Spain: Learn about Spain
Everything you need to understand Spain, Spanish people, the culture and history of the country, as well as the best places to visit.
Why do Spaniards dress for the season rather than the weather?
If you've lived in or visited Spain in autumn or winter you may have noticed that Spaniards often dress according to the time of year and not how hot or cold it is. We asked our readers to share their stories as we find out why this could be.
Why does citrus-producing Spain import so many oranges?
Spain is long-established as one of the world's major orange producers, but a combination of factors mean that 'naranjas' from South Africa, Morocco and Egypt increasingly line Spanish supermarket shelves.
San Sebastián: What to know about Spain's biggest film festival
The San Sebastián International Film Festival, the most prestigious of its kind in Spain, kicks off on Friday September 18th. Here are 10 fascinating anecdotes and pieces of information that will help you understand its importance to Spanish culture.
'Not naughty, just noisy': Your verdict on kids' behaviour in Spain
Kids in Spain are often a reflection of Spanish society: boisterous, outdoorsy and straight-talking. But does their outgoing nature tend to veer into misbehaviour? We asked our readers what they think.
The Spanish cultural quirks you only notice once you live in Spain
We all know the stereotypes about Spanish people, but once you've lived in Spain for some time you pick up on other idiosyncrasies Spaniards have which are fairly unknown to outsiders, and often quite amusing.
Why do Spaniards swear so much?
A common belief among English-speaking foreigners living in Spain is that the average Spaniard is a bit of a potty mouth. Is it true, or just a load of b*llocks?
How religious are schools in Spain nowadays?
As kids across Spain start school this week, many foreign parents who are new to the country may be wondering if Catholicism still plays an integral part of the education system.
Is it true 10pm dinners in Spain are dying out?
A recent article in The New York Times claimed Spaniards are no longer eating out as late as they famously do. The Local's reporter and travel writer Esme Fox sets out to unearth if there's any truth to this.
The 'strange' things Spanish parents do raising their children
Spain is a fantastic country to bring up kids thanks to the weather, the safety and Spaniards' overall love of children, but that doesn't mean there aren't aspects of Spanish child-rearing that surprise foreigners.
Why do people from Madrid have a reputation for being arrogant?
One of the most common stereotypes in Spain is that people from the capital think they’re better than everybody else.
11 fruits and vegetables eaten in Spain that aren't common elsewhere
Have you ever come across some of these 'unusual' fruits and vegetables in Spain? They may surprise you because they're not eaten in many other places.
La Tomatina: Why does Spain have a huge tomato street fight?
Every year on the last Wednesday of August, the town of Buñol in Spain's Valencia region prepares to get seriously messy when it stages what has become the world's biggest food fight.
Why are so many earthquakes taking place in Spain's Granada?
Another 4.8-magnitude earthquake shook the southern Spanish city of Granada on Tuesday, the second in three days, along with some 400 tremors since August 14th. Why is there so much seismic activity in this part of Spain?
What are the chances of a major earthquake happening in Spain?
Following a series of earthquakes and aftershocks in the southern city of Granada over the past days, we look at how likely it is that Spain will suffer more serious seismic activity and which areas of the country are most likely to be affected.
A foreigner's guide to understanding the Spanish press in five minutes
Want to decipher the different political biases in the Spanish press? Eager to find out which newspaper you'll enjoy reading while improving your Spanish? Here's everything that's interesting and important about Spain's newspaper landscape.
Why is Spain's population so poorly distributed?
Spain's population density is a European anomaly, with 90 percent of residents living in just 2.6 percent of the country. Why is it that the cities are so crowded while huge parts of the country's interior are empty?
What are the origins of Spain's tapas food culture?
Tapas are an intrinsic part of Spanish eating culture, consisting of small plates of food shared with friends or family along with drinks. There are some fascinating theories about how this typically Spanish way of dining came to be.
What happens to undocumented migrants after they arrive in Spain?
Spain is one of the gateways into Europe for African migrants seeking a better life. But what happens when they arrive on Spanish shores? Are they given accommodation? Can they be repatriated or are they granted asylum?
Why are Ceuta and Melilla Spanish?
As Ceuta and Melilla are brought back into the international spotlight after thousands of Moroccans crossed their borders illegally, The Local considers how these two cities in North Africa became Spanish and why they remain so to this day.
Eight cooler places to escape the heat in Spain's Andalusia
Summers in Andalusia are by and large suffocating, but there are places in the region where it doesn't generally get as hot - here's one for each Andalusian province.
Not just the Camino: Eight memorable multi-day hikes in Spain
If you've always wanted to undertake a long-distance hike in Spain, but don't want to do the obvious Camino de Santiago, there are lots of amazing alternatives. Here are eight routes to inspire you, some of them in cooler parts of Spain.
Six hidden gems which will make you consider a move to 'Empty Spain'
Rural Spain still lies largely undiscovered by tourism and many foreign residents. Here are some charming treasures that lie well off the beaten track which may seduce you enough to buy a second home there or consider a move for a more peaceful life.
Penisville to Elbows: 21 very strange place names in Spain
Would you be tempted to visit Poo beach or eat in a restaurant in Malcocinado? The Local takes a look at some of the more bizarre names of towns and villages found across Spain.