Spain — land of sunshine, sangria and soul-stirring flamenco. It’s a place to let your hair down and soak up the vibes, but even paradise has its pet peeves. If you want to avoid sticking out like a sore thumb in a sombrero, here are the top 10 things not to do when gallivanting around España.
1. Don’t Eat Dinner at 6pm
🍽️ Spain laughs in the face of early dinner plans.
Rocking up to a restaurant at 6pm and demanding a table for dinner will either get you a confused look or a mop bucket to step over because they’re still setting up. Spaniards dine fashionably late, usually from 9pm onwards.
❌ Avoid: Turning up hangry at a closed kitchen.
✅ Do: Have a merienda (afternoon snack) to tide you over till Spanish dinner time.
2. Don’t Assume Flamenco Is Everywhere
💃 Flamenco is iconic, yes — but it’s not Spain’s national dance.
It’s mostly from Andalusia, particularly Seville. Asking for a flamenco show in Bilbao or Barcelona might get you the same look you’d get if you asked for a Cornish pasty in Edinburgh.
❌ Avoid: Booking a tacky tourist show in a random city.
✅ Do: Experience authentic flamenco in Seville, Granada or Córdoba.
3. Don’t Touch the Fruit at Markets
🍊 This isn’t your local supermarket.
At traditional markets, the vendor is the one who picks your produce. Fondling peaches or squeezing avocados like you’re on a Bake-Off challenge is considered rude.
❌ Avoid: Poking the tomatoes.
✅ Do: Politely ask for what you want and they’ll pick the best for you.
4. Don’t Wear Beachwear in the City
👙 No flip-flops and swimwear in the streets, please.
Even if you’re in a coastal city like Barcelona or Valencia, walking around town half-naked is a major faux pas. Spaniards take casual fashion seriously and beachwear belongs… well, on the beach.
❌ Avoid: Being “that” sunburnt tourist with sandy shorts at a café.
✅ Do: Pack a light cover-up and decent footwear for city strolls.
5. Don’t Expect a Siesta Everywhere
😴 Yes, it exists… but it’s not universal.
While smaller towns might shut down for a nap between 2–5pm, big cities like Madrid and Barcelona keep chugging along. So don’t plan your whole itinerary around a mythical national nap time.
❌ Avoid: Assuming Spain sleeps all afternoon.
✅ Do: Check local hours, especially in villages and family-run shops.
6. Don’t Skip the Greetings
👋 Spaniards are big on pleasantries.
Walking into a shop without saying “Hola” is considered rude. Same goes for leaving without a polite “Gracias” or “Hasta luego”.
❌ Avoid: Barging in like you’re on a mission.
✅ Do: Greet shopkeepers and servers with a little manners go a long way.
7. Don’t Just Drink Sangria
🍷 There’s a whole wine world beyond it.
Yes, sangria is fruity and fun, but Spaniards rarely drink it themselves. Instead, try a Tinto de Verano (red wine with lemon soda) it’s what locals actually sip on a summer terrace.
❌ Avoid: Ordering sangria at every meal like it’s Spain’s national beverage.
✅ Do: Ask for local wines or branch out with regional favourites.
8. Don’t Tip Like You’re in the US
💸 Tipping isn’t a big deal here.
Spain isn’t a tipping culture. Leave a euro or two for great service at a restaurant, but don’t go overboard and it’s not expected and over tipping just screams “I’m a tourist!”
❌ Avoid: Leaving 20% unless you’ve just inherited something.
✅ Do: Round up the bill or leave small change as a thank you.
9. Don’t Talk About Catalonia or Politics Casually
🗳️ It’s complicated.
The topic of Catalan independence or Spain’s politics in general can be a minefield, especially if you don’t know the nuances. Best to steer clear unless you’re up for a serious, nuanced chat in Spanish.
❌ Avoid: Joking or making offhand remarks.
✅ Do: Respect local sentiments and keep the chat about food, football or how brilliant the weather is.
10. Don’t Expect Everyone to Speak English
🗣️ You’re in their country, after all.
In major tourist areas, you’ll find plenty of English speakers. But in smaller towns or local spots, you’ll need a few Spanish phrases to get by. Don’t assume and just ask politely if they speak English.
❌ Avoid: Speaking louder and slower like it magically turns English into Spanish.
✅ Do: Learn basic phrases. Even a “Hola” and “Gracias” shows respect.
🌟 Final Word of (Polite) Warning:
Spain is warm, welcoming and wonderfully laid-back country as long as you don’t treat it like your personal theme park. Respect the rhythm, embrace the culture and above all, don’t touch the tomatoes. Seriously.
