Culture in Spain: Get the Most out of a Vacation to Spain

Long, leisurely dinners on a terrace overlooking a bustling street, the art of bullfighting and the hypnotic allure of the Flamenco are just a hint of the cultural experiences one can enjoy on a visit to Spain. For the first-time visitor to Spain, the country can seem overwhelming. It is a magnificently diverse culture with long-standing ties to its past in cities like Pamplona while keeping an eye toward the future in more modern cities like Barcelona and Madrid.

It's a country teeming with cultural significance. With a rich heritage full of stories and lore, Spain never fails to impress whether it's your first trip or your tenth. However, in order to get the most out of a vacation to Spain, you should know a little bit about the culture before you arrive.

Spain's Culture -- Fiestas

Fiestas are the Spanish equivalent of a party or celebration. Traditionally, certain fiestas are celebrated at specific times of the year, similar to New Year's celebrations in the U.S. These celebrations last long into the night and each one has its own unique traits and cultural events.

An example of a fiesta is the Verbena de la Paloma, which takes place from August 6 to August 15 in the city of Madrid. During this fiesta, Madrid's most popular traditions are displayed including colorful costumes and regional dances.

While Spain has many annual fiestas, there is never really a need for a special occasion to party. For the locals in Spain, most weekday nights, and every weekend, are a cause to celebrate and the streets typically run with revelers long into the night.

Spain's Culinary Culture

Food in Spain is a mixture of fresh vegetables and produce, meats, chicken and fish and a variety of spices. While many may not expect it, Spanish cuisine is noticeably non-spicy. However, that does not mean it lacks taste! Spanish cuisine offers some of the most delicious dishes ever to grace a dinner table.

Famous Spanish dishes include paella (a one-pan rice dish featuring a variety of ingredients), mariscos (shellfish), potajes (garbanzo bean stew) and pimientos rellenos (peppers stuffed with meats or seafood). Churros and hot chocolate is a common desert in Spain.

Spain is well known for its aromatic wines and the country has a drinking age of 18. Other alcoholic beverages of Spain include Cava (sparkling wine), sangria and authentic Spanish beer.

Dinner in Spain can take some getting used to if you are visiting for the first time. In Spain, the normal dinner time isn't until nine or ten in the evening. In fact, if you pass a restaurant before 8 p.m., you may have to wonder if it is even open as there probably won't be a person seated for dinner. Pass by the same place around 10:30 p.m. and it will probably be packed!

The Musical Culture of Spain -- The Flamenco

A solitary guitarist and a colorfully dressed dancer form the essentials of the Flamenco, the Spanish art of song and dance. Flamenco is made up of three elements -- the song (cante), the guitar (guitarra) and the dance (baile). Believed to have originated in 1774, early versions of the Flamenco incorporated only vocals and hand clapping. It wasn't until much later that the guitar was introduced and the Flamenco became an internationally renowned dance.

Spain's Bullfighting Culture

Bullfighting is a long-held tradition in Spain and it's one of the country's best-known customs. In the event, the Matador must square off with the revered beast in a series of three parts called tercios. Throughout the event, the Matador uses his mastery over the bull to escape a gruesome demise time after time. In the finale, a sword is used to ultimately kill the bull. The whole event could be a spectacular addition to any Spain vacation!

A specific species of bull is used for the bullfighting event and it is only found in Spain. The species of bull is called the Toro Bravo and this is the exact bull that was notably used for sacrifices as detailed in the Bible. Today, bullfighting is looked upon with mixed feelings, even in Spain. While some groups argue that it is a cherished tradition that should continue, others are concerned more about the suffering of the animals and believe it should be abolished.

Learning More About Spain's Magnificent Culture

Before you travel to Spain, use the Internet to help you learn the individual customs of certain cities you may be visiting. The country is diverse and not all of the cultures are evident in each region. To get the most out of your trip, take the time to research and learn as much as you can, so you can respect the local ways and increase your enjoyment in culturally rich Spain.