Giles S. Says:
We are planning a trip to Spain and Portugal in March 2024. We have never been to either place and are looking for any tips or recommendations you may have. We do want to see some of the major tourist spots but also want to see some sights off the beaten path.
IL Executive Editor Jennifer Stevens Says:
Hi Giles,
Congratulations on your upcoming trip! Spain and Portugal are both beautiful European countries, with a lot to offer visitors and expats.
There’s a lot to recommend in each country, and no way I can cover it all here (or you can see it all in just one month). But let’s look at some options.
We’ll start with Portugal.
Obviously, Lisbon, Porto, and the Algarve are the main places that most first-time visitors will want to see.
But for something more unusual, you might consider following in the footsteps of IL contributor Terry Coles, and taking a road trip along Portugal’s “Route 66.” She details her eight-day journey exploring off-the-beaten-path Portugal in this article, which could serve as some inspiration for you.
Last year, we sent three of our editors to explore Portugal top to bottom. I think you’ll find their discoveries pretty useful too, especially Nazareen Heazle’s “Hidden” Algarve… Away From the Crowds. Read the full feature here.
Now, on to Spain.
The major places for tourists are, of course, Barcelona, Madrid, and the Costa del Sol. The Costa Blanca, around Alicante, is also popular with European tourists.
But for some off-the-beaten-path options, IL contributor Tricia Pimental has suggestions for Three Towns Worth Taking a Detour For in this article.
Or if you fancy going a bit farther afield, our Lifestyle Editor Sean Keenan was recently up north in “Green Spain” and loved what he found. Read his full account here.
I hope that’s served as some food for thought to help you plan your visit in March.
If you’d like some more specifics on traveling Spain and Portugal, we have some pre-planned itineraries for both countries available on our Bookstore. These pre-planned routes are designed to be modular, so if you’re spending one week, two weeks, or four weeks in the country, you’ll find an itinerary to suit.
Check out the Portugal itineraries here. And the Spain itineraries here.
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