Rick Steves' Spain & Portugal 1998

by Rick Steves

This guide brings the Iberian peninsula to life with pointers on the most luscious "paella" in Seville, the best folk art outlets on the Portuguese coast, and the most offbeat art galleries in Barcelona. From flamenco to bullfights to the Prado, this book guides travelers to sights and sounds, the culture and events that make Spain and Portugal a destination worth remembering. 30 maps .

Genres: Travel

240 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1993

About the author

Rick Steves is an American travel writer, television personality, and activist known for encouraging meaningful travel that emphasizes cultural immersion and thoughtful global citizenship. Born in California and raised in Edmonds, Washington, he began traveling in his teens, inspired by a family trip to Europe. After graduating from the University of Washington with a degree in European history and business, Steves started teaching travel classes, which led to his first guidebook, Europe Through the Back Door, self-published in 1980.
Steves built his Edmonds-based travel company on the idea that travelers should explore less-touristy areas and engage with local cultures. He gained national prominence as host and producer of Rick Steves' Europe, which has aired on public television since 2000. He also hosts a weekly public radio show, Travel with Rick Steves, and has authored dozens of popular guidebooks, including bestselling titles on Italy and Europe at large.
Beyond travel, Steves is an outspoken advocate for drug policy reform, environmental sustainability, and social justice. He supports marijuana legalization and chairs the board of NORML. He has funded housing for homeless families and donates to anti-hunger and arts organizations. In 2019, he pledged $1 million annually to offset the carbon emissions of his tour groups.
Steves is a practicing Lutheran with Norwegian ancestry and continues to live in Edmonds. He has two adult children and is in a relationship with Reverend Shelley Bryan Wee. Despite health challenges, including a prostate cancer diagnosis in 2024, Steves remains committed to his mission of helping Americans travel with greater purpose, empathy, and understanding of the world. His work reflects a belief that travel, done right, can be both transformative and a force for peace.

Reviews

[Evan · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great old version of this book, with hand drawn maps, better than later versions.

[Kelli · Rating 5 out of 5]

I gotta hand it to him, Rick Steves did a great job of providing a tour of Spain (can't speak for Portugal). I studied Spain and Spanish history for four years, and still learned a lot from this book. Found great hotels, wonderful places to eat, and good reviews of all the sights that I had planned to see anyway. An excellent investment. Ours had fallen apart by the end of the trip.

[Federick Ngo · Rating 5 out of 5]

rick steeves had me when, upon following his suggestions in madrid, my friend and i got to buy homemade cookies from nuns in a cloister - through a secret doorway in a cobblestone alley. that's travel to remember.