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Is it possible to do Spain and Portugal Justice in two weeks?
Posted on 2/13/26 at 5:10 pm
Posted on 2/13/26 at 5:10 pm
Seeing half the big need to see and do things and half the secret low key real deal authentic places? We are in our late 60’s and have done Italy, Greece, Russia and the US planning our own trip, staying with locals, hostels and even camping but probably would want some guided day tours and some self guided exploring and nothing more rustic than a small on site owned B&B or boarding house. Natural and historic beauty is our thing. And food and drink.
Posted on 2/13/26 at 5:47 pm to Royalfishing
Seville and Ronda, Spain if you get that far south.
Posted on 2/13/26 at 6:25 pm to Royalfishing
It's been about 25 years, but we flew into Lisbon and left from Barcelona. I think we were close to three weeks driving and did Lisbon, The Algarve, Seville, Granada, Cordoba, Toledo, Madrid, Segovia, Barcelona and some places in between. Would like to go back and do more of the southern Spain coast.
Posted on 2/14/26 at 9:27 pm to Royalfishing
No. Spain is too big.
We did Porto, Lisbon, Seville, Cadiz, Gibraltar, Tarifa, Marbella, Malaga, Ronda in 9 days.
3 days were spent in Lisbon and Seville each.
You’d still have Madrid, Barcelona, Cordoba, Grenada, Mallorca, Toledo, Bilbao, and more to do.
We did Porto, Lisbon, Seville, Cadiz, Gibraltar, Tarifa, Marbella, Malaga, Ronda in 9 days.
3 days were spent in Lisbon and Seville each.
You’d still have Madrid, Barcelona, Cordoba, Grenada, Mallorca, Toledo, Bilbao, and more to do.
Posted on 2/15/26 at 2:56 am to Royalfishing
It would be a whirlwind tour with just cursory glances at places to do both countries in 2 weeks. I have lived in Seville for the past 5 years and my recommendation would be to either spend that entire stretch in just Spain, or take at least 1 week in Portugal and the other week just in Barcelona, Seville and Madrid. Love Portugal, but you could do it justice in a week. Spain in a week is too tough and you would need to limit yourself to just 2 or 3 major areas.
Posted on 2/15/26 at 7:50 am to Royalfishing
I don’t think that’s a good way to view it OP.
You likely can’t see everything in Barcelona in 2 weeks. I disagree with the whole stay in one place and take it all in, because no one has time to see the whole world doing that.
It’s about determining what’s best for you. The benefit of moving around a good bit, is you find what you love and what you don’t like and then you can return to what you love.
The real key I found though, is if you need some sort of a relaxing vacation time to give yourself a couple days to do that also.
You likely can’t see everything in Barcelona in 2 weeks. I disagree with the whole stay in one place and take it all in, because no one has time to see the whole world doing that.
It’s about determining what’s best for you. The benefit of moving around a good bit, is you find what you love and what you don’t like and then you can return to what you love.
The real key I found though, is if you need some sort of a relaxing vacation time to give yourself a couple days to do that also.
Posted on 2/15/26 at 8:54 am to Royalfishing
I did a week in aspain and only saw Toledo, Madrid and Barcelona. I want to go back it was a great country.
Posted on 2/15/26 at 4:46 pm to pmacneworleans
That is some good information. Would there be any reference materials or websites or forums that connect us with people who go it alone and know Spain and Portugal for its beauty and culture w/o being touristy. We had liked the thought of Madeira in Portugal but not sure now that it has been discovered.
Posted on 2/15/26 at 7:44 pm to Royalfishing
I don't think there are too many "undiscovered" gems in Europe. Maybe a few not well known by Americans, but Europeans have been vacationing there for centuries.. After the independence of eastern Europe, Soviet controlled countries, there were new experiences, but now Poland, Czech Republic, Slovenia, Balkan countries and the ex Yugoslavia counties all well traveled. You have to venture to the "Stans", Georgia or Albania for something not well known.
Posted on 2/16/26 at 1:44 am to Royalfishing
I have not been to that part of Portugal, so nothing first hand I can give on it = but, both Spain and Portugal have some great local government websites that are usually filled with info re places of interest to visit there. I'd start with that resource and then just do a deeper dive from it, if needed.
Posted on 2/16/26 at 4:56 am to Royalfishing
quote:
We had liked the thought of Madeira in Portugal but not sure now that it has been discovered.
The Azores are still basically undiscovered, despite being incredible. In 2018, Delta started flying to Ponta Delgada, but they had to discontinue the route due to underperformance. It's stunning to me that more Americans don't go to those Portuguese islands.
Posted on 2/16/26 at 6:11 am to Royalfishing
I guess I will be the contrarian here and say yes, but obviously can’t go as deep.
I have been to both Barcelona and Madrid for work with some built in time to explore. 2 full days in each place was more than sufficient, especially Barcelona. I would say that you should plan to “eat” your way across Spain as much as anything with regard to the regional variations in “tapas”. don’t say the word “Catalonia” in Madrid but do get the Crema Catalana in Barcelona. And because the Spanish eat so late, your body will be less effected by the time changes.
If you stroll La Rambla in Barcelona (shops and street vendors and markets), be aware of the extremely high risk of what colleagues described as professional pick pockets (all day) and highly aggressive prostitutes at night.
Obviously there are some trade offs, for instance walking around the outside of the Gaudi basilica vs standing in the absolute absurd lines to go inside is the difference of half a day. The hop on, hop off open buses with tour guides are good from what I was told to get a quick view of the high points. Do a dinner and watch Flamenco dancing in Madrid for more authentic.
I have yet to get to Portugal but have been told Lisbon is incredible and affordable. Plan to go home with more checked bags than you came with from your shopping.
Enjoy the trip and “Visca Catalunya!”
I have been to both Barcelona and Madrid for work with some built in time to explore. 2 full days in each place was more than sufficient, especially Barcelona. I would say that you should plan to “eat” your way across Spain as much as anything with regard to the regional variations in “tapas”. don’t say the word “Catalonia” in Madrid but do get the Crema Catalana in Barcelona. And because the Spanish eat so late, your body will be less effected by the time changes.
If you stroll La Rambla in Barcelona (shops and street vendors and markets), be aware of the extremely high risk of what colleagues described as professional pick pockets (all day) and highly aggressive prostitutes at night.
Obviously there are some trade offs, for instance walking around the outside of the Gaudi basilica vs standing in the absolute absurd lines to go inside is the difference of half a day. The hop on, hop off open buses with tour guides are good from what I was told to get a quick view of the high points. Do a dinner and watch Flamenco dancing in Madrid for more authentic.
I have yet to get to Portugal but have been told Lisbon is incredible and affordable. Plan to go home with more checked bags than you came with from your shopping.
Enjoy the trip and “Visca Catalunya!”
Posted on 2/16/26 at 10:42 am to GOP_Tiger
The Azores are fantastic but not the typical European trip most people are looking for. For people wanting to experience remnants of European settlement in previously unoccupied exotic settings, there are year-round direct flights out of Boston. Mass has a large population from the Azores, and the islands themselves have many people who've spent time in the US. There used to be seasonal flights from Oakland due to the large population in Cal.
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