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Newbie Traveller needing tips! Spain to Portugal and what to see?

I am a newbie to European travel. I am looking for advice on the best way to commute from Spain to Portugal (flying into Madrid) and what to ABSOLUTELY see while spending 1 week in Portugal and then 1 week in Spain! I am relying on you worldly travelers to help make my itinerary!
Thanks so much
Kim

Posted by
9363 posts

Can you give us at least some idea of what you are interested in? Why did you choose Spain and Portugal, for example? Are you traveling alone or with others? What is your budget? The more you can tell us about you, the better answers we can give you.

Posted by
2 posts

Thank you for the quick response! I am on a budget, and would prefer to try hostels over hotels since I will be traveling alone and I hear they have great communities. I am young, and first became interested in Portugal and Spain after reading the book "A Year in the World" by Frances Mayes. Her description of the beaches, fishing culture, and scenery sold me on Portugal and Spain. I would love to see the "once-in-a-lifetime" and unique places of each culture. I am also very active, so any grand hiking or beach adventures would also be ideal :)
I will be going for two weeks in the Spring, flying first into Madrid and then transporting (somehow?) to Portugal.
Any suggestions would be helpful!

Posted by
2431 posts

Are you already committed to flying into and out of Madrid? If not, you might want to look into flying into Madrid and out of Lisbon, or vice versa, to avoid backtracking.

Posted by
16893 posts

Spain and Portugal are connected in only a few ways. For flights, see www.skyscanner.com. There is an overnight train (only) from Madrid to Lisbon. There are also direct buses from Madrid to Lisbon (9 hours), Seville to Lisbon (7 hours), or Seville to the Algarve (5 hours); bus companies and other info in Rick's guidebooks for the region. Car rental is more expensive if you pick up in one country and drop off in another.

See more to get you started at http://www.ricksteves.com/europe/spain

and http://www.ricksteves.com/travel-tips/transportation/trains/spain-rail-passes.