What Is The Best Way To Travel To Spain And Portugal?

Traveling to Spain and Portugal offers a rich tapestry of culture, history, and culinary delights. SIXT.VN provides exceptional travel solutions, ensuring your journey is seamless and unforgettable. With carefully crafted itineraries and insider tips, you’ll discover the best of both worlds on the Iberian Peninsula.

1. How Many Days Are Needed To Visit Spain And Portugal?

Spending at least two weeks is ideal for visiting Spain and Portugal, allowing you to immerse yourself in the diverse historical, cultural, and gastronomical experiences each country offers. While it’s not enough to see everything, a week in each country provides a solid foundation to explore main highlights, connect with locals, and sample exquisite food and wine.

• Two Weeks: A great starting point to explore key cities and cultural sites.
• 16 Days: An ideal balance, allowing for a slightly less rushed pace and deeper exploration.
• Less than 10 Days: Strongly consider focusing on either Spain or Portugal to avoid excessive travel time.

Spending at least two days in each major city is recommended to fully appreciate its offerings and incorporate potential day trips. A shorter trip requires careful prioritization to make the most of your time.

2. How Should I Structure My Travel Itinerary To Spain And Portugal?

Splitting your time roughly into thirds, dedicating one-third to Portugal and two-thirds to Spain, is an effective way to structure your itinerary, allowing you to experience a broad spectrum of Iberian culture. A 14-day itinerary can be balanced with five days in Portugal and nine days in Spain.

• Portugal (5 Days): Focus on Lisbon and Porto, with a day trip to Sintra.
• Spain (9 Days): Explore Sevilla, Córdoba, Madrid, Toledo, and Barcelona.
• Flying Between Countries: To save time, fly between Portugal and Spain, leveraging robust train networks within each country for cost-effective travel.

The geographical positioning of these cities, with Lisbon and Porto on Portugal’s western coast and Sevilla, Madrid, and Barcelona in Spain, makes flying the most efficient method of inter-country travel. Within each country, using the train network is more practical.

3. Where Should I Begin and End My Trip To Spain And Portugal?

For the most convenient international flights and optimal connections between Spain and Portugal, begin your journey by flying into Porto’s Francisco Sá Carneiro Airport (OPO) and depart from Barcelona’s El Prat Airport (BCN). This maximizes travel efficiency and minimizes transit time.

• Arrival: Fly into Porto’s airport (OPO).
• Departure: Fly out of Barcelona’s airport (BCN).
• Portugal Leg: Start in Porto and move south to Lisbon.
• Spain Leg: Proceed from Sevilla to Madrid and end in Barcelona.

Consider that while Lisbon, Madrid, and Barcelona have the best international flight options, limited direct flights exist between Porto and Sevilla. Begin your Portugal leg in Porto and work your way south to Lisbon to take advantage of the numerous direct flights between Lisbon and Sevilla.

4. What Is The Best Way To Get Around Spain And Portugal?

Utilizing the robust train networks in both Spain and Portugal is the best way to get around, offering an efficient, cost-effective, and environmentally friendly travel solution. Avoid renting a car as it can be more of a hindrance than help in the cities, where you will spend most of your time.

• Train Travel: Use regional and high-speed trains for city-to-city travel within each country.
• Omio: A streamlined platform for booking trains in Spain and Portugal.
• Flying Between Countries: The most time-efficient method, given the geographical separation of key cities.

The Spanish and Portuguese train networks can have glitches, so using a third-party platform such as Omio will make booking easier. Enjoy comfortable and fast journeys between cities such as Lisbon, Porto, Madrid, Sevilla, and Barcelona.

5. How Do I Plan A Two-Week Itinerary To Spain And Portugal?

For a fulfilling two-week trip, focus on key experiences that connect you with local culture. Skip spending too much time inside churches and museums, and instead, take a walking tour and a food tour.

A Suggested Itinerary:

Prioritize viewpoints in Porto, taste Port wine, see Azulejos, take a walking tour in Lisbon, explore Alfama, soak in views, visit Belém, savor Pastéis de Nata, take a Royal Alcázar tour in Seville, visit the Mezquita-Catedral de Córdoba, explore Madrid’s Museo del Prado and Toledo, and visit Sagrada Familia in Barcelona.

6. What Should I Do During Days 1-2 In Porto & Douro Valley?

Kick off your Iberian adventure in Porto, the second-largest city in Portugal, renowned for its beautiful views, historic port wine production, and stunning azulejo tiles. Spend a day exploring the city and a day taking a tour of the Douro Valley.

• Day 1: Porto
  • Explore Miradouros: Visit Miradouro da Vitória and Miradouro da Serra do Pilar for panoramic views.
  • Discover Port Wine: Cross the Douro River to Vila Nova de Gaia and visit Graham’s Port Lodge for a tour and tasting.
  • Admire Azulejos: See the blue and white tiles at Igreja do Carmo and São Bento Station.
• Day 2: Douro Valley
  • Full-Day Tour: Join a guided tour of the Douro Valley, including wine tastings, a boat ride, and lunch.

Getting to Porto is easiest via Francisco Sá Carneiro Airport (OPO), with metro, bus, and taxi options available to reach the city center. The Douro Valley tour includes convenient pickup in central Porto.

7. What Should I Do During Days 3-5 In Lisbon & Sintra?

Travel from Porto to Lisbon by train. Use high-speed trains called Alfa Pendular (AP) or Intercity trains (IC) from Porto’s Campanha Station to Lisbon’s Santa Apolónia station. Spend two days exploring Lisbon, and another for a day trip to Sintra.

• Day 3: Lisbon
  • Walking Tour: Start with a walking tour with WithLocals for a historical and cultural overview.
  • Explore Alfama: Wander through the narrow cobblestone streets from Castelo de São Jorge down to Baixa.
• Day 4: Lisbon
  • Soak in Views: Visit Miradouro da Senhora do Monte and Miradouro de São Pedro de Alcântara.
  • Head Out to Belém: Visit Torre de Belém, Padrão dos Descobrimentos, Jerónimos Monastery, and enjoy Pastéis de Belém.
• Day 5: Sintra
  • Day Trip to Sintra: Visit Pena Palace, explore the town of Sintra, and return to Lisbon.

Use Lisbon as a base to explore Sintra, a nearby town known for its fairytale castles and lush landscapes, before returning to Lisbon for the evening.

8. What Should I Do During Days 7-8 In Sevilla & Córdoba?

Fly from Lisbon to Sevilla. Use a direct flight on TAP Airlines to save time. Spend a day exploring Sevilla, and another for a day trip to Córdoba.

• Day 7: Sevilla
  • Royal Alcázar: Take a guided tour or purchase tickets in advance to explore.
  • Catedral de Sevilla: Climb the Giralda for views.
  • Plaza de España: Visit the Plaza de España.
  • Tapas: Enjoy a tapas tour in the evening.
• Day 8: Córdoba
  • Day Trip to Córdoba: Explore Mezquita-Catedral, Alcázar de los Reyes Cristianos, and the patios.

The blending of cultures in southern Spain, particularly Andalucía, offers insights into the influence of Islam, Christianity, and Judaism.

9. What Should I Do During Days 9-11 In Madrid & Toledo?

Take a high-speed train from Sevilla to Madrid, arriving at Puerta de Atocha station. Spend a day exploring Madrid, and another for a day trip to Toledo.

• Day 9: Madrid
  • Lexi’s Walking Tour: Take Lexi’s walking tour.
  • Explore City Center: Explore the city center.
• Day 10: Madrid
  • Museo del Prado: Visit the Museo del Prado.
  • Tapas on Calle Cava Baja: Enjoy tapas.
• Day 11: Toledo
  • Day Trip to Toledo: Explore Toledo.

Madrid is a city with a mix of cultural and historical elements. Toledo offers historical points of view.

10. What Should I Do During Days 12-14 In Barcelona?

Take a high-speed train from Madrid to Barcelona, arriving at Barcelona Sants station. Spend three days exploring the city.

• Day 12: Barcelona
  • Sagrada Familia: Visit Sagrada Familia.
  • Other Gaudí Sites: Visit other Gaudí Sites.
• Day 13: Barcelona
  • Learn to Make Paella: Take a Paella class.
  • Explore a Local Market: Explore local markets.
• Day 14: Barcelona
  • Cava, Vermouth and Tapas: Enjoy Cava, Vermouth and Tapas.
  • Departure: Depart from El Prat Airport (BCN).

Enjoy the progressive food and drink scene. The Gaudí sites offer a completely different architectural style.

11. What Can I Do With More Time in Spain And Portugal?

If you have more time, you can enhance your Spain and Portugal itinerary by including these additions:

• Granada (+2 Days):
  • Explore the Alhambra and Albaicín to learn the historical impacts of Muslim culture.
• An Extra Day in Barcelona, Madrid, and Lisbon (+3 Days):
  • Allowing you to get a little deeper as you explore what makes each of them special and unique.
• The Algarve (+3-5 Days):
  • Spend a few days on the beach. Enjoy surfing in the sandy beaches and windswept cliffs.

With additional time, Granada, extra days in major cities, and The Algarve will provide an in-depth experience in Spain and Portugal.

12. What Should I Do With Less Time In Spain And Portugal?

If you have 10 days or less, strongly consider sticking to either Spain OR Portugal. With 10 days, you will spend too much time moving around to have deeper experiences. You can also choose a route for 12 days.

Portugal and Spain in 12 Days (Sevilla + Madrid):

• Fly from Lisbon to Sevilla, train from Sevilla to Madrid, and fly home from Madrid.

Portugal and Spain in 12 Days (Madrid + Barcelona):

• Fly from Lisbon to Madrid, train from Madrid to Barcelona, and fly home from Barcelona.

The suggested itinerary is recommended to enhance your experience.

FAQ Section

1. Is it better to visit Spain or Portugal?
   Both Spain and Portugal offer unique experiences. Spain is larger and more diverse with a wider range of cultural and historical sites, while Portugal is more compact and generally more affordable. Your preference depends on what you want to experience.

2. What is the best time of year to visit Spain and Portugal?
   The best time to visit is during the spring (April-May) or fall (September-October) when the weather is pleasant, and the tourist crowds are smaller.

3. How much does it cost to Travel To Spain And Portugal?
   The cost varies widely based on your travel style. Budget travelers can expect to spend around $75-$100 per day, while those looking for a more luxurious experience might spend $200-$300 per day.

4. Do I need a visa to visit Spain and Portugal?
   Visa requirements depend on your nationality. Many nationalities, including those from the US, Canada, and Australia, can enter the Schengen Area (which includes Spain and Portugal) for up to 90 days without a visa.

5. What are the must-try foods in Spain and Portugal?
   In Spain, try tapas, paella, jamón ibérico, and churros. In Portugal, don’t miss pastéis de nata, seafood dishes, and Francesinha.

6. Is it easy to travel between cities in Spain and Portugal?
   Yes, both countries have good transportation networks, including high-speed trains and buses. Flying is also an option, especially between Lisbon and cities in Spain.

7. What are the best cities to visit in Spain and Portugal?
   Some of the best cities include Barcelona, Madrid, Sevilla, Lisbon, and Porto, each offering unique attractions and cultural experiences.

8. How far in advance should I book accommodations and transportation?
   It’s best to book accommodations and transportation, especially high-speed trains, several months in advance to secure the best prices and availability.

9. Are credit cards widely accepted in Spain and Portugal?
   Yes, credit cards are widely accepted, but it’s a good idea to carry some cash for smaller establishments and local markets.

10. What should I pack for a trip to Spain and Portugal?
    Pack comfortable walking shoes, light clothing for warm weather, a light jacket for cooler evenings, sunscreen, and a hat. If visiting in the off-season, pack layers.

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