Author's Note
Note
Spain and Portugal evangelism

Top 10 Highlights of the Best Experiences in Spain & Portugal

01 Madrid, the capital of the empire where the sun never sets
02 Picasso and his works in Madrid and Barcelona
03 Eat, see, love in Barcelona!
04 A Day in Montserrat, the Famous Mountain
05 The Odd but Amazing Dali Theatre Museum
06 A legendary story that comes to mind while walking around the Alhambra Palace
07 Sun, passion, flamenco and bullfighting in Seville
08 Taste the Egg Tart in Lisbon
09 One night in the really small town of Sintra
10. Write a Novel in Porto Like a Harry Potter Author
[What's New] Recommendations for Unique and Popular Entertainment

Before you go, make friends with Spain.

01 Geography over History
02 Spain's true charm lies in its turbulent history.
03 Spanish pride in the Spanish flag
04 People, Traditions and Culture
10 Spain Travel Keywords
01 Convivencia: 800 Years of Coexistence Between Moors, Christians, and Jews
02 Unique Spanish architectural art, 'Mudejar architecture'
03 The polished stone 'Azulejo' that illuminates the city
04 Gaudi, the poet of architecture who left behind a jewel-like symbol
05 The protagonist of the discovery of the New World! Columbus
06 A thrilling drama between a bull and a human, 'Bullfight'
07 Spain's three greatest masters: Picasso, Miró, and Dali
08 Football War, FC Barcelona vs. Real Madrid 'El Clásico'
09 Flamenco: Understated Style and the Passion Within
Tapas, a dish resembling Spain's 10 thousand faces

Best recommended routes for traveling to Spain and Portugal

Spain and Portugal at a glance
Transportation between major cities in Spain and Portugal
Spain Travel Calendar

Recommended route
8-Day Barcelona & Surroundings Tour
8-Day Madrid & Surroundings Tour
8-day Madrid & Barcelona itinerary
8 days in Madrid & Andalusia
Barcelona & Lisbon (Porto) 8 days
Spain's Core 10-14 Day Tour
Portugal's 8-10 day core tour
14-Day Spain & Portugal Core Tour
22-day full tour of Spain and Portugal
[Special Theme] Living in Spain & Portugal for a Month

Experts share their vivid travel tips for Spain.

01 Smart City Travel Tips That Make You Speak
02 When you go to Spain, you must have a siesta!
03 Spanish style of eating 5 meals a day
04 Spanish Love Room, Bar
05 Recommended Coffee List
06 Recommended Drink List
07 Recommended Harmon
08 The best lunch and dinner with good taste and price, today's menu
09 The Joy of Eating, Spain, the Country of Gastronomy
List of 10 Recommended Local Cuisines
11 Recommended Paellas
12 Shopping during your travels
13 Recommended Shopping Lists
14 How to Tour the Museum Efficiently
15 Fair Travel That Makes Everyone Happy
16 Travel Advice to Reduce Accidents and Incidents

Spain

Madrid and surrounding cities
Madrid MADRID
[1-day Course] Become friends with Madrid in one day
[Theme Route] One-Day Art Museum Tour
[Special Theme] The Prado Museum, the highlight of your Madrid trip
[Special Theme] Discover Madrid's living history, a 100-year-old shop!
[Special Theme] Madrid Shopping District: A Shopaholic's Paradise
[Special Theme] Get closer to their daily lives, and enjoy a fun market tour.
[Special Theme] Madrid's famous streets with a fun nightlife
Toledo TOLEDO
Segovia SEGOVIA
Cuenca CUENCA

Barcelona and nearby cities
Barcelona BARCELONA
[1-day Course] Become friends with Barcelona in one day
[Theme Route] Fascinated by Modernist Architecture
[Gaudi Theme]
Casa Batlló, the house made of bones
· La Pedrera, the quarry Casa Mila
· Sagrada Familia, the place where God dwells and a place for prayer and meditation
Park Güell, the ideal city dreamed of by Güell and created by Gaudi
[Special Theme] Discover Barcelona's living history, a 100-year-old shop!
[Special Theme] Boqueria Market, the best attraction recommended by locals
Figueres
Sitges
Montserrat MONTSERRAT
Girona GIRONA

Granada and nearby cities
Granada
[1-day Course] Become friends with Granada in one day
[Special Theme] A Leisurely Stroll Through Granada's Arab Streets
Seville SEVILLA
[1-day Course] Become friends with Seville in one day
CORDOBA
RONDA

Portugal

5 Portugal Travel Keywords
Before you go, make friends with Portugal
Recommended Shopping Items
Local orientation

Lisbon and surrounding cities
Lisbon LISBOA
[1-day Course] Become friends with Lisbon in one day
[Special Theme] 3-Color Tours Near Lisbon
Sintra SINTRA
Cape Roca
Porto PORTO
[1-day Course] Become friends with Porto in one day
Aveiro AVEIRO
Braga BRAGA
Coimbra COIMBRA

Travel Preparation and Local Travel Practical Guide
Travel Basics
Find the travel style that's right for you
Travel Preparation Diary
Travel information gathering and itinerary planning know-how
Saving Money and Budgeting
Make full use of your smartphone
Obtaining a passport and various cards 6
Grab a cheap flight!
Super easy flight reservation and ticketing
Airlines serving Spain and Portugal
A comfortable night's sleep! Book your accommodation
All About Trains
All About the Bus
All About Low-Cost Airlines
Sign up for and use travel insurance
SOS! Problem Solving Wizard
Credit cards, check cards, and currency exchange
Packing
Incheon International Airport Immigration
Transfer via Spain/Portugal immigration

Index

Spain, a country steeped in history that still retains the breath of antiquity and the Middle Ages.
The streetscapes unfolding under the dazzling sunlight, the unique architecture left behind by the genius architect Gaudí, and the diverse charm of each region's unique traditions and cultures instantly captivate travelers.
Optimistic and passionate people, a daily life that feels like a festival, and cities where leisure and art naturally blend together.
This special atmosphere, which is European but not quite European, is enough to make Spain a country you want to live in at least once.

〈Friends Spain & Portugal〉 faithfully contains the latest travel information on 13 key cities in Spain, including Madrid, the center of politics, economy, and culture; Barcelona, ​​beloved by world-renowned masters such as Pablo, Joan Miró, and Antonio Gaudi; and Granada, where traces of Islam remain intact.
It covers all the major cities of Portugal, including Lisbon, which stimulates the emotions of travelers with its yellow trams that climb up and down hills and narrow alleys, and Porto, Portugal's second largest city and a port city famous for its wine.

This revised edition contains the author's latest travel information, compiled through his own travels throughout Spain and Portugal through July 2025.
Entrance fees for major attractions and public transportation information are all meticulously updated with the latest data, and practical information on popular restaurants, shops, and accommodations that are hard to find anywhere else is also generously provided.
In particular, this revised edition's greatest strength is that it goes beyond simply listing tourist attractions and restaurants, and delves deeply into the history, culture, and lives of Spain's people, as seen, heard, and felt by the author himself while on site.
With "Friends Spain & Portugal," we'll explore the big cities beloved by world-renowned artists, as well as charming small towns that retain a medieval atmosphere. After enjoying a sweet siesta in the middle of the day, we'll head out to the back alleys in the late afternoon to mingle with locals and enjoy a drink, truly experiencing a Spanish night.

1.
Everything you need to know about Spain and Portugal! A Spain travel guidebook that delves into history, culture, and the lives of its people.

This book is the only travel guide to Spain written by a veteran European travel expert who has been visiting Europe for over 16 years, and offers travel tips that take into account the travel style of Koreans.
It contains rich travel information on key cities in Spain and Portugal, tailored to the schedules of short- to mid-term independent travelers, ranging from 8 to 10 days to 22 days.
We introduce 13 key cities in Spain, including Madrid, where art museums are located throughout the city center; Barcelona, ​​where you can admire the masterpieces of the genius architect Gaudi; Granada, home to some of the finest Islamic architecture; and Seville, the birthplace of flamenco and bullfighting.

〈Friends Spain & Portugal 25-26〉 covers seven key cities in Portugal, another hidden gem on the Iberian Peninsula.
Lisbon, a lesser-known travel destination but great for travel due to its low cost of living; Porto, the birthplace of Portugal; Cape Roca, the westernmost small town; Aveiro, a city with a natural lake created by the sea and river, Braga, the capital of Portuguese religion; and Coimbra, a university city with a 700-year tradition, are all newly introduced in this revised edition, returning with even richer content.


2.
There's no better itinerary than this! The best recommended itinerary for your Spain and Portugal trip.

This book offers recommended itineraries tailored to each traveler's schedule and preferences, catering to not only short-term office workers, honeymooners, and families, but also on-the-go travelers seeking to discover Europe's hidden cities, art aficionados, and Spain enthusiasts planning a tour of the Iberian Peninsula.
In particular, we present a gift-like trip by introducing courses that 'satisfy all five senses' with various themes, including the Golden Route, which is a favorite among Koreans, Gaudí's architecture in Barcelona, ​​the Alhambra Palace in Granada, and the Prado Museum in Madrid, as well as flamenco performances, FC Barcelona soccer matches, and tapas tours, a symbol of Spanish gastronomic travel.
We also provide estimated travel costs and transportation tips for each section of the trip.
You can plan the perfect trip by referring to 〈Friends Spain/Portugal 25-26〉.

3.
It couldn't be more friendly! In-depth guidance, comparable to a local guide.

The 'Useful Information Before Traveling' and 'Complete Guide' presented in the introduction for each city serve as local coordinators for novice travelers.
'Useful Information Before Traveling' provides detailed information on tourist information centers, currency exchange offices, internet cafes, and police stations, which are essential for sightseeing in the city, as well as international and domestic transportation and city transportation.
In 'Complete Conquest,' we provide the best recommended courses and estimated travel times to help you plan your itinerary efficiently without wasting time. We also introduce landmarks that are central to your trip and provide information on accommodation reservations.
The concept map and detailed map of each region, which can be used to estimate the location of the region, show all the attractions, restaurants, cafes, clubs & bars, and accommodations introduced in the text, and the local language and Korean are provided together for travelers who are not familiar with the local language.
Even if you are a first-time traveler visiting Spain for the first time, you will have no trouble traveling if you just follow these steps.

4.
Knowing these things will enrich your trip! "Spain Travel Keywords, Becoming Friends with Spain, and Local Travel Tips"

As the saying goes, "You see as much as you know," there is a clear difference between knowing the cultural characteristics of the country you are traveling to before going on a trip and not.
For travelers who don't have time to research the country they're visiting, "Friends Spain/Portugal 25-26" introduces must-know Spanish travel keywords and vivid local travel tips.
It also guides you through Spain's traditions, history, and culture to help you gain a deeper understanding and enrich your trip.
This book contains tips for getting to know Spain properly and enjoying it like a local, including how the Muslim fortresses commonly seen in Spain are built, how to enjoy bullfights and flamenco, the secret to maintaining a slim figure despite eating five meals a day, and the siesta and restaurant/museum management systems.


In particular, for this revised edition, the author personally visited Spain and Portugal again and conducted meticulous research. Rather than simply supplementing the existing content, he completely reorganized and rewrote the content.
The greatest strength of this revised edition is that it presents essential information from a traveler's perspective more clearly, while the cultural context that helps readers understand the destination is explained in an easier and more enjoyable way, allowing readers to experience Spain more vividly.
Beyond simply listing information, this book has been reborn as a book that conveys the excitement of travel and the local atmosphere.

5.
Over 1,500 rich pictorials that will make your heart flutter just by looking at them.

In “Friends Spain/Portugal 25-26,” you can see picturesque photos that capture the charm of beautiful travel destinations.
In particular, you shouldn't miss Gaudi's best architecture, the Sagrada Familia Cathedral and Park Guell when you go to Spain, the Prado Museum, one of the three greatest art museums in the world, the Alhambra Palace, a must-see building and a reason to travel to Spain just by its existence, the traditional Spanish markets that locals strongly recommend, and the various street foods and practical shopping items you can taste there...
Discover Spain's best sights and activities that will have you shaking your butt in no time with this rich pictorial.

6.
Don't be afraid, even if you're a beginner at independent travel! Just refer to "Travel Preparation & Practice" and you'll be fine!

If you're unsure where to start and how to prepare for your trip to Spain and Portugal, check out the "Travel Preparation and Local Travel Practicalities" section of "Friends Spain & Portugal 25-26."
This book thoroughly covers everything from A to Z of traveling to Spain and Portugal, including basic travel information such as the time difference with Korea, the best time to travel, and local prices, as well as travel tips such as budget-saving tips and useful travel apps, as introduced by the author, a veteran European traveler.
Even if you are a novice traveler visiting Spain and Portugal for the first time, you will have no trouble traveling if you just master the 'Travel Preparation and Local Travel Practice' section of 'Friends Spain and Portugal 25-26'.

7.
A slightly different trip: a month-long stay in Spain and Portugal.

For travelers who prefer long-term travel over short-term trips, “Friends Spain & Portugal 25-26” suggests a one-month living trip in Spain and Portugal.
We've introduced a travel method that allows you to fully enjoy the city's charm by delving deeper into the city and exploring nearby tourist destinations that are perfect for a month-long stay.
We've also included a useful one-month living list to help you prepare for a more leisurely and systematic long-term trip.