A beautiful country full of culture, architecture, gastronomy, and unique tradition; Spain is one of the most popular tourist destinations in Europe.
Imagine yourself sipping a glass of wine at a table on a quaint cobblestone street. Hundreds of years of history are so evident around you in a city holding secrets you will never know. A place where the past meets the present.
Let’s be honest, we all dream of a European escape and Spain is just the place to do it.
Home to seventeen autonomous regions each with distinct differences in culture and landscape, there are always new things to discover. If you’re looking for passion and romance, head to Andalucia and find flamenco, olive oil, and tapas. Stop over at Mallorca to experience the Mediterranean lifestyle with soft sand beaches and crystal blue waters. For nature lovers, you can hike, visit a volcano, and relax on the beach all in one day on the island of Tenerife.
There are so many other amazing spots throughout the country, you can basically find it all.
I lived in Spain for two years learning the ins and outs while enjoying and immersing myself in the culture. Whether you are visiting multiple spots or are choosing just one, you will fall in love with what Spain has to offer. Coming from a fast-paced culture like the USA, the Spanish way of life is what everyone needs to see the bigger picture. Sometimes all you need in life is food, wine, and community.
For a smooth transition into Spanish culture, here are some important things to know before traveling.
Tipping isn’t necessary
This one is a favorite for most and it’s pretty obvious why.
There’s no tipping in Spain so, yes, that means when the bill comes you’re only expected to pay for the food. A truly beautiful concept in my opinion.
Workers in Spain make a living wage and aren’t reliant on tips to support them with their necessary expenses. That being said, waiters and waitresses aren’t bending over backward to make sure you have the best service imaginable because their salary isn’t really reliant on what you think of them.
In more touristy areas, and maybe at a fancy restaurant or hotel, there may be more of a tipping culture so if you receive great service or an outstanding meal, definitely leave a little something extra to show your gratitude! It will be appreciated.
Typically, you should expect slower service and a less attentive waiter, but the Spanish way of life is to slow down and enjoy the moment, so embrace it!
Be prepared to walk
Spanish cities and pueblos hold so much culture and ancient history but what’s more, they’re walkable.
Certain destinations like Madrid or Barcelona will require some public transportation, but for the most part, the cities in Spain can be enjoyed on foot.
The simplicity of walking through the cobblestone streets allows you to absorb the unique views and lifestyle each destination has to offer. While the palaces, castles, or churches highlight the outstanding aspects of history and culture, you can find the true charm in the streets.
I get it, having to walk half an hour to get somewhere seems like a long time. In the United States, we typically rely on cars or other forms of transportation to get where we need to go. In Spain, walking really is part of the experience. Spain has the longest life expectancy in Europe and while that is due to a healthier lifestyle overall, I credit a lot of it to the amount of walking people do on a daily basis!
On my first day in Spain, I walked a total of 8 miles just exploring the city center. I know that’s a bit extreme but when there’s so much to do and so much to see, it just happens! While in Spain, enjoy a leisurely 30 minute stroll from one spot to another because you can!
If an 80-year-old abuelo can do it, so can you.
Research which season you will be visiting
Summer
Spain in the summer gets hot. I’m talking about at least 90-degree heat in the blazing sun hot.
This will obviously vary depending on which region you are visiting but a lot of the popular destinations on the Peninsula tend to be very warm in the summer months. The temperature averages anywhere between 30-45 degrees Celsius (85-110 Fahrenheit). Look into the specifics of each region to get a better idea of what you’re facing.
When I lived in Granada for a summer all of the locals warned me to leave. (Eventually), I didn’t and consequently, I stayed inside from the hours of 10 am-7 pm the whole summer because it really is that hot. As I mentioned before, cities are walkable so you don’t always have the comfort of an air-conditioned car to get around. Additionally, a lot of restaurants and most tourist attractions are outside. While there is air conditioning in certain places it may not be as powerful or comfortable compared to what you’re used to in the US.
I recommend looking into the coastal cities if you’re visiting Spain in the summer. But, if you’re brave and want to travel inland, plan accordingly and try not to overbook your days with tours and attractions.
Winter
People often think that Spain is always warm, year-round but that’s a common misconception. Really, it depends on your definition of warm. Most places in Spain can average 15-20 degrees Celsius (60-70 degrees Fahrenheit) in the winter. Spain can be rainy in the winter and feel a lot cooler than what the temperature reads.
While it’s a warmer winter than a lot of places around the world it’s not really sunbathing on the beach, T-shirt and shorts weather.
I would recommend looking into the specific region you’re visiting and packing layers that are easy to shed. It’s easier to take a sweater off if you’re warm than suffer through a chilly day in a tank top.
Siesta
Another notable aspect of Spanish culture is the infamous siesta.
A siesta is a “nap” usually taken midday to escape the heat mentioned above.
Everyone I know who visits or lives in Spain loves the concept of a siesta. It’s a socially acceptable time to rest and regroup in the middle of your busy (or relaxing) day. As I’ve mentioned, the work-life balance in Spain is a priority, and siesta time is a prime example.
It’s important to note that siesta doesn’t only apply to people, but also to shops and restaurants.
From the hours of 2-5 pm (sometimes 2-7 or even 9 pm in the summer), a lot of shops and restaurants will have their own siesta and temporarily close in the afternoon. This is the time for workers to go home, eat lunch, and rest before reopening in the evening hours.
The touristy locations will usually stay open throughout this period so you won’t be stranded with nowhere to go and nothing to eat. Just be prepared if you decide you’re hungry at 2 pm and realize you have limited options to turn to.
Have patience & slow down
In Spain, people tend to move slower, with less urgency.
This means you won’t have the fastest service at restaurants but this also means that you won’t be rushed to leave your table. In Spain, there’s something called “sobre mesa” which basically means that Spaniards will sit drinking and talking at a restaurant for hours after their meal has ended. There’s no rush to leave, once you’ve claimed your spot you’re welcome to stay, drink, and talk as long as you want!
Likewise, there isn’t as much of an emphasis on getting up early for intense daily productivity. This means that things happen later.
Cafes or restaurants don’t open at the crack of dawn so while you may want to get your day started bright and early at 7 am, you shouldn’t expect too many places to be open until about 8-9 am. Normally, lunchtime isn’t until 2 pm, followed by a siesta, and dinner time usually ranges from 9-10 pm. Restaurants will stay open later into the evening to account for this late start but as mentioned before, that also means they may not open until 7 or 8 pm.
Of course, these are generalizations and do not apply to every restaurant/cafe in every location. As a tourist, visiting tourist-heavy locations, you will be able to find exceptions to this rule. But if you’re looking to really experience Spain like a local along with its authentic cuisine you will have to adjust your normal schedule a bit.
So, sleep in, walk at a leisurely pace, treat yourself to a pastry, and look around in wonder like you’re the main character in a romantic European film because you basically are!
Don’t expect people to speak English
Spain is a Spanish-speaking country.
Obvious, I know, but you’d be surprised at how many people feel irritated or flustered when they realize that the language barrier is real. While we are very blessed to speak a language so widely known, you cannot expect anyone to speak English.
Of course, staying in tourist hubs will make you much more comfortable with English-speaking service workers and overall English accommodation. But if you plan to travel to the outskirts and find some hidden gems of the country don’t expect the same. Try to learn & try to speak at least the key phrases of Spanish.
It’s important to note that in Barcelona and the region of Catalonia, they speak Catalan. This is a different language but fortunately, most people will also speak Spanish.
One of the most beautiful parts of travel is opening yourself to new cultures, ways of life, and languages. I feel that as travelers we have a responsibility not only to see and do but to learn. It’s easy to use our privilege of speaking English as a crutch but challenge yourself a little bit.
The best way to get to know a place is through the language and the people.
*Keep reading to learn some important words and phrases in Spanish*
Spanish culture & people
For such a small country, you’d be surprised at how different each region can be. Spain is a culturally diverse country but overall, it’s based on tradition, family/community, & enjoying life (usually through food and drinks).
Traditions & Celebrations
Traditions in Spain differ depending on where you go.
With a deep respect for history and tradition combined with their social nature, Spaniards always find a reason to celebrate! They definitely understand the saying “Less work more play”.
Living in Spain, it felt like there was some sort of holiday or break every few weeks! If you’re lucky, you might be able to catch one of these celebrations. A few examples are Feria in Sevilla, Semana Santa (all over Spain but very popular in Andalucía), Pamplona tomato festival, Carnaval in Santa Cruz, Valencia Fallas, and many more!
Community
With so much history flooding the streets, Spain truly is a land for its people and Spaniards are proud of their culture. Community and connection are important parts of Spanish culture. Oftentimes in Andalucia, many people will gather in groups at restaurants, bring a guitar, and start singing traditional songs with their friends after a meal. Finding joy in the simple pleasures!
I can’t talk about community without mentioning a staple in Spanish communities; fútbol.
Spanish people love to gather and watch fútbol or soccer games, if you can, try and catch a match either at a stadium or a local bar. But beware, the rivalry between Barcelona and Madrid is real. I’ve had students cry from arguments involving their favorite team… Your favorite fútbol team says a lot about you so choose wisely.
Enjoying Life
Spanish people love to live life!
That often looks like sharing a meal and drinks with friends any time of the day, any day of the week. Spanish food is simple and straightforward, but delicious. The staples included in a lot of Spanish dishes are potatoes, eggs, ham, seafood, bread, and of course olive oil. Some must-tries are the Spanish tortilla, croquetas, papas bravas, paella, ensaladilla rusa, and if you eat meat, ham or jamón (Iberico and Serrano).
We can’t forget a huge appeal of Spanish cuisine; wine! Spanish wine is great for any meal and veryyyyy affordable. A glass usually averages 3 euros while a decent bottle at the grocery store can be as low as 2-6 euros.
By the way, this may break a few hearts but people in Spain don’t really drink sangria. Most restaurants only have it for foreigners who are looking for what they think is a “Spanish-style drink”. If you order sangria you might as well wear a shirt that says “I’m a tourist”. Not a bad thing, just something to note.
To wrap up the Spanish mindset and lifestyle with a motto; No pasa nada.
This translates to “don’t worry” and is applicable to almost every situation. Enjoy your life and don’t sweat the small stuff.
Key phrases to know in Spanish
Restaurant
Una mesa para (insert number of people) – A table for (number)
un vaso de agua- a glass of water
cafe con leche – coffee with milk
*names for the most common milk alternatives are ‘leche de soja’ (soy milk), ‘leche de almendras’ (almond milk), and ‘leche de avena’ (oat milk)
Una cerveza – A beer
Un vaso de vino (Tinto or blanco, dulce o seco) – A glass of wine (specify if you want red or white, sweet or dry)
Greetings
Hola – Hello
Adios – Goodbye
Hasta luego – See you later
*Hasta luego can be used in place of goodbye in virtually any setting*
Por favor – Please
Gracias – Thank you
Perdón – Sorry
Hablas inglés? – Do you speak English?
Dónde esta los servicios? – Where is the restroom? (Literally translated to ‘Where are the services?’)
