10 Interesting Facts About Spain You Need to Know
Of course, Spain is an historic country with great cultural diversity, so it is one of those tourist destinations. It has impressive landscapes, architectural monuments, delicious cuisine, and, not least, crazy festivals. If you have always wanted to know more about this beautiful Mediterranean nation, then these 10 interesting facts about Spain will deepen your appreciation for such an incredible country.
1. Spain Is Home to the World’s Oldest Restaurant
Spain doesn’t just have incredible food but also the oldest operating restaurant worldwide. Sobrino de Botín has been doing business in Madrid since 1725. The restaurant boasts roasted suckling pig and lamb, which is served over a wood-fired oven that has been constantly on since nearly 300 years. This restaurant has been added to the Guinness World Records as the oldest restaurant worldwide and in the history of food.
2. Spanish Language Has Various Dialects
Officially, Spanish is the spoken language in Spain, but there are also several regional languages. Besides Castilian, Catalan, Galician, and Basque are official languages in their respective regions, and Spain is one of the most linguistic countries in Europe. In fact, the Basque language, or Euskara, is unique in Europe, being an isolate and having no comparison among other languages, which makes it such an enigma for linguists.
3. Spain Has Bars More Than Any Other Country
If you love drinking and some exciting, interesting conversation, visit Spain. It has a wonderful and impressive number of bars – one bar for every 175 people. Whether in city or in a small secluded village, there’s a local tavern, café, tapas bar where you could drop by with friends and neighbors. Actually, it is a culture of Spain with which people share food and drinks in order to socialize, and tapas, small portions of food that are served with drinks, go down in history as a tradition among the Spanish.
4. Land of the World’s First Novel
Till now it is unknown to many, that the world’s very first modern novel was born in Spain. Miguel de Cervantes’ Don Quixote is regarded by many as the greatest literary work ever written and was published in two parts in 1605 and 1615. The timeless tale of the delusional would-be knight and his squire has spanned centuries and heavily influenced literature and popular culture. The novel is so popular that Don Quixote has been translated into more languages than any book except the Bible.
5. The Spanish Flag Has a Special Emblem
The Spanish flag is one of the most well-known flags on earth, with its red and yellow colors. What many people do not know is that the Coat of Arms on the flag has a long and interesting history. The design includes symbols representing the Kingdom of Castile, the Kingdom of León, the Kingdom of Aragon, the Kingdom of Navarre, and the Kingdom of Granada, which reflects Spain’s complex history when different kingdoms united into one nation.
6. Spain Has the Most UNESCO World Heritage Sites in Europe
Spain is a treasure trove of cultural and natural heritage, boasting 51 sites under UNESCO World Heritage Sites, as of 2024. This makes Spain the country with the most world heritage sites in Europe and the fourth in the world. This includes ancient Roman ruins, stunning architectural works like Sagrada Família in Barcelona, and medieval towns such as Toledo. The abundant natural parks are also present and include Teide National Park on the Canary Islands.
7. Running of the Bulls Is More Than a Festival
Pamplona is perhaps one of the most famous and controversial festivals that Spain has in stock. This is the Running of the Bulls, or San Fermín, where thousands of daring (or dangerous) participants run through the streets in front of a herd of bulls, guiding the animals into a bullring where bullfights occur. It has become a bit of an attraction site in recent times; however, more critical matters about animal rights and their security issues raised concern whether it is modernizing too fast and therefore calls for its revision recently.
8. Spain Has a ‘Mañana’ Culture
This attitude toward time is well reflected in the Spanish expression “mañana,” which means “tomorrow,” best describing this nonchalant attitude toward time. It is not rare for something to be pushed or delayed and for the schedule to be secondary to socializing, taking time for everything that is present, and savoring a meal. In short, this makes Spain a friendly and laid-back destination to visit, as one can take their time and enjoy life at a slower pace.
9. Siestas Still an Integral Part of the Spanish Culture
Even in Spain, siestas are one of the most popular known traditions that nearly everyone in the country almost certainly avails themselves of. It’s most popularly associated with rural life and small towns, but taking a break in the middle of the day is a still widespread practice in most regions. The hot temperatures, long working hours, and late-night socializing make the siesta a great period to recharge. However, in the big cities such as Madrid and Barcelona, with a new schedule of work and fast tempo of life, it has been less common.
10. Spain Has Over 8,000 Kilometers of Coastline
Truly, being sandwiched between the Mediterranean Sea and the Atlantic Ocean, Spain is a paradise for beachgoers. The country boasts an extensive coastline stretching over 8,000 kilometers with beaches, cliffs, and oceanic towns. Among some of the most celebrated beaches are those in the Balearic group of islands, the Canary Islands, and in the coastlines of Costa Brava and Costa del Sol. Whether you want to spend your time relaxing on sandy shores or exploring secluded, rugged coves, Spain has a beach to fit whatever needs you may have.
Why Spain Is So Special
Rich cultural traditions and historical landmarks, diverse landscapes, world-class cuisine in Spain– there’s something here for everyone. Come for the ancient cities, the mouthwatering tapas, or the simple beach: the opportunities for adventure and discovery in Spain are limitless. So perhaps if you never went, now’s the time to discover everything this incredible country has to offer.
Wonder still!
Of course, it’s much more to Spain than you might imagine. By discovering its culture, history, and traditions, you may know a deeper reason why this European country has always been so adored all over the world. So, next time you think of Spain, remember these 10 interesting facts that will inspire you to find more about that incredible nation!
