Spain vs Italy – which should you visit first?

Italian cuisine

Italy is home to famous dishes like pasta and pizza, as well as cheese, gelato, coffee, liqueurs and wine. In Southern Italy, seafood factors heavily in the cuisine and dishes use fresh, tomato-based sauces, while rich, meat-based recipes, hard cheeses like parmesan, and creamy sauces all originate in Northern Italy.
 

Spanish cuisine

With classics like paella, gazpacho, tortillas and famously shareable tapas plates, Spanish cuisine relies heavily on seafood, rice, beans and meats to create its flavorful dishes. Meaty stews and hearty dishes are the domain of Northern Spain, while lighter, seafood-rich dishes come from Southern Spain with its extensive Mediterranean coastline.

Italian Coast vs Costa del Sol

With its towering cliffs, the Italian Coast is best suited for hiking, walking and exploring its colorful towns. Swimming beaches exist, but they are small. In contrast, Spanish beaches, like those on the sunny Costa del Sol or near San Sebastian, are usually wider, sandier and better for swimming and sunbathing. Spain also has more blue flag beaches, meaning the beaches are in excellent environmental condition and offer good facilities for visitors.
 

Italian cities vs Spanish cities

If you're seeking art, culture, architecture and mouthwatering cuisine, you'll want to spend time in Italian and Spanish cities. Rome is home to iconic landmarks like the Colosseum and Trevi Fountain, while the floating city of Venice has ornate Gothic and Renaissance cathedrals and palaces. Madrid is home to world-renowned art museums, Barcelona has the dreamy buildings and cathedral designed by Antoni Gaudi, while the past and future clash in Valencia, a hub for modern architecture.

You’ll also want to get out into the countryside. In Spain, you can walk and hike along the Camino de Santiago, one of the most famous walking routes in the world. In Italy, explore vineyards, meadows and hills throughout Tuscany or Piedmont. For more mountainous terrain, Italy's Lakes District, home to Lake Como, has beautiful alpine landscapes. Spain has the rugged, off-the-beaten-path Alicante mountains. For a taste of island life, Spain's Canary Islands and Italy's Sicily and Sardinia are volcanic islands ripe for exploration on foot or by bike.