Spain and Portugal: cities, trains and tapas on a budget

Spain and Portugal sit side by side and combine well. Both have walkable old cities, a long coast, strong food and a lower cost than much of western Europe.

Where to go

• Lisbon: hilly streets, trams, river views and custard tarts. Add a day trip to Sintra's palaces or the coast.
• Porto: the Douro River, wine cellars and tiled churches. It is a short train ride from Lisbon.
• The Algarve: Portugal's southern coast, with cliffs and beaches.
• Madrid: big museums like the Prado, parks and a late, lively evening scene.
• Barcelona: Gaudi's buildings, the beach and the old Gothic Quarter.
• Seville and Granada: the Moorish palaces of Andalusia, including the Alhambra in Granada.
• San Sebastian and the north: a famous food region, green hills and beaches.

When to go

April to June and September to October are the sweet spot. Summer is very hot in the south, with big crowds on the coasts. Winter is mild and quiet in the south and cooler in the north.

Getting around

• Spain's high-speed trains link Madrid with Barcelona, Seville, Valencia and more. Booking early gives better fares, and several companies compete on popular routes.
• In Portugal, trains run well between Lisbon, Porto and Coimbra, and buses reach many smaller towns.
• A car helps in the countryside and on the coast, but not in the cities, where parking is costly and streets are narrow.
• City metros are cheap and easy. Many cities sell multi-day passes.

Book these ahead

Sagrada Familia in Barcelona, the Alhambra in Granada and other popular sights use timed tickets that can sell out weeks ahead. Book from the official sites.

Eat well for less

• Look for the menu del dia in Spain or prato do dia in Portugal. A set lunch with a drink often costs far less than dinner.
• Tapas bars let you build a meal from small plates. In some towns, a drink comes with a free snack.
• Spaniards eat late, with dinner often after 9 p.m. Eat earlier or have a bigger lunch if you prefer.
• Bakeries and markets are great for breakfast and picnics.

Save on sleeping

Stay a little outside the busiest center, near a metro stop. Hostels and guesthouses often have private rooms. See Stay for less beyond hotels.

Good to know

Both countries are in the Schengen area, so you generally cross between them without border checks, and there are limits on how long visitors can stay in total. A new travel authorization system for visitors is planned for Europe, so check the official EU site before you go. Pickpockets work in crowded places like metros, trams and beaches, so keep your bag zipped in front of you. Many small shops close for a few hours in the afternoon, especially outside big cities.