The Iberian Peninsula was thrown into unexpected darkness on Monday, 28 April, as widespread power outages across Spain and Portugal disrupted daily life and travel plans in two of Europe's most popular destinations.
The outages, triggered by a technical fault at a key substation, prompted both governments to declare a state of emergency. The blackouts cut cellphone and internet networks, halted trains, and trapped people in lifts.
In major cities including Madrid, Barcelona, Lisbon, and Porto, metro systems came to a halt, and rail and airport services were heavily disrupted. Commuters were left navigating darkened stations and offices by the light of their mobile phones
Airports, though, remained operational thanks to emergency generators, but reported minor delays and baggage handling issues.
Travellers relying on mobile apps and card payments found themselves facing unexpected challenges, as mobile networks and ATMs were intermittently affected.
Despite the disruption, both governments are working rapidly to restore normalcy, and essential services in key cities have already begun to recover.
So should travellers still go? Despite the disruption, both governments are working rapidly to restore normalcy, and essential services in key cities have already begun to recover. Tourism boards in Spain and Portugal are assuring visitors that travel remains safe and services are steadily returning to normal.
However, travellers should expect potential delays, keep essentials like cash and portable chargers handy, and maintain regular contact with airlines, hotels, and local tour operators. Travel advisors are encouraged to maintain close communication with clients, monitor official advisories, and assist with itinerary adjustments where necessary.