonus of cities on the beach, including Barcelona and Valencia, while you need to travel a little from either Lisbon or Porto to reach their nearby beaches.

Ponta da Piedade, Algarve

If you can’t decide whether you want wild, windswept, unspoiled coast, quiet coves almost to yourself or long golden sweeps of sand with loungers, bars and restaurants, head to Portugal’s Algarve where you can find all three dotted along the coast – perfect if you want something a little different every day. Or head to the Azores, for natural volcanic black sand beaches for a day by the sea with a difference.

Absolutely. If you’re struggling to decide where to holiday, Spain or Portugal, you can very easily combine both destinations into one trip. If you’re taking a Douro Cruise, for example, a popular day trip is to head to Salamanca, just across the border.

Our tours also include itineraries visiting both countries, including Portugal and Spain: a Tale of Two Cultures which stops at Lisbon and Porto, as well as Madrid and Barcelona (among other destinations) to visit some of the key cities in both countries.

You’ll also find multiple flights between both countries – the journey from Madrid to Lisbon takes only 90 minutes, while you can also find easy connections between other cities, such as Seville and Porto or Barcelona to Faro.

Currently, there’s no direct train link between Spain and Portugal’s major cities, although there are plans to extend Spain’s high-speed rail network with a route from Madrid to Lisbon set to take three hours.

It all comes down to what you want from your holiday. Whichever country you choose, you’re unlikely to be disappointed, with plenty to tempt whether you’re looking to get outdoors, relax on a beach or uncover centuries of history. Spain has the edge when it comes to winter sun in the Canary Islands, as well as the gentler beaches along the Mediterranean coast. But Portugal’s Algarve isn’t short of wide, open golden beaches, with their caves and rock formations, plus more dramatic coastline to the north.

Spain’s also hard to beat for a city break; although Lisbon and Porto are both well worth visiting, Spain’s mix of cities could fill a fortnight’s break with ease, whether you’re looking for Moorish history in Granada, Cordoba, Ronda and Seville, culture in Madrid, Barcelona’s Catalonian charms, or Valencia’s modern edge.

When it comes to countryside, both have plenty to entice you, although Madeira’s subtropical scenery gives Portugal an edge, along with the wonderful wine terraces of the Douro Valley. And whether you choose a holiday in Spain or Portugal, you’ll be guaranteed great local wine, a warm welcome and unforgettable memories.

Whether you choose to visit Spain or Portugal, we have holidays to suit every taste, including relaxing stays in beachside resorts or escorted tours delving into the history and culture of these incredible destinations