12 Mistakes to avoid in Spain

Spain, oh, Spain! You will love spending time on its sun-drenched beaches, admiring flamenco dancers twirling in vibrant dresses, and tasting sizzling tapas. Spain is a country that seduces your senses with vibrant colors, rhythmic music, and the most delicious food you can imagine (don’t even get me started on churros dipped in thick, hot chocolate!).

No wonder this captivating country has stolen the hearts of so many travelers, myself included. I have been to Spain 12 times and cannot wait to revisit it.

Perhaps you’ve heard tales of friends returning from Spain, their eyes sparkling with the memory of delicious paella and late-night strolls through cobbled streets. Maybe you’ve already started dreaming of your Spanish adventure, picturing yourself sipping sangria on a charming balcony overlooking the sparkling Mediterranean.

If that’s the case, then this article is for you! I’ve had countless adventures exploring the diverse landscapes of Spain, from the bustling streets of Barcelona and Madrid to the sun-kissed shores of the Canary and Balearic Islands.

I even embarked on a solo journey through the south (my first solo trip lasted 22 days), a thrilling experience that left me with memories (and maybe a few hilarious mishaps) to last a lifetime.

My love of Spain started when I was a kid and went on holiday with my parents. I still remember when I buried my beloved Barbie on a Costa del Sol beach. Let’s say she’s still enjoying a permanent vacation there.

The point is that I’ve learned a lot about Spain, and I’m eager to share my experiences and some handy tips with you. While Spain is a haven for wanderlust-filled souls, there are a few cultural faux pas you might want to avoid to ensure your Spanish adventure is as smooth and delightful as a glass of chilled Rioja.

So, grab your metaphorical (or literal) flamenco fan, and let’s dive into the do’s and don’ts of this captivating country.

12 Things to Don’t Do When Visiting Spain

1. Don’t have an English Breakfast while in Spain:

English breakfast is good and gives you a lot of energy to start the day, but there is so much delicious food in Spain that you cannot miss it. They have pastries made with almonds and homemade jam, ham that will melt in your mouth like butter, and much more.

2. Don’t act and eat like you are still in your country:

You are traveling in Spain, so I highly recommend you live like a local, that is the best way to experience a new country fully. Respect meal time; don’t have lunch at noon and dinner at 6 pm. Restaurants open for lunch at 1.30 pm and for dinner at 8 pm. 

If you want to eat earlier, you will probably end up in a tourist trap, where they will serve you warm-up frozen food that has nothing to do with authentic Spanish food and might also be overpriced. 

If you are hungry, have a coffee and a little sandwich or a pastry to keep your stomach quiet, and trust me, in a couple of days, your body will get used to living like a Spanish while in Spain.

Travel Safety Tip: As soon as you book your next adventure, buy good travel insurance in case you need to “unfortunately” delay, extend, or cancel your trip. I usually find good deals on VISITORSCOVERAGE for up to 1 month of trip length and SAFETYWING for longer trips.  They are insurance companies that cover everything related to your travel.

3. Don’t eat Paella for dinner:

Spanish people eat Paella mostly at lunch because it is a heavy meal, and because they have dinner late (after 9 pm), they tend to choose something lighter.

This is more of a piece of advice for you guys. You can eat it for dinner if you want but don’t complain that you feel too full and have problems digesting it (make sure to go for a walk afterward).

4. Don’t expect to have a fast lunch or dinner:

Spanish people, like Italians, love to have their meals at their own pace. A lunch or dinner will last at least 2 hours between ordering and leaving the restaurant. The best way to enjoy delicious Spanish food is to do it slowly.

Find a nice place with a good view, get a couple of tapas with a glass of wine, get your main course, wait a bit for the coffee, and maybe share a dessert with your travel mate (if you have one). Don’t be in a rush; you are on holiday, after all, enjoy Spain!

5. Don’t ask people you just met information about their job:

For many Spanish people, talking about their job is not something they like when they are not working, and mostly not with someone they have just met. I found this quite different from English or Italian people, who are usually very open to discussing it.

So please don’t be rude, don’t ask them what they do for a living, ask about where they are from, talk about why you are in Spain and maybe ask for some advice about places to visit, most people I met were delighted to give me some precious advice when talking about their country.

6. Don’t grab an orange straight from the tree:

This is a mistake I made. Spain is full of orange trees everywhere (or for sure in the south, which is the area I visited the most), and they look so lovely that you will be curious to grab one and eat it. Please don’t do it!

That one I got was very sour and unbeatable. After complaining about it to my Spanish friends, they told me that these orange trees I saw everywhere in Spanish streets, have been added in the 12th century, people thought that bitter oranges would bring them luck, so they planted them everywhere. 

But then, when my mom went to Seville, she ended up grabbing one from a tree as I did, and she told me it was delicious and very sweet, so I am a bit confused about it.

Want to become a SUPER-ORGANIZED TRAVELER and fight TRAVEL ANXIETY? Check out my Travel Anxiety Tips Page, where you will find all the help, tips, tricks and guides to plan your next adventure in the most organized way!

7. Spanish speakers don’t constantly repeat “please” and “thank you”: 

I don’t speak Spanish perfectly, I understand better than I talk; but I would love to learn it as soon as I have some more free time (now I am busy writing about all my travels in this Travel Guide). I know the basis for ordering food in a bar/restaurant or buying something in a shop/market. 

I constantly repeated “muchas grasias” and “por favor” in every sentence, like when I spoke English or Italian. A friend I visited in Barcelona (who lived there) told me that Spanish people prefer to talk more kindly. So the “please” and “thanks” are not needed. What is important is the tone of voice, so add some kindness to it, and you will be all right.

Heads up! Plan Your Vacation in Spain in the Best Way! Check out all my articles in the “Most Complete Guide of Spain” and get all the information you need to make your next travel successful. 

8. Don’t expect to go shopping on Sundays:

Sunday is the rest day, so most shops and supermarkets are closed. 

If you are staying in a flat and need to buy food for the weekend because you want to save some money, don’t forget to buy it on Saturday or you will end up going to eat out (also on Sunday most of the bars were to have breakfast open very late so you will end up starving).

Most bars and restaurants will be open, but the opening time might differ from other days of the week.

European Travel Alert! If you are from the US and want to travel to Europe, from 2025 you must complete an ETIAS visa waiver form before your trip and pay the €7 ($7.25) fees. This easy-to-complete form should give you instant approval, but it’s recommended that travelers plan and submit their forms a few weeks before their departure date. 

9. Don’t talk about the Civil War:

Unless someone starts the conversation, I have been told it is better to avoid it. Spanish people avoided the subject because it was a terrible period.

10. When meeting with a local in the afternoon, you will primarily meet up to drink a coffee:

You have to remember that in Spain everything happens at a different time. They have lunch around 2-3 pm and dinner after 9 pm. 

So if you meet a local after lunch around 5 or 6 pm, you will probably meet up for a coffee and not a beer or an aperitivo like in other countries. Don’t forget that aperitivo/tapas time starts around 8 pm and dinner after 9 pm.

11. Don’t think that every region of Spain is the same:

You will be surprised to see how different areas are from one another; it is still Spain, of course. Still, the dialects or languages (like Catalan, which is a language, not a dialect), local recipes, architecture, and scenery are entirely different. 

Do you want to know more about Spain? Check out my articles in the “Most Complete Guide of Spain” for all the information you need to make your next trip successful. 

Travel Tip: Most phone providers charge extra fees to use your data plan abroad. If you don’t want to end up paying a fortune to use the internet in Spain, the best solution is buying an eSIM for Spain on Airalo, the fastest and easiest way to have all the data you need while traveling. Check it out here!

12. Don’t miss a Flamenco Show:

Flamenco is originally from Andalusia, but you can enjoy a show everywhere in Spain. These shows are magical. The movements, sounds, songs, and voices will make you feel the dancers’ passion.

I attended an incredible Flamenco show in a Flamenco school in Cadiz (southwest side of Spain), which was unbelievable. 

Heads up! Looking for the perfect tan this summer? Read my “Guide to the perfect tan.”

13. Don’t get scared when Spanish people raise their voices:

I never had a problem with this because, as an Italian, I tend to be loud, too. We are cousins, after all! But for people from other countries, it might be a surprise, and if you are not prepared for it, you might also get scared and think that they are arguing or fighting. 

Not at all. Spanish people (as Italians) are just quite lauded. 

14. Don’t feel forced to leave a tip:

In Spain, people aren’t used to tips like in other countries. If you go to an expensive restaurant, a tip is more than welcome, but in a bar or a local restaurant, leave a couple of euros if the service has been excellent.

There is no service charge in Spain (like in the UK). You decide how much to leave as a tip.

Welcome to my travel guide, my lovely anxious traveler! Want to know who is behind Valentina’s Travel Guide? Let me tell you more about myself.

15. Don’t eat only Paella:

Yes, Paella is one of the most famous Spanish dishes. Still, Spain has so many delicious local recipes that you will be surprised by their variety. Try everything local, and research the local food; if I have been there, I wrote an article about the best food of that city or region that you cannot miss.

Heads up! If you like my content, remember that I covered many destinations worldwide and add more content weekly. So, let’s keep in touch. Subscribe to my free VIP TRAVEL ZEN AREA to become a super-organized traveler and reduce travel anxiety, and receive MY FREE 42-Page Guide to Plan a Super-Organized Trip, weekly updates about new destinations, and travel tips. 

Before you go…

Spain awaits, brimming with vibrant culture, breathtaking landscapes, and enough delicious paella to satisfy even the hungriest traveler. But remember, even the most seasoned adventurer can benefit from some preparation.

To ensure your Spanish escapade is as stress-free as a siesta under the olive trees, I’ve created a free guide packed with tips and tricks to become a super-organized traveler. Download it now and say goodbye to travel anxiety!

With some planning, you can focus on what truly matters: soaking up the magic of Spain and creating memories that will last a lifetime. ¡Buen viaje!