Mama MálagaPostsCulture and moreWhat to know before traveling to Spain

What to know before traveling to Spain

March 7, 2025

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Traveling to Spain is a delightful adventure where you get to see vibrant culture, rich history and stunning landscapes. However, to make the most of your trip, it’s important to be aware of some unique cultural aspects of Spanish life and some travel logistics. Here’s a short guide on what to know before you hit the road – or the air!

Local trains are free until June 2025

One of the most exciting developments for travelers is that local trains are free – which allows you to travel between nearby towns or within big cities without spending money. Spain has implemented this initiative – that has been going on since 2022 – to promote sustainable travel and make transportation more accessible. This is a fantastic opportunity to explore a region without worrying about transportation costs.

Note, though, that this refers to the local trains (Cercanías trains), not the trains connecting different provinces, and that there is a prepayment of ten euros that is refunded at the end of the ticket period if a minimum number of trips is reached – it is not as simple as just getting in the train. We explain all about this on the post about free train tickets – questions and answers.

Bus cards are your friends

While trains are free, local buses are still a crucial part of getting around, especially in cities and smaller towns. In many cities, it is possible – even for tourists – to buy a bus card that cut ticket prices by more than half! It saves you money and simplifies the process of hopping on and off buses as you explore. I’ve written about the bus card valid for the Malaga area in Bus and train cards in the Costa del Sol and in more depth about the buses, going town by town, in Untangling the buses in the Costa del Sol. Take a look there if you are coming to the region. 😉

The highways are great, but parking is an almost impossible mission

Renting a car in Spain is often affordable, and it’s a great way to explore the country at your own pace. With excellent road infrastructure, a car can help you reach less accessible areas and enjoy scenic drives through the countryside. Spain boasts a modern and well-maintained highway system, making road travel smooth and efficient. If you’re traveling between major cities or exploring rural areas, the highways provide a comfortable driving experience.

Despite the great highways, finding parking in cities (and towns) can be a challenge. Narrow streets and limited spaces mean parking is often scarce and expensive. Consider using public transportation within cities and between nearby towns, and cars between larger cities. Renting a car is advisable only if you plan to visit several places during your stay and if you book your stays accordingly – with garage.

Everything is later than you are used to

In Spain, the daily schedule is shifted later than in many other countries. Don’t be surprised if shops, restaurants and streets are quiet in the morning and bustling late into the night – even kids playing in the playgrounds around midnight is a common sight. Embrace the relaxed pace and adjust your plans accordingly.

Lunch is after 2 pm, dinner after 9 pm

Mealtimes in Spain are later than what you might be used to. Lunch typically starts after 2 pm, and dinner is often not until after 9 pm. Plan your meals accordingly to enjoy the full Spanish dining experience.

Siesta is a real thing

The famous Spanish Siesta is still alive and well, and not only in smaller towns and rural areas. The Costa del Sol, in the height of the summer season, still closes every day for siesta. Many businesses close in the afternoon, typically between 2 pm and 5 pm, especially the street commerce. Use this time to relax, enjoy a leisurely lunch or take a nap, just like the locals.

Business times are strange in Spain

Siesta in Spain - opening hours of commerce — An example of opening times on the door of a shop.

Business hours in Spain are unpredictable. If you find a shop or restaurant closed in the middle of the day, they are likely just closed for the siesta. Check their door for their specific opening times – it is usually informed there.

Shops generally open around 10 am and close for lunch around 1 or 2 pm; some reopen after lunch at 4 pm, some later, only after 5 pm. They then stay open until 9 or 10 pm.

Tip: add some half an hour to the time a shop is predicted to open according to the door, just to be sure; punctuality is often not Spaniards’ strongest suit…

Opening times also vary throughout the year – winter hours are usually shorter than summer hours. The door may or may not be updated to the season – so you see how things can get a bit confusing. As a rule of thumb, if I need to buy something from the local commerce, I try going there around 11 am or after 6; I’ve had good results this way.

I’ve had some unique experiences with figuring out times in Spain. Once I called to book a haircut, and the lady on the phone asked me if I preferred morning or afternoon. I said morning, and she said ‘great, we have a time at 1:30 pm’… So, I have the impression that morning is the period between waking up and lunch – which is at or after 2 pm. On another occasion I’ve heard the expression ‘9 in the afternoon’, which makes me think that afternoon goes from after lunch / siesta until sleep time. Let me know in the comments if you have a more precise take on this!

Let’s talk about Tapas

While tapas (a portion of food to be eaten while drinking; a bit like a snack, but better) are a famous part of Spanish cuisine, they’re not available everywhere. Some regions have a stronger tapas culture than others. In places like Granada and Seville, tapas are more prevalent and often come for free with a drink, without being requested; in other areas, they might be less common. In the Costa del Sol, they are often on the menu – and therefore, are charged.

In places that offer tapas for free, the customers don’t get to choose the tapas – they are pre-prepared in bulk and served in portions during the day. The tapas are often delicious – it can be local red meat, fish, potatoes or some specialty of the house – and the portions can range from small to relatively large. Some places offer tapas if you order beer, others only with wine, some don’t serve tapas at all.

The general economic idea behind free tapas is that, if the customers have something to snack, they will spend more time on the bar / restaurant and order more drinks. On the other hand, as the free tapas are prepared in bulk and are a choice of the bar, it is a way for the place to advertise some of their dishes and to use seasonal and local products – usually better and more affordable – thus making a good impression of the place for a small cost to the bar, while also making happy costumers that will spread the word and / or come back.

There is no strict rule, but if you are looking to try tapas during your stay, take a look at online reviews of places near where you’ll be staying – if tapas are served, there are probably comments about it on Tripadvisor.

Tipping is not mandatory

Tipping in Spain is not as usual as in some other countries. While it’s appreciated, it’s not mandatory. Leaving a small amount, such as rounding up the bill or leaving some loose change is usual, tough, both in restaurants and bars – but still not necessary nor expected.

Ferias timing

Spanish ferias (festivals) are lively, colorful events that take place at specific times of the year. They last from around four to ten days and the community of each place really comes together to make an impression. And what an impression! Ferias are beautiful, fun and diverse – religious events, parades, clay workshops for kids, birds of prey flying around squares (super safely! They are well trained), funfairs, inflatable bulls coming down the street, foam slides in the middle of the town, concerts by the beach, free paella, chocolate distribution – all of this and much more can happen on a Feria.

Check our post dedicated to the Ferias of the Costa del Sol to have a taste of what a Feria looks like and to see the calendar of when they happen. The actual days of each feria change each year, but they are usually around the local patron saint’s day. Ferias are a fantastic way to experience local culture, music, dance, food and good surprises.

People enjoying the Feria de Benalmádena Pueblo in 2024.

It rains a lot in the north; it rains a little in the south

Spain’s climate varies significantly from north to south. The northern regions, like Galicia and the Basque Country, experience frequent rainfall and cooler temperatures than its counterpart in the south. In contrast, the south, including Andalusia and Murcia, enjoys much drier and hotter weather on average – in 2024 we’ve had torrential rains in March and November, and it still was not enough to put the area out of the risk of water shortage.

Always greet the seller when entering a shop

In Spain, it’s customary to greet the shopkeeper when you enter a store. A simple “hola” or “buenos días” goes a long way in showing respect and friendliness. Buenos días (good morning) and buenas tardes (good afternoon) are the preferred greetings – say it even if you can’t pronounce it perfectly; it doesn’t matter, it is the friendliness intention that count. Say it with a smile and you’ll be good.

Don’t be shy on a line: ask clearly who is the last

In busy places like the post office and paper shops, lines can be a bit informal. It’s common to ask “¿Quién es el último?” (Who is the last?) to determine your place in the queue. This practice helps maintain order without a strict line structure. It may look messy but rest assured that everybody knows their turn. I find the system fantastic.

If the whole sentence is too much and you notice all eyes are on you, just ask ‘último?‘ and they will point at someone. You’ll notice how the looks ease when everybody knows that you got the queue system and will not skip the line!

Spaniards love football

Football (soccer) is a national passion in Spain. Catching a game at a local bar can be a thrilling experience. The enthusiasm and spirit surrounding football in Spain are contagious. if you are a football fan yourself, you will probably make friends very easily in Spain!

A group of fans of Malaga Futebol Club waits to receive their team in the airport of Málaga at 5:30 am. They were celebrating that the team had moved up to the second division. Source.

Spaniards are very proud of their cultural traditions

Spanish culture is rich and diverse, with many traditions that locals take great pride in – but that puzzles outsiders. Running away from dangerous bulls in Pamplona? Throwing tomatoes at each other in Buñol? Lifting rocks as a sport in the Basque County? Maybe doing a human tower in Catalonia? All very uniquely Spanish and surrounded by some controversy.

None is more controversial than bullfighting, though. Bullfighting remains part of Spanish heritage and present. Whether or not we agree with it, respecting that it is part of the tradition and that part of the local population actually are still interested in bullfights, is something that comes with being in a foreign land. You don’t need to agree, or like it, though; and you may find comfort knowing that its popularity has been decreasing over the years.

Bullfights are rare in the Costa del Sol, and the bullrings that exists in all (all!) towns in the area are currently used more as amphitheaters – not for bullfighting anymore. Nevertheless, there are quite a few peñas taurinas (bullfight related associations) in Spain and within the Costa del Sol; the Feria de Malaga in 2024 actually had quite a few bullfights.

Conclusion

Traveling to Spain offers a unique and immersive cultural experience. By understanding the key aspects of Spanish life and travel, you’ll be better prepared to enjoy all that this vibrant country has to offer.

From parking, using public transportation, tipping, knowing a bit about tapas and preparing you to be lost in time to finding your place in a line and dealing with unexpected cultural traditions, I hope this little guide can useful to your future traveling plans. ¡Buen viaje!