Is Portugal Part of Spain? & Why

Q: Is Portugal its Own Country?

Yes, Portugal is its own country and is governed separately from the neighbouring country of Spain. Portugal has its own culture and language and is known for its unique architectural style.

Q: Is Portugal Near Spain?

Yes, Portugal is near Spain. They share a border on the Iberian Peninsula. When planning a trip to either Portugal or Spain, their proximity to each other makes it easier to visit them both on a single trip.

Q: How Far is Portugal from Spain?

Portugal is not far from Spain . They are neighbouring countries. Portugal’s capital Lisbon is about 625 km from Madrid, the capital of Spain.

Q: What Part of Spain is Near Portugal?

The western portion of Spain is near Portugal’s eastern region. Towns in Spain along the Portugal border include Ayamonte, El Granado, Paymogo, Valencia del Mombuey, Badajoz, and more.

Q: Is Portugal Older than Spain?

Yes, Portugal is older than Spain. Portugal declared its independence in the 12th century, whereas Spain became independent in the 15th century. Portugal is one of the oldest countries in all of Europe.

Are you wondering is Portugal part of Spain? You’ve come to the right place.

Portugal and Spain, Spain and Portugal, whichever order you visit, they make for a great European vacation. If you are planning your first trip to Europe, you might not know much about them, yet.

As someone who’s been to Portugal, I can tell you that Portugal is not a part of Spain.

Learning more about Portugal and Spain will help you plan your trip and appreciate them more before you visit.

Let’s get right into the relationship between Portugal and Spain, what part of Europe Portugal is in, which one you should visit, and if Portugal was ever a part of Spain.

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map of europe showing spain and portugal and that portugal is not a part of spain — Unsplash photo by British Library

Table of Contents

Is Portugal a Part of Spain?

No, Portugal is not a part of Spain. While Portugal shares a border with Spain, the two are separate with unique cultures, histories, and their own languages.

Spain is the largest country of the two, with almost 50 million inhabitants compared to Portugal’s 10 million.

Portuguese is the official language of Portugal, while Spanish is that of Spain.

But was Portugal part of Spain at one point?

Yes, Portugal was part of Spain at one point. Portugal and Spain were members of the Iberian Union between 1580 to 1640.

During this time, Spain-Portugal relations were tense as the countries struggled for power in government, commerce, and global exploration.

This union was formally ended in 1668 following the Portuguese Restoration War. And they’ve both been proudly independent since.

Brief History of Portugal and Spain

When it comes to Spain vs. Portugal history, Portugal is older than Spain and is one of the oldest countries in Europe.

Portugal’s origins date back to the 800s while Spain wasn’t officially established for another few centuries. During the 12th century, Portugal declared its independence from the Leon Kingdom.

The Portuguese empire began to weaken in the late 1500s as more countries became involved in global trade, and the kingdom joined the Iberian Union alongside Spain in 1580.

Following a series of conflicts and wars between Spain and Portugal, Portugal gained independence again. Today, both countries are known for their histories, culture, and more.

Portugal vs Spain Culture

Portugal is known for its vibrant culture including its art, Fado music, and dance. And don’t forget about its delicious cuisine, historical castles, and colourful tiles!

Spain is known for its rich culture including its architecture, bullfights, and Flamenco dance. And don’t forget about its beaches and sunshine!

Why is Portugal Not Part of Spain?

Portugal is separate from Spain because the two countries struggled to work together as members of the Iberian Union.

While the Spanish grew in wealth and influence throughout the Iberian Peninsula and beyond in the 1600s, the Portuguese became frustrated with their declining power.

This prompted Portugal to fight for independence from Spain, which it secured with the 1668 Treaty of Lisbon.

If you’ve been to Portugal, you would see how its hilly landscapes made it difficult to attempt invasions. The hills will tire you out!

What is the Relationship Between Portugal and Spain?

Today, Portugal and Spain are known to have a friendly and close-knit relationship. Both countries are members of the United Nations and the North Atlantic Treaty Organization, and they enjoy open trade with each other.

Politically, Portugal and Spain respect each other’s governmental authority, often working together to tackle issues facing the Iberian Peninsula.

girl looking out at lisbon city skyline asking is portugal part of spain

Should I Visit Portugal or Spain?

You should visit both Portugal and Spain. You can visit them on the same trip, or take it slower and visit them individually like I did.

While in Portugal:

Explore the historic capital city of Lisbon
Take a Douro River Day Cruise
Indulge in tasty pastries including the famous Pasteis de Nata
Ride a scooter around the Algarve
See the beautiful buildings and colourful tilework
Parasail along the coast
Drink fresh-squeezed orange juice (which tastes like natural Sunny D to me)

While in Spain:

Walk around the capital of Madrid
Visit famous buildings including La Sagrada Familia
Island hop to places like Ibiza and the Canary Islands
Admire beautiful art in Valencia
Enjoy a flamenco dancing show in Seville or Barcelona

girl walking down a wooden staircase towards a beach in lagos portugal

FAQs about Portugal and Spain

Is Portugal its Own Country?

Yes, Portugal is its own country and is governed separately from the neighbouring country of Spain. Portugal has its own culture and language and is known for its unique architectural style.

Is Portugal Near Spain?

Yes, Portugal is near Spain. They share a border on the Iberian Peninsula. When planning a trip to either Portugal or Spain, their proximity to each other makes it easier to visit them both on a single trip.

How Far is Portugal from Spain?

Portugal is not far from Spain. They are neighbouring countries. Portugal’s capital Lisbon is about 625 km from Madrid, the capital of Spain.

What Part of Spain is Near Portugal?

The western portion of Spain is near Portugal’s eastern region. Towns in Spain along the Portugal border include Ayamonte, El Granado, Paymogo, Valencia del Mombuey, Badajoz, and more.

What Part of Europe is Spain and Portugal?

The part of Europe where Spain and Portugal are located is called the Iberian Peninsula. It’s a mountainous region of southwestern Europe that extends to the Atlantic Ocean.

Should Portugal Be a Part of Spain?

Based on the history of Portugal and Spain, it seems best that the countries are kept separate and have control over their own economic and political institutions. They are better as independent countries, and it means two countries for us to visit as travellers instead of one.

Is Portugal Safer than Spain?

Both are considered safe overall, but Portugal is safer than Spain. Portugal is considered a safer country than Spain, partly because it is smaller in size and population. Portugal is ranked as the 6th safest country in the world, whereas Spain ranks 29th worldwide. I felt very safe in Portugal, day and night.

Are Portugal and Spain Friends?

While there have been moments of tension between Portugal and Spain historically, the two countries are friendly toward each other at this point.

Is Portugal Older than Spain?

Yes, Portugal is older than Spain. Portugal declared its independence in the 12th century, whereas Spain became independent in the 15th century. Portugal is one of the oldest countries in all of Europe.

Can Portuguese and Spanish Speakers Understand One Another?

Overall, Portuguese and Spanish speakers can understand one another. Both Portuguese and Spanish are Roman languages rooted in Latin. While they share similarities, they are still different languages so they won’t understand every word the other says.

Is Portugal a Country or Part of Spain? Final Thoughts

While Portugal is not part of Spain, it is its own beautiful country that you should include on your trip to Europe.

Though they are neighbours, Portugal and Spain are both unique and should be celebrated for their individuality.

When planning your trip to Portugal, make sure to spend a few days in Lisbon and a few days in Porto. Enjoy your time exploring the history of Portugal, enjoying its beautiful sights, and listening to Portuguese.