Spain and Portugal: Your experience?

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Chelsea

I have been to Spain and Portugual, but have spent a lot more time in Spain. I studied in Spain a year ago and enjoyed it immensely. Spanish people are fantastic and very friendly. Everyone I met wanted to know more about me while I wanted to learn about them. The country itself is very beautiful. Cities such as Sevilla, Granada, Toledo, Salamanca, Segovia, Caceres etc. are all unique gems. Madrid and Barcelona are also great. If you like beaches, the Costa del sol is gorgeous and I have heard a lot of good things about the west coast as well. Every city has its own traditions due to Patron Saint days, and there own histories. Go to the places that interest you most. Overall, I believe that Spain is a very worthwhile place to visit.
I regret that I only spent 3 days in Portugal. I went to Lisbon for a weekend. I enjoyed the city a lot, though I wish i could have spent more time there! I stayed at a great hostel and met a ton of awesome people from all over the world. Lisbon has a great nightlife and many cool places to visit. It is interesting to note that my friends and I got along better speaking English there instead of Spanish. If I could, I would definitely return to Portugal to see the rest of what the country has to offer.

In both places, the weather is normally great all year round. You should expect sun, most of Spain is experiencing a long drought, which is sad for them, but good for the traveler. The further north you go, the colder the weather but overall the weather is great!

About the danger of pickpockets, if you travel anywhere you could get your stuff stolen. I've seen it happen in Spain but as well in Italy and even the U.S. Be smart about how you hold your purse or other valuables. In crowded areas, keep your belongings in front of you with your hand over the zipper and the bottom of the bag. The more you look like a lost tourist, the more susceptible you will be. In Spain there are gypsies especially in Sevilla and Granada, but if you ignore them and walk fast by them, they wont bother you.

maxhedr00m

I have been to Spain. Costa Del Sol is magnificent. Mallorca Likewise. Barcelona is a beatiful city. Have fun.

JULIE S

Ive been to Salou in Spain and liked it also have seen may resorts on the Algarve coast of Portugal and love it depends what you are looking for in a holiday to where you go I would recomend both though

Carousel

I live in Spain and went on holiday with my wife to Portugal (Lagos) last year. We found Portugal to be disappointing in comparison to Spain. We wanted to stay within the walled city of Lagos, which we did. We found it interesting but less interesting as we had hoped. Eating out was more expensive than Spain as were other goods including fuel. We live in a mountainous area in Spain and although the Portugal was a lovely country it did not compare to where we live. We are not beach type people so canÂ´t comment on the beaches, but as for safety as some have remarked, WeÂ´ve never felt threatened in either country. The people in Portugal were lovely people. The local people in my village in Spain are wonderful friendly folk.

Molertolga

That muggling story is hard to believe. There are no problems of that kind in Spain (fire arms are not as easy to get as in the States) and people have lots of better things to do than assault others.
You can have big fun anywhere in Spain but I recommend the mediterranean coast: Barcelona, Costa Brava, Costa del Sol, etc.
Life is easy in Spain: good weather, nice places, good wine, nice people and at a good price!

PB_GenX

My experience is that Spain is chock full of pickpockets, thieves, and scam artists. Don't trust anyone!!

Edit: A group of us went to Barcelona for a conference. 2 people were mugged by armed men in the first 24 hours. In the 5 days we were there, 6 more were pickpocketed or had someone just take stuff and run.

senor_mongol

I'd been to Spain. Great place to visit. Portugal probably is also a good place, but has less choices than Spain, which is much bigger. It's hard to describe the experience with a few words. You won't regret if you spend a vacation there for sure.

Oh, I also got greeted by some pickpockets, but the pockets on my pants have zippers on it. That's a good thing.

Jorge S

Spain is full of pickpockets, thieves and scam artists la-de-da-la-la... I'm Portuguese and I've been to Spain quite a few times - it's near, right? I've never ever felt in danger when I was there. But you know, it all depends on who's telling... I know a guy who went to the States and said he was afraid to even leave his hotel! Silly, silly. I always felt very comfortable everywhere in the States, even in a street full of homeles people in LA. As for Portugal, well, it's different, what can I say? Even though it's a relatively small country it does vary in many ways from North to South, be it the people, the weather, the food or the architecture, for instance.

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