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Whether you are planning on spending one week in Spain or five days in Spain, knowing a little about the country and what you will witness and the best places to go, will come in handy when you arrive. The country is different from any other that you may have visited, yet it is rich in every way. However, they speak a particular language, and they have different dinner timings, and it is best to know these beforehand, so you do not face any disappointment.
It is a good idea to learn their language
English is not the number one language when it comes to Spain; their mother tongue is Spanish. Not many people know English, which is why it is best to learn at least some words of Spanish so that it is easier for you to communicate. It will help you in getting to different places and also asking questions where necessary, and even in ordering food. Remember, Spaniards are friendly people, so they always appreciate someone who can exchange some pleasantries with them in Spanish.
However, it is essential to note that even though Spanish is the primary language, there are other languages people use. Different regions in Spain have different second languages; for example, Galicia has Galician, Basque has Basque, and Catalonia has Catalan. But you don’t need to fret as most of these people speak Spanish as well; thus, there is no need for you to learn two different languages.
People in Spain eat late
Spaniards are known to eat late (both lunch and dinner), so you will need to adjust yourself to their timings as well. Though you may want to eat early, you may not find any restaurants open for lunch before 2:00 pm and for dinner before 8:30 pm. However, one thing that you need to keep in mind is that some restaurants that are open before these official timings might be tourist traps and may cost you way above the average price per meal.
The weather is not always sunny
We all know that Spain is a sunny country, at least that is what we have learned and what has been told to us. However, that is not all true; the northern side of the country is stormy. It is covered in green landscapes and has a lot of precipitation, which is why the further north you go, the more rain you will encounter. The best thing to do in such a situation is to be prepared.
Jellyfish at Spanish beaches are very common
If you are thinking of enjoying a nice day on a famous Spanish beach, it is important for you to know that Jellyfish are a very common and painful sight in the Spanish waters.
If you want to protect yourself from the harmful stings of Jellyfish and sea lice you should protect yourself with an anti-jellyfish repellent lotion that is also known as Safe Sea lotion – the unique anti-jellyfish cream. Enjoy a great and family safe day at the Spanish coasts with this wonderful product.
The tap water is clean
One of the best parts about Spain is that you do not need to spend any money on water. Tap water, even in big cities such as Barcelona and Madrid, has clean drinkable tap water. The water in Madrid comes from the Guadarrama mountain range, so it’s as fresh as could be.
There are pickpockets in Spain
One issue that Spain’s faces are pickpockets, there are many, which are why you must take care of your pockets. The bigger the city, the more chances of you getting pickpocketed by a professional. These people tend to target tourists as they are unaware of this issue and keep all their valuables in their pockets without any worry. If you are carrying a purse, then ensure that the bag is placed in front of your body and is zipped. The other option is wearing a money belt and making sure that it is tightly shut. When you are out in crowded areas, make sure that you are vigilant and don’t let anyone think that you do not know where you are headed and that you are a tourist. This way, the chances of you getting robbed will decrease.
You don’t need to tip
Spain is one of the only places in the world where if you don’t tip, it does not matter. The tipping culture is practically nonexistent in the country. Usually, people leave nothing or just a few coins. Tipping the usual 10% is not necessary, but if you feel like it, you can.
You get free food with drinks
If you go out for drinks in Spain, you will most likely get something to eat alongside your order. You may get a small plate of chips, olives, cheese or ham. The meal will not be charged to you; it is just complimentary food for you to enjoy with your drinks.
Shops can close in the day time
Many people in Spain like to enjoy their lunchtime, which is why they take a long lunch break. You can expect most of the shops to be closed during lunch hours as people tend to go out and have lunch in peace. If you plan on getting any shopping done, then make sure that you do not head out between 1:00 pm and 4:00 pm. This mostly applies to shops in small towns, in big cities; you will find most of the bigger shops and markets to be open during lunchtime too. Most of the time, people make up for the shut down by opening the shops till late at night; you will find many to be open till 10:00 pm.
Spaniards are great dressers
Spaniards like to be well dressed; this means you won’t see many local people wearing flip-flops or sneakers, shorts at the beach. This particular fact might make it easy for others to spot a tourist. If you want to be a part of the culture, then you will need to look at the region as well.
People from Spain hold strong opinions
Most of the local people you find in Spain are very friendly. They are ready to help whenever you ask and will ensure that you do not have any trouble later. Although, it is a known fact that Spaniards like to voice out their opinions and will not think twice about telling you like it is. For them, ‘your feelings will get hurt’ doesn’t matter; they will tell straight away what they think. Just try not to get offended every time someone gives you a contrary opinion; it’s healthy for them. You can do the same, and they won’t mind at all.
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