We were thinking about going to Greece this spring, as we want a Mediterranian experience with some nice beaches and interesting countryside. However, with the Olympics coming this summer we are having second thoughts. Meanwhile our world traveler neighbor tells me that Portugal is the most wonderful country visit in Europe. So - anyone who has been to both places, which would you prefer for interesting scenery, small villages and nice beaches?

Hi,
You want Portugal.
Greece is great for island hopping.
And some of those far flung islands just drip into the ocean and are really incredible. (I've never enjoyed the mainland of Greece...)
Portugal, on the other hand, has it all!! Beaches, ruins, great food, mountains, beautiful tile work everywhere... Its one of Europes best jewels. Rent a car and Go right to Sintra. Its half hour from Lisbon and has awesome Moorish ruins. From there drive south and spend a few days along the southern coast. (We even ducked into Southwestern Spain for 3 days. Each hill town was simply fantastic...)
Rick Steve's book on Portugal & Spain will give you the highlights.
We're going back!
Pete

I prefer Portugal to Greece. You can get your culture fix in Lisboa, then head to Sintra for beautiful vistas, then down to the Algarve for the beach. I like Greece, but there isn't much to do in Athens after you have seen the Acropolis. My favourite place in Greece is the Island of Hydra, one of the Saronic Islands. The people of both Greece and Portugal are wonderful and friendly.

If planning to go to Portugal, bear in mind that -unfortunately- there currently are huge fires al through the country, so part of the scenery will be changed forever.

Having been to both countries, I too prefer Portugal for small villages and beaches.
The news here however is reporting that one third of Portugal is presently on fire - with dramatic satellite photos showing damage.
Portugal is a poor country, I dont know how they will recover from this.

I've been to both and would say that the beaches, at least the type you may be used to (sand and not gravel) would be better in Portugal, probably because they're on the Atlantic and not the Med.

Yes, unfortunately we are having huge fires but to say 1/3 of Portugal is on fire isn't the reality, it's media talk! Don't worry, come to Portugal, there is still plenty left for you to see and enjoy and I know the Good Lord will soon put an end to it

I shall be going to Portugal in early September. How bad has the hill fire affecting Portugal?

People in Greece are far more friendly than the Portuguese, who are for the most part quite formal.

If you like ruins, Greece is the place to go. Portugal in the Lisbon-Sintra area has tons of still-standing history as well as beautiful countryside. Both Lisbon and Athens are dirty polluted cities best for short stays. In both countries you can see the interesting extremes of big city bustle and fashion to rural life with donkey carts, cave villages, and ladies dressed from head to toe in black.

Both countries have good inexpensive food and wine, great beaches, good local beer. Coffee is far superior in Portugal where they take it quite seriously, in Greece it is Nescafe.

Personally I put both countries near the bottom of my European favourites.

How can you, Madam, in good conscience compare the air pollution of Athens to that of Lisboa??????? I think Lisboa is extremely clean, and I am from London, now living in Philadelphia. I have also lived in San Jose and New York. Lisboa is very old, but I would never call it "polluted." Yes, the people of Portugal are very formal, very Catholic, very conservative. But, they are very friendly and will go out of their way to help you.

One positive about Portugal I won't forget (although I was there 13 years ago) is the cleanliness- especially the washrooms.

Go to both if you can , make sure you have plenty of time though ! A month- 6 weeks (for both in one trip !) they're both great , beautiful countries to visit , Portugal is very easy to travel around , Greece - being the big part of your visit should be islands hopping -you do have a lot of schedules. Athens is not one of the best cities for sure , but the Greek islands are SPECIAL*!- Portugal has the MOST scenic beaches in the world , their ruins may not be as well known as the Greece's ,but they are just as interesting and impressive .Both have beautiful* countryside .People from both places are good , so are the food , I like Portugese wine and cafe(LOVED*) much better than Greeks. Only visit Greece once for 2 weeks , Portugal I've been twice , I wouldn't mind to go back to either one , just a little skeptical to travel to that direction now (because of terrorism , especially Greece) ... but they're both in my top five favorite European countries -(+ France , Spain , Italy). Oh I envy you...

I have been to both and it is difficult to compare them. Each one is special for their own reasons. It depends on what you are looking for? Portugal does have beautiful beaches in the Algarve with little grottos - golden sand. The food is great. You need to rent a car to get around and the driving is not exactly "relaxing" to me. We went from Lisbon down to the Algarve and right into Spain. Then up to Sintra area - beautiful. Greece is an amazing experience to me. The white washed buildings, the culture, the people, the food are simply wonderful. You get around via the ferry system and take rooms in peoples homes. Spend the day exploring each island (beaching, sightseeing) and in the evening watch the sun set, stroll around the villages and look for a wonderful outdoor taverna which are plentiful. The night life is pretty good in Greece as well. Although I love both places for different reasons, Greece is truly magical - I have been 5 times now. The culture in Greece is more pronounced than Portugal. The beaches are nicer on certain islands than some. With the Olympics being in August, I am not sure how that will affect prices in the spring? Although I want to go back to Portugal one day, I will definitely be back to Greece many more times!