Spanish Culture

Eating & Drinking

“Unexpected nods of culinary experience and unique tastes constitute the heart of Spain’s eating and drinking scene.”

The world’s largest producer of olive oil knows how to use it well—it is the base of many mouth-watering sauces served with eclectic tapas. Garlic is a staple in every salty dish and regional herbs like oregano and thyme are common in all of Spain’s cooking cultures. Speaking of, Spain consists of 6 culinary regions, each of which has incredibly rich elements that go into the food. Andalucia is the realm of exquisite tapas, while in Catalonia, you will have the best casserole of your life. Keep in mind that you will find everything everywhere in Spain, but for the ultimate experience of Spanish culture, try the dishes in their places of origin.

It would be fair to say that the Spanish follow a 5-meal plan when it comes to the daily food agenda. After breakfast comes the traditional mid-morning coffee break. You may still go on with the breakfast delicacies like tortilla de patata or bollos. Tapas are perfect appetizers at any time of the day, whether as a street food escape or to get your stomach running before a hearty meal. Contrary to what you might expect, la comida (the mid-day meal) is the largest meal of the day. Usually served in two or three courses, the Spanish lunch is the best way to experience most aspects of Spanish food. Then comes snack time, similar to the British five o’clock tea but much more satisfying. This is the best time to visit Spain’s tantalizing tapas bars. As for dinner, it is more about wine or beer than food.

Eating in Spain is not only about appetite, it is a social ritual and the most joyful occasion of daily life. The celebratory spirit is most intensely reflected in the tasteful Sangria. A perfect symbol of Spanish culture, Sangria hails the highest quality Spanish wines and local fruits. Feeling fancier? Revel in a bottle of cava, Spain’s own variety of champagne.

Religion & Etiquette

The majority of the Spanish population is Catholic, with the remaining following Islam. Catholicism has a significant influence on everyday life as well as society, with most celebrations and festivities being based on important dates of the religion. These days, many Spaniards report having religion as more of a cultural drive in their lives. They live by traditions and customs brought to them by Catholicism, but keep it as modern and open-minded as possible. As a result, you will get to experience religious rituals as cultural spectacles, and be yourself comfortably when in Spain.

Spanish people won’t mind if you are reasonably late to a casual meeting or even a special occasion. What they consider rude, however, is not giving greetings to people in elevators, shops, and restaurants; arguing over a bill when someone wants to pay it for you; or wasting food. Still, Spaniards rarely judge people, if you are not one to mistake casual indifference for judgment. Tolerance and hospitality are some of the core values of Spanish culture—no wonder they have the famous saying “mi casa es su casa”. Always show your gratitude and appreciation, whether you are invited to a local home for dinner or just having a meal at a restaurant. Although not always expected, tipping is a great way to do this.

One of the few behaviors that may attract negative attention in Spain is excessive drunkenness. It may seem like the Spanish are always drinking, which is partially true. It takes people too long to finish a drink because of the generally relaxed way of life. But in fact, Spaniards are rarely too drunk. So, there may come a time when you need to hold your liquor. Also, try to be more careful with your clothing when visiting sacred places and even the most touristic churches.