Culture in Spain: find out more

If you are thinking of emigrating to Spain to develop your studies or to settle down as a resident, we invite you to get to know part of the traditions and customs of the culture in Spain.

Known as one of the most influential cultures, Spain is as diverse as its people and today you will learn about some of the things that stand out the most about this extraordinary country and that you cannot miss during your stay.

What is the culture like in Spain?

The culture in Spain is influenced, like many other cultures, by civilisations from different parts of the world since ancient times. Apart from that, the mother country is described as a mosaic of customs and traditions, as each region has its own cultural traits (gastronomy, traditions, dances, art, architecture, etc.).

Undoubtedly, it is a very extensive country in relation to this subject, but here we will deal with those experiences that have transcended even to other continents.

Where does this culture come from?

Although its cultural formation comes from different systems, 3 stand out in their current political, economic, social, cultural and educational form.

• The baroque

This way of life, which manifests its feelings through the arts and different works of art, is a hallmark of Spanish culture and is present in many of the representative artistic works of this country.

• The aristocracy

This is a political model that predominates in the Spanish territory and in which people are denoted as nobles because of their great intellectual virtues.

• Rhetoric

Spanish culture is influenced by rhetorical interest, in which various methods of language are studied to achieve a persuasive and aesthetic end.

On the other hand, culture in Spain comes from the influence of peoples that have passed through the country over the years, including the Romans, Germans and Arabs.

Spanish traditions you need to know about

The culture of Spain is one of the main representatives of cultural tourism in the world and if you are interested in coming to live here, you should definitely know and experience the following traditions:

• The Spanish classic

A tradition for fans of good Spanish football are the matches played between Real Madrid and Barcelona F.C., which are an experience to be lived in the stadium and which will leave you with extraordinary memories.

• The wine battle

This is perhaps a tradition that may seem a little strange to you, but it has been held since the 17th century and is popularly known as Romería. It consists of the participants dousing each other with wine until their clothes turn purple.

• Valencian festivities

Also known as Fallas Valencianas, they are in homage to Saint Joseph and are one of the main festivities in Spain. They are noted for their joy, music, fireworks, gastronomic fairs and more.

• Flamenco

This is one of the most outstanding expressions of the country and is distinguished because it originates from the convergence of gypsy, Arab, Jewish and Spanish cultures; translating into dance, song and guitar.

• The festival of San Fermín

This is a fiesta that lasts for several days, but stands out for the day of the «encierro», where several streets are closed and several bulls are released to chase those who wish to participate in this event.

Curious Spanish customs

Apart from these traditions, there are some customs of the Spanish people that you may not know about and that are important for you to take into account when you live here.

• Kissing in greetings

Spaniards greet people with a double kiss when they arrive and when they say goodbye, even if they don’t know the person! It’s a completely normal and out of the ordinary demonstration of affection.

• Going out for tapas

Going out for tapas means going to a bar to drink with friends and enjoy small bites while enjoying the atmosphere of the gathering.

• Meal times

And, just so you are clear about meal times, you should know that most Spaniards have lunch between 1 and 3 pm. So while you get used to it, always take something with you. Dinner, on the other hand, is usually around 9:00 pm.

It is interesting to know these particularities of the Spanish, and it is good to take them into account before travelling to the country.

What is the typical Spanish menu?

There really isn’t a single menu that represents the Spanish, as their culture is all about connecting flavour with locality. However, there are 5 dishes that you can’t miss if you visit or come to live in this diverse country:

• Paella
• Cocido Madrileño
• Tortilla de patatas (potato omelette)
• Serrano Ham
• Callos a la madrileña