How to Integrate into Spanish Culture: A Fun & Honest Guide for Newcomers

One of the first things you'll notice in Spain is how friendly people are. Whether you walk into a café, a small shop, or even a doctor's office, people will greet you with "Hola, buenas" (Hello, good day). And you're expected to respond, ignoring someone would be like stealing their tapas (aka, unacceptable).

• In casual settings, a double cheek kiss (right first, then left) is the standard greeting between friends, acquaintances, and sometimes strangers.

• Handshakes are more common in business situations.

• A friendly nod or ¡Buenas! is perfect for casual encounters with neighbors, shopkeepers, or strangers.

🚨 Culture Shock Alert: If someone greets you in an elevator or while walking their dog, they're not trying to sell you something, it's just how things work here.

Forget the idea of moving out at 18 in Spain, family is EVERYTHING. You'll often see grandparents, parents, and kids all out together for a walk or a meal. It's normal for adult children to live at home into their 30s (especially with Spanish real estate prices).

👨‍👩‍👧‍👦 What This Means for You as an Expat:

• Don't be surprised if people ask about your family within minutes of meeting you.

• Sundays are sacred family days, expect packed restaurants and full tables at home.

• Making friends with Spaniards? You'll probably meet their entire family at some point.

Spain operates on a completely different eating schedule:

🕑 Lunch (La Comida) – Between 2:00 PM and 4:00 PM, and it's the main meal of the day.

☕ Afternoon Snack (Merienda) – Around 6:00 PM (because dinner is still a LONG way off).

🍷 Dinner (La Cena) – Between 9:00 PM and 11:00 PM.

How to Survive?

• Tapas are your best friend. Order a caña (small beer) and get a free snack!

• The sobremesa (post-meal conversation) is sacred. You don't eat and run. You sit, chat, and enjoy life.

Spain LOVES a good party, and if there's one thing you should embrace as an expat, it's the festival culture.

• La Tomatina (Buñol)🍅 – The world's biggest tomato fight. Yes, it's messy. Yes, it's ridiculous. And yes, you should do it at least once.

• San Fermín (Running of the Bulls – Pamplona) 🏃‍🐂 – Not for the faint-hearted. You can run with bulls or just watch (safely) from a balcony.

• Las Fallas (Valencia) 🔥– Huge papier-mâché figures are set on fire in the streets. Pyromaniacs, rejoice!

• Semana Santa – An impressive religious tradition with huge processions.

• San Isidro Festival (Madrid), held every year around May 15th in honor of San Isidro Labrador, the patron saint of Madrid.

• Feria de Abril (April Fair - Seville) 🎠💃 - Occurs two weeks after Easter, it is Seville's biggest event, a week-long celebration of flamenco, horses, and endless partying

While modern work schedules have made the siesta less common, especially in big cities, the tradition is alive and well in many parts of Spain. Typically, shops and businesses may close around 2:00 PM and reopen around 5:00 PM, allowing time for a leisurely lunch and a rest.

What This Means for You:

• Plan your shopping accordingly. Don't expect to run errands in the early afternoon.

• Embrace the downtime. Use this period to relax, have a coffee, or take a stroll.

Spaniards love spending time outdoors, and terrazas (outdoor cafés) are where the magic happens. Whether it's summer or winter, locals gather here to chat, sip coffee, or enjoy a beer.

Be mindful of local customs. In some areas, there are debates about smoking on terrazas, so observe and follow the local etiquette.

Football (or soccer, for the Americans) ⚽ is practically a religion in Spain. Major matches, especially El Clásico (Real Madrid vs. FC Barcelona), can bring the country to a standstill.

How to Get Involved:

Choose a team (carefully). Aligning with a local team can be a great conversation starter. Join the locals at a bar during match time. The atmosphere is electric, and you'll quickly learn the local chants and expressions.

Even if you're not a football fan, knowing the basics can help you connect with locals and understand a significant aspect of Spanish culture.

In Spain, drinking is about socializing, not getting drunk. Spanish Drinking Staples:

• Caña – A small draft beer (because small means it stays cold).🍻

• Tinto de verano – Red wine mixed with lemon soda, the summer favorite. 🍷🍋

• Vermut – The go-to pre-lunch drink, often served with olives.

If you're moving to Spain or even just visiting, prepare to embrace a whole new world of coffee culture. Unlike the grab-and-go culture in many other countries, coffee in Spain is a moment to be savored, preferably while sitting at a terrazza with friends, coworkers, or simply your thoughts.

☕ Most Popular Types of Coffee in Spain:

• Café solo – A straight espresso. Strong, small, and bold.

• Café con leche – The classic Spanish-style latte (50% espresso, 50% milk).

• Cortado – Espresso with a splash of milk, just enough to soften the bitterness.

• Café manchado – Mostly milk with just a drop of coffee.

• Café americano – A weaker espresso, diluted with hot water.

• Café bombón – A sweet treat: espresso with condensed milk.

• Carajillo – Coffee spiked with alcohol, usually brandy, rum, or whiskey.

• Café con hielo – Espresso served with a glass of ice (common in summer).

One unique aspect of Spanish coffee is that the beans are often torrefacto roasted, a technique where sugar is added during roasting. This makes the beans shinier, darker, and more bitter, giving Spanish coffee its distinct strong flavor.

It started as a way to preserve coffee beans during times of economic hardship. The added sugar creates a caramelized, slightly smoky taste.

Spain's love affair with the lottery is most evident during El Gordo (The Fat One) 🎫, the massive Christmas lottery draw. It's a social event, with families, friends, and even entire villages buying tickets together.

Participating can be a bonding experience. Joining a lottery pool at work or with friends is common.

Tickets can be shared.

It's typical to buy a fraction of a ticket, making it more communal.

Even if you don't win, the excitement and anticipation leading up to the draw are worth it!

One of Spain's most beloved New Year's Eve traditions is eating twelve grapes at the stroke of midnight, one for each chime of the clock. Easy, right? Not quite! As the bell tolls, everyone scrambles to stuff grapes into their mouths at an alarming speed, trying not to choke while laughing hysterically.

Fun Fact: If you manage to eat all twelve grapes in time, it's believed to bring good luck for the new year! But beware: grapes with seeds add an unexpected challenge!

If there's a holiday on a Tuesday or Thursday, Spaniards will take Monday or Friday off too, creating a 'puente' (bridge) for an extra-long weekend.

Forget Friday the 13th. In Spain, it's Tuesday the 13th (Martes 13) that's considered unlucky! The belief dates back to Roman times, where Tuesday (Martes) was associated with Mars, the god of war, and bad omens.

Fun Fact: There's even a saying: "En martes, ni te cases, ni te embarques" (On a Tuesday, don't get married or set sail). So, if you're planning anything big on a Tuesday the 13th, expect some raised eyebrows!

In Spain, you don't just eat a meal, you snack your way through it. Tapas are small plates of food meant for sharing, and they're often enjoyed with a caña (small beer) or a glass of vermut.

🍢Popular Tapas Dishes:

• Patatas bravas – Fried potatoes with spicy tomato sauce.

• Tortilla española – A thick Spanish omelet made with eggs and potatoes.

• Jamón ibérico – The famous Iberian ham, thinly sliced and served with bread.

• Pimientos de Padrón – Small green peppers, some mild, some spicy (Russian roulette with food).

• Gambas al ajillo – Garlic shrimp sizzling in olive oil.

• Boquerones en vinagre – Marinated anchovies, a must-try for seafood lovers.

Thought Spain was only about Paella, think again! Spain is diverse, and so is its food! Each region has its own specialties, influenced by history, geography, and local ingredients.

🐟 Coastal Delights:

• Paella (Valencia) – Spain's most famous dish! Traditionally made with rabbit, chicken, and beans, not seafood! The true Valencian paella follows a strict recipe, but you'll find countless variations.

• Pulpo a la gallega (Galicia) – Tender octopus, boiled and seasoned with paprika, olive oil, and coarse salt, served on wooden plates. Best enjoyed with a glass of Albariño wine.

• Bacalao a la vizcaína (Basque Country) – Salted cod in a rich tomato and red pepper sauce. A must-try from northern Spain!

🥩 Meat Lovers' Paradise: Hearty & Delicious

• Cochinillo asado (Segovia) – A roast suckling pig so tender it's traditionally cut with a plate! The crispy skin and juicy meat make it one of Spain's top delicacies.

• Chuletón de Ávila (Castile & León) – A massive T-bone steak, simply grilled and served rare. Spaniards love their steak thick and juicy.

• Cordero asado (Castile & León) – Roast lamb, slow-cooked in wood-fired ovens until it's fall-apart tender.

🥔 Comfort Food: Rustic & Satisfying

• Fabada asturiana (Asturias) – A rich bean stew made with chorizo, black pudding, and pork belly. Perfect for a cold winter day!

• Migas (Extremadura & La Mancha) – Fried breadcrumbs mixed with chorizo, garlic, and sometimes grapes, a dish with shepherd origins.

🍲 Cocido: Spain's Ultimate Stew

One of the most iconic and beloved dishes in Spain is Cocido: a hearty, slow-cooked stew that varies by region but always delivers rich flavors and comfort.

Fun Fact: In Madrid, Cocido is so famous that some restaurants are dedicated solely to making it, serving it for lunch as their specialty!

Got a sweet tooth? Spain has some legendary desserts that you must try.

🍮 Popular Spanish Sweets:

• Churros con chocolate – Fried dough sticks, dipped in thick, rich hot chocolate. A breakfast staple or a late-night treat after a night out!

• Tarta de Santiago – A traditional almond cake from Galicia, marked with the Cross of Saint James on top. A great gluten-free option! Make sure to ask first!

• Flan – A classic caramel custard dessert, smooth, creamy, and found in nearly every Spanish home and restaurant.

• Torrijas – The Spanish version of French toast, soaked in milk, honey, and cinnamon, then fried. Popular at Easter!

• Polvorones & mantecados – Christmas cookies that melt in your mouth, made with almond flour, sugar, and lard.

• Turrón – A nougat-like treat made from almonds, honey, and sugar.

• Crema Catalana – Spain's answer to crème brûlée, but flavored with cinnamon and lemon zest instead of vanilla. A Catalan specialty.