I did not walk the Francés but visited a lot of camino places on the Francés (SJPDP Pamplona Burgos Leon Sahagún and drove through the “campo” in between places as I did on the North and the via de la Plata) . But walked the Portugūes several times .
if you speak enough Castillano (Spanish they speak in latin America) they will understand you in Portugal too. But in general the youth in Portugal will speak english and lots of elderly people speak French.
That said , God gracious , Spain is not Portugal. Let Portugal stay Portugal as it is. Beautiful warm and kind people, very helpfull .Nothing wrong with the Spaniards although what is a Spaniard. People from e.g. Castillia and Leon have different temperament and way of living as people from Andalucia or Asturias And not to speak about Catalunya where I used to work.
Galegos, people from Galicia are totaly different andhave more in common with thePortuguese. Even the languages are in common.
so I should say let Portugal overcome to you and enjoy the people as they are and the country as it is. And do not compare both countries. In Dutch ,my native language ,they say “ you compare apples with pears” both in there own way taste good.
Being in your country I experienced also differences when I was in NYC, Miami ,LA , SF , Las Vegas New Orleans or in TN . I loved every place I have been but found them all different.
my favorite town by the way was and still is Nashville TN. Have been there some times .
Hee haw !
Bom caminho