Spain and Portugal are among the easier countries in Europe for travelers with a special diet. European Union law requires every restaurant to tell you which of 14 major allergens each dish contains, gluten among them, and both countries have active celiac associations working with restaurants and hotels. On a private trip, your planner records each requirement before you travel and chooses hotels and restaurants that handle it well, so gluten-free, vegetarian, vegan, low-carb and allergy-aware travel all work at a luxury level.
Traveling with a dietary need? Tell a planner what you eat and what you avoid, and you will hear back within one business day.
Is Spain good for gluten-free and celiac travelers?
Yes. Celiac disease is well understood in Spain, and the national celiac federation, FACE, runs a program that trains and lists gluten-free restaurants and hotels. Menus often mark dishes “sin gluten”, and many restaurants keep gluten-free bread. Grilled fish and meat, jamón ibérico, tortilla de patatas and rice dishes are naturally gluten-free in most kitchens. Croquetas, battered fried fish and many desserts are not, and shared fryers are the usual risk, which is why we choose restaurants that understand cross-contact.
Is Portugal good for gluten-free travelers?
Yes, with a little more care. The Portuguese celiac association, APC, works with restaurants, and Lisbon and Porto both have dedicated gluten-free bakeries. Grilled fish, seafood rice and many bacalhau dishes suit a gluten-free diet, while bread arrives on almost every table and francesinha, the Porto sandwich, is off the menu. Our Portugal food and wine guide covers the dishes to look for.
Is it easy to eat vegetarian or vegan in Spain and Portugal?
Vegetarian travel is easy in both countries, and vegan travel is easy in the big cities. Madrid, Barcelona, Seville, Lisbon and Porto all have plant-based restaurants, from casual to tasting menu. Traditional kitchens offer gazpacho, pisto, grilled vegetables, pimientos de Padrón and Portuguese vegetable soups, though some soups and stews use meat stock or a topping of ham or chouriço, so ask for “sin carne” in Spain or “sem carne” in Portugal. Private market visits and cooking classes adapt well to a plant-based menu, where available.
What about low-carb and keto diets?
Both countries suit a low-carb diet naturally. Grilled meat and fish, seafood, jamón, cheese, olives, olive oil and salads fill most menus, and dry red and white wines from Rioja, Ribera del Duero, the Douro and Alentejo fit most low-carb plans. Skip the bread basket, ask for vegetables instead of potatoes, and the rest of the table follows.
How do restaurants handle food allergies?
Under EU Regulation 1169/2011, restaurants in Spain and Portugal must give allergen information on request for 14 allergens, including gluten, peanuts, tree nuts, milk, eggs, fish, shellfish, sesame and soy. Watch for almonds in Spanish desserts such as turrón and marzipan, nuts in romesco sauce, and shellfish stock in many rice dishes. Travelers with serious allergies carry their own medication and a translated allergy card, and your guide is glad to speak with the kitchen on your behalf.
Useful phrases for special diets
| English | Spanish | Portuguese |
|---|---|---|
| I have celiac disease | Soy celíaco (celíaca) | Sou celíaco (celíaca) |
| Gluten-free | Sin gluten | Sem glúten |
| I am vegetarian | Soy vegetariano (vegetariana) | Sou vegetariano (vegetariana) |
| I am vegan | Soy vegano (vegana) | Sou vegano (vegana) |
| I am allergic to nuts | Tengo alergia a los frutos secos | Tenho alergia a frutos secos |
| Without meat stock | Sin caldo de carne | Sem caldo de carne |
| Lactose-free | Sin lactosa | Sem lactose |
What about special diets in Morocco?
Morocco takes more planning for gluten-free travelers, because bread and couscous made from wheat sit at the center of most meals. Tagines, grilled meats, salads and soups such as harira (made with flour, so ask) form the rest of the menu, and riad and hotel kitchens cook to order when they know in advance. Vegetarian travelers eat well in Morocco, with vegetable tagines and salads in every city. Your licensed guide explains your needs to each kitchen, and our Morocco guide covers the rest of the trip.
How do we plan a private trip around a special diet?
Tell your planner what you eat, what you avoid and how strict you need to be. We share your requirements with every hotel and restaurant we book, choose places with a proven record, and brief your guides so they speak for you at each table. While you travel, your private WhatsApp group with Rachel, Inés, Sofia or Dan and our 24/7 support team handle any change. Food-focused travelers often start from the 10-day food and wine tour of northern Spain or the 9-day Portugal food and wine tour, and how it works explains each step of planning.
Questions about special diets in Spain and Portugal
Is Spain good for travelers with celiac disease?
Yes. Celiac disease is well understood in Spain, the national celiac federation FACE lists trained gluten-free restaurants and hotels, and many menus mark dishes “sin gluten”. The main risk is shared fryers, so choose restaurants that understand cross-contact.
Do restaurants in Spain and Portugal have to list allergens?
Yes. Under EU Regulation 1169/2011, restaurants must provide information on 14 allergens on request, including gluten, peanuts, tree nuts, milk, eggs, fish, shellfish, sesame and soy.
Is it easy to eat vegetarian or vegan in Spain?
Vegetarian travel is easy everywhere, and vegan travel is easy in Madrid, Barcelona, Seville and the other large cities. In traditional kitchens, ask whether soups and stews use meat stock.
Is paella gluten-free?
Paella is a rice dish and usually contains no gluten, but stock cubes and shared kitchen equipment vary, so celiac travelers confirm with the restaurant. Our planners choose restaurants that answer clearly.
Can you eat gluten-free in Morocco?
Yes, with planning. Bread and couscous are made from wheat, but tagines, grilled meats and salads suit a gluten-free diet, and riad and hotel kitchens cook to order when told in advance.
Can a private tour accommodate a special diet?
Yes. On a private Magical Private Travel journey, your planner shares your requirements with every hotel and restaurant we book, and your guides speak for you at each table.
Travel planning is complicated. We make it easy. Tell us your dates and your dietary needs, and a planner replies within one business day.
