The more you learn about Spain, the more enchanting it becomes, so why not impress your friends at quiz nights with your knowledge of the country, from language to recipes?
The earliest civilisations in Spain were prehistoric, with stone burial tombs known as dolmens dating back to 4,000 BC still standing in Galicia.
The Romans built aqueducts, which can still be seen in Segovia, and an impressive theatre in Tarragona.
The Muslim rule of the Moors influenced Spanish architecture, and the most famous example is the Alhambra Palace, a UNESCO World Heritage Site in Granada.
Siesta: The afternoon nap is no longer as widespread as it once was but many places do still close for a break at midday, which helps with a healthier work-life balance.
Dinner time: Mealtimes generally might take a little adjustment. Lunch is usually the largest meal of the day (another good reason to have time for a quick power nap to digest before returning to work) and is eaten between 2 and 4 pm. Because of this, dinner is not usually started until about 9 or 10 pm and is a lighter meal. It will not be unusual to see families with children enjoying late nights at restaurants in Spain.
Tomatoes: Spain loves this fruit and it is an ingredient in many recipes, including the cold soup Gazpacho. They are also used for a food fight every summer in the town of Buñol in Valencia. Everyone is welcome at this messy party, and the streets of the town turn red with tomato pulp.
Spanish vs Castilian: Although Spanish is officially the national language of Spain, there are many regional dialects, including Valencian. The Basque region of northern Spain shares a common language with the Basque area of south-western France, and it is uniquely different from most other European languages and is unrelated to any other family of languages as well. Its origin therefore remains a mystery.
La Gomera islanders have a unique way of communicating across the countryside called Silbo Gomero. A way of whistling has been adapted to represent specific vowels and consonants, replicating Spanish, and is used to communicate across long distances between ravines and valleys. This method of speaking via a whistle was developed to overcome the geography of the island, enabling neighbours separated by rivers and valleys to stay in touch.
Spain has several greetings dependent upon the time of day, in addition to the familiar and general "Hola!". Buenos días is used in the morning, Buenas tardes during the afternoon and evening, and Buenas noches means goodnight. There are local variations too; for example, on the Costa Blanca, you will frequently hear both the expression Buen día and the Valencian variation of Bon dia.
Europe's highest concentration of active volcanoes can be found in Spain, primarily in the Canary Islands, with the most well-known being Mount Teide on Tenerife, which is also the highest point in Spain.
The Canary Islands and Balearic Islands are two archipelagos and popular tourist destinations. In the Canaries, the islands include Tenerife, Lanzarote, Gran Canaria, Fuerteventura, La Palma, La Gomera, and El Hierro, together with several smaller islands. They are of volcanic origin, with black lava sand beaches and dramatic mountains. The Balearics, which can easily be reached by ferry or hydrofoil from Denia on the Costa Blanca, consist of Majorca, Menorca, Ibiza, and Formentera.
Mainland Europe's only true desert can be found in the Almeria region of Spain, and the dramatic landscape has been used as a film set for many Westerns.
The small savoury dishes known as tapas are an obsession throughout Spain, and in some places they are served with an aperitif to tempt you to order a larger meal (or more drinks), known in the Basque Country as pintxos. You will always find a delicious morsal to tempt you in most bars. Speaking of which, did you know that Spain has one of the highest numbers of bars per head in the world? There is approximately one bar for every 175 people.
Paella was originally created in Valencia and does not contain fish or shellfish but did include snails in addition to the more familiar ingredients of rice, chicken, rabbit, tomatoes, flat green beans, lima beans, salt, olive oil, water, and saffron. However, there are regional variations where other meats, seafood, or fish have been added.
Jamón Ibérico is dry-cured ham that comes from black Iberian pigs and is considered a delicacy in Spain. The most richly flavoured and coveted variety is known as the Pata Negra (black hoof).
The oldest restaurant in the world, opening in 1725 and still operating today, is Restaurant Botín in Madrid. It holds the Guinness World Record for this and maintains a reputation for being a great dining venue with reasonable prices.
Another record holder is the Casa Estrecha in Valencia, where you can find one of the narrowest buildings in the world, measuring just 107 cm at its narrowest.
Don Quixote is said to be the first modern novel. It was written in the early 17th century by Miguel de Cervantes.
El Cid fought with the Moors when they invaded Spain but converted to fight with the Christians during the Reconquista and has become a Spanish hero and a legendary figure prominent in folklore, literature, and film.
Juan Lerma is believed to have invented the stapler in the 18th century, but he was unfortunately ahead of his time since modern paper became available 70 years later.
To celebrate the arrival of the New Year, grapes are eaten at midnight in Spain. One grape is eaten for each clock stroke, symbolising good luck for the next twelve months.
The longest narrow-gauge railway line running between Bilbao and León, the Ferrocarril de La Robla, is also one of Spain's oldest continuously operating railway lines and first opened in 1894.
Spain, rather than Belgium or Switzerland, was the first European country to enjoy this much-loved sweet temptation after cocoa was brought back to the peninsula in the 16th century following the conquest of the Aztec Empire. The Spanish encountered chocolate there as a drink enjoyed by the local people and brought the beans back to Europe. Initially, the drink became popular throughout Spain before production expanded, with chocolate eventually being produced in Villajoyosa on the Costa Blanca. The town is known as the chocolate capital of Spain and has several renowned factories, including Valor, which was founded in 1881.
Spain is famous for its Mediterranean climate, beautiful beaches, historic cities, colourful fiestas, delicious cuisine, world-famous landmarks, and relaxed lifestyle. It is also one of Europe's most popular destinations for people looking to relocate or buy a holiday home.
Spanish (Castilian) is the official national language, but several regional languages are also spoken, including Valencian, Catalan, Basque, and Galician.
Traditional paella originated in Valencia and was originally made with ingredients such as rice, chicken, rabbit, vegetables, saffron, and, in many recipes, snails.
Villajoyosa is renowned for its colourful seafront houses, beautiful beaches, and long history of chocolate making. It is home to several famous chocolate manufacturers, including Valor.
Yes. Spain has the highest concentration of active volcanoes in Europe, mainly in the Canary Islands, where Mount Teide is also the country's highest mountain.
Many people are attracted by Spain's excellent climate, welcoming lifestyle, outstanding food, rich history, and diverse landscapes. Whether you enjoy the coast, the countryside, or vibrant cities, there is something for everyone.
Updated in July 2026 by the Hamiltons Real Estate team.
