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Spain & Portugal

A vibrant tapestry of sun, flavour, and historic splendor

Hola! And Ola!

These two euro neighbours will captivate your heart with the romance of the Spanish and Portuguese languages, the friendly, passionate people, the Mediterranean climate, culinary delights, unique history, architecture and landscapes. Stay in a Paradore in Spain and explore the Mediterranean coastline, then head over the Spanish plains to the mountain chains. Discover wonderful Moorish palaces, castles, heritage sites, Roman ruins and national parks. Join one of their many crazy festivals and learn the flamenco. From Spain, travel through Portugal’s charming medieval towns, past too many castles to count, devouring port wine and Pastel de natas on the way to the Atlantic Ocean. Take your pick of sandy beaches, where the sun shines 300 days a year as you wind on down to the exquisite Algarve.

Planning a Spain & Portugal holiday? Connect with one of our Spain & Portugal travel specialists to create your dream holiday today!

Flight time.

Traveling from Auckland to Spain or Portugal takes around 24 hours, typically with a stopover. The journey is long, but the vibrant cultures and stunning landscapes make it worth the effort.

Best time to go.

The best times to visit Spain and Portugal are during the spring (April to June) and autumn (September to October). These seasons provide mild weather, perfect for exploring the cities and countryside.

Time difference.

Spain and Portugal are 10 hours behind New Zealand, so plan for a noticeable time difference.

Our favourite things to do in Spain & Portugal

Step into Gaudi’s world in Barcelona

Wander through the narrow lanes of the Gothic Quarter early morning before the crowds.

Paella cooking class

Return from Spain with the know-how to whip up a mean Paella.

Tapas like a local

We recommend doing a tapas/pintxos tour as soon as you get to Spain, this will teach you how to eat tapas like a local.

Sail through Portugal’s hidden gem

For a distinctly unique experience cruise the Douro Valley in Portugal.

Take a day trip from Lisbon

Visit the whimsical Pena Palace in Sintra ,Portugal.

Flamenco in Spain or Fado in Portugal

Experience local music and dance!

Walk the Camino

A bucket-list adventure!

Stay in Castles and Palaces

Imagine sleeping in a palace, castle, or a historical monument – that’s what staying at a Parador in Spain or a Pousada in Portugal feels like!

Our top 6 wellness experiences for 2025

Wellness holidays are one of the fastest growing travel trends for kiwis. Here are our favourite wellness holidays for 2025.

Eat tapas like a local in Spain

Spain, Europe

Paella making in Barcelona

Spain

Camino de Santiago, Spain

The Camino de Santiago, also known as the Way of St. James, is a renowned pilgrimage journey to the Cathedral of Santiago de Compostela in Galicia in the northwest of Spain.

Spain: Know before you go guide

From vibrant cities and stunning beaches to delicious cuisine and rich traditions, Spain has something for everyone!

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Meet our Spain & Portugal specialists

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Esther Ru Bay

House of Travel Papamoa

Over the last 18 years I have sent many people to many different places, learning more every time.

I enjoy working with people to plan their adventures to create memories to keep for life.

In the last years we have mastered how to deal with flight and regulation changes. Travel is more complicated but we're here to make it as easy as possible for you, so you can explore the world.

Esther

Kelsey Mackay

House of Travel Calder & Lawson

My favourite thing about this job being able to explore and research lots of cool destinations daily and creating some cool itineraries is really exciting.

I love hearing all about the trip and my client’s experiences when they get home but it’s certainly making my book-it “list” turn into a novel.

My favourite place I have visited is Puerto Rico - from the beautiful white-sand beaches and the best coffee & chocolate I’ve ever had, this country is so rich with culture. It’s sure to be a memorable port stop on your next Caribbean Cruise.

The next place I would love to explore is South America - from Argentina, along the Amazon from Rio, Brazil, Venezuela and Peru!

Kelsey

Tracey Ormsby

House of Travel Prestons

Antony Boomer

House of Travel Dunedin

I have been in the travel industry since 1987 as a tour leader, travel advisor, traveler visiting the globe, and now Owner Operator of House of Travel Dunedin City.

My travels have encompassed 105 countries initially using all forms of transport from a double decker bus around Europe to rickshaws in Asia to horses in the Middle East and dugout canoes in Central Africa with camels, elephants, donkeys and bicycles in-between.

I am more than willing to travel in a lot more comfort these days visiting the Pacific, Myanmar, India, Vietnam, Ireland, China, Cambodia, Hong Kong, Thailand, Japan, USA, Cayman Islands, Zimbabwe, Turkiye and Malta in recent years.

I believe the transition is similar for people of my generation who still yearn to visit anywhere and everywhere but enjoy a bit, or a lot, more luxury. As such I have developed an in-depth knowledge of the whole spectrum of travel options and regularly come up with solutions to the most complex of travel plans.

Tony