Spain v Portugal is a heavyweight title fight. Both consistently rank in the top 10 most visited countries in Europe, with enough history, architecture and cuisine in both to satisfy any curious adventurer.
But what will it be for you? Flamenco or fado? Madrid or Lisbon? Rioja or port? Petiscos or tapas? Let’s help you decide: Spain or Portugal, which is better for you?
Spain v Portugal – Why Not Both?
The first question you should really ask, however, is do you really need to choose one or the other? With the two sharing a border, you can easily combine both in one trip – an excellent opportunity to compare and contrast for yourself.
Join our Discover Spain & Portugal by Rail trip to whizz between the iconic cities of the Iberian Peninsula using the excellent rail network. It starts in Madrid, before heading to Seville, then over the border to Faro, Lisbon, Coimbra and Porto. You’ll tour the landmarks of each with the expert guidance of a tour leader, while also enjoying a cruise down the vineyard-lined Douro Valley River.
City Life
For a city-hopping adventure, both Spain and Portugal are great destinations. However, if you’re looking for variety, Spain is the better option. The capital, Madrid, is home to the Royal Palace (the largest royal palace in Western Europe), historic squares and flamenco. Then, there’s Barcelona with its off-beat Gaudi architecture and plenty of beach space, Seville with orange tree-lined streets and World Heritage-listed buildings, or Granada with medieval architecture at the foot of the Sierra Nevada mountains.
However, if you’re looking for a compact adventure, Portugal is your best bet. The capital, Lisbon, is just a 2hr 45min train ride from Porto, the journey taking you past the riverside city of Coimbra, home to one of the oldest universities in the world.
Arts and Architecture
In many ways, the Iberian duo share an artistic and architectural heritage, seen in the gothic grandeur of Seville and Porto’s cathedrals, the resplendent Romanesque stylings of the Old Cathedral in Coimbra and the Cathedral of Santiago de Compostela, plus the Moorish magnificence of the Alhambra in Seville and the Castelo dos Mouros in Sintra.
Still, there’s plenty of unique art and architecture to enjoy in both. In Spain, the fantastical creations of Antoni Gaudi dominate Barcelona, including the kaleidoscopic colours of Park Güell, numerous eccentric casas and, of course, the unfinished masterpiece of the Sagrada Familia. Then there’s flamenco, an explosion of colour and passion that’s as visual as it is auditory.
In Portugal, drop anchor in a café or bar to listen to fado, melancholic folk music thought to have originated in the port towns, particularly Lisbon. You might hear the local people use the word saudade (a feeling of longing) to describe the songs, which perfectly captures its emotional depth.
Food and Wine
When it comes to food, culinary adventurers often prefer Spain to Portugal. Certainly, the most famous Spanish dishes, such as paella, patatas bravas, churros and tortillas (Spanish omelettes), have much better visibility on the international stage, plus there are just shy of 300 Michelin-starred restaurants in Spain, compared to 39 in Portugal.
Then, there’s the variety. Hop from one region to the next and you’ll experience a whole new range of dishes. Want to try a traditional paella? Head to Valencia where it’s served with chicken and rabbit – not seafood. Craving an authentic tapas experience? Avoid the Basque country, where they eat pintxos instead.
With that said, Portugal isn’t light in culinary experiences. Head to Lisbon to try pastel de nata, an egg custard tart said to have originated in Jerónimos Monastery, or dive into Portugal’s love affair with bacalhau (salted cod), which comes in hundreds of different recipes.
Perhaps most enticing, however, are the produce emanating from the multiple wine regions dotted across the country. The Douro Valley, just outside Porto, is best known for its sweet dessert wine, port, while the lesser-known Dão region produces elegant reds and the island of Madeira turns out long-lasting fortified wines (a vintage bottle can stay good for more than a century!).
Best Trips for a Cultural Adventure in Spain or Portugal
Highlights of Portugal
For first timers, our Highlights of Portugal adventure is an ideal way to experience the best of Portuguese culture. Over eight days, you journey from Porto to Lisbon, enjoying expertly led sightseeing tours in both and, of course, a port tasting in Porto. In between, you explore the Douro Valley wine region (with a wine tasting in an 18th-century estate) and the university city of Coimbra.
Madeira Discovery – Premium Adventure
Closer to Africa than it is mainland Europe, the island of Madeira offers a unique take on Portuguese culture. Here, the rugged mountains, Atlantic air and scenic hiking trials encourage an outdoorsy lifestyle, with days often ending with a glass of the eponymous fortified wine. Enjoy the best of island life on our Madeira Discovery – Premium Adventure, which includes scenic walks, plenty of opportunities to sample the local delicacies, and a day trip to the lesser-known island of Porto Santo – all while staying in a five-star hotel.
Highlights of Spain by Rail
The excellent train network in Spain lends itself to a cultural adventure, allowing you to whizz between cities while avoiding the more carbon-intensive minibus journeys. On our Highlights of Spain by Rail trip, you visit the magnificent quartet of Barcelona, Madrid, Seville and Cordoba, getting to the soul of each with expertly guided tours.
Cycling Girona and the Catalan Coast
If you’d like to combine culture with an active exploration, consider joining Cycling Girona and the Catalan Coast. Over seven days, you get to the heart of the Catalan people, riding between historic villages and enjoying tours of medieval towns, including Besalu, Begur and Pals. There’s also time for a tasting at a winery, plus plenty of opportunities to cool off in the Mediterranean Sea.
Portugal vs Spain for Culture – Which Will it Be?
For cultural holidays in southern Europe, Spain and Portugal are both excellent options. If you’re looking for variety, then Spain may be the better choice. If you’re looking for a compact adventure still packed with culture, then Portugal is ideal.
If you’re still looking for more advice on cultural trips to Portugal and Spain, contact us for advice. We’ve got plenty of experts on both countries, who are always happy to help you find your perfect group adventure.
