Portugal vs Italy: Which to Choose?

Portugal or Italy? Both offer history, beautiful cities, great food and wine and stunning coastlines. Italy has more famous art and monuments, while Portugal is smaller, usually less expensive and often less crowded. Here’s how to choose.

Quick answer: choose Portugal for a compact, affordable trip combining cities (Lisbon, Porto), Atlantic beaches, wine country and islands, with fewer crowds. Choose Italy for world-famous art, ancient Rome, Renaissance cities, varied regional food and the Mediterranean coast.

Side by side

• Size: Portugal is compact and easy to cover in 1 to 2 weeks. Italy has much more to see.
• Cost: Portugal is usually cheaper for food, wine and hotels.
• Crowds: Italy’s big sights are very crowded. Portugal is busy in hotspots but calmer overall.
• Food: Italy is world-famous. Portugal has superb seafood, pastries and wine. See what to eat in Portugal.
• Beaches: Portugal has Atlantic beaches and cliffs. Italy has the warmer Mediterranean.
• Art and history: Italy has more famous masterpieces. Portugal has Manueline monuments, azulejos and the Age of Discovery.

Choose Portugal if

You want value, variety in a small space and a relaxed pace. See first time in Portugal and how many days in Portugal.

Choose Italy if

Art, ancient history and Mediterranean food are top of your list.

More: Portugal vs Spain and the best places to visit in Portugal.

Prices and details change, so please double-check before you travel. Spotted something out of date? Tell us in the groups.