Spain vs. Portugal: Which country should you visit?

The best time of year to visit Spain

When planning your Spain vs. Portugal itinerary, you need to consider the time of year you want to travel based on where you’re going. Due to its size, Spain’s climate varies significantly by region, making timing crucial for your ideal experience. Here are the typical seasonal patterns to help you choose when to go based on the regions you’d like to visit.

• Spring (April-May): The perfect season for sightseeing outdoors in Spain is the spring. Think: pleasant temperatures that are ideal for exploring without overheating. Plus, prices will be lower during this shoulder season. Join our Off-Peak Spain: Madrid, Granada & Seville tour—the itinerary is built around this less expensive, cooler time of year.
• Summer (June-August): If you like hot, Mediterranean beach days, visit Spain in the summer. Join our Spain’s Balearic Islands: Menorca & Mallorca tour to get peak-season island time—just know that you’re not alone in your interests, expect crowds and higher prices this time of year.
• Fall (September-November): Visit Spain in the fall for milder temperatures, better prices, and scattered rain that gives you a good excuse to go museum-hopping (as if you needed one!).
• Winter (December-March): During the winter, Spain’s southern regions and islands offer warm-not-hot temperatures of about 60 F. Meanwhile, in the northern areas, expect brisker days, with temperatures ranging in the mid-40s to upper 50s F. Because of this, we think it’s one of the best times of year to avoid the crowds and peak-season prices.

Want more details on the best time of year to visit Spain? Get our season-by-season guide ➝

The best time of year to visit Portugal

Portugal’s position on the Atlantic Ocean means its climate offers mild conditions most of the year, but each season brings distinct advantages for travelers. Timing your visit affects crowds, prices, and activities available—read on to see which season is your perfect fit.

• Spring (April-May): Mild temperatures, blooming landscapes, and fewer tourists make this an ideal time for sightseeing in Portugal.
• Summer (June-August): Summertime in Portugal is peak beach season (especially in the Algarve!), with warm weather but higher prices and more beach lovers.
• Fall (September-November): Visit Portugal in the fall for milder temperatures, fewer crowds, and the wine harvest. Cheers!
• Winter (December-March): Southern Portugal remains mild and pleasant in the winter, while northern regions also experience rain. They also offer more authentic local experiences this time of year, due to fewer visitors.

Get more travel tips on when, where, and how to visit Portugal ➝

Why Spain is a must-visit for art lovers

Goya, Dalí, Picasso, and beyond—some of the art world’s most famous names once called Spain their home. Because of that, when it comes to Spain vs. Portugal, Spain is one of the world’s premier destinations for art and museum enthusiasts. From medieval masterpieces to modern avant-garde, Spain offers unparalleled artistic diversity across multiple cities.

Spain’s must-see cultural attractions

• The Prado Museum: Join our A Week in Spain: Barcelona, Madrid & Seville tour and visit Madrid’s Prado with an expert guide. You’ll see world-class collections featuring Velázquez, Goya, and other Spanish masters.
• Reina Sofía: Use your free time on our Off-Peak Spain: Madrid, Granada & Seville tour to explore this contemporary art museum that includes works like Picasso’s Guernica—the 11-foot-tall and 26.5-foot-wide masterpiece depicting the brutality of the Nazis’ bombing of the Basque Country during the Spanish Civil War.
• Gaudí’s Barcelona: Tour the nearly-complete (it’s set to be finished in 2026!) Sagrada Familia. More stunning highlights from the brilliant mind of Gaudí in Barcelona are Park Guell and Casa Batllo.
• Historic sites: Journey beyond Barcelona and Madrid for even more of a deep dive into history and stunning architecture. Enjoy the Alhambra’s Moorish artistry, Toledo’s medieval treasures, and regional museums throughout Spain.

Ready to say “vamos” and head to Spain? Check out these bucket list things you have to do there →

Why Portugal attracts beach lovers

While some of the world’s best beaches are in Spain and Portugal, Portugal’s Atlantic coastline offers dramatic natural beauty that sets it apart from Spain’s Mediterranean beach destinations. Expect golden sands, refreshing waters, jagged coastlines, and, due to its small size, the ability to beach-hop around the country. That means you can sunbathe on one beach and watch surfers from another on the same trip.

Learn more about Portugal’s beaches and everything else you can’t miss when you’re there →

Portugal’s coastal highlights

• Algarve beaches: Defined by limestone cliffs, soft golden sands, and hidden coves, the Algarve’s beaches are every bit as fantastic as they sound. Add the Algarve extension to our A Week in Portugal: Porto, Evora & Lisbon tour and visit Praia da Marinha, a world-famous beach.
• Water conditions: Portugal’s Atlantic waters are a bit cooler than what you might expect from the Mediterranean in Spain but still perfect for surfing and other water sports, as well as sunbathing.
• Beach town charm: Authentic fishing villages and traditional coastal communities make exploring beyond Portugal’s best beaches unforgettable, too.
• Natural landscapes: From dramatic coastal hiking trails to sea caves, the unspoiled beauty of Portugal’s western coast belongs on every nature lover’s bucket list.

Interested in Portugal’s waterfront fun? Check out why you should visit Sao Miguel in the Azores ➝

Why foodies love Spain

No matter where you are in Spain, the food culture emphasizes sharing, socializing, and celebrating regional diversity. While both Spain and Portugal revel in social eating, highlighted by their signature small plates tradition—in Spain, they’re tapas, in Portugal, they’re petiscos—Spain offers greater culinary variety and innovation (another result of its size and regions). Catalonian food, for example, has stark differences from that of the Basque Country. In the end, Spain is the better choice for food-focused travelers looking to bar-hop, eat late, and explore new foods daily.

Spain’s culinary highlights

• Iconic dishes: Some standout Spanish dishes are jamon Iberico, a cured ham from Iberian black pigs that are raised primarily on acorns; paella, from the Valencia region, that combines proteins like rabbit or beans with veggies and rice; and churros con chocolate, fried dough that’s topped with sugar and dipped in chocolate.
• Wine regions: Spain has more than 70 wine regions, and when you join our Food & Wine of Spain: Valencia, Barcelona & the Costa Brava tour, we’ll take you to places like the Priorat region to taste vintages from the volcanic soil before heading to Barcelona for a cava tasting.
• Market culture: Vibrant food markets like La Boqueria in Barcelona and Mercado de San Miguel in Madrid host rows of vendors for you to explore during your free time on many of our Spain tours.
• Dining variety: Spain’s dining options are as vast as its regions. Bar-hop around cities, trying one or two tapas at different casual tascas—or, reserve a table at one of the many Michelin-starred, world-renowned restaurants that the country houses.

Read more about the best things to do, eat, and see in Spain ➝

Why Portugal appeals to wine lovers

Portugal’s wines may go unnoticed when compared to more famous wine regions in Europe, but the country offers unique varietals with excellent value. Combine that with the intimate tasting experiences many of our Portugal tours offer, and you’re sure to leave with a newfound love of Portuguese wine. We’ll bring you from the UNESCO-listed terraced vineyards of the Douro Valley to Porto, where Port wine hails from, on our Grand Tour of Portugal: From Porto to Lisbon. Learn about the terroir, process, and history of Portuguese wine as you taste it all.

Portugal’s wine highlights

• Port wine cellars: Visit Port wine’s namesake city and its historic wine lodges as you taste your way through the different vintages.
• Douro Valley tours: Split by a river, rooted in soft, slate-like soil, the Douro Valley is the world’s oldest demarcated wine region. Visiting the vineyards that blanket the valley truly is visiting a piece of Old World history. You’ll sip wines made from ancient vines and admire the calm waters of the Douro alongside fellow travelers and new friends.
• Emerging regions: While the Douro Valley is getting its flowers at the moment, other soon-to-be-trending wine regions in Portugal include the southern region of Alentejo, the northern cousin Dao, and beyond.
• Intimate tastings: The vineyards we take you to in Portugal are family-run estates and offer a personal, authentic wine experience (with room for plenty of questions!).

Why Spain attracts city lovers

Compared to Portugal, Spain provides more metropolitan energy and cultural variety for travelers who love vibrant city life. Plus, with more than 1,600 of the world’s best museums and over 300 Michelin-starred restaurants—not to mention the shopping and entertainment—Spanish cities on our Grand Tour of Spain always offer something for you to do, see, and eat.

Spain’s city highlights

• Metropolitan scale: Each city in Spain offers vibrant energy and rich cultural offerings. Opt for Madrid or Barcelona if you’re looking for a city with an active nightlife. Looking for a slower pace? Head to Seville, where tradition and laid-back vibes rule.
• Transportation: Spain’s high-speed AVE train network connects major cities efficiently—making city-hopping in Spain simple, fast, and part of the journey!
• Architectural icons: At once ancient and modern, Spanish cities are a must-visit for any architecture lover. They house everything from medieval quarters to modernist masterpieces to contemporary architecture.
• Year-round activities: Spanish cities offer indoor and outdoor cultural attractions ideal for any season. Outdoor festivals like La Tomatina (aka the tomato festival in Spain and the world’s largest food fight) in August, Las Fallas in March, and Feria de Abril in April attract thousands of visitors to Spain each year. Indoor activities in Spain include touring La Sagrada Familia in Barcelona, visiting the Prado Museum in Madrid, and attending a flamenco show anywhere you can—trust us on this one!

Read more about everything Spain has to offer →

Why Portugal attracts travelers seeking authenticity

Portugal excels at providing intimate experiences in smaller cities and towns that feel undiscovered. From pre-Roman Coimbra and medieval Evora to fairy-tale Sintra and all the charming coastal fishing villages in between—Portugal’s compact size and well-preserved character make it ideal for travelers seeking genuine local culture.

Portugal’s small town highlights

• Local atmosphere: Immerse yourself in daily Portuguese life by visiting its traditional markets, which sell everything from fresh seafood to the country’s signature handmade azulejo tiles (which make great souvenirs!). Plus, here you’ll get to meet local farmers, fishermen, artisans, and fellow shoppers.
• Day trip ease: Looking to explore more than one of Portugal’s towns? No problem, the country’s small size makes getting around fast and easy. Plus, when you go on a Portugal tour with us, we’ll take care of all the transportation for you.
• Less commercialization: Portugal has done an outstanding job at welcoming visitors without compromising on authenticity. When you visit, expect genuine, local experiences—no matter where you go.
• Hidden gems: Portugal has countless villages, coastal towns, and historic centers—all waiting to welcome you.

Ready to visit Portugal? Check out 15 places you can visit in just one trip ➝

The two countries share a border, making a combined Spain-Portugal itinerary practical and rewarding for travelers who want to experience both countries. Many of our travelers choose our multi-country tours to maximize their time in the Iberian Peninsula and see the best of both destinations in one journey.

A trip that visits both Spain and Portugal works best when you focus on nearby regions rather than trying to cover both countries comprehensively. The right itinerary pairs complementary cities and regions while allowing enough time to truly experience each destination without feeling rushed.

Visiting both countries? Here’s what to know:

• Comprehensive multi-country tours: Cover Porto’s wine cellars, Lisbon’s historic neighborhoods, Seville’s Moorish palaces, and Barcelona’s Gaudí architecture in one 15-day journey on our Grand Tour of Portugal & Spain: Porto to Barcelona. You won’t have to choose between the two countries, and we’ll do all the planning for you.
• Southern highlights pairing: Pair Portugal’s south with Spain’s southern region on tours like our Lisbon, Seville & Madrid tour. You’ll experience azulejo tiles and fado in Lisbon, flamenco and tapas in Seville, and world-class museums in Madrid.
• Trip duration: We feel that 10-15 days in Spain, Portugal, or both allows for meaningful exploration. In that time, our itineraries are designed to maximize sightseeing while minimizing long travel days between destinations.
• Guided tour advantages: When you book with us, you can expect expertly planned routes that handle logistics like border crossings, hotel locations, and transportation between cities and countries. Your job? Relax and focus on experiencing the best of both Spain and Portugal without the stress of coordinating international travel details.