6 Portuguese & Spanish islands you need to visit
Which will it be for you: a trip to Tenerife or an escape to a Sao Miguel? Here’s everything to know about the sunny shores of the Azores Islands, the Balearic Islands, and beyond.
Dreaming of trips to Spain and Portugal? You may already have your sights set on buzzing cities like Lisbon and Barcelona or the beach towns of the Algarve or Costa del Sol—but have you considered visiting any of the Spanish islands Spain is known for? What about one of the enchanting islands off Portugal? These Mediterranean and Atlantic gems feature intoxicating blends of mainland Spanish and Portuguese cultures combined with their own unique experiences and histories, and they attract travelers from around the world.
We’re counting down six of our favorite of Portuguese and Spanish islands that you can visit on our guided tours or on a Customized Tour. After all, who doesn’t love an island getaway?
1. Mallorca, Spain
Islands in Spain don’t get more seductive than Mallorca. The largest of the group of Spanish islands known as the Balearic Islands, Mallorca is home to some of the most stunning beaches in Europe—making it one of the top Mediterranean islands to visit.
Due to its strategic location in the middle of the Mediterranean Sea, Mallorca has been settled by nearly every one of the region’s major civilizations—from the Phoenicians and Romans, to the Moors, and finally, the Spaniards. When you visit, be sure to visit Palma (the island’s capital city) and keep your eyes peeled for the plethora of architectural details that reflect this rich history and the island’s multiple cultural influences.
When to visit Mallorca
Summer is when Spanish islands truly come alive—especially in Mallorca. Europeans flock to its beaches for the thrilling atmosphere. But if you’d prefer a quieter visit on one of our Spain tours, spring and fall come with fantastic weather in the 60-70 F range. The off-peak seasons also comes with an added bonus: fewer crowds.
Tour to see it on:
Spain’s Balearic Islands: Menorca & Mallorca
On our Spain’s Balearic Islands: Menorca & Mallorca tour, there will be plenty of time for you to get acquainted with the island’s gorgeous beaches. Enjoy a walking tour of Palma, a boat ride on an underground lake, and visits to lush mountain villages, some of which are cloaked with fragrant citrus trees—these are just a handful of the best things to do on the Balearic Islands.
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2. Menorca, Spain
If you’d like a more laid-back island experience, add Menorca and its white-sand beaches to your bucket list. This easygoing island is just northeast of Mallorca and is where the Talayotic people lived in the second millennium B.C. They left countless mysterious stone structures—from tombs to slab-like ceremonial monuments—that help make Menorca one of the top must-see Spanish islands.
When to visit Menorca
From spring to fall, Menorca’s sunny and warm Mediterranean weather is in full force, with highs in the mid-to-high 80s F. Of course, like many islands of Spain, July and August will be the hottest and busiest months. (Menorca made our list of top cities to visit to embrace Spanish summer, after all.) June and September, on the other hand, are full of colorful festivals and less tourists.
Tour to see it on:
Spain’s Balearic Islands: Menorca & Mallorca
On our Spain’s Balearic Islands: Menorca & Mallorca tour, you’ll get to explore historic gems like Trepuco, the largest Talayotic site on Menorca. Plus, you’ll have the chance to attend a local farmer’s market, visit a master shoemaker, and check out a cheese farm.
3. Sao Miguel (Azores), Portugal
Located about 900 miles off the coast of mainland Portugal, this lush volcanic island delights travelers with its jaw-dropping natural beauty. No wonder some people call Sao Miguel the Hawaii of the Atlantic. It’s truly one of the most beautiful islands to visit on our Portugal tours.
Portuguese explorers first landed on these shores in the 15th century, but new research suggests that perhaps the Vikings were already in Sao Miguel hundreds of years before. This rich history is just one of many reasons to visit Sao Miguel, though. This island also boasts natural wonders and can’t-miss cuisine that are sure to inspire wanderlust.
When to visit Sao Miguel
Like many of the Azores Islands, weather in Sao Miguel is temperate year-round. (Even the hottest summer temperatures usually cap in the high 70s F.) Late spring and early autumn are lovely times to visit, as the temperatures are still warm, the crowds haven’t fully picked up, and the rainfall is minimal. You may wish to avoid the winter months for your trip, though, as there’s significantly more rainfall and many businesses close for the season.
Tour to see it on:
Grand Tour of Portugal: From Porto to Lisbon
On our Grand Tour of Portugal: From Porto to Lisbon, you can opt to extend your trip and head to Sao Miguel for three nights. You’ll go sightseeing along an ancient caldera, drive down highways lined with hydrangeas, pop into greenhouses used to harvest pineapples, soak in thermal pools, visit mysterious, fog-shrouded lakes, and eat lots of fresh fish.
4. Madeira, Portugal
If there’s a Portuguese island where you can have it all, it’s Madeira. It’s a lush, subtropical heaven you’ll find about 575 miles west of Morocco. This volcanic island in Portugal is verdant, fertile, and rugged, with craggy cliffs and black-pebble beaches. Driving along its winding roads, you’ll find banana plantations as well as bright, colorful gardens. You can snorkel with dolphins, hike along its levadas (irrigation channels), and play some golf.
For idyllic, sandy beaches, you can hop on a boat and head to Porto Santo, another one of Portugal’s islands just 30 miles across the Atlantic. If you’re after something both thrilling and unique in your free time, you can ride down one of its paved hills while sitting on a wicker-basket toboggan with two guides running alongside—you know, just in case.
When to visit Madeira
Year-round warm, moderate temperatures in Madeira year-long make it a fabulous vacation destination regardless of the season. Much like the Azores, highs rarely hover outside the 70s F, even on the hottest summer days. You may wish to time your visit from April to October, when the waters are full of dolphins and whales.
Tour to see it on:
Food & Wine: A Taste of Portugal
Food-wise, Madeira is a revelation. That’s why we offer an optional Madeira extension on our Food & Wine: A Taste of Portugal tour. Opt in to spend three nights on this island paradise sampling mouthwatering dishes you won’t find on mainland Portugal. After tasting island-grown fruit and sipping Madeira’s famous fortified vinhos, you’ll see why the island is so beloved.
(Psst... can’t decide between Spain and Portugal? See which Iberian destination is right for you.)
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5. Tenerife, Spain
The largest and most populous of Spain’s Canary Islands, Tenerife is the perfect mix of city-slicker adventures and outdoorsy pursuits. This island in Spain is home to the UNESCO-protected Parque Nacional del Teide, where you’ll find the country’s tallest mountain. To get a lay of the land (and amazing views), hike or take a cable car up to the summit.
There are also incredible restaurants, bars, galleries, and shops to plan entire days around in the capital city of Santa Cruz de Tenerife. If that’s not enough, you still have acres of vineyards to visit and sip wine in. For less kicked-back pursuits, sandy beaches and picture-perfect natural sea pools await.
When to visit Tenerife
If it’s warm temperatures you’re after, plan your visit to Spanish islands like Tenerife for summer when average temperatures sit in the low 80s F. Come in February to witness three weeks of carnival celebrations—some of the best you’ll experience on any Spain trips.
How to plan your Canary Islands vacation
Our travel experts are always on standby to plan Customized Tours for groups of 10 or more travelers, so if Tenerife is calling your name, we’re here to help! We’ll design your perfect itinerary (suited to your preferred pace and interests), handle all the logistics, and provide you with an expert local Tour Director. All you have to do is gather your group and pack your bags for the island escape of your dreams.
6. Pico (Azores), Portugal
Portuguese islands are geographically diverse—and the most dramatic-looking might be Pico. It’s the second-largest of the Azores Islands, with wildly different coastal views throughout. The eastern half of the island is green with vegetation. The other side? Black with volcanic rocks. And somewhere in the middle is the cloud-scratching peak of Pico mountain, the tallest point in Portugal. Summiting it is one of the most popular activities on this rugged Portuguese island.
When to visit Pico
Like other islands off Portugal, the best time to visit Pico is when the weather is warmest, which is between May and September (60-70 F). The offseason can be challenging because many of the smaller hotels and restaurants are typically closed.
How to visit Pico
With only 15,000 residents, Pico definitely requires a nature-first, slow-travel kind of approach—and our travel experts can help you plan just that on a Customized Tour. Your perfect itinerary might include a walk through the biggest lava cave in Portugal, a whale watching excursion, a scenic stop at Lagoa do Capitao (on a clear day, you can spot the neighboring island of Sao Jorge), and a visit to the island’s natural rock pools. Travelers also may enjoy wine tasting, too. Pico is home to some of the most fascinating Portuguese winemakers, who celebrate the island’s unique volcanic and oceanside terroir.
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