Every trip has a vibe. If I had to define this trip, the first feeling that comes to mind is “excitement.” We had no plans for a trip like this, everything came together last minute, and suddenly we found ourselves on a route sketched out with our finger on the map in southwest Europe. This post was born out of that experience — both as a guide for those who want to do a Spain Portugal road trip and to share my own travel story and experiences.
Plus, this was my first road trip in Europe. We rented a small car and over ten days felt the soul of both Spain and Portugal down to our bones. We toured cities, sometimes admired the wind and sea on the Atlantic coast, sometimes got lost in narrow streets only to find even more beautiful ones, and had fun all the way.
Spain Portugal Road Trip
Route & Planning: Where Did We Start?
Our journey actually started in Barcelona and ended in Madrid. The Spain Portugal road trip itself began and ended in Madrid. Over 10 days, we passed through 11 cities:
➡️ Barcelona → Madrid → Bilbao → Santander → Santiago de Compostela → Porto → Mira → Peniche → Lisbon → Elvas → Madrid
We mostly stayed through Airbnb along the way. In this post, I’ll share both the route and the experiences we had on the road in detail. If any of you plan a similar trip, you can leave your questions or contributions in the comments section at the bottom.
Barcelona: Protests & More
Our first stop was Barcelona. We flew here from Amsterdam and set aside three days to explore the city. We used Airbnb for accommodation. The city is really beautiful but let me be clear: accommodation in Barcelona is expensive. So much so that it has become a big problem for locals. We even came across protests against the rental crisis caused by tourists (or more accurately the economic deadlocks created by the government).
We spent two days in Barcelona visiting the most well-known and impressive spots. Our first stop was, of course, La Sagrada Familia. Gaudí’s enormous masterpiece is impressive even from afar, but when you enter, the light filtering through the colorful stained glass creates an almost magical atmosphere.
Then we hopped on a bus to Park Güell. Looking out over the city from the hill, sitting on the colorful mosaic benches — these moments made us really feel “I’m in Barcelona.” We also visited Casa Batlló, another of Gaudí’s wonders. Its colorful facade and wavy architecture feel like stepping into a fairy tale. Usually, we get around using buses, trams, or metro — I think this really helps you blend into the city.
We took a windy but enjoyable walk along Barceloneta Beach. After lots of walking, we got tired of the heat and sat on a bench by the shore to enjoy the cool sea breeze. That moment alone was fun. Getting lost in the streets of Barri Gòtic was a completely different experience. Those narrow medieval streets, stone buildings, street musicians around every corner… I realized people really live on another level here.
And of course, we can’t forget La Rambla. Walking in the crowd is not exactly my favorite hobby, but drinking fresh fruit juice at Mercat de la Boqueria and watching the lively atmosphere was really enjoyable. (After five minutes, I started pulling Selçuk and whining, “let’s get, too many people!”)
Madrid: Rest and Change of Plan
After those lovely days in Barcelona, we took a high-speed train to Madrid. The journey was short and comfortable. Moving from Barcelona to Madrid felt like seeing two different faces of Spain: one colorful and lively; the other more serious, elegant, and capital-like. I guess it’s a bit like Istanbul and Ankara. I had wanted to see Madrid for a long time, and finally doing it felt great. Another reason to be excited was to see my dear friend Işıl, who had moved to Madrid recently.
At that time, we hadn’t planned to rent a car yet. Actually, we thought about flying to Lisbon, the next stop on our route. But life doesn’t always stick to plans, right? We stayed a few days at Işıl’s place and explored the city a lot.
Puerta del Sol, the city’s heart, with its never-ending crowd, was a classic starting point. A short walk took us to Plaza Mayor, one of the best examples of Spanish architecture.
Of course, Museo del Prado, known to all art lovers, was on our list. Seeing the classical art collection from Goya to Velázquez was really impressive. The museum was tiring, but the atmosphere inside was so peaceful you lose track of time.
Another favorite place was El Retiro Park. Runners, readers, aimless boats on the pond… It’s surprising to have such a peaceful area in the middle of a huge city. We spent a few hours there. Sitting on a bench, we wondered, “Why don’t they make a mall here?” — there must be a good reason. (This is an inside joke for Turks lol)
Gran Vía is one of Madrid’s most touristic but must-visit streets. Beyond being a shopping street, it’s impressive with giant theaters and Art Deco architecture. Walking there in the late afternoon with street music playing really lets you feel the city. (Though my crowd anxiety kept saying, “let’s go!”)
While exploring Madrid, friends Tuğçe and Fatih, who had moved to northern Spain, messaged us inviting us to their home. This message completely changed our plans. Işıl also said that region was worth seeing, so we decided to rent a car. After sketching out a rough route, we hit the road. And so began the Spain Portugal road trip, which is the subject of this post.
Car Rental: Border Crossing Fee Surprise
We rented our car online and picked it up at Madrid airport. An important detail we learned upon pickup: if you take the car to another country, you have to pay a +20 € daily fee. We wish we had known earlier, but it’s a common rule almost everywhere. Luckily, we could pay this when exiting the country, and apparently, at a different branch as well.
There are many details to watch out for when renting abroad. If you rent from a good company, you usually don’t have problems. You can read my detailed post about renting a car abroad here.
The car we rented was a Fiat 500 — small but ideal for city driving. We never had any parking problems. For navigation, we used only Google Maps. It worked flawlessly both online and offline.
Bilbao → Cascada de Orbaneja del Castillo → Santander → Santiago de Compostela
We left Madrid and went to Bilbao, where our goal was to visit a language school (which is another story). After a nice breakfast and some wandering in Bilbao, we headed to visit friends. We also stopped at a wonderful place on the route: Cascada de Orbaneja del Castillo. A small and stunning waterfall village in nature. We couldn’t get enough of taking photos. If you plan a Spain Portugal road trip, be sure to visit here.
After visiting beautiful places, we went to the small, quiet village where Fatih and Tuğçe live. They are renovating an old stone house and live in a small cabin until then. We stayed there. I didn’t take many photos, probably because living the moment felt better. Only a few photos taken by Selçuk’s camera exist.
During two days with them, we swam at a wonderful beach in Santander, explored the city center, and enjoyed spectacular nature views. It was relaxing in every sense. You can also check their social media: Ride2world. We also met Hakan Öge, who we knew from previous sailing tours.
After a few relaxing days, we left Tuğçe’s and headed to Santiago to pay the fee for taking the car abroad at the rental branch. We arrived late at night and found a hostel last minute. The host told us over breakfast that the place was formerly a large mansion. Santiago de Compostela is the famous end point of the Camino de Santiago pilgrimage route, known worldwide. The big cathedral is the goal for pilgrims. We didn’t walk the path but soaking in that culture was still impressive.
And Finally, Entering Portugal: Porto
The next day, we paid the cross-border fee at the Santiago de Compostela branch and crossed into Portugal. The first thing we noticed was that our already limited chances to speak English decreased even more. In Spain, even if we didn’t speak English well, our basic Spanish allowed some communication, but in Portugal, “obrigado” was as far as we got, so it felt like the cards were reshuffled.
At a gas station, we communicated only with smiles. I’m always amazed how powerful a smile can be as a communication tool. Being able to understand someone’s needs or have your own understood just by smiling is magical. Sometimes, you even start liking someone you’d otherwise dislike just by smiling. Life is really strange. The Portuguese we met were warm and understanding, making this communication very pleasant.
Our first stop after crossing the Portugal border was Porto. We found parking near the city center and then wandered the streets. The atmosphere was really enchanting
The city had a vibe I couldn’t decide if it is like Fikirtepe or Sarıyer (both neighborhoods in Istanbul). On one side, colorful buildings covered with azulejos; on the other, ongoing construction and infrastructure works. They could easily build a shopping mall under an urban renewal project here. I was puzzled why they hadn’t done this yet. Apparently, I brought my hometown’s obsession with malls everywhere… Just joking.
Porto felt quite crowded and messy. Maybe it was because of the busy season. Just as I was about to say, “What is this place?” the distant view of the Douro River changed my mind. “Oh my god,” I thought, “what a place,” then looked away and said, “Wow, I love this!.” This confusion lasted as we explored the city. Finally, I settled on the idea that the city center is like Fikirtepe and the coastline like Sarıyer.
Our first stop was Ribeira, the historic neighborhood by the Douro River — the heart of Porto. Walking by the river, you see narrow houses painted in different colors, laundry hanging from balconies, and Fado melodies echoing on the streets. It’s like a postcard scene. After walking the shore, we took the Gaia cable car for about 5 minutes to the top of the bridge, then walked across the Dom Luís I Bridge, which offers a bird’s eye view of the river and city.
Rua das Flores, one of the liveliest streets, has both historic buildings and modern cafes. We stopped at a small pastry shop and tried “pastel de nata,” of course. Porto also has Livraria Lello, known as one of the most beautiful bookstores in the world with its grand staircase and stained glass ceiling. They say JK Rowling got inspiration for Harry Potter here.
Also, there is a famous cherry liqueur called Ginja. We tried it at a café by the river. I usually like sweet liqueurs, but I didn’t enjoy this one much. Still, I’m glad I tried it — everyone knows you have to try the famous things otherwise it doesn’t count.
Mira and Peniche: Ocean Winds
After a full day in Porto, we weren’t too motivated to continue exploring the next day, so we decided to stay in a seaside town instead of a big city. We picked a quiet coastal town on the map that looked nice — one of the best stops on the Spain Portugal road trip.
In Mira, a small hotel was our choice. It was calm, windy but peaceful. If you ever pass by, the Atlantic Spot Guest House is a clean, affordable, and nice place to stay.
We arrived in the late afternoon, parked the car, settled in, and walked the empty streets admiring the countless Portuguese tiles on the houses. After Porto’s busy streets, Mira’s emptiness was such a relief. We watched stars from the hotel terrace before sleeping.
The next morning, after breakfast, we left the hotel. We had thought of having coffee on the beach, but the strong wind made it challenging. Still, the beach was very beautiful and clean. We took as many photos as we could.
Before heading to Lisbon, we stopped at Peniche, a great spot for ocean views and waves. We walked the small village streets and took photos of the ocean views. Realizing we were at the very edge of Europe brought up some emotional moments with a song playing in my head — I won’t hide it.
Lisbon: Meeting Friends and the Famous Tram
At Lisbon, we parked in a safe and affordable parking lot and met our friends in a sweet tea garden about 10 minutes from the city center. (It turns out we really do have friends everywhere lol.)
Imagine: evening, you put on a cardigan, sit in a tea garden under trees, birds singing softly, families eating, drinking beer, coffee, wine, soda… children’s laughter and giggles… It reminded me of such happy moments from my childhood in Turkey.
Although I said cardigan — it was July, but Lisbon’s weather is really interesting. Hot in the sun in the mornings, cool in the shade, and generally cool in the evenings. If you think my nostalgia is kicking in, yes it is. It felt like a ’90s summer evening. Kenan Doğulu’s “Yaparım Bilirsin” was playing in the background.
Finding accommodation in Lisbon was an interesting experience. Many Airbnb hosts rent out multiple apartments in certain districts. The fact that maybe 10 properties we looked at belonged to the same owner suggests a monopoly in Airbnb. As the economy worsens worldwide and tourism becomes a main income source, we’ll see more of this. I don’t know how this crisis will be solved, but I expect more protests like in Spain where locals direct anger at tourists.
We stayed in one of those monopolized Airbnb apartments — an old building converted into private rooms. The stairs were interesting. Though cheap and shabby, it was sufficiently comfortable.
**During our two days in Lisbon, what we enjoyed most was walking for hours. Lisbon is a city where even without a plan, every corner surprises you with beauty. But be warned — there are many hills, so you might get a shock similar to tourists in Istanbul going from Karaköy to Taksim.
If someone asked me for a must-do in Lisbon, I’d definitely say to ride the number 28 tram. It’s more than transportation — it’s a city tour. Especially passing through Alfama, the mix of views, architecture, and atmosphere is magical.
I recommend boarding at the first stop because the nostalgic ride turns into rush-hour traffic near tourist spots.
We spent a day to Belém district. The Belém Tower and Jerónimos Monastery are impressive sites from Portugal’s Age of Discoveries. While there, we had the famous Pastéis de Belém — the best pastel de nata we ever had. Hot, crispy, and sprinkled with cinnamon. (They don’t make them this good in Kadıköy Moda, but it’s tasty there too.) Lisbon’s slightly hilly streets, beautiful walls, and mix of old and new gave us a great vibe.
Elvas and Return to Madrid
After a few packed days discovering Portugal, it was time to return. We wanted to see some new places on the way back and chose a town near the Spanish border rather than rely on Google’s typical tourist suggestions.
We often do this and never regret it. Why? Because Google searches mostly show popular tourist spots. This is because digital content tends to be created for well-known places. It’s a supply-demand cycle. This post probably won’t even come up for Portugal Google searches because I didn’t plan it that way. Due to these technical reasons, finding hidden or non-touristy gems is hard with Google. Maps are life, and the rest is excitement.
Browsing the map, I found a town called Elvas near the Spanish border. It’s a small Portuguese town surrounded by medieval walls. Quiet and peaceful, its historic center is surrounded by star-shaped fortifications. Elvas is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and was my second favorite stop on the trip.
We first checked into our hotel, then wandered the narrow streets inside the yellow and white city walls. It was truly beautiful. A bit humid, which was the only downside.
The night we arrived, the World Cup final was being played. Hearing there was a public screening near a stand in the square, we joined the crowd. We don’t usually watch football, but watching a game with 40-50 strangers in an unknown city with drinks was a unique experience we couldn’t miss.
By the way, my favorite drink in Spain was definitely sangria — a perfect summer drink. Usually, I’m not good with alcohol, but I was captivated by these sweet, cold cocktails; sangria was definitely one of those. (I also liked Portuguese wine but not as a summer refresher.)
When I got hungry, I went to a snack stand and asked for something to eat with a smile. They said there was no proper meal, only some snacks available. I didn’t fully understand what it was, but I said okay and ordered. (You can only explain that you want something to eat with a smile, but you can’t specify what exactly.) A few minutes later, the plate in the photo arrived. I think they added some olive oil and spices on top. I had no idea what it was, but I finished the plate happily, and with the hunger I had at that moment, it tasted delicious.
Later, I researched online. It turns out that in Spain and Portugal, boiled broad beans (favas cozidas) and yellow lupins (tremoços) are commonly eaten with beer. What I had was tremoços.
After a relaxing day in Elvas, we set off on our way back to Madrid.
Roads and Parking in Spain and Portugal
One thing that caught my attention throughout the trip was that highways in Spain are free, but all roads in Portugal are toll roads. It’s important to be aware of this when passing through automatic toll booths. Since we didn’t have any device, we paid the tolls in cash. The highway tolls were generally between 2 and 5 euros.
In every city we visited, we found secure parking spots. Usually, parking fees ranged from about 2 to 5 euros per day depending on the location. When staying at hotels or Airbnbs, we parked either in the hotel’s parking lot or at a safe place recommended by our host (preferably a spot visible from the window).
In Belém, the famous pastry shop selling pastel de nata is so popular that you have to wait in line. Normally, I don’t like waiting in lines at such places because there’s usually another shop across the street where you can get the same product without waiting. But here, waiting was definitely worth it.
Accommodation, Food, and Small Details on the Spain Portugal Road Trip
Menu del Día: We loved the “menu del día” menus in Spain. (Literally “menu of the day,” and yes, I just said “menu of the day menu.”) They are only available during lunch hours; you won’t find them before or after that. We had amazing meals for 10 to 15 euros, including three courses, dessert, and a drink. One menu is usually enough for two people, but some places don’t serve a single menu for two. Also, for the three courses, you are offered three different choices, and you pick what you want.
Since our Spanish wasn’t good enough to understand everything we read, and Google’s image translations didn’t always work perfectly, some days we had to order dishes we had no idea about. For example, if I knew Spanish, I probably wouldn’t have ordered the dish in the photo below where they cracked an egg on meat and served it with vegetables and fries. Luckily I didn’t know, because otherwise I wouldn’t have tried new things and the veggies were especially delicious. (Sometimes, not knowing is a good thing.)
Accommodation: Accommodation is expensive in Barcelona and Madrid but much more affordable in Portugal. Also, especially for Portugal, if you have flexible travel plans and are driving, staying in small towns instead of big cities allows you to see new places and reduce accommodation costs. Airbnb was our first choice in almost every city, but Booking is also widely used. I recommend using both apps.
Mobile Internet: Be sure to get a mobile internet package because just relying on Wi-Fi might not be enough. Google Maps offline maps save lives, but don’t forget to have a mobile data package as well.
Would I Do This Tour Again?
Definitely yes. The Spain Portugal road trip gave us both the freedom to make flexible plans and the opportunity to discover new places. We set the route and chose the stops ourselves. We got tired, laughed, sometimes didn’t know what to do next, but lived every moment fully. Throughout the tour, we saw our friends and met many new people.
This article might interest you as well: One-Week France-Belgium Road Trip by Car
Now to my interactive part: Have you ever traveled Europe by renting a car? Or did any route in this article make you want to set off? I’m waiting for your comments. Share your experiences and ask questions. I wish everyone the freedom to travel any route their heart desires!
