Spain’s culture and traditions are heavily interlocked with its rich history. Having diverse influences from Romans, Moors, Greeks, and Phoenicians, ancient practices are carried up until the 20th century.
Now, locals celebrate a number of traditions in Spain, not limited to festivals, way of living, and even superstitions.
These practices differ per region, but sometimes, locals share the same beliefs with other cities or provinces. Because the country is vast, and several outsiders created empires in different regions, most locals have unique traditions.
From the deep appreciation for craftsmanship, performing arts to celebrated festivals and greetings, locals have distinct practices that define their identities.
Travelers might find some practices a bit weird or bizarre, but to locals, these are integral to celebrate growth, life, death, and in between. Some traditions are even practiced for centuries until today, with people serving a specific meal on Christmas Day, or wearing an attire for the festival.
10 Traditions in Spain Every Traveler Needs to Know
Las Arras
Weddings are undeniably important everywhere in the world, but Spaniards have their own sets of customs and traditions during the event. There’s what they call Las arras, which refers to the 13 wedding coins that symbolize the groom’s financial treasures.
The groom and bride share the ‘unity’ coins, representing their commitment to sharing what they have and will have in the future.
Others believe that these 13 coins represent thirteen words; love, commitment, peace, trust, respect, joy, nurturing, happiness, caring, harmony, cooperation, wholeness, and wisdom.
Spanish Catholic weddings involve Las arras, and highlight the groom’s act of sharing the coins to the bride. The coins are usually gold, but others use silver coins.
Nonetheless, this tradition is passed on for decades. In other provinces, coins are blessed by the priest and parents of the bride and groom before presented at the wedding.
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Buen Provecho
Travelers can hear people saying, buen provecho in restaurants and fine dining establishments. It’s similar to the bon appétit in French, wishing someone a good meal.
The phrase is uttered between couples, families, and strangers sharing a meal with one another. Wait staff and chef also say buen provecho out of hospitality to guests and diners.
Traditions in Spain vary, and some households use the phrase Que aproveche, instead of buen provecho. However, the two share the same intention of wishing somehow to have a great, filling meal.
One only uses buen provecho when sharing meals with other people outside of the family. It’s applicable for dining at weddings, and formal events.
In English speaking countries, the phrase can be easily translated to ‘dig in’, as an invitation to start eating.
Two Birthdays
Most Spanish people celebrate two birthdays, especially if an individual is named after a saint. The first celebration is on the actual day of birth, and the second one is on their Saint’s day.
Hence, if a child’s name is Juan, he can also celebrate during St. John the Baptist Day on June 24. While the celebrations aren’t grand, locals serve food to friends and family.
The only big birthday celebrations are the girls’ 15th birthday or Quinceañera, and the boys’ Quinceañero. This is a huge turning point from childhood to adulthood, as girls and boys start a new chapter in life.
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Family Ties
Spaniards value family more than ever. The relationship between family members is crucial and truly treasured, that’s why celebrations are more fun. The family-oriented culture is instilled from parents to children, and is passed on to the next generation.
Moving out of the parents’ house is also not common, unless they can already afford their own house. Sometimes, young people don’t leave their homes until their early thirties. For poorer families, children share the same roof with their parents for decades.
Las Doce Uvas de la Suerte
One of the famous traditions in Spain during New Year is the Las Doce Uvas de la Suerte, or eating 12 grapes of good luck at midnight.
Locals can be seen devouring the grapes in the first 12 minutes of the new year. While this is more like a superstition, the practice is passed on to the younger generations of today.
Each grape represents prosperity and good health each month, so eating a dozen grapes means a person can have a successful year. This has become a huge thing that demand for grapes in December is higher, so the price is fairly high too.
Local authorities also warn residents of possible choking due to eating grapes one at a time. Children are more prone to this incident than adults.
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Three Wise Men
Before the buzz over Santa Claus, Spaniards believe that the Three Wise Men leave gifts under the Christmas tree. After nochebuena or Christmas Day feast at midnight, children leave their shoes, sweets, and glasses of water as offering to the Kings and their camels. In the morning, they open their presents and get charcoal if they’ve been bad the whole year.
Aside from the offering, children also write a letter to the Three Kings to provide a list of items they wish to receive on Christmas Day. The Spanish celebration of the Three Kings is also huge, with parades, feasts, and lots of gift giving.
Air Kisses
When visiting Spain for the first time, don’t be surprised when the elderly and other younger people give air kisses on both cheeks as a greeting. This gesture is common in the country, and even strangers turned acquaintances can give air kisses as a way to say hello and goodbye.
Because Spaniards are laid-back and friendly people, they can easily connect to strangers, especially foreign nationals. The air kisses traditions in Spain represent friendship shown by two people. Men greeting men can simply shake hands, unless they’re family.
The next time a local touches cheeks with travelers, the only way to return the friendly gesture is to do the same, flash a smile and not be timid.
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Flamenco
Flamenco is probably one of the most famous things linked to Spain next to paella or tapas. This is a form of dance accompanied by acoustic, classical guitar, singing, and dancing ladies wearing long, red dresses. Performances are everywhere in the country, but travelers head to Andalucia to watch the biggest flamenco shows.
It’s not only a performing art, but also a tradition that locals cherish and take pride of. During fiestas, flamenco performances are held on the streets and plazas, showcasing graceful moves. For decades, this performance represents the passion of the performers, gracing the stage or celebration.
Semana Santa
Semana Santa or Holy Week is a huge affair in Spain that most schools, government offices, and businesses close to celebrate the series of events.
This is a national holiday when people go back to their hometowns to celebrate with family and friends. Thursdays, Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays are the most important days, where the streets are filled with dozens of processions.
Floats, colorful parades, and lots of eating can be observed during Semana Santa. It’s almost similar to Christmas Day when families enjoy sumptuous dishes consisting of garlic soup with baked egg, and seafood.
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Rosario
In Spain, when someone dies, families not only gather until the burial, but also on Rosario. It’s a practice nine days after death, when families hold a ceremony to commemorate the life of the deceased.
Aside from flowers, candles, and sharing memories of the dead, families and friends also gather to pray for the dead person’s soul and spirit.
Death traditions in Spain such as Rosario are respected by locals, and carried out as a way of respect to their ancestors. Families can also offer food and other items to the deceased, but others simply provide flowers and light candles.
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