If you're dreaming of a gastronomic tour through Europe but aren't sure where to begin, why not start with the iconic wine and cheese regions of Spain and Portugal? These timeless landscapes offer a story with every sip and every bite.

Some places are best remembered by taste. A slice of aged cheese enjoyed in a stone village square. A glass of red poured slowly at sunset. In Southern Europe, wine and cheese aren't just part of the meal—they're part of the rhythm of life.

Traveling through Spain and Portugal means passing through landscapes shaped by centuries of cultivation. Hills patterned with vineyards, local markets rich with tradition, and quiet cellars where time moves a little slower. Each region has its own pairings, its own customs—and somehow, they all feel timeless.

This isn’t just a food trip. It’s a journey into the heart of local culture, where what’s grown, aged, and poured tells you everything about the land around you. From bold reds in La Rioja to creamy cheeses from mountain pastures in Portugal, we’ll trace a path of unforgettable flavors—and the stories behind them.

Ready to explore? We'll give you a direction where to start—and you can build up your trip with more places along the way.

Spain – Aged Manchego and Bold Rioja Reds

Spain doesn’t rush. Meals stretch over hours, conversations flow with the wine, and traditions linger like the warmth of the afternoon sun. From the green hills of Galicia to the dry plateaus of La Mancha, each region has its own flavors and a deep pride in what it produces.

La Rioja – Tempranillo and Camerano

It is the most famous wine region in Spain—and for good reason. Rolling vineyards line the Ebro River, and medieval towns like Haro and Laguardia are surrounded by family-run wineries that have been perfecting the art of Tempranillo for generations. The wines are structured, earthy, and full of history—just like the region itself.

Pair your glass with Queso Camerano, a goat cheese with a delicate tang and a wrinkled rind. It’s made only in this region and aged in cellars that smell faintly of stone and milk.

For a memorable tasting, Bodegas Ysios near Laguardia offers guided tours inside an architecturally stunning winery. It’s one of many estates in Rioja that welcome visitors.

📍 Where to Stay: Hospedería de los Parajes, located right in Laguardia’s old town, offers a stone-vaulted wine spa and rooms that open onto cobbled squares—just a short drive from the vineyard.

Castilla-La Mancha – Manchego and Airén

In the wide, sun-drenched heart of Spain, sheep dot the hillsides and old windmills stand guard over the plains. This is Manchego country—the most iconic of Spanish cheeses. Made from the milk of Manchega sheep, its firm texture and nutty flavor pair beautifully with the region’s crisp whites like Airén or bold reds from local blends.

Villages like Consuegra and Alcázar de San Juan make great bases for exploring local dairies and bodegas. Look for aged Manchego labeled curado or viejo—the longer the aging, the richer the flavor.

For a full winery experience, Bodegas Real near Ciudad Real offers tastings and vineyard walks in a refined rural setting.

📍 Where to Stay: Hotel Château Viñasoro, just 20 minutes away in Alcázar de San Juan, blends modern comfort with views of the vineyards, and it’s a good spot to explore the cheese and wine trails nearby.

Catalonia – Cava and Garrotxa

This region brings something a little different. The coastline sparkles, the mountains rise dramatically, and the food scene blends rustic Catalan roots with modern creativity. Wine-wise, this is Cava country—Spain’s answer to Champagne—made in the Penedès region using traditional methods.

Pair it with Garrotxa, a semi-soft goat cheese that’s earthy, creamy, and wrapped in a natural grey mold rind. It’s subtle, elegant, and perfectly balanced—just like the region’s cuisine.

Among the many cellars in the area, Codorníu in Sant Sadurní d’Anoia is one of the oldest and offers fascinating underground tours, tastings, and art-nouveau architecture.

📍 Where to Stay: Hotel Fonda Neus, also in Sant Sadurní, is family-run and just minutes from top Cava producers. It’s an easy and cozy place to base yourself while exploring the region’s bubbles and cheeses.

Portugal – Mountains, Coastlines, and Rich, Rustic Flavors

Portugal may be small, but its flavors are anything but. From the misty green mountains in the north to the golden plains of the Alentejo, this is a country where food and wine are rooted in place. Nothing feels rushed. Bread is still baked in wood ovens, cheeses are wrapped in cloth, and wines are often made the way they were a hundred years ago—by hand, with care.

Douro Valley – Port and Queijo da Serra

It is one of the oldest demarcated wine regions in the world, carved by the river that gives it its name. Vineyards cling to impossibly steep terraces, producing grapes that become bold reds and the region’s most iconic export: Port wine.

Pair your sip of tawny or vintage Port with Queijo da Serra, a rich, buttery sheep’s cheese made in the nearby mountains of Serra da Estrela. It’s so soft and intense that locals often cut off the top and scoop it out with a spoon.

For a truly immersive tasting, Quinta do Bomfim in Pinhão offers vineyard tours, river views, and cellar tastings along the Douro. It’s one of several quintas that open their doors to travelers.

📍 Where to Stay: Vintage House Hotel in Pinhão sits right on the riverbank, just minutes from the estate. The views, the quiet, and the easy access to wine tastings make it an unforgettable base.

Alentejo – Bold Reds and Azeitão

South of Lisbon, Alentejo stretches out in waves of golden fields and cork oak trees. The wines here are sun-kissed—ripe, warm, and full of character. Reds made from Aragonez, Trincadeira, and Alicante Bouschet are bold but smooth—perfect with the creamy, tangy notes of Queijo de Azeitão.

This raw sheep’s cheese is soft, runny at room temperature, and wrapped in cloth or wax. It's traditionally made near the town of Azeitão, just an hour from the vineyards.

For tastings, Herdade do Esporão near Reguengos de Monsaraz offers wine tours, olive oil tastings, and a beautiful onsite restaurant using ingredients from their own farm.

📍 Where to Stay: São Lourenço do Barrocal, located about 30 minutes away, is a restored farming village turned into a tranquil wine retreat—with its own vineyards, spa, and timeless countryside views.

Dão Region – Elegant Reds and Mountain Cheeses

Nestled between the mountains and forests of central Portugal, this region offers a quieter, greener side of wine country. Its granite-rich soils and higher elevation create reds that are smooth, structured, and full of wild berry and herbal notes. It’s less touristic than the Douro or Alentejo—but just as rewarding.

These wines pair beautifully with cheeses made in nearby highlands—especially Queijo de Celorico, a creamy sheep’s cheese with a soft rind and a rustic edge. In local markets, it’s often sold wrapped in cloth, aged just long enough to become rich and spreadable.

For tastings, Casa de Santar near Viseu offers elegant wine flights in a historic manor estate—one of several open to visitors in the region.

📍 Where to Stay: Parador Casa da Ínsua in Penalva do Castelo is about 20 minutes away. It’s a charming 18th-century mansion with its own gardens, cheese production, and wine cellar—a rare place where you can taste both the wine and the cheese made on-site.

Stay Connected While You Travel

Wine country may offer peace and quiet—but staying connected is still part of the experience. Whether you're translating a cheese label at a village market, navigating winding country roads, or sharing a golden-hour vineyard photo with friends back home, a reliable connection makes the trip smoother.

If you're planning to explore just one country at a time and take things slow, the Spain JetSet eSIM and Portugal JetSet eSIM each offer fast, dependable coverage tailored to your destination. No need to hunt for a local SIM or rely on public Wi-Fi, risking your personal data.

But if your journey takes you across borders—say from the vineyards of Rioja to the Douro River—the Europe JetSet eSIM keeps things simple. One installation covers both countries (and more), with no roaming fees, no SIM swapping, and no interruptions.

It’s not about being online all the time. It’s about knowing you can check a map, confirm a tasting, or book your next stay—without missing a beat. Because when you’re exploring flavors this rich, the last thing you want is tech getting in the way.

You can get your JetSet eSIM before your trip and activate it the moment you arrive—so you’re online right away. Our data plans include no roaming fees, so you won’t be surprised by extra charges after you return home. And if you ever need a new eSIM during your travels, it’s easy to order one online in minutes.