Spain and Portugal for Visitors

Spain and Portugal for Beginners

Start here if you are a newcomer to travel in Spain and Portugal, or to find out how to use this site for your travel planning.

In the south-west of Europe, the Iberian Peninsula's two countries, Spain and Portugal (or three, if you count Andorra), offer travellers and visitors any number of surprises. They are historically separated from the rest of the continent by mountains, to such an extent that it used to be said that "Africa begins at the Pyrenees," and although they are now modern, Western countries, they still have a feel of differentness about them. In the Devonian period, in fact, the Iberian Peninsula was an island, later (Early Cretaceous) pushed by contintental plate movements until it bumped into Europe, a collision which created the Pyrennes themselves, so that the same event which joined the future Spain and Portugal to the continent put up the main barrier between them. This kind of paradox is, frankly, typical. Spain and Portugal quite often seem like the kind of places Terry Pratchett and Douglas Adams might have dreamed up between them if they'd ever got really smashed together.

Why should I visit Spain and/or Portugal? Spain alone is the second most visited country in the world, receiving over 50 million tourist arrivals a year, and they can't all be wrong. The main draws of Spain and Portugal are their weather, especially Spain's reliable warm, dry summers; their beach areas, particularly Spain's ever-popular costas and Portugal's Algarve region; their great cities like Madrid, Barcelona, Lisbon and Oporto; their tremendous historical and cultural heritage, especially that left by the eight centuries of Moorish occupation; and their lifestyle, the famous Iberian zest, a hunger for good times which makes even other Mediterranean peoples look staid and lifeless. You'll find a little more information on these pages: Spain and its Regions and Portugal and its Regions

I'm sure Spain and Portugal are great places, but I don't like crowds. Is there anywhere in Spain or Portugal for me? Of course, though you will find uncrowded beach spots harder to find in July and August. Even then, and even in popular beach areas like the Costa Brava, there are always deserted corners to be found. Choose a destination like the fabulous, unspoilt island of Minorca and you won't even have to search.

OK, I'm convinced. How can I find out more?Start by looking around this site. It's been around in one form or another since 2000, so there's a lot in it. It's organization is based on geography, from large to small, i.e., country > region > province > place > whatever you want to find out, so you may find the Google Search box useful. The Spain and Portugal menu provides a lot of short cuts, as well.

How can I work out whether I can afford it? Spain and Portugal are less cheap than they used to be, but still very affordable. Even cosmopolitan capital Madrid only comes in at number 46 on a list of the world's 50 most expensive cities. However, if you are planning on working over there, note that recently salaries have not risen in pace with the cost of living. There's more about money and banks under Practical Information.

What about the language? Getting by with no Spanish or Portuguese is possible, though it's easy and enjoyable to acquire a smattering. See under Practical Information

I've heard crime is a problem. Are Spain and Portugal safe? Statistically, crime rates are below those in other European countries, but Spain and Portugal are undeniably less safe than they used to be, so it is advisable to take sensible precautions. See this article for more.

OK, I guess I can find out what I need to know using that Spain and Portugal menu - I see that you have pages on Getting There and Getting Around once I'm there, as well as Lodgings and Food and Drink. Just out of curiosity, what's in this for you? Not enough, to be honest. Except for a few reader's contributions, this website is entirely my own work, and it's a lot of work, what with writing the articles and link annotations, taking the photos, dealing with your feedback and so on. I even do all the design and programming. So do, please, click on the ad links (makes me something like a thousandth of a euro every time you do) and consider booking your accommodation through one of my online hotel reservation affiliates - it'll probably be cheaper for you, as well.