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10 Fun Facts About Spain
- You can dine in the oldest restaurant in the world in Madrid, according to the Guinness World Records. Make sure to check out Restaurante Botin in Madrid.
- Madrid or Barcelona? Not the cities. The football teams! Football is a big deal here, and the Madrid-Barcelona rivalry runs deep. (Decide what side you’re on now. If football comes up, someone is bound to ask.)
- Spain is a renewable energy trailblazer. It was the first country to have wind as the greatest source of its electricity. So make a stop in Castilla La Mancha. It’s the Spanish land of windmills.
- From Diego Velazquez to Pablo Picasso and Salvador Dali, Spain gave the world some of the best artists–and art museums–of all time!
- Spanish children don’t leave their teeth for the tooth fairy. Their teeth get picked up by a magical mouse. Ratoncito Perez takes the teeth and leaves behind money or a small gifts in its place.
- Spain is the land of fiestas, or festivals. There’s over 100 held every year like the world-famous Semana Santa, Ferias, Tomatina (Valencia), Carnaval, or San Fermin (Pamplona).
- Christmas is a big deal in Spain. One of its biggest Christmas traditions is playing the lottery! (Wasn’t expecting that either.) It has the biggest payout in the world. In 2017, it was €2.3 billion. Naturally, it’s known as El Gordo, or the fat one.
- Don Quixote by Miguel de Cervantes written in Spain is considered the world’s first modern novel.
- Tomorrow tomorrow is a way of life here, and an OECD report published in 2020 shows Spaniards dedicate 15 hours a day to leisure.
- The Altamira Cave outside of Santader is home to the Sistine Chapel of Prehistory. It holds impressive prehistoric drawings of varied shapes and meaning.
When is the best time to visit Spain?
We’re going to answer this question with another one: What do you want to do on your visit?
So if you have your heart set on a coastal getaway to popular places like Barcelona, La Costa del Sol, or the islands, the Summer is the best time! The water will be great for swimming and the chiringuitos (Spanish for beach bars) will be lively.
But if you want to visit the interior cities, the Spring or Fall are best for comfortable, sunny weather with fewer tourists. Keep in mind, cities like Seville, Granada, or Madrid can feel unbearable in the Summer heat.
What are the best cities to visit in Spain?
Spain is one of the most popular tourist destinations in the world! Along with great vibes, it has 8000 beaches, the highest concentration of bars in Europe, and 47 UNESCO World Heritage sites (the 3rd highest in the world).
So the answer is: Go anywhere and everywhere! It’s bound to be a great experience.
Check out our blog for more ideas and consider these popular destinations:
- Madrid
- Barcelona
- Seville
- Granada
- Valencia
- Ibiza
- The Canary Islands
- Santiago de Compostela
What is Spanish culture like?
Spanish culture is a diverse mixture of several ancient cultures and modern influences. Remember the ancient Romans? Spain is full of monuments showcasing their legacy in the region. In addition, you’ll find traces of Celtic, Gothic, and even Greek influences.
Almost anywhere you go near or South of Madrid, you’ll find samples of another key player in Spanish culture: the Moors from North Africa.
They occupied the peninsula for 800 years, leaving behind gorgeous Muslim architecture and streets lined with orange trees, for instance. The Moors also influenced the language: Eight percent of Spanish comes from Arabic!
Alright, so let’s fast forward. Currently, Spain is made up of 19 autonomous communities. Did you know these communities represent ancient kingdoms? In the 15th century King Ferdinand and Queen Isabelle brought together the four kingdoms of Castille, Leon, Navarre, and Aragon to form Spain.
Each of those kingdoms was made up of different cultures that still influence Spain. For example, in Catalonia they speak Catalan and have modernist architecture. On the other hand, in Andalucia, they dance flamenco and host the biggest Holy Week celebrations. Meanwhile, in Basque Country they eat pintxos and are one of the oldest ethnic groups in Europe with their own language.
With 19 autonomous communities, you’ll find different cultures depending on what region you visit.
What do they eat in Spain?
Get ready because Spanish food is delicious. First, you’ll notice each community has its typical dishes, but ingredients like olive oil, bread, and seafood are key players all over the country. In addition, Spain produces over half of the world’s olive oil and is the second largest producer of wine. So naturally no meal is complete without a glass (or several) of wine or beer.
Similarly, Spanish cuisine isn’t the same without good company. Enjoying time with family and friends is very important in Spanish culture. As a result, meals like lunch and dinner can last for hours while you share glasses of wine, delicious bites, and lively conversation. This tradition even has a name ‘Sobremesa,’ and it would be rude to leave the table without it. Must try dishes:
- Pulpo a la Gallega
- Carne en Salsa
- Tortilla
- Churros con Chocolate
- Croquetas
- Patatas Bravas
- Paella
- Gambas al Pil Pil
