I’ve Lived in Spain for 5 Years — Here Are 10 Unspoken Rules To Follow When You Visit

On one of my first evenings in Madrid, it was 6:30 PM, and my stomach was rumbling; I was ready for dinner.

I walked through the charming streets, but every promising restaurant was dark. The few places that were open were filled with people casually sipping coffee or a small beer.

I was completely baffled. It was my first lesson in a simple truth: Spain moves to its own, unique rhythm.

After five years here, I’ve learned the unspoken rules to follow when you visit Spain that guidebooks often miss. Following my advice on Spanish cultural etiquette will transform your trip.

It’s the difference between just seeing Spain and truly experiencing it.

1. Adjust Your Clock to the Spanish Rhythm

The biggest challenge for anyone visiting Spain is adapting to the local schedule.

Everything happens later here. Lunch (la comida) is the main meal of the day. It happens between 2 PM and 4 PM. Dinner (la cena) is a much lighter affair, often starting at 9 PM or even 10 PM.

Many visitors are confused by the famous midday break, often called the “siesta.” Forget the idea of everyone taking a nap.

This break, from roughly 2 PM to 5 PM, exists to accommodate that long, leisurely lunch. It’s a sacred time for family, friends, and colleagues to connect over food. This is why you’ll find many smaller shops and businesses closed during these hours.

A large, social lunch at 3 PM means you simply aren’t hungry for dinner at 6 PM. This pushes the evening meal later, which in turn shifts the entire social nightlife into the late hours.

So, plan your day accordingly. Enjoy a big lunch, and then embrace the culture of a late, light tapas dinner. It’s one of the most fundamental unspoken rules to follow when you visit Spain.

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2. Forget What You Know About Tipping

Tipping culture can be a source of anxiety for travelers. In Spain, you can relax.

Tipping is not mandatory or expected in the way it is in the United States. Waitstaff and bartenders earn a full living wage, so they don’t rely on tips to make ends meet.

Think of a tip here not as an obligation, but as a genuine gesture of appreciation for excellent service. The local custom is modest. At a casual café or bar, simply leaving the small change from your bill or rounding up to the nearest euro is perfectly normal.

For a sit-down meal with good service, leaving €1-2 per person is a kind gesture. A 10% tip is considered very generous and is usually reserved for exceptional service at a high-end restaurant. For taxis, just round up the fare to the next euro.

While a large tip won’t be refused, an American-style 20% tip can feel out of place and even a bit awkward in a local tavern. The small, symbolic amount shows you appreciate the service; a social thank you of sorts.

3. Dress for the City, Not the Beach

Spaniards generally place a high value on personal appearance. People dress with intention, even for a casual stroll through the city. This doesn’t mean you need to be formal, but it does mean being mindful of your surroundings.

The most important rule is to keep beachwear strictly for the beach or pool. Walking through a city center shirtless or in just a bikini top is considered disrespectful and is a dead giveaway that you’re a tourist.

The same goes for flip-flops. While fine for the sand, they are rarely worn in cities, where locals prefer stylish sneakers, loafers, or sandals.

This sense of context is especially crucial when visiting religious sites. Many churches and cathedrals require visitors to cover their shoulders and knees to enter.

I always carry a light scarf in my bag for this exact purpose. Dressing appropriately isn’t about fashion; it’s a non-verbal cue that you respect the different functions of public spaces, from the sacred to the social.

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4. Master Greetings and Goodbyes

In Spain, small social rituals are the glue that holds daily interactions together.

When you enter a small shop, a café, or even a doctor’s waiting room, it’s essential to greet everyone with a simple “Hola” or “Buenos días”.

When you leave, a friendly “Adiós” or “Hasta luego” is expected. Ignoring this custom is considered quite rude.

Among friends and acquaintances, the standard greeting is the dos besos, or two kisses on the cheek (starting with the right). This applies between women, and between men and women.

Men who don’t know each other well will typically shake hands, which is also the norm in formal business settings.

Also, pay attention to your goodbyes. While “Adiós” is universally understood, it feels very final. Locals almost always opt for the more casual “Hasta luego” (see you later) or the Italian import, “Ciao”.

5. Embrace the Art of Tranquilo

If there is one word that encapsulates the Spanish approach to life, it is tranquilo. It means calm, relaxed, and unhurried.

This philosophy is woven into the fabric of daily life and is one of the most important unspoken rules to follow when you visit Spain.

You will notice this most in service situations. Waiters in Spain will not rush you. They won’t bring the bill until you ask for it, and they won’t hover over your table waiting for you to finish

This is a sign of respect. They are giving you space to enjoy your meal and your conversation. To get a waiter’s attention, you need to make eye contact and give a slight signal.

Patience is more than a virtue here; it’s a necessity. Getting frustrated or trying to rush things is counterproductive and goes against the cultural grain.

The best approach when visiting Spain is to take a deep breath, slow down, and savor the moment.

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6. Drink Like a Local (Hint: It’s Not Sangria)

One of the quickest ways to blend in is to pay attention to what locals are drinking. While sangria is famous worldwide, in Spain, it’s largely considered a drink for tourists.

On a hot summer day, you’ll find Spaniards overwhelmingly drinking Tinto de Verano, a simple and refreshing mix of red wine and lemon soda. Ordering one will earn you a nod of approval.

Coffee is also a huge part of daily life, but the menu is different. Here’s a quick guide:

• Café Solo: A single, strong shot of espresso.
• Cortado: An espresso “cut” with a splash of steamed milk, usually served in a small glass.
• Café con Leche: The classic morning coffee, made with equal parts espresso and steamed milk.

Takeaway coffee isn’t very common. Coffee breaks are a cherished ritual, a moment to sit down and socialize, even if it’s just for ten minutes.

Your choice of drink is a small but powerful cultural signifier, showing you’ve taken the time to observe local life.

7. Your Table Manners Speak Volumes

Spanish table manners have a few quirks that are important to know.

First, your bread doesn’t go on your plate. Instead, you place your piece of bread on the tablecloth or table next to your plate. It’s often used as a tool to push the last delicious bits of food onto your fork.

Another old custom is to keep both of your hands visible during the meal. Resting your wrists on the edge of the table is fine, but don’t leave a hand in your lap. This tradition is rooted in showing trust and that you have nothing to hide.

Wasting food is considered very disrespectful. Portions can be generous, so it’s better to order conservatively and add more later if you’re still hungry.

8. Understand the Lively Art of Tapeo

Going for tapas, or tapear, is one of Spain’s greatest social traditions. But it’s an activity, not just a type of food. The idea is not to sit down for a large meal in one place.

Instead, you hop from one crowded bar to the next, enjoying one or two signature tapas and a small drink at each spot.

Here’s how to do it like a local:

1. Find a bar that’s busy and lively—that’s always a good sign.
2. Order your drinks first. In some regions, like Granada, a free tapa will automatically come with your drink.
3. Order just one or two tapas at a time. This keeps the food fresh and allows you to pace yourself.
4. It’s very common to stand at the bar or a high-top table, so don’t be shy about finding a spot and making your way to the bartender to order.

The culture of tapeo is a perfect reflection of Spanish social life: it’s mobile, communal, spontaneous, and full of energy.

9. Don’t Mistake Loudness for Anger

Spanish conversations are passionate, expressive, and often loud. What might sound like a heated argument to an outsider is usually just an enthusiastic discussion between friends.

People talk with their hands, interrupt each other, and speak with a level of energy that can be surprising if you’re not used to it.

In this high-context culture, interrupting someone is not necessarily rude, but often a sign of active listening and engagement in the conversation. The emotional tone of a discussion is just as important as the words being said.

While you should get used to the higher volume, it’s also important to be mindful of your own noise levels. Be respectful in residential areas late at night or on public transport.

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10. Remember, Spain is a Country of Countries

Avoid the trap of stereotypes. Spain is an incredibly diverse nation with distinct regional identities. 

Flamenco and bullfighting are deeply connected to Andalusia in the south, but you won’t find them as a central part of the culture in Galicia or the Basque Country.

Paella is the signature dish of Valencia, and ordering it elsewhere can lead to disappointment.

Spain has multiple official languages. In Barcelona and Catalonia, you’ll see and hear Catalan. In the Basque Country, people speak Basque, a language with no known relatives.

Making an effort to learn a few basic phrases in the local language, like “Bon dia” (Good day) in Catalan, is a profound sign of respect. It shows you see the country not as a monolith, but as the rich and complex tapestry it truly is.

Ciao!

Think of these rules as a guide to shifting your mindset. You must observe, adapt, and show respect for a culture that is warm and deeply social.

Spain is an incredibly welcoming place, and locals are forgiving of foreigners. But by making a small effort to understand their way of life, you open the door to a much more genuine travel experience.