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Portugal vs Spain

Portugal and Spain are 399 km apart.

Key differences

  • Spain runs warmer: 26°C in July against 24°C in Portugal's August.

  • Spain is drier, with 419 mm of rain a year to Portugal's 758 mm.

  • Both are at their most comfortable from May to October, so the timing decision is the same either way.

  • Spain has the bigger choice of stays: 251 hotels on trip1 to Portugal's 136.

  • We have written more about Spain: 32 travel guides against 10 for Portugal.

Portugal and Spain at a glance

Portugal vs Spain compared
FactPortugalSpain
CapitalLisbonMadrid
Population~10.3 million~47 million
Area~92,212 km²~505,990 km²
Time ZoneWET (UTC+0) / WEST (UTC+1) in summer. Azores: UTC-1CET (UTC+1) / CEST (UTC+2) in summer. Canary Islands: WET (UTC+0)
CurrencyEuro (EUR) | Cards widely acceptedEuro (EUR) | Cards widely accepted
LanguagesPortugueseSpanish (Castilian), Catalan, Basque, Galician
Main AirportsLisbon (LIS), Porto (OPO), Faro (FAO)Madrid (MAD), Barcelona (BCN), Malaga (AGP), Palma (PMI), Tenerife South (TFS)
VisaSchengen Area - 90-day visa-free for many nationalitiesSchengen Area - 90-day visa-free for many nationalities
Best ForCoastal cities, wine regions, beaches, tiled architecture, pasteis de nataBeaches, tapas, architecture, flamenco, wine, nightlife, islands
Typical Cost LevelBudget to Mid-range. Budget: EUR 50-80/day; Mid: EUR 100-180/dayMid-range. Budget: EUR 50-80/day; Mid: EUR 100-180/day
Hotels on trip1136251
Travel guides1032
Warmest monthAugust, 24°CJuly, 26°C
Coolest monthJanuary, 12°CJanuary, 7°C
Rain per year758 mm419 mm
Best time to visitMay to OctoberMay to October

Where to stay

Editor picks in each place, bookable with card or crypto.

About Portugal

Portugal is a sun-drenched country on the western edge of Europe, where Atlantic beaches meet medieval castles, world-class wine regions, and cities steeped in maritime history. From the tiled streets of Lisbon to the Douro Valley vineyards and the Algarve's golden cliffs, Portugal offers exceptional value, warm hospitality, and a cultural richness that punches far above its size.

About Spain

Spain is Western Europe's second-largest country, stretching from the Pyrenees to the Strait of Gibraltar and out into the Atlantic to the Canary Islands. The country's regions feel like different worlds - the Gaudi-studded streets of Barcelona, the flamenco bars of Seville, the Moorish palaces of Granada, the pintxos culture of the Basque Country, and the volcanic landscapes of Tenerife are all unmistakably Spanish yet entirely distinct. With over 300 days of sunshine a year across much of the country, a food and wine culture that ranks among the world's finest, and a nightlife that rarely starts before midnight, Spain consistently ranks as one of Europe's most visited and most loved destinations.

More comparisons

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Portugal vs Spain FAQs

Answered from the numbers on this page.

Portugal and Spain are about 399 km apart in a straight line.

Spain is warmer at its peak: 26°C on average in its warmest month, against 24°C for Portugal. These are 1991–2020 climate normals.

The most comfortable stretch for both is May to October, on average temperature and rainfall.

Spain lists more: 251 hotels on trip1 against 136.