{"id":5557,"date":"2023-04-11T08:04:12","date_gmt":"2023-04-11T08:04:12","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/bestschoolsinspain.com\/10-traditions-and-customs-in-spain\/"},"modified":"2023-07-20T08:45:04","modified_gmt":"2023-07-20T08:45:04","slug":"10-traditions-and-customs-in-spain","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/bestschoolsinspain.com\/en\/10-traditions-and-customs-in-spain\/","title":{"rendered":"10 Spanish traditions and customs"},"content":{"rendered":"\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t
<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t

10 Spanish traditions and customs<\/h1>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t

Something makes Spain special, a unique ingredient that makes it one of the popular destinations throughout most of the year: <\/span>the culture and its representations<\/b>, a factor that you won\u2019t find anywhere else in the world and has already attracted nearly <\/span>9 million tourists to the country in 2023.<\/b><\/p>

Perhaps it\u2019s the impressive celebrations to mark Holy Week or any other national holiday, the famous cuisine and Mediterranean diet or the climate that makes us an <\/span>open, sociable and tolerant society.<\/b> A country with a friendly atmosphere and sunshine almost throughout the entire day.<\/span><\/p>

All of this has shaped<\/span> Spain\u2019s traditions<\/b>, and we are now going to tell you some of the most important ones.<\/span><\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t

\n\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\"Las\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t

Something makes Spain special, a unique ingredient that makes it one of the popular destinations throughout most of the year: <\/span>the culture and its representations<\/b>, a factor that you won\u2019t find anywhere else in the world and has already attracted nearly <\/span>9 million tourists to the country in 2023.<\/b><\/p>

Perhaps it\u2019s the impressive celebrations to mark Holy Week or any other national holiday, the famous cuisine and Mediterranean diet or the climate that makes us an <\/span>open, sociable and tolerant society.<\/b> A country with a friendly atmosphere and sunshine almost throughout the entire day.<\/span><\/p>

All of this has shaped<\/span> Spain\u2019s traditions<\/b>, and we are now going to tell you some of the most important ones.<\/span><\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t

\n\t\t\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t

What are the most important Spanish traditions?<\/h2>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t
<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t

I. National Catholic holidays<\/h3>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t

Spain is traditionally a Catholic country and this has defined the culture and main holidays based on the story of the Bible, such as Christmas, Christmas Eve, Three Kings Day or Holy Week.<\/span><\/p>

Moreover, it is common in Spain for people to celebrate their saint’s day, the day honouring the life of the saint that shares their name. However, this practice is more common in the country\u2019s southern regions (which are significantly more Catholic than in the north).<\/span><\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t

\n\t\t\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t

II. The grace and flair of flamenco in the south<\/h3>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t

When we mention Spain abroad, the first thing that comes to mind is probably the flamenco culture of Andalusia. A woman dressed in flamenco attire, a bullfighter and some Sevillanas dancers. We aren\u2019t going to say that this isn\u2019t true (although not representative of the entire culture), but it is common, especially in the south.<\/span><\/p>

As these regions (Andalusia, Murcia, Extremadura, etc.) are located where the Mediterranean climate prevails (i.e., sun and good weather almost all year round), people tend to be more open and sociable, thus giving rise to the \u201ccharm\u201d of the south.<\/span><\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t

\n\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t
<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t
<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t

III. Respect for mealtimes and the sobremesa, or after-dinner conversation<\/h3>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t

Spanish culture shows great respect for mealtimes, and so do Spaniards. Meals are almost a ritual at any family dinner table, and it’s not just because there’s so many different recipes to feed the soul, but also because people eat slowly so they can savour every mouthful and enjoy the company, whether at home or in a restaurant.<\/span><\/p>

Meals can last for hours and the famous<\/span> sobremesa<\/span><\/i>, the time that people spend having coffee or dessert while talking and spending time together, is added to this. Time spent with our loved ones around the table is cherished.<\/span><\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t

\n\t\t\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t

IV. The tapas lifestyle\n<\/h3>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t

Carrying on from the previous point, traditional Spanish cuisine has a dish that is common to different regions: <\/span>tapas<\/span><\/i>. But what exactly is a <\/span>tapa<\/span><\/i>? It is a small portion of food that is usually included free of charge with a drink in a bar.<\/span><\/p>

In Spain, people often go to a bar with friends or family, order some beers or soft drinks and accompany them with tapas. You can often eat a few of them as your meal, or order them for the whole table to nibble. A real miniature delicacy!<\/span><\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t

\n\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t
<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t
<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t

V. Football, an integral part of the culture<\/h3>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t

As we also mention in our section on traditional sports in Spain, football is undoubtedly the most important of all. A whopping <\/span>70% of the country’s population claims to be interested or very interested<\/b> in the game, and more than 40% say they follow it on a weekly basis.<\/span><\/p>\n

This, as well as being home to some of the world’s most important teams like Real Madrid or F.C. Barcelona, makes our country one of the world\u2019s biggest football fans. Want to enjoy this sport at its best? Come to Spain.<\/span><\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t

\n\t\t\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t

VI. For film fans, dubbing is a must\n\n<\/h3>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t

The Spanish film industry is highly complex, with nearly 350 film producers and more than 6,000 companies covering a wide variety of styles and genres. However, if there is something that sets this industry apart from the rest of the world, it\u2019s the tendency to dub films into Spanish.<\/span><\/p>

“What?!”, you might be thinking if you were born in a foreign country. Well, yes, if you want to see a film in the original version with Spanish subtitles, you\u2019ll have to go to a specialised cinema. If you visit a regular establishment, all the films will be dubbed.<\/span><\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t

\n\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t
<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t
<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t

VII. Two kisses or a hug to greet people<\/h3>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t

We\u2019ve already mentioned that Spanish people are open, sociable and, in most cases, affectionate (although this doesn\u2019t apply to everyone). This means that greeting somebody without physical contact could even be considered rude. They always greet people with two kisses or, if they\u2019re close, a hug.<\/span><\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t

\n\t\t\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t

VIII. Popular regional festivals\n\n<\/h3>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t

Is there anything more traditional in Spain than the nationwide festivals? Yes! Regional or provincial festivals, as they only take place in specific locations and not throughout the entire country.<\/span><\/p>

We are talking about the famous <\/span>Fallas<\/span><\/i> of Valencia, the traditional <\/span>Feria de Abril<\/span><\/i> in Seville, the colourful <\/span>Fiestas de Primavera<\/span><\/i> in Murcia, <\/span>Carnaval<\/span><\/i> in the Canary Islands or Cadiz, the <\/span>Tomatina<\/span><\/i> of Bu\u00f1ol, the controversial <\/span>San Ferm\u00ednes<\/span><\/i> in Navarra, <\/span>San Isidro<\/span><\/i> in Madrid or <\/span>Sant Jordi<\/span><\/i> in Catalonia. Any others?<\/span><\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t

\n\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t
<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t
<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t

IX. The Spanish schedule and climate, a whole other story<\/h3>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t

We all know that Spain\u2019s climate is as varied as its culture. The average temperature in the country is around 10\u00b0C, with cool summers in the north and hot summers in the centre and south, although the winter months are generally cold.<\/span><\/p>

There are more hours of sun than in any other area of Europe, something that not only influences Spaniards\u2019 personality, but also their schedules! Lunch is between 2 and 3\u00a0p.m. (or even 4\u00a0p.m. if they top it off with a coffee) and dinner is at 9\u00a0p.m. or even 10\u00a0p.m.<\/span><\/p>

Going out partying is also very different than in other countries. In most places, pubs and bars are closed at 3 a.m., but in Spain this is when many students and workers head out to the clubs after meeting to drink with friends in the evening or after dinner. To understand Spain, you have to experience it firsthand.<\/span><\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t

\n\t\t\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t

X. The diverse and traditional Mediterranean diet<\/h3>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t

In Spain, the Mediterranean diet is especially important because of its history and cultural role. Many of the most famous dishes are based on Mediterranean ingredients, such as paella, gazpacho and tapas.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>

In addition, Spain is one of the world’s largest producers of olive oil, which means that this important component of the Mediterranean diet is readily available to Spaniards at an affordable price.<\/span><\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t

\n\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t
<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t
<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\"murcia\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t

Contact us<\/h2>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t
\n
\n

<\/p>

    <\/ul><\/div>\n
    \n
    \n<\/fieldset>\n
    \n\t
    \n\t\t
    \n\t\t\t

    <\/span>\n\t\t\t<\/p>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t

    \n\t\t\t

    <\/span>\n\t\t\t<\/p>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t<\/div>\n\t

    \n\t\t
    \n\t\t\t

    <\/span>\n\t\t\t<\/p>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t

    \n\t\t\t

    <\/span>\n\t\t\t<\/p>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t<\/div>\n\t

    \n\t\t
    \n\t\t\t

    <\/span>\n\t\t\t<\/p>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t

    \n\t\t\t

    <\/span>\n\t\t\t<\/p>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t<\/div>\n\t

    \n\t\t
    \n\t\t\t