When I say Spain, what do you think of?
Let me guess.
Sun-soaked beaches, flamenco dancers, and delicious tapas.
Well, you’re right there. But beyond these stereotypes and first impressions, what else does Spain hold? What has happened in the history of Spain—and how has this history affected how the country is today? We will talk about that in this blog post when we talk about 20 fun facts about Spain that you just have to know!
There’s so much more to Spain than its sunny skies and charming streets. And that’s what we’re here for, today. Eight years ago I moved from Germany to Spain, so I think I know one or other fun facts about Spain. Traveling around the country, I’ve noted some cool (and unusual) stuff about Spain and put them together as fun facts in this blog post. You probably don’t know these before—and once you do, you’ll fall in love with the country all over again 😉
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FAQs
What is Spain famous for?
In a nutshell, its history, culture, architecture, and cuisine. If you know about Spain in a bit of detail, you’d also be familiar with its traditions, such as flamenco, bullfighting, and the siesta.
When you think about Spain, you probably think about tapas, delicious food, olive oil, and incredible wine. I would go as far as to say that Spain has one of the best cuisines in the world. Spanish food is just to die for!
But what are the things about Spain it’s not actually famous for—but are worth knowing? I’ll be sharing them all in just a minute.
What is unique to Spain?
There’s quite a lot that is unique to Spain. Spain is such a diverse country. Before I moved to Spain I had no idea how diverse Spain actually is. I learned how different the North actually is from the South. I learned about its history, culture, and different languages (Keep reading to find out more about what I am talking about here!)
One of my favorite unique things about Spain is La Tomatina. This is the world’s largest food fight which takes place in Bunol. Yes, food fights! Participants hurl ripe tomatoes at each other (it may not sound as fun—but the Spanish really enjoy it!).
One of the craziest fun facts about Spain that I learned when I moved to Spain is that Spaniards really make a party out of everything!
What’s a funny fact about Spain?
One of my favorite funny facts about Spain is that it’s home to a quirky festival called El Colacho. Here, grown men dress up as devils and jump over babies; this is believed to cleanse the babies of original sin. A bizarre and funny tradition it is!
If you do not believe me, check out the photo below. And my face was just like yours when I read about that for the first time!
What are 10 interesting facts about Spain?
This is a frequently asked question, which I’ll be handling throughout this post. Below, I’ll share 10 (+10 😁) fun facts about Spain.
Make sure to do a free walking tour when visiting Spain
Something that I can truly recommend is to do a free walking tour when visiting Spain. These walking tours are my favorite way of getting to know a place that I am visiting for the first time. Especially if you have never been to Spain those tours can really help you understand Spanish history and culture better.
But how do free walking tours work? Free walking tours do not come with a set price, hence they are free. You will spend a couple of hours together with your local guide exploring the city and its most important corners together. The free guides are the best part of free walking tours. They really do an amazing job at showing you the city from the eyes of a local who lives there.
After the walking tour, you have the chance to give your local guide a tip. And how much you would like to tip them is completely up to you! It usually depends on your budget and on how much you actually like the tour.
You can find all free walking tours in Spain here.
20 Interesting Facts About Spain
1. Spain has the second-highest number of UNESCO World Heritage Sites
Let’s start with one of my favorite fun facts about Spain: Spain has such an incredibly high number of UNESCO World Heritage sites! There is no way you will be able to visit all of them. In terms of UNESCO World Heritage sites, Spain is second to Italy. It has a total of 49 sites (43 are cultural, 4 are natural, and 2 are mixed). This is partially thanks to its long and complex history—and territorial and cultural extension. My boyfriend and I especially love the Alhambra; we still talk about our trip to Granada when we visited it last year. You can read more about Granada and visit the Alhambra here.
Barcelona alone is home to 9 incredible UNESCO World Heritage sites. So, when it comes to that, you cannot miss visiting Barcelona and checking out the incredible sites it has to offer:
- Check out this Barcelona bucket list for the 20 must-do activities in Barcelona
- Check out this blog post about Casa Batllo inside, Barcelona’s iconic building on Passeig de Gràcia
2. Spain is a HUGE olive oil producer
You may be surprised to know, one out of every two bottles of olive oil sold is produced in Spain. In Andalucía alone, over 300 million olives are harvested annually. Now that is a fun fact about Spain you did not expect, right?
I personally think that olive oil is the perfect souvenir from Spain for your loved ones! If you ever visit Spain, make sure to check out the famous mall “El Corte Inglés” for their olive oil. Whenever my mom visits us in Spain, she always asks us to have an extra bottle of olive oil for her, so she can take it back home.
3. Literature Fun Fact about Spain: The world’s first novel is Spanish
Now let’s get more into the cultural fun facts about Spain. Don Quixote turns 419 years old in 2024. It was published back in 1605 in Spain and is pretty much a prototype of today’s novels. It has been translated into 140 different languages—and is the 8th most translated book in the world.
More fun facts about Spain that I want to add here: When I lived in Madrid I lived ONE STREET away from where writer Miguel de Cervantes wrote Don Quixote. In Madrid’s beautiful literary neighborhood of Las Letras. If you ever visit Madrid, this is one area that you truly have to visit!
If you are wondering “Is Madrid worth visiting?” Absolutely, check out this blog post
4. Spain is Home to the World’s Oldest Restaurant (and you HAVE TO visit it!)
I used to live in Madrid, so adding interesting facts about Madrid to this list makes me incredibly happy. Sobrino de Botin holds the Guinness World Record for being the oldest restaurant in the world. It has been serving delicious meals in the heart of Madrid since 1725. This also means the restaurant has perfected its recipes for over 300 years.
This restaurant is located in Madrid’s famous “La Latina” neighborhood, which is also one of the oldest areas of Madrid.
I have to admit that I have never been there, but have heard amazing things about their roasted piglet and sopa de ajo (an egg poached in chicken broth and laced with sherry and garlic). Mhm 😋 Just make sure to make a reservation before. The oldest restaurant in the world can be booked out several days in advance ;-)
5. Spain introduced chocolate to Europe
Muchas gracias for that! Let’s talk about Spain’s history and colonialism when we talk about the next fun fact:
That chocolate bar you’ve been eyeing was introduced to Europe by the Spanish— thanks to colonialism. Chocolate arrived in Europe during the 1500s, probably brought over by Spanish friars. Also, the people of Spain were the first to mix bitter cocoa with sugar (modifying a bitter Mayan drink into the delicious hot chocolate we know today).
If we fast forward from the 1500s to today, when it comes to hot chocolate, you have to try Colacao, Spain’s famous hot drink. The perfect hot beverage on (one of the few) cold days in Spain. Children love it, but honestly, everyone drinks it during the cooler winter months.
6. Spain’s National Anthem has no words
There’s something really unique about Spain’s national anthem, “La Marcha Real”. It really has no official lyrics! There have been attempts to add lyrics to the anthem, but none of them have been officially adopted. This makes it one of the four wordless anthems in the world.
So if you ever saw football players on TV not singing during the national anthem now you know why! Did you know this fun fact about Spain?
7. Spain has four co-official languages
Almost 72% of the population in the country speaks Spanish (which, by the way, is a really romantic language thanks to its passionate and emotive sound. You’d want to learn a few words if you decide to visit 😉). In addition, 6 autonomous communities in Spain have other co-official languages, namely, Catalan, Galician, Basque, and Aranese.
Living in Barcelona, I was so surprised to see so many street signs, restaurant menus, and other things described in Catalan. Many locals in Barcelona speak Catalan and you should not be surprised to see locals trying to speak to you in Catalan when you visit. Now that is a fun fact about Spain that I was not ready for!
8. A fun fact about Spain your probably did not know: Spain boasts a high life expectancy
Spain has one of the highest life expectancies in the world, approximately 83 years. This can be attributed to the fresh fruits and veggies available here as well as the good healthcare services.
My personal opinion is also that the Spanish diet is very healthy. Spanish food is full of healthy vegetables, fresh fish, and high-quality meat. And overall, you will not find a lot of added sugar in Spanish food. Compared to other European countries, not even the desserts are very sweet or sugary.
I’d also associate this with the leisurely pace of life and happiness index in the country. Also, did you know Spain is the seventh-happiest country in the world? Who could not be happy living in a country with endless days of sunshine every year?
9. Spain’s official name is quite a mouthful
The “Kingdom of Spain” (or “Reino de España” in Spanish) is what it’s called. Gives it quite a royal impression. And, rightfully so, as Spain is one of the few countries with a monarchy. But that is not one of the fun facts about Spain I want to talk about here.
If you are visiting Madrid, then you have to make sure to visit the Palacio Real, Spain’s Royal Palace. Fun fact about it: Did you know Madrid’s Royal Palace is almost twice the size of Buckingham Palace? Of course, the king and his family do not live here anymore. But its interior is so breathtaking and so worth visiting.
If you are looking for a blog post about more things to do in Madrid, you should check out this blog post!
10. Spain is the world leader in organ donation
Talk about having the spirit to help others! This is a fun fact about Spain I had no idea about: Spain has been the world leader in organ donation for 32 years, with over 5,000 organ transplants. This is because of the country’s efficient healthcare system, sure, but we’ve also got to give credit to the strong donor culture among its residents.
One more of the fun facts about Spain I had no idea about!
11. Spain has a town where 700 people share the same surname
There’s a charming town called Coria del Rio in the valley of Sevilla. What makes this place remarkable is that almost 700 of its residents have the same surname: Japon. This is actually a tradition that can be traced back to a Samurai who ventured to Spain back in the 17th century.
If you ever find yourself doing a city trip to Sevilla, you have to check out this blog post
12. Fun fact about the Spanish islands: The Canary Islands have their own distinct climates
You’d expect the climate of a country to have the same general pattern—but that’s not the case here. The Canary Islands (part of Spain’s autonomous community) have their own unique weather patterns and ecosystems. We love exploring the diverse landscapes here, from the lush rainforests to soaring volcanoes.
A couple of years ago my boyfriend and I visited Tenerife, and it was one of our favorite holidays together. I wrote a blog post about a Tenerife bucket list here!
13. Spain has the world’s biggest number of Blue Flag beaches
If you’ve been dreaming of a beach vacay, Spain may be one of the best places to head. This is because it hosts over 600 stretches of coastline meeting the stringent criteria for cleanliness and environmental sustainability—so you’ll have a new (safe) beach to head to every day of your stay.
14. Spain’s iconic siesta is a myth for many
I am so excited to add this fun fact about Spain to this list, because it is more a myth than a truth! It’s true that the tradition of siesta—a brief afternoon nap—is deeply ingrained in Spanish culture. This gives people an escape from the day’s heat and adds to the country’s relaxed pace of life. But today, many people don’t take this afternoon nap because of modern-day schedules. However, many shops still close from 2 pm to 5 pm for a lunch break, NOT a siesta.
You have to be very careful with that because many Spanish people do find it offensive.
15. Fun fact about Spain for sports fans: Football is a national obsession
One of the most popular football leagues in the world, La Liga, calls Spain home. Teams like Barcelona and Real Madrid also attract millions of fans from around the world.
And rightfully so! While I am writing this blog post the Spanish men’s team has won the European Football Championship this year!
In the photo below you can say Madrid’s iconic football stadium “el Bernabeu”. One of the must-see places in Madrid for football fans!
16. Did you know that Spain is super artistic?
If you appreciate art, you’d be (pleasantly) surprised to know that Spain has contributed many masterpieces to this field. These are from artists as diverse as Dali and Picasso. Also, Spain’s national art museum, the Prado, is home to some spectacular collections.
If you are ever in Madrid, the Prado is the one museum YOU HAVE TO visit. You will find so much incredible art from Spanish but also international painters. You can spend the whole day there admiring these incredible paintings.
Below you can see a photo of the beautiful Prado Museum in Madrid. If there is one museum in Madrid you have to visit it’s this one!
17. Fun fact about Spain New Year Edition: Eating 12 grapes in Spain brings you good luck
The New Year’s Eve countdown in Spain is unique with this custom: as the clock strikes midnight, the Spanish consume 12 grapes. They believe this tradition will attract good luck for the upcoming year.
When I lived in Madrid, people would gather in the afternoon at the iconic “Puerta del Sol” to catch a good spot for the “campanadas” at midnight. And don’t forget to bring your grapes!
18. Fun fact about Spain’s food: Paella is Spain’s national dish… or is it not?
You may have heard paella is Spain’s national dish. It is, but locals see it as a Valencian specialty. So, don’t be surprised if it’s not on every Spanish lunch table. Spain has so many other delicious dishes though, like tortilla de patatas, croquetas, and patatas bravas. Your tummy will thank you!
19. Spain is a birdwatcher’s paradise
Now let’s talk about my newest obsession: Colourful birds. I love spotting new feathery friends—and Spain never disappoints. The country is home to over 600 bird species, including the rare Red-footed Booby.
20. Last fun fact about Spain: Spanish schedules are different
In Spain, the “morning” stretches until 2 pm. So, you can expect to be greeted with “Buenos dias” (good morning) well past noon. Lunch is typically at 2 pm, with dinner around 9 pm. You will find many restaurants closed before 8 pm in the evening. So make sure you can wait for your late dinner when visiting Spain!
You will find most grocery stores opening at 9 or 9.30 in the morning. I lived in Germany before, a big culture shock were the different opening times of supermarkets in the country.
But something that I will always appreciate about Spain: Pharmacies are open until late in the evening, and most of them close at 9-9.30 pm.
And those were 20 fun facts about Spain! Let me know if you knew about those before. When I moved to Spain eight years ago, I had no idea about most of them. Of course, the differences in schedules is quite obvious. But when it comes to the traditions and different festivities in Spain, I swear I still keep learning about new ones!
