It it touches your heart like it does mine, then you'll always try to go back!. I feel very misled by the many people on the forums peddling the ‘safe’ place propaganda. I think Spain has a lot more cultural things to do in regards to museum collections and buildings like goudi buildings etc and I particularly loved Barcelona and Madrid for these things. Please see our Privacy Notice for details of your data protection rights. These differences become even more noticable if you plan to spend a longer time in the country. (ta && ta.queueForLoad ? The Oura-View Beach Club is billed as a five-star property, but in reality it’s an upper-middle-range resort complex overlooking the sea, with direct access to the popular Praia da Oura beach and a location a short walk from the strip. There are some wonderful houses to rent, with pool (it gets very hot over there in the summer) beautiful place, very relaxing, and it's near Spanish Border. Pickpockets are a problem in Lisbon. The short answer is both. Compare hostel, B&B, and guesthouse prices between Portugal and Spain to find the cheapest accommodation here: Portugal hostels and Spain hostels. If you o to Lisbon, you must make a trip to Sintra, a romatic town about 30 mins train journey from central Lisbon. While Spain and Portugal share a similar historical timeline—from the countries’ ancient occupancy by the Romans to the invasion of the Moors in the 8th century, years of exploration and colony-building in the 15th and 16th centuries to periods of dictatorship after World War I—the cultures have evolved independently. Portugal’s arroz com pato is simple, a dish of white rice with crisped duck. It reads: "We constantly review the threat of international terrorism to advise British nationals travelling and living abroad. But unlike Spain, high-speed rail travel is less established here; you’re better off renting a car or taking a taxi from the airport. 20 Best Comfort Foods In Europe–And Where to Eat Them, The Coolest Things to Do in Barcelona Now. For an even less traversed wine region, head south to the sleepy quintas of the Algarve and Alentejo regions east of Lisbon. But like any travel destination, there are It’s also considerably safer than most of the other popular holiday and retirement destinations: Spain sits at position 23, Italy at position 38, and France at position 51. Fires have been a big problem for Portugal in recent years, particularly around Monchique in the Algarve and in Central Portugal. Located on a prime piece of Las Ramblas real estate, the Hotel 1898 evokes Spain’s opulent late-19th-century past with its architecture and decor. In keeping with the country’s 1,100 miles of Atlantic coastline, Portuguese cuisine centers on the fruits of the sea, namely cod, which is prepared in any number of ways: as salt-cured Bacalhau croquettes, in seafood stews with sausage and potatoes, or simply grilled with lemon and herbs. See today's front and back pages, download the newspaper, But, even though you will probably get paid less than you would in other countries, you may find that the quality of life that you get in Portugal makes up for that. ISIL (ISIS) claim attacks in Russia, France, Australia, Canada, Belgium, the United States, United Kingdom, Spain, Sweden, Germany, as well as plenty of other countries as well. Other countries listed as underlying threat are Serbia, Slovakia, Monaco and Croatia. Olá! ATMs are widely available and credit cards accepted in most establishments. France and Spain both have warnings that terrorist attacks are either “likely” (Spain) or “very likely” (France). IT IS NO LONGER IN ESCUDOS, BUT IN EUROS. See flight deals to Barcelona via Airfarewatchdog >. Popular meals include paella in Valencia, shellfish such as razor clams and barnacles in Galicia, and octopus, fried croquetas, or potato and egg omelette known as tortillas. Obviously in this day and age, a big concern of travelling – particularly in Europe – is the threat of terrorism. When it comes to wine, Portugal is more famous for its whites, particularly Vinho Verde, though Porto’s port wine is a huge draw as well. (It also doesn’t hurt that both destinations are endlessly photogenic.) They are also prevalent in the more touristy areas like Baixa and around Cais do Sodré. RELATED: Where to Stay in Portugal: Our 10 Favorite Hotels. The best time to visit both of these countries tends to be in summer or spring, since fall and winter bring lots of rain. The Azores are a chain of nine volcanic islands with primordial hot springs, lava fields, and some of the best whale watching in the world, but they can be difficult to get to unless you’re flying direct from Lisbon. Portugalist covers everything from things to do, eat, and drink to places to stay and advice on moving here and making Portugal your permanent home. Although Portugal did have one famous earthquake in 1755 that destroyed Lisbon, it has never been repeated. As with any country, there are safe bits and there are unsafe bits. Surfers are lured to Portugal’s Atlantic coast by laid-back fishing villages and some of the world’s best waves, while history buffs prefer to see the romantic 19th-century summer residences of Lisbon’s elite in Sintra. more. Even better, Lisbon doesn’t have laws against open containers. But what about Portugal? Theft is less of a problem in the Algarve although, as with anywhere, you should avoid leaving valuables visible in your car and use common sense when you’re out and about. Many domestic and international airlines fly direct into and out of Barcelona and Madrid, including Iberia, the national carrier, American Airlines, United, Delta, and British Airways. The Algarve, Lisbon, and Porto (the three most popular destinations for tourists) are all extremely safe. Restaurant Prices in Portugal are 21.98% lower than in Spain: Groceries Prices in Portugal are 12.69% lower than in Spain: Local Purchasing Power in Portugal is 29.84% lower than in Spain: Currency: Sticky Currency Switch to metric measurement units. All of our country travel advice pages have a terrorism section.”. The vast majority of people don’t have alarms and gates aren’t all that common either: most people live in apartments. With their powdery sands and azure waters, Spain’s southern shores are some of the world’s sunniest—they don’t call it Costa del Sol for nothing—and, also, some of the continent’s busiest, especially during the warm summer months. Cristiano Ronaldo stole the show with a spectacular hat-trick to ensure that Portugal and Spain shared the spoils in Match 3 of the FIFA World Cup. Portugal's Embassy in the UK also declined to comment on this when approached for comment. We will use your email address only for sending you newsletters. The cobblestone streets winding through Porto are picture-perfect at every turn. Both countries are home to plenty of islands, though Spain’s selection, including Ibiza, Tenerife, and Majorca, features more of your typical beaches. Today, tapas are one of Spain’s most beloved exports—and along with it specialties like pan tomate, jamón Ibérico, and gambas al ajillo (garlic shrimp). I recently spent 2 weeks seeing all of Portugal. Things you buy may earn us a commission. The price of a plane ticket may help you decide which country you should visit. Specifically, Praia da Rocha in eastern Lagos offers caves for exploring with the kids (and isn’t too busy). But like Spain, Portugal is also home to a thriving wine industry. Express.co.uk have gone to Spain's Embassy in the UK for comment. On the weekends, the party heads to the nightclubs around 2 a.m. — don’t show up earlier or you’ll be quite lonely. THOUSANDS of Brits will be enjoying a holiday to either Spain or Portugal this summer - but where is safer? Portugal is overdue for one. Welcome to Portugalist, your guidebook to Portugal. More often than not, you’ll find tomatoes, potatoes, and onions in supporting roles for main dishes. I advise you to (ta && ta.queueForLoad ? We compiled this head-on comparison for the two in-demand locations to help you narrow down your decision. Use our insider connections to know where to go and what to do. The UK Foreign travel advice says “terrorist attacks in Portugal can’t be ruled out” but it doesn’t really say any more than that. Portugal may be considered safe but the rate of theft and break ins is excessive , and many of the break ins are not even reported by the police . It really depends on what you want to see or do. Hope this helps! Many of this cities are world heritage! Cost is a big consideration to me right now. Verdict: If you’re short on vacation days, Portugal’s smaller size and relative accessibility make it a smarter pick. Both countries are gorgeus. The countries have a lower cost of living than some Western European countries, and this translates into slightly more affordable travel costs for visitors. I would definitely prefer to see Spain, with more monuments, churches, and museums. I do agree that burglaries are a problem in Portugal, particularly areas where people have second or empty homes, but I think what you’re suggesting is on the other end of the spectrum of the “safe propaganda.” The truth is somewhere in the middle. You’re right. Smaller airlines, like RyanAir and EasyJet, and other major carriers like British Airways and Lufthansa offer connections from Europe to Porto, Portugal’s second largest city. Some of Spain’s greatest contributions are in the realms of art, from the surrealist spires of Antoni Gaudí’s La Sagrada Familia to the magical realism of Don Quixote to the cubist works of Pablo Picasso. From the stylish Formentera scene to the dramatic natural stone arches of Playa de Las Catedrales in Galicia, you’ll have plenty of options in Spain. Eggs, rice, and pork also frequently appear in Spanish dishes. Hi. All three of them got a little surprise from me as I am ex special forces, and whats more I almost got in trouble for protecting myself? Search around reviews, and if you decide to come to Portugal remember, there are more beautiful places to stay than Lisbon or Algarve. © 2009 - 2020 Jetsetter ™ All rights reserved. Take all of the usual safety precautions: Don’t flash expensive items, secure your wallet, don’t abandon your belongings, and don’t get roped into conversations or situations where you can be easily distracted. HAVE A GRATE HOLLIDAY were ever you go, This is the version of our website addressed to speakers of English in Canada. "The FCO can only class a country at high risk if there is a real threat of terror. As the US government website says: exercise normal precautions. On the Atlantic side, you’ll find a slew of natural, wild beaches with frigid waters and soft sand. Ive live in the Algarve all my life and the world safe departmant of EU put Portugal on 3rd safest country in the world so unless you live in New Zealand our Iceland there is no other country safer them Portugal in the world and this year will be safe from corona virus to only 200 cases ative at the moment from 680 only 10 in hospital 0 death 0 in intensive care unites fact portuguese have a very safe protocol on restaurant and hotel services so you have miles and miles of sandy beach to enjoy with your freinds and loved ones in a safe resort, my boyfriend is currently staying in Porthugal,you see im from South Africa i ve never in my life travelled aboard but really want to..He bought us a home there and is coming to fetch us do thing i would fit in,in a place like your since i want to make a change in my life..im kinda worried about my safety aswell my sons. Both on the euro, Spain and Portugal are affordable countries, especially when compared to the rest of Western Europe. As for the police not reporting the break-ins, I’m just wondering how you know this happens? Verdict: Spain has more affordable flight options and a wider train network, making it an easier pick for transportation to and between cities. Read about these day trips in the top questions of the Madrid forum. In the Bairro Alto neighborhood, you’ll be elbowing your way through crowds of revelers clutching all manner of beers and cocktails in take-out cups. This gem is full of intimate rocky coves, sandy beaches with beautiful water, small villages, and gorgeous cliffs.