Being a vegetarian proves to be a little more difficult than other European countries. Pretty much traditional Spanish food, no matter what the region, revolves around an animal product, especially jamon. They also think vegetarian means you can eat fish, so be careful when ordering.
Sangria is mainly considered a tourist drink in Spain. Although it is really good, if you want to blend in, locals enjoy a tinto de verano, or summer wine, which consists of red wine and lemonade.
As with most European countries, going to the market is very popular to get your fresh produce, fish and meat. La Boquería is the best-known market in Barcelona and has become somewhat of a tourist attraction thanks to its location on the bustling La Rambla. Be sure to visit the markets while in Spain as they are very much part of their culture.
22 Comments
Aga
Spain is my favorite country!! I’ve been to Andalusia, Barcelona and Toledo so far and am on a mission to see more of the country. This is a very informative post, I like how you broke down the regions of Spain.
The.Holidaymaker
Wow, I am envious. You have seen more of Spain than I have. But like you vow to see more. Spain commonly refers to have 17 regions, and so through a bit of research I uncovered those many areas and what they are known for. I find it helpful to travel and think of the region I am visiting and not just the city. We have Barcelona and the Pryrenees. I would like to visit the Andalucia region during Canada’s winter season for the warm sunshine. Thanks so much for your comment.
Jerry and Fiona
We’ve experienced the food culture in Italy (patient service, odd hours) and it was a pleasant shock to us. The taste and quality of the food should be enough to let even the most demanding tourist who may not be familiar with these customs some room for forgiveness!
Great tips here, and thanks for making us think back to the wonderful dining experiences we had all over Italy.
The.Holidaymaker
Glad to hear this post reminded you of Italy. I will soon be doing the same for this country that I did for Spain.
Emma
Oh man, those buildings just look gorgeous! I’ve never been to Spain, so this is really helpful, thank you.
The.Holidaymaker
Hope you are able to visit there one day soon. Spain offers so much diversity in landscape it makes a great holiday destination.
Nic
I’ve been to Spain more times than I can even recall, mostly as a child and a teenager and to be honest I hated it when I was younger as I thought it was so boring!! However I really do think I need to give is a chance as I think what I did see when I was younger didn’t really represent the country properly!! Though my Gran did live in Barcelona for a while so we did see some more authentic sides too.
The.Holidaymaker
Thanks for sharing, hopefully you are able to return and see if your perspective has changed.
Paula Morgan
Really helpful thank you, my husband is in Spain now on the Camino and we knew it was a very Catholic country from previous visits but we did not realise how much Easter would bring the country to a standstill – He was unable to buy a sim card for 10 days because the shops were closed or out of stock with no deliveries over the holiday period. It really does pay to know these things before you head off lol.
The.Holidaymaker
Yes, we learned the hard way too, that is why I thought I would write about some of their customs. Hope your husband otherwise enjoyed his trip! Thanks for commenting.
Sandy N Vyjay
Spain is a fascinating country. It is such a unique blend of ancient heritage and contemporary lifestyles. It can be a bit overwhelming to understand for the first time visitor. Your post provides valuable insights that are sure to stand in good stead. Information about places to visit, where to eat and especially local tips about being aware of Sunday being a day of rest when shops are closed, are very helpful
The.Holidaymaker
Sandy, thank you so much for taking the time to read the post. Happy to hear that this was helpful. When you learn the hard way (Sunday), you want to share and hopefully warn others.
Cathy Roberts
I love the idea of the leisurely meals. I also LOVE LOVE LOVE Tapas!
The.Holidaymaker
Yes, me too. When I first started going to Europe, it was unexpected and bothered by it, as it took time away from sightseeing. But now, I embrace it, and it is something I look forward to as part of the travel experience. And, yes, who doesn’t love Tapas! Thanks for stopping by!
Jim
I love tapas restaurants here in the US, and it’s always been a dream of mine to eat it in Spain! Your pictures make me hungry for some tapas. 🙂 I love the fact that meals aren’t rushed in Spain – it should be an experience to be savored and enjoyed. Glad to see they do that!
The.Holidaymaker
I hope you get to experience Spain one day soon! The Tapas restaurants are everywhere. Thanks for commenting!
melody pittman
Oh how I love Spain! Thanks for the guide. Great tips. My preferences are anything related to Gaudi, paella, and getting out on the water. OH, and the superb markets. 😉
The.Holidaymaker
Completely agree with you, there are so many traditions to Spain that make it a fantastic country to travel to. Thanks for commenting!
Lora
I’ll be touring Spain soon. I’m looking forward to swimming with the fish in a thermal spring in Valencia, then head to Barcelona. Thanks for the heads up on pick-pockets, and meat featuring in most of their meals.
The.Holidaymaker
Enjoy your travels to Spain! Hope you enjoy it as much as I did.
Carmen Edelson
You’re so right about Spaniards always being nicely put together, especially on Sundays! I love people watching in Retiro Park on a Sunday in Madrid to see all of the fashion. I adore Spain, thank you for breaking down all 17 regions!
The.Holidaymaker
Agree, people watching on Sundays is the best! I haven’t been to Madrid, but hope to one day. Thanks for commenting.