Spain & Portugal Travel Tips

Most globetrotters are usually surprised at how few Spaniards and Portuguese speak English compared to other countries of the European Union. But don’t be afraid, English is widely spoken in all major cities and tourist areas by industry workers and younger generations.

Keep in mind that the people of Spain and Portugal are very proud of their cultures and they will appreciate it if you make an effort to pronounce a couple of words in their native language, especially such important ones as 'thank you' - 'gracias' [ˈɡraθjas] (Spanish) - 'obrigado' [obriˈɡadu] (Portuguese) and 'please' - 'por favor' [porfa’vor] (Portuguese).

And don’t worry about making mistakes: Spaniards and Portuguese are very polite and friendly people who will do their best to understand you and ensure you understand them.