If you’re planning a trip to Spain, it’s a great idea to familiarise yourself with some of its traditions. From art to music and dance, Spain has a variety of unique beliefs and vibrant cultural celebrations worth knowing about.
Here are ten interesting traditions in Spain worth knowing for your next trip.
- Celebrations and festivals
Spain is famous around the globe for its vibrant festivals, known as ‘fiestas’ in the local language. These celebrations are typically dedicated to a city or saint and feature fireworks, dancing, decorations, parades, live music, and traditional foods.
Some popular festivals include the El Dia de Reyes Magos or the Day of the Three Kings, which involves lively parades and presenting gifts to children.
- Fashion
Spanish culture features beautiful traditional clothing and fashion, which locals often wear during festivals or performances.
Some examples of traditional garb include:
- Mantilla, a long silk or lace veil worn over the shoulder and head and secured with a peinata or tortoise-shell comb,
- Traje corto, short jackets featuring high, coloured waistbands, often combined with a wide-brimmed hat known as a sombrero de alanche,
- Traje de flamenca, the traditional brightly-coloured outfit worn by women during festivals.
- Music and dance
Spain’s rich music and dance culture includes the recognisable Flamenco dance along with other traditional performances such as the Sardana, Fandango, and Zambra. Musicians often support these dances with string instruments and a combination of classical and modern beats.
- Arts
The Spanish art scene is rich, with world-renowned artists such as Salvador Dali and Pablo Picasso hailing from the region. You can enjoy some of this traditional art at one of the country’s many museums, such as the Museo del Prado in Madrid.
- Cuisine
Spanish cuisine includes a wide variety of delicious flavours and ingredients and plays a critical role in the country’s culture. Many meals include high quantities of wine and olive oil, fragrant spices, and flavour enhancers like pepper and garlic.
Some popular Spanish dishes to try include churros, fried pastries often dipped in chocolate or caramel, and gazpacho, a kind of cold tomato soup.
- Superstitions
There are a few common superstitions in Spain that play an important part in the country’s culture, especially among other generations. For example, Tuesday the 13th is considered a day of bad luck (much like Friday the 13th in Western cultures).
- Gifting
Spain has a strong gifting culture, with gifts playing a central role in many social events and celebrations. For example, if you’re invited to somebody’s house for dinner, it’s customary to bring a small gift.
- Sports
The most popular sport in Spain is soccer (el fútbol), although some other sports enjoyed around the country include tennis, water polo, surfing, and basketball.
- Greetings
It’s customary to offer a handshake when you’re greeting somebody for the first time. The type of greeting will change as you become closer to a person, progressing from a pat on the shoulder to a double kiss on the cheek.
- Parties and social events
Suppose you’re attending a party or other kind of social event in Spain. In that case, it’s expected that you’ll arrive ‘fashionably late’, unless it’s a dinner party or business meeting where timeliness is highly regarded.
Conclusion
By familiarising yourself with Spain’s unique traditions and beliefs, you’ll be able to immerse yourself fully in the culture on your next trip—making it a destination holiday you’ll never forget!
Visit Designer Journeys today to experience some of these Spanish traditions on your next adventure!