Portugal, Spain, And France: The Perfect Multi-Stop Holiday Plan

The borders feel more like suggestions, and each place offers a whole new personality. If you’ve got ten days and a bit of wanderlust, you don’t need to choose one country. You just need to plan it right. Portugal, Spain, and France make for the ultimate trio. Read on to find out more.

Start With Sun-Drenched Portugal

Begin your journey in Portugal because the mornings there feel slower. They taste like pastel de nata and smell like sea salt. 

Lisbon is the obvious starting point since it's packed with character and just the right amount of chaos. You can ride tram 28 through Alfama, or you can sip ginjinha in a backstreet bar because no one’s judging. 

If you want to escape the buzz, you should head to Comporta. This seaside escape is often whispered about but rarely crowded. Think barefoot luxury, pine forests, and chic beach bars without the flash. It's where people go when they want to disappear without roughing it, especially with the luxury villa Comporta options.

Don’t skip Porto if you have time. It's a place for sipping port and wandering the meandering streets. If you don’t get slightly lost in the old streets, then you’re doing it wrong.

Make Your Way Into Lively Spain

From Portugal, you can either fly or take the train to Spain. Madrid is a good middle ground if you like energy and elegance in equal measure. There are tapas on every corner, and the art museums can make you forget about the heat (it's almost unbearable in summer). If you’re more of a beach soul, you should go straight to Barcelona. The architecture there doesn’t play by the rules, and the food markets smell like heaven on a plate.

Spain is the kind of place that rewards spontaneity. You might plan to visit just one city, but you could end up falling in love with five. You can drive down to Valencia if you crave paella by the sea, or you can head inland to Seville because the orange trees and flamenco dancers might break your heart in the best way.

Finish With a French Twist

You can get into France on a high-speed train or hop on a quick flight, but either way, you’ll feel the shift.

Things get slower again, but not in the same way as Portugal. In France, it’s more about quiet confidence. Paris is never a bad idea, though it’s rarely quiet. You can sip café crème on a terrace while pretending you live there because everyone does it.

If Paris feels too polished, then you should catch a train to the south. Nice is warm and vibrant, and the sea looks like it was filtered by an artist. You can explore the tiny villages in Provence where the lavender rolls on forever. Or you can wander through Marseille’s grittier charm because it's real, and you’ll feel that. 

France has a habit of getting under your skin in the best way.

A Trip That Feels Like Three

What makes this trip magical is the contrast. You’ll move from laid-back mornings in Comporta to spirited nights in Seville. You’ll trade Portugal’s earthy wines for Spain’s bold reds, and then you’ll end with a crisp glass of French rosé. Each country has its rhythm, but when you experience them together, the journey feels like one long, perfect song.

So, if you’re torn between Portugal, Spain, and France, then don’t choose. Do them all. You’ll come back with three accents, too many photos, and just enough stories to keep you smiling through the Monday blues.