Spain is one of the most-visited countries in the world, and for good reason. The country contains a wealth of dream holiday destinations, from Balearic Island escapes to winetasting tours in the Rioja Valley, hiking trips in the Sierra Nevada and city breaks in iconic spots like Barcelona, Seville or Bilbao. With such an abundance of choice, knowing where to start planning your trip can be tricky. Here, we offer 16 amazing facts about Spain to provide inspiration for your visit.
16 Amazing Facts About Spain
1. Spain has five official languages
Spain's complex human history and wide range of cultural influences means it’s home to dozens of languages, including ones indigenous to the Iberian Peninsula as well as imported languages. Castilian Spanish is the official government language and the most widely spoken. However, this is highly dependent on the area. In the autonomous region of Catalunya, for example, Catalan is the primary language – this extends to street signs and official documents. Other official languages include Basque, Valencian, Galician and Occitan. When planning a trip to Spain, it’s a good idea to research the local language and learn some basic phrases. Translation apps like Google Translate support several of Spain’s languages and can be an invaluable help when travelling through the country. Using one together with a Spain eSIM is an easy and affordable way to communicate in Spain whenever needed.
Related: For more Barcelona city facts, see our guide to Barcelona
2. The siesta is a part of daily life
When visiting Spain, particularly in the south during summer, it's wise to add the local siesta time into your itinerary. In many cities, towns and villages, the hours of 2-5pm are reserved for the siesta. While most Spaniards will not actually be asleep during this period, shops will shut, streets will empty and many attractions will close as residents avoid the intensity of the afternoon sun.
3. In summer, temperatures can exceed 40°C
The reason siestas are so integral to Spanish life is that temperatures can hit dizzying heights during the summer: highs of 46°C have been recorded in the southern regions of Córdoba and Seville in recent years, while climate change has caused average temperatures to climb across the nation. Before visiting Spain in summer, keep an eye on the weather forecast and plan your itinerary to account for the peak afternoon temperatures.
4. The Al-Andalus period lasted nearly 800 years
Spain is renowned for having some of the finest art and architecture from the Islamic Golden Age – a legacy from the Al-Andalus period, when a succession of Muslim kingdoms ruled Spain for over 700 years. Al-Andalus was one of the world’s largest and most prosperous multi-faith and multicultural societies, leading to a wealth of scientific, architectural and cultural advances. Some of the most famous historical sites from Al-Andalus include the Alhambra Palace complex in Granada and the Mosque of Córdoba.
5. Evening meals can start at 9pm
A useful piece of information about Spain is that dinner is often served late. Don't be surprised if restaurants don’t open until 8 or 9 pm. Some establishments, especially in larger or heavily-touristed cities may open earlier, but it's usual to plan for a late dinner. On weekends, meals at a Spanish restaurant can stretch out for hours. Depending on drinks, coffees and desserts, it’s not uncommon for diners to leave the table well after midnight.
6. Rioja wine is world-famous
The Northeastern area of Rioja, and the Ebro Valley in particular, is one of Europe's most esteemed winemaking regions. Rioja wines are sold throughout the world, and wine-tasting tours are a popular holiday activity in Northern Spain.
7. Football is a national pastime
In Real Madrid and Barcelona, Spain is home to two of the world's most successful football clubs, while the Spain National Women’s Team are the reigning world champions. In cities like Seville or Valencia, the stadium is often in the centre of town, creating an electrifying atmosphere throughout the surrounding streets on matchday. Attending a La Liga match and joining in the pre and post-match celebrations are a great way to experience contemporary Spanish culture first-hand.
Related: Check out our Guide to Madrid for more facts about Madrid
8. The Basque Country is the birthplace of Pelota
While football is by far the nation’s most popular sport, several home-grown sports are also hotly contested across the country. One of these is Pelota: originally from the Basque country, this indoor racket sport is played almost exclusively in Spain and France, where it retains a loyal following.
9. The Doñana National Park is one of the most biodiverse in Europe
Despite Southern Spain's reputation for sandy beaches and deserts, it’s also home to one of Europe's most important wetlands: the Doñana National Park. This protected area is home to large populations of endangered species including badgers, lynx and eagles. The park's location on Europe's southern tip means it shelters vast numbers of migratory African bird species, drawing bird-watchers from around the world. This oasis of greenery is one of Spain’s best natural sites and a must-see for visitors to Andalucia.
10. Spain has a national register of historic hotels
One of the best ways to discover Spain is by staying in a Parador – this term refers to any historical guesthouse, hotel or villa owned by the state. The Spanish government administers ninety-seven Paradores around the country, each one a historically or architecturally significant building. A stay in a Parador is an immersive experience, bringing Spanish history to life.
11. Northern Spain has one of the best surfing coasts in Europe
The exposed Atlantic coastline of Northern Spain provides the perfect conditions for large waves and sandy beaches: an ideal combo for surfers. The Basque surf towns of Mundaka and Zarautz attract visitors from around the world. Their picturesque beaches and proximity to San Sebastian and Bilbao make them a great destination for non-surfers too.
12. The Canary Islands and Balearics are technically part of Spain
Despite being on the same latitude as Morocco, the Canary Islands are part of the wider Spanish autonomous community. In fact, the Kingdom of Spain comprises over 1000 islands, including the Balearics (Mallorca, Menorca and Ibiza). Fortunately, a BetterRoaming Spain eSIM provides coverage across them all.
13. Easter is one of the best times to visit Spain
Spain's Semana Santa, or ‘Holy Week’ is one of the most important religious and cultural events of the year. Across the nation, cities towns, and villages and organize a program of processions and services in the lead-up to Easter Sunday. Residents will spend months building statues and parade floats of Catholic icons, before parading them through the streets. The Semana Santa parades in Seville are particularly noted for their pageantry and lavish parades.
14. New Year in Spain is one big party
Like Easter, New Year in Spain is a celebration filled with historic idiosyncrasies. For good luck in the new year, it's a tradition to eat twelve grapes at the stroke of midnight - something that sounds much easier than it is. Traveling to Spain over New Year is a great way to discover the country outside of the peak tourist season.
15. The Spanish railway network is unique
Crossing the border into Spain by train used to be an arduous process that required all passengers to wait for hours while the carriage's wheels were switched out. This is because Spain's railways were built to be wider than the rest of Europe, in an effort to deal with the hilly terrain. Nowadays, a system of ingenious gauge-switching mechanisms means trains can run interrupted across the border, while Spain’s new high-speed rail network runs on the European standard gauge. Passengers on smaller, older trains may still be delayed when entering or leaving Spain however, so plan accordingly.
16. Spain is home to one of the world’s oldest and largest pilgrimages
The Camino de Santiago is one of the only walking trails to be granted the status of UNESCO World Heritage Site. This pathway, reaching from southern France to the Cathedral of St James in the Galician city of Santiago de Compostela, has been in constant use for over a thousand years. Today, the route welcomes over 200,000 ramblers a year. Due to its spiritual and historical significance, the route is popular with both Christian pilgrims and non-religious tourists.
Travel to Spain with an eSIM
A Spain eSIM is the easiest way to use mobile data in Spain without paying roaming charges. A BetterRoaming eSIM allows you to get connected to our high-speed international network at a cheap local rate, the minute you arrive in Spain. No more queuing up for a local SIM – just one simple mobile plan that can be downloaded in minutes, and ready to get online across Spain whenever you are. And for family holidays, BetterRoaming iPad data plans are a great way to keep the kids entertained on long journeys.
Spain eSIM Plans
Going Further? Use a Europe eSIM for mobile data across the continent
Whatever your journey, it’s easy to stay connected to low-cost mobile internet in Europe with a BetterRoaming eSIM. Valid in 47 European countries, a BetterRoaming Europe eSIM allows for smooth travel across the continent on a single prepaid eSIM data plan, with no need to switch SIM cards or providers every time you cross a border.
