The top 10 tourist mistakes in Spain
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Loading... - Lydia Landry
- 19 Apr 2022
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Whether you're planning a trip to Spain or even thinking of moving to Spain, there are some faux pas that you need to avoid that will help you fit in like a local and not stand out as a tourist. From eating habits to what you wear, we're here to help you with some things not to do in Spain so you can avoid the most common tourist mistakes in Spain.
Eating too early
One of the things that shocks tourists in Spain is just how late Spaniards eat lunch and dinner. Lunch is the main meal of the day in Spanish culture and often consists of more than one course. Lunch in Spain tends to be between 2 and 4pm.
You might be thinking that lunch in Spain is pretty late. Dinner, however, is even later and is usually between 9 and 10pm. Dinner in Spain is also usually a lighter meal compared to lunch and wouldn't be the appropriate time to order a paella, for example. When it comes to eating out, don't expect to find a Spanish restaurant open before 8pm.
Not taking pickpocketing seriously
All things considered, Spain is a very safe country. In spite of this, you must be careful with your personal belongings, especially in larger Spanish cities such as Madrid and Barcelona. Tourist areas and public transport are pickpocketing hotspots, and generally, tourists are targeted in these areas.
How to avoid being pickpocketed in Spain? To avoid Spain's pickpockets, don't leave your camera on the table in a restaurant, be vigilant on public transport (pay extra attention to your pockets and handbag or rucksack), and don't even think of keeping your phone in your back pocket on the underground.
Not wearing a shirt outside
While in certain countries, such as the UK, removing your shirt at the first sight of sunshine is pretty acceptable for men, this isn't the case in Spain unless you're at the beach. Going shirtless will earn you some strange looks, and maybe even a fine in some parts of Spain.
Expecting everyone to speak English
Travelling abroad means embracing a new culture, and in many cases this also means a new language. No matter where you're from, you might resort to English to communicate with the locals, but even if you're only travelling to Spain for a holiday, or to an area which has lots of expats, it is still a good idea to brush up on your Spanish before you go.
English levels are definitely improving in Spain, although Spaniards notoriously struggle with English and getting a head start by learning some basic Spanish will go a long way and will be much appreciated by locals.
Going shopping on a Sunday
Sunday is traditionally a day of rest in Spain which is spent with family. In most parts of Spain (with the exception of big cities such as Madrid), shops, supermarkets, banks and post offices are all closed on Sundays. On the other hand, tourist attractions and museums are generally open and in many cases, have free entry at certain times on Sundays, something which is certainly worth keeping in mind when planning your trip. Read More…
