So, you’re interested in Spain? Let’s just say there’s a lot to be interested in. It’s challenging to find a more linguistically, culturally, and geographically diverse country than Spain. The chances are, whatever you know about the country is just scratching the surface.
Read on to find out 30 interesting facts that make Spain so unique and fascinating.
- Spain is made up of 17 autonomous communities and two autonomous cities. Each of these communities has its regional government as well as different cultures, languages and traditions. Spain is an incredibly diverse country and visiting several different autonomous communities is the best way to experience the variety the country has to offer.
- Spain is multilingual! Many foreigners only know of ‘Spanish’ which refers to Castellano and is spoken throughout the country, but Spain actually has four languages recognised in its Constitution. These four languages are Castillian Spanish (Castellano), Catalan (Catalá), Galician (Galego), and Basque (Euskera). There are also several more minority languages spoken in different provinces throughout the country.
- Basque, or Euskera, has no ties to any other Indo-European languages. This makes it an anomaly as a modern language and is fascinating for linguists. It is considered to be one of Europe’s oldest remaining spoken languages.
- Spain has incredible mountain ranges and hiking trails. The Picos de Europa mountain range in northern Spain boasts some of the most incredible vistas in the country. It has numerous great hiking trails for both day hikes and through hikes.
- In Spain, food that is vegetal (vegetable) usually includes tuna! If you’re a vegetarian or vegan, be careful to check when ordering your food, as a vegetable sandwich or salad will often include tuna, even if this is not written on the menu.
- Spain’s coffee is a mix of regular coffee and sugar-roasted coffee. During the civil war in Spain, there was a shortage of coffee beans. This was addressed by supplementing lower-quality coffee beans with sugar during the roasting process. Due to the high temperatures the sugar is exposed to in the roasting process it makes the coffee bitterer.
- In small towns and cities, tapas are usually free with your drink. In larger, more touristy cities such as Barcelona or Madrid, it is common to pay for tapas or to receive only a few crackers and a small portion of cheese for free with your drink. If you venture outside of the big cities to the smaller regional cities and towns, however, you will find that generous servings of tapas are included with every drink for free.
- The most important day of the Christmas season in Spain is Día de Reyes(Day of the Three Wise Men), which is celebrated on the 6th of January. It is a celebration of the day when the Three Wise Men arrived at Bethlehem in the Bible.
- Spain can get quite cold. When most people think of Spain, they imagine the Costa del Sol, warm weather, and relaxing on a beach. But in the winter many parts of Spain are very cold and it can even snow. The huge variety of landscapes and climates across Spain is part of what makes it so beautiful.
- Spain has 22,042 wind turbines. With over 1300 wind farms, the country has an immense wind power capacity, one of the largest in the world.
- It’s not necessary to own a car in Spain. Most of the country is very well connected by rail and bus. This is perfect for exploring Spain while studying abroad as it is simple and fast to access other villages, cities, and regions by using the public transport system.
- You can dance the night away! Nightclubs in Spain often remain open until 7:00 am, and it’s considered too early to go to the club before 1:00 am.
- You can live in Spain without being fluent in Spanish. In big cities like Madrid and Barcelona, many foreigners who live there who are not fluent and many Spanish locals speak English. You can order at restaurants, do your shopping and live daily life without being fluent in Spanish. Living in Spain is definitely your best opportunity to start learning though!
- Spain has a national government-subsidized language school that is very affordable to attend. The Escuela Oficial de Idiomas (Official Language School) has 300 campuses across the country and offers many languages. This is an excellent way to start or continue your Spanish language studies, as it is very affordable and easy to access.
- The Iberian Peninsula, where Spain is located, was under Moorish rule for several centuries. As a result, Hispanic Muslim architecture is prevalent, especially in Andalusia, which was the centre of the Moorish society.
- Two of Spain’s territories, Ceuta and Melilla, are located in North Africa.This means that Spain shares a land border with Morocco.
- Spain is a constitutional monarchy, and the royal family is currently popular in Spain, although according to polling much of the country favours a republic. Princess Leonor, King Felipe VI’s oldest daughter, is his heir and will inherit the throne.
- The Spanish language, which originated in Spain and spread through colonialism, is the most widely spoken today. Learning Spanish could take you almost anywhere in the world!
- It is very common for shops, businesses, and schools to close for a few hours at lunchtime. Between the hours of 2:00 pm to 5:30 pm, most workers will return home to enjoy a hot meal with their families before returning to work.
- The Spanish siesta is a part of daily life. After returning home for lunch, it is still quite common to have an afternoon nap before returning to work or school for the evening.
- Spanish culture is all about late nights. Depending on where you’re from, you might be surprised by the average bedtime in Spain. Even children as young as 8 years old will never go to sleep before midnight. Most families eat dinner between 9:00 pm and 10:00 pm.
- Olive oil is the measure of inflation and cost of living for Spaniards. In other countries you might hear people complain about the cost of petrol or the price of a loaf of bread, but Spaniards will tell you about how high the cost of a litre of olive oil has gotten!
- Easter in Spain is a big deal. Semana Santa, or Holy Week in Spain, is celebrated throughout the country, showing the nation's strong catholic roots. The most famous Semana Santa festivities, processions, and parties are in Andalusia, specifically in Seville.
- The autonomous community of Catalonia wants to leave Spain. Catalonia has strong traditions and its language of Catalan. Many people in this region would like to separate from Spain and become an independent nation.
- Most of Spain’s fiestas (festivals) are concentrated around the summer months, so this is a great time to experience an authentic Spanish celebration. Each region and even each town and village in Spain has its own fiesta celebrating cultural icons or events. Two of the most famous fiestas are the running of the bulls in Pamplona and Tomatina in Buñol.
- Spain is home to the fourth-oldest university in Europe. Salamanca University was founded in 1218 as the first Spanish university and Spain has had a rich tradition of education since even before that time.
- The famous Sagrada Familia cathedral in Barcelona has never been finished. Construction of the cathedral started in 1882, when the architect Gaudi oversaw the project. Work on the cathedral has recommenced, and it is expected to be completed in 2026 for the 100th anniversary of Gaudi’s death.
- Bullfighting still exists in Spain today, although the industry is supported mainly by tourists now. Spanish interest in the sport has been declining as it has fallen out of favour with younger generations.
- Spain (and Europe) did not have potatoes until they were imported from Spain’s South American colonies. Before this, the chestnut was a staple food in Spain for many years and continues to be popular as a snack.
- Madrid is home to the oldest restaurant in the world. Botín has been serving food since its doors first opened in 1725, and it is recognised by the Guinness Book of World Records as the longest-operating restaurant still in existence.
Now you have a bit more insight into what makes one of Europe’s oldest countries such a diverse and interesting place. There’s so much of Spain to discover and explore. If you’re interested in learning more about Spanish culture, language, fiestas, and siestas, why not consider studying abroad in Spain?