I'm topping this and hoping it will get some replies from people who have been to both. I'm a Spain lover who's considering adding Portugal next trip and am curious to see what people think.

Portugal uses the Euro like Spain so there is no exchange rate difference.

The are many wonderful sights in Portugal. Lisbon is a must, it has many sights and is full of history.

To the north there is the old City of Oporto famous for port wine. There are many port lodges there that are open to the public and are well worth a visit. Oporto is however a fading gem and much of the city center has been neglected. From Oporto you can go to the Douro Valley, a very scenic place with terraced vineyard lining the valley. It is possible to take a river cruise on the old port boats " Rabelo". Be warned the valley can be very hot in summer - temperatures of 100 plus.

My personal favorite is Alentejo which is south and inland from Lisbon. It is a wonderful but also forgotten part of Portugal. It is well worth a visit 3/4 days is plenty and Evora is a base.

here are some of my photos for Alentejo

http://www.flickr.com/photos/cellartours/sets/72157604965562858/

We are Australians who have lived in Spain for a year. We have just returned from a very short trip to Portugal and confess to being disappointed and surprised by how different from Spain and the other parts of Europe we have spent time in.

We only went to Lisbon and Porto (trip was short due to 3rd party travelling with us).

Both were much more rundown and poorer than anywhere in southern Spain. People very different and not as friendly.

Pricewise we found it similar to southern spain.

While both Spain and Portugal use the euro, I found prices somewhat lower in Portugal. I believe there are more differences than similarities: language, food, and the general feel of the country and culture.

You might be interested in my trip report from last summer's trip to Lisbon, the Alentejo and Madrid:

http://www.fodors.com/forums/threadselect.jsp?fid=2&tid=35062668

Photos:

http://www.kodakgallery.com/I.jsp?c=he0tnm3.b3prj7o7&x=0&y=-9tois1

My experience is similar to Nikki's: Portugal seemed a good deal cheaper to me than Spain.

I have not spent enough time in either country to make a worthwhile judgement on cultural differences.

Ulike eliza3, I thought the Portuguese people to be friendly and disposed to be helpful, but my experiences were limited to major cities (Lisbon, Madrid, and Barcelona) and life in such cities tends to differ from other places.

It's been a while since we were in Portugal, 5 years or so, but what has been said above is an accurate picture IMO. Portugal is the third world country of Europe. Much poorer than Spain. You can tell without signs that you are leaving one country and entering another just by the caliber of their roads. Many Portugese roads are three lanes with the middle one being used by both sides for passing. Scary. Prices there are less than in Spain. You can see people begging much more frequently. Their unemployment is very high.

That said, the Portugese do church cloisters better than any other country. Beautiful, stunning. See especially the churches at Batalha and Alcobaca. If you possibly can, try to stay one night in Bucaco at the former hunting lodge of the kings of Portugal. My favorite hotel anywhere. Steer clear of Fiqueira de Foz, a very poor resort, literally. Lisbon and Porto are both worth visiting and sort of mirror the Madrid, Barcelona, situation where the second city is the more modern, vibrant, prosperous one. enjoy.

The Portuguese are a morose but kind people. If you speak Spanish the written word will somewhat similar while spoken word is very different.

Our favorite towns include Evora, Braga, and Sintra.

The food is quite good.

Portugal is my all time favorite of places to go---been many, many times. We rented an apartment on the Algarve for a month, rented a little car and drove all over the mountains, little villages, wonderful Posoudas, etc., and most everyone speaks English Historically Spain and Portugal have been enemies, so they do stress the fact that they are a different country and not just an 'extension' of Spain.

There is much variety in the terrain, highways are good and sensible, people seem very friendly and moderate, etc.

As a matter of fact, we are going there yet again in Nov and can hardly wait. If I only had time enough to finish up my travel years somewhere, I'd chose Portugal.

We are going to the Douro valley for a few days, then to Viana de Costelo in the far north..just for the scenery, if nothing else. If you can, go.

Portugal is cheaper, Spain is more interesting. Coastal Portugal is more quaint, Coastal Spain is out of control for the most part. If traveling in Feb/March, then set a rental in/near Lisbon, set some time to get back to Seville and other towns nearby.

Thank you all very much for the input. I'm still undecided... My sister just mentioned a trip to Slovenia and Croatia that sounds interesting. I'm just a little worried about it being too cold - am going to try and see if we can wait until April to take our trip. We've been places when it's cold and rainy, and while we still had a great time, it would be nice to not have to pack long-johns! This site is addictive and if I keep reading I don't know how I'll ever make up my mind...

One of the things I like about reading TA forums is that you can often get a sense for where people hail from. In this instance, I cannot, and a hasty generalization would be that you (cmor) are looking for people who might possibly pick your next vacation venue.

CMOR, I hope this all comes out correctly from me. Spain and Portugal are both marvelous places. I've (wife as well,) been to both Countries a couple of times. I do not agree with posters who try to compare the two places.I'm sorry, I can't do that as I am attached to both through our travels to both.
Aduchamp1, I have no idea what you are inferring when you refer to the Portuguese as "morose" people. They have a pretty good take on life, and are a fun people.
CMOR, you need to do your homework and read about all four places you've indicated in your post as suggested vacation venues.You already know some about Spain. Portugal has wonderful larger cities such as Lisbon and Porto as well as many other marvelous sights. You need to give some indication of what you are looking for on your vacation, and others, I'm sure, will help you out with suggestions And please remember, it ain't about the money.
tptr

cmor
You need to read this post
http://www.fodors.com/forums/threadselect.jsp?fid=2&tid=34740328
tptr

Kind yes. Fun loving? Is not only our opinion but our Brazilian friends also think that the Portuguese are dour. Brazilians are fun loving probabaly to a fault.

This was reinforced during a feast day of St. Gancalo in Amarante, one of the more beautiful towns in Portugal. This day unmarried men and women give each bread in the shape of phalluses. So with music playing and phalluses flying the Portuguese were staring at world as if they were going to the store to buy a regular loaf of bread.

A very strange atmosphere.

I have been to both Madrid and Lisbon-Sintra in Portugal. very different ; can't really compare the two. Loved both areas-read this from CNN travel today
http://www.cnn.com/2008/TRAVEL/getaways/05/30/portugal/index.html

We were just in Lisbon AND Barcelona last month, and while we can't wait to return to Lisbon, I felt one day in Barcelona was sufficient. I know I'll get beat over the head for saying this, but the crowds were nearly unbearable, and the city was, for the most part, just too modern for our tastes. We travel to Europe for the history, and much of Barcelona is newer than our young city of Orlando!

We found the people to be very friendly in Lisbon, the streets uncrowded, no graffiti, extremely clean, charming old neighborhoods to discover, gorgeous scenery - what more could you want?

hagan--- guess what? I am with you 100%. Barcelona left me cold. I found the people so rude, the crowds unbearable, and overall just on the opposite side of quaint. I guess it is my fault by getting used to the lovely, kind, wonderful people in Southern Spain and Madrid... I can't imagine not going back to Spain, just nowhere near Barcelona....

And I love Barcelona. The old City is one of the oldest in Europe. I am thoroughly enamored with Guadi and the Catalan spirit.

And we were disappointed in Lisbon, although we liked Portugal and once made a trip just to go to Madiera.

Aduchamp1,
Isn't it grand that everyone has different tastes?
In all fairness, I feel we might have liked Barcelona more had we visited on a weekday (we were there on a Saturday).

We DID enjoy the old Gotic area, that was our favorite part, and we liked the Gaudi architecture. However, in Lisbon, the streets were uncrowded, we could move at a slower pace, there was very little traffic (there was a traffic light every 50' in Barcelona!) and it just seemed easier and more relaxing.

In all fairness, I'm not a fan of large cities, unless it's Paris (which is my very favorite place in the world!). Go figure.

"and much of Barcelona is newer than our young city of Orlando!"


I am sure in ONE day in Barcelona (or any city of million plus) one can get a complete picture of the city's history, museums, galleries and architecture.

Well, maybe in Disneyland....

To me uncrowded streets is no criterion to judge any city. It has nothing to do with the architecture, art, people, food, culture, museums, etc.

Over the years I have spent weeks in Barcelona. One day is not even a stopover.

So you should disregard my advice since we see the world differently.

We've been to both Spain and Portugal and loved both. I expected them to be similar, but they were not. We found the Spanish to be friendly but reserved in that "old world" style; the Portuguese (generally) were more like the Greeks, very open and friendly. The sights were very different, and you will be stuck by the beauty of the mosaics everywhere (even the streets were striking). Though both countries are on the euro, Portugal is much, much more reasonable (food, hotels, sights). Read my trip report (in two parts - Newcomer and Newcomer1). You should then plug in "Lisbon dining club", if you decide to go - you'll meet some wonderful people. In Feb. (or even April) I would chose Portugal over Croatia.

Thanks again for invaluable information. tptr - Maybe I didn't phrase my first post correctly, I'm not looking for an actual comparison of places, just sort of the "feel" of them. I've been reading the trip reports and have been to the library 3 times in the past few days, plus clicking on links to travel sites. Love to see quaint villages, ruins & remnants of past lives, lots of walking/hiking, beautiful scenery, castles. Like to travel by trains, if possible, and learn a little of the language before I go. Not really into glitzy nightlife, sitting in the sun tooo long, and only a little shopping (prefer to find one special thing as opposed to lots of so-so stuff)I'm a very easygoing and go-with-the-flow type. Thanks again - research continues!
Also regarding other posts, Barcelona was not my most favorite of the cities we visited, but it was still fun and had I known about all the info on this site back then, I may've had a different take on it. Thanks again!

cmor:


In visiting Portugal (by car, mostly) this past month, both wife and I (having been to all of the European countries during the past 40 years, but never Portugal) now refer to the country as one
of "Europe's best kept secrets"...

Aside from several posters here, Portugal is rarely mentioned by any of our friends or other world travelers we have known over the decades. Even travel magazines have given it rather short shrift if anything.

Just had to see it for ourselves. Yes,indeed, Portugal can offer all of the elements you mention in your first paragraph above...and then some.

We were very pleasantly surprised as we visited Lisbon and vicinity, then drove to Arraiolos (Pousada), Evora, Marvao (Pousada), Belmonte (Pousada), Obidos, Nazare', Sintra and vicinity. Strongly suggest you rent a car...the best way to drink in the full senses of the country

Go...see it and enjoy!

Stu T.
(I will have my pix ready in a few days, maybe even a short report)

After spending six weeks traveling on our own through Spain and Portugal my husband and I agree that Oporto, Sintra and Coimbra (visit the university library!)in Portugal are among the hidden treasures of our travels. The people we met were helpful and generous and happy to meet tourists who had taken the time to learn some Portuguese and to travel to more than just Lisbon. We drove and had no problems with the roads many of which are new, paid for by EU funding. BTW Portugal is relatively new to the EU and is in the process of repaying its debt as new member country.

Perhaps those who referenced the "dour" people are unfamiliar with the concept of Fado?

Whatever you decide to do, have a wonderful trip!

Reread "Saige" again. Wonderful and true comments. Portugal is fabulous, and a real treasure that a lot of people miss out on. The people smile and are friendly and helpful....the scenery is gorgeous. Lisbon is beautiful, and out the coast to Estoril, Cascais , Sintra etc is also. The other towns mentioned above are quite interesting.
Do lots of research and you'll find Portugal a wonderful place.

It's very hard to compare with Spain, though it is a neighbor. Not much alike in many ways...and WE prefer Portugal,,,,though we're probably biased because we lived there,(Americans) for 2 years (30 ys. ago)!
One silly reason is that I can't understand the Spanish habit of not eating dinner until after 10 pm! Portugal is more civil and dinnertime is around 7:30 or 8.

Hagan, you mentioned no graffiti in Lisbon?
"We found the people to be very friendly in Lisbon, the streets uncrowded, no graffiti, extremely clean, charming old neighborhoods to discover, gorgeous scenery - what more could you want?"

I just returned from Lisbon, Portugal yesterday, and one thing that turned me off was all the graffiti I saw all over the city.

Lisbon is not a kind of place able to leave anybody indifferent. Some love it and some hate, and probably both sides are right.

These morose, kind Portuguese folks are diplomatic too.

Hello~

Well as it turns out, we're going to Greece, which I know (think)is a complete turnaround from where I started. But absolutly Portugal next time. Thank you all for the links to wonderful pics and trip reports - are you all writers?? Such great descriptions and detail, I swear I was hungry and thirsty for a good glass of wine after reading. I'm hoping to find posts from you on the Greece threads.
Thanks again!
Carla

Carla, if you are interested, I wrote a report about Greece also:

http://www.fodors.com/forums/threadselect.jsp?fid=2&tid=34589254

Photos:

http://www.kodakgallery.com/I.jsp?c=he0tnm3.a26xzjgr&x=0&y=-b9k6sz

Yes interested! Beautiful pics, I just pasted the whole report into Word. We're going end of March into April, so now... researching itineraries. Thank you

My linguistic efforts do not pair my diplomatic skills. I meant "unable" in my last post.

One more comment and then you'll need to switch to the Greece forum. I just wanted to plug Meteora in Greece, these awesome monastaries perched atop monoliths in the middle of nowhere. Before the early 20th century, the only way to visit was to be pulled up the mountainside in a basket; now, luckily, you go by road. I'll never forget my first look, as the morning mists parted and I viewed buildings precariously clinging to the top of the mountains.

And, don't forget about Portugal next year...you won't regret it.

Would anyone care of offer a comparison of rural Spain vs rural Portugal? I am a "back roads" guy looking for the people more than the "sights". My presumption is that the people, roads, attitudes, food, etc are somewhat similar. Have wanted to add P to a few trips but frankly, it is just not that easy from Spain [with exception of Galicia] so never made it. Any thoughts would be appreciated.

while we loved the feel of Lisbon on our recent Portugal journey, we fell in love with the countryside. The Alentejo farms, very small villages, mountain towns, etc. were very inviting...photo ops everywhere. Compared to Spain, not too different, although we found the roads, in general, were better maintained and engineered... and very comfortable to drive. The divided highways were superb.

I'll be posting some pix next week,

How cold is it In the Costa Blanca in December? Is it warmer than the Costa Del Sol?

Although I have not been to Portugal in a long time, it is one of the European countries, along with Spain, that was a favorite travel destination of my family.

In my opinion, the best way to enjoy Portugal is by not trying to compare it too much to Spain, even though they are neighbors. Lisbon is an interesting city with a great setting; Sintra is charming; Obidos is a perfect little walled town; Coimbra has wonderful Roman mosaics; driving through the Alentejo (Evora, mentioned above) is very atmospheric; and I have great memories of the Algarve, but frankly, someone who has been there more recently can tell you if it is still a great coastal area or too built up. Stay in a pousada or two, drink the good wine, listen to fado, shop for wonderful handicrafts and beautiful tile, and sit in cafes drinking coffee and listening to the sound of Portuguese - a lovely language, I think!

Anyway, do take that trip to Portugal; it is different economically and culturally than Spain, but definitely worth a visit! You may find yourself returning.

Nice photos, desmccarthy & nikki, by the way. Thanks!

I might be able to answer this question fully in late November, after I've returned from Portugal and Spain! (A couple of days in Madrid on either end, mostly for logistical reasons, rather than an overwhelming desire to see Spain).

I was in Lisbon and Sintra this past Christmas. I would have never chosen to go to Portugal had I not read Frances "#^$% this Tuscan Sun" Mayes' book that came out a couple of years ago called A Year in the World (IIRC). While I thought that the book got really syrupy and chick-ish in parts (in case you can't tell, yes, I am male), but the chapter on Lisbon just made my jaw drop and think "This place sounds really interesting!"

As for prices: what was a €1.00 shot of espresso in Italy in 2005 cost €0.55 in Lisbon over Christmas. A 0.5 liter bottle of water in the grocery store was €0.08. Yes, you read that correctly: eight cents.

"Over the years I have spent weeks in Barcelona. One day is not even a stopover."

"I am sure in ONE day in Barcelona (or any city of million plus) one can get a complete picture of the city's history, museums, galleries and architecture.

Well, maybe in Disneyland...."

Aduchamp1 and Danon,
I agree with both of you. I was just trying to point out my first impressions of both places. I certainly don't pretend to have a good base of knowledge of either city - it was simply the "vibe" I got from spending one day in each.

Normally we take land trips and spend most of the time in one or two places, so this was a first for us. We just felt that we'd like to return to spend more time in Lisbon, and that, while we'd like to visit Barcelona again, we wouldn't want to base a stay there.

I guess it's sort of like that Florence argument - some people are in love with it, others just don't get it.