🇪🇸 Spain vs 🇵🇹 Portugal

Lisbon and Porto have good metro networks, and intercity trains and buses connect the country efficiently.

⛔Tram 28 in Lisbon is a prime pickpocket location — keep bags in front of you and secure all valuables before boarding.

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EU citizens with a valid EHIC card receive free or reduced-cost treatment in Spain's excellent public healthcare system; non-EU visitors should carry comprehensive travel insurance.

⛔Non-EU visitors without travel insurance face potentially very large bills for hospital treatment or medical evacuation — do not skip this coverage.

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Portugal's SNS public health service is solid, and EU citizens can use their EHIC card for free or reduced-cost treatment.

⛔Non-EU travellers without travel insurance face full out-of-pocket costs at private facilities; public emergency care is always provided but wait times vary.

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Cannabis is decriminalized for personal use in private spaces only — smoking in public or buying on the street is illegal and subject to fines.

⛔Public drinking bans in Barcelona and other cities are actively enforced with on-the-spot fines — do not assume outdoor drinking is tolerated.

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Personal drug use is decriminalized in Portugal, meaning possession of small amounts leads to an administrative warning rather than criminal charges.

⛔Drug trafficking carries severe criminal penalties regardless of Portugal's decriminalization policy for personal use.

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Spain is generally relaxed about dress, but cover your shoulders and knees when entering churches or cathedrals, and avoid wearing swimwear away from the beach.

⛔Barcelona actively fines tourists (up to €300) for walking in the city centre in swimwear or going shirtless outside of beach areas.

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The legal drinking age in Spain is 18, bars stay open very late, and wine culture is deeply embedded — but public drinking is banned and fined in most major cities.

⛔Drink-driving limits are lower than in the UK (0.5g/L vs 0.8g/L) and enforcement is regular — designate a driver or use taxis if drinking.

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Photography is generally free in Spain's public spaces and streets, but many major attractions including the Sagrada Família prohibit interior photography — always check signage.

⛔Flying a drone without AESA authorization is illegal in Spain and can result in confiscation and significant fines.

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Uber and Cabify both operate in Spain's major cities, and official metered taxis are reliable and regulated — always use the meter or agree a fare before departure.

⛔Unlicensed taxi touts operate near airports and major tourist sites — always use official marked taxis or a registered app-based service.

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Uber and Bolt are widely available in Lisbon and Porto and are generally reliable and fairly priced.

⛔Avoid accepting rides from unlicensed drivers who approach tourists at airports or major attractions — always use official taxi ranks or apps.

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Tap water is safe to drink throughout mainland Spain and the Balearic Islands, but tap water in the Canary Islands is not recommended for drinking.

⛔Do not drink tap water in the Canary Islands — it is not recommended even though it is technically treated.

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Use bank-branded ATMs and always choose to be charged in euros (decline DCC) — Euronet and standalone ATMs charge very high fees.

⛔Euronet ATMs in tourist areas charge up to €5+ per withdrawal plus an unfavourable exchange rate — always use a bank ATM instead.

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The Multibanco ATM network is widespread and accepts foreign cards, but avoid Euronet machines which charge high fees.

⛔Euronet ATMs in tourist areas of Lisbon and Algarve charge high fixed fees and often present DCC — avoid them entirely.

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NOS, MEO, and Vodafone Portugal offer tourist SIMs with good data packages, available at airports and phone shops.

⛔Check whether your tourist SIM covers the Azores or Madeira at the same rate as the mainland before travelling to the islands.

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Barcelona's La Rambla and Madrid's Puerta del Sol are pickpocket hotspots — stay alert, use a money belt, and be wary of distraction scams including the bird poo and fake police tricks.

⛔Barcelona has the highest pickpocketing rate in Europe for tourists — be especially vigilant on La Rambla, in the Metro, and at major attractions.

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The main scams to watch for are Tram 28 pickpockets, couvert charges at restaurants, and fake monks.

⛔Couvert (bread and olives placed at the table) is legal and will be charged unless you refuse it — always check your bill.

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Spain is generally a safe country, but Barcelona has Europe's highest tourist pickpocketing rate — distraction theft and bag snatching are the primary risks for visitors.

⛔Bag snatching on motorcycles (tirones) is a risk in some Spanish cities — wear bags across your body and away from the road when walking on pavements.

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Portugal is one of the safest countries in Europe for tourists, with violent crime against visitors being very rare.

⛔Pickpocketing in Lisbon's Alfama district and on Tram 28 has increased significantly — keep valuables secured at all times.

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Spain's beaches use a flag system — only swim when the green flag is flying, topless sunbathing is legal everywhere, and watch for seasonal jellyfish in the Mediterranean.

⛔Atlantic-facing beaches (particularly in Galicia and the Bay of Biscay) can have powerful rip currents even in calm-looking conditions — always swim at lifeguarded beaches.

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Portugal's beaches are stunning but the Atlantic brings strong currents and cold water — always swim within flagged zones.

⛔Atlantic rip currents on Portugal's west-facing coast are a genuine drowning risk — even strong swimmers should stay within flagged safe zones.

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Drive on the right, carry your driving licence and passport at all times, and be aware that many major motorways (autopistas) charge tolls.

⛔Driving under the influence is heavily policed in Spain — random breathalyser checkpoints are common, particularly on holiday weekends.

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Drive on the right, and be aware that most motorways use electronic Via Verde tolls that require a transponder or pre-registration.

⛔Driving on the A22 Algarve motorway and other electronic-toll-only roads without a transponder or subsequent online payment will result in fines.

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Portuguese cuisine is outstanding and affordable, but always check whether couvert (bread and olives) will be charged before accepting it.

⛔Couvert items placed on your table are legally chargeable — say 'Não obrigado' immediately if you do not want them to avoid an unexpected addition to your bill.

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Cover shoulders and knees when entering any church or cathedral in Spain, and note that the Mezquita-Catedral in Córdoba now charges entry for non-worshippers.

⛔The Alhambra in Granada sells out weeks or months in advance — book official tickets only via the Patronato de la Alhambra website to avoid scam resellers.

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Cover shoulders and knees at all churches, and observe absolute silence and modesty at the Fátima pilgrimage sanctuary.

⛔The Fátima sanctuary enforces strict dress and behaviour codes year-round, particularly during pilgrimage dates — do not treat it as a casual sightseeing stop.

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The best time to visit mainland Spain is March–May or September–October; August is extremely hot inland; the Canary Islands are warm year-round.

⛔Inland Spain (Madrid, Seville, Córdoba) experiences extreme heat in July and August — heat-related illness is a genuine risk for tourists unaccustomed to 40°C+ temperatures.

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