Portugal or Spain – which country suits you best?

Writer: Helena Bergström

Updated: August 2026 | Portugal and Spain are two of Europe's most popular holiday destinations, but they offer quite different experiences. After several months of travelling by motorhome in both countries, we have gathered our own experiences. Here we compare prices, food, beaches, nature, camping and attractions to help you choose which country suits you best.

Portugal or Spain in brief

There is really no right or wrong choice. Both countries offer sun, good food, beautiful beaches and a pleasant climate. The differences are more about what kind of holiday you are looking for.

If you want a calmer atmosphere, dramatic Atlantic coastlines and slightly lower prices, Portugal may be the right choice. However, if you are attracted by large cultural cities, a huge range of attractions and many different types of landscapes, Spain is often a better fit.

	Portugal	Spain
Price level	Generally slightly lower	Still affordable, but slightly more expensive
Beaches	Dramatic cliffs and fine sandy beaches	Great variety from Costa Brava to Andalusia
Cities	Lisbon, Porto, Tavira	Seville, Valencia, Barcelona, Granada
Nature	Greener in the north, dramatic coast	Very varied – mountains, deserts and coast
Food	Fish, seafood, bacalhau, cataplana	Tapas, paella, pintxos, seafood
Camping	Many affordable campsites	Large selection, but often slightly more expensive
Motorhome	Easy to travel	Also good
English	Good in tourist areas	Varies widely across the country
Who is the country suitable for?	Calmer holiday	Greater variety and more big cities

Price level – which country is the cheapest?

Both Portugal and Spain are affordable compared to many other countries in Western Europe, but in general we found Portugal to be slightly cheaper. The difference is particularly noticeable in restaurants and campsites, although prices vary depending on region and season.

Beaches and swimming

Both Portugal and Spain have fantastic beaches, but they are different. Portugal has long sandy beaches, but also beaches framed by dramatic cliffs, where you can easily find cozy coves. On the Atlantic coast, instead, it is wild with high waves, which can suit surfers and nature lovers.

Spain offers more variety – from the quiet bays of the Mediterranean to the Atlantic beaches in the north. In southern Spain we found that the beaches are often long and beautiful, but without the charming coves that we found in Portugal.

Nature and landscape

Portugal is relatively small but still offers great variety, from the vineyards of the Douro Valley to the dramatic coast of the Algarve.

Spain is considerably larger and the nature varies enormously between different regions. There are high mountains, green forests, dry plains, volcanic landscapes and some of Europe's most varied coastlines.

Food and drink

Both countries have strong food cultures. Portugal is known for seafood, bacalhau, grilled sardines and the classic cataplana fish stew. We enjoyed buying fresh fish that we cooked ourselves, and we also fell in love with the light green wine.

Spain offers tapas, paella, pintxos, Iberian ham and a very wide regional selection. Personally, we like Spanish food a little more, although you can of course find good food in both countries.

• Portuguese food – 22 dishes to try
• Spanish food – 25 dishes to try

Cities and places of interest

Portugal has several fantastic cities, where Lisbon and Oporto are the most well-known. There are also many charming coastal resorts and historic towns. We enjoyed ourselves in Albufeira, where we spent a long time, while perhaps experiencing Tavira most charming.

Spain, on the other hand, offers a wider range of large cultural cities. Barcelona, Madrid, Seville, Granada, Valencia, Córdoba and many more offer world heritage, architecture and history in the absolute top class.

Camping and motorhome

Both Portugal and Spain are very suitable for motorhome trips. Spain has a very wide range of large and well-organized campsites and pitches.

In Portugal there is also a large selection of campsites and motorhomes – but these can be slightly cheaper and sometimes slightly simpler/less well-organized. In both countries there is good infrastructure and many nice coastal roads.

Language and treatment

In tourist areas, English usually works well in both countries. Outside the major tourist resorts, English skills are often better in Portugal than in many parts of Spain, where Spanish still dominates.

Both Portuguese and Spanish people are generally friendly and helpful, although the cultures differ slightly.

Climate

Portugal is influenced by the Atlantic Ocean and therefore often has slightly cooler summers and milder winters.

Spain has a greater climate variation. Andalusia can get very hot during the summer, while northern Spain has a much greener and cooler climate.

Who is Portugal suitable for?

Portugal suits you if:

• want to travel a little more calmly
• appreciate dramatic coastal landscapes
• likes seafood
• looking for affordable restaurants and campsites
• want to combine nature and charming small towns

Who is Spain suitable for?

Spain suits you if:

• want to experience great cultural cities
• seeks great variation between different regions
• want to combine swimming, culture and entertainment
• likes tapas and a wide range of restaurants
• want to have many choices

Portugal or Spain – our conclusion

There is really no winner. Portugal and Spain rather complement each other.

Portugal impresses with its dramatic Atlantic coastline, charming small towns and slower pace. Spain offers a huge range of culture, attractions and varied landscapes.

For us, both countries have become favorites, but for different reasons. Regardless of which you choose, fantastic experiences await – and if you have the opportunity, we actually recommend combining both in the same trip.