10 Things you must Not Do in Spain

When visiting a new country, we’re often looking for the best things to do while there. Well, Not To Do things are just as important as they make for some really great travel tips, ensuring your experience will be free of unpleasant surprises. Spain, just like any other country out there, has its own quirks, laws, prejudices and even bizarre customs, so here’s a list of what not to do when visiting the country of flamenco and bullfighting.

1. Don’t expect to eat early. Spain does everything late and eating is no exception. Lunchtime is usually between 13:00 – 15:30 and dinner is rarely served before 21:00.
2. Do not rush or take punctuality too seriously. Spaniards tend to have a very relaxed sense of time, so be patient and just enjoy being in Spain!
3. Do not get involved in discussions about regionalism. Spaniards are extremely sensitive to this topic and they have a very strong sense of regional pride, especially in Catalonia, the Basque Country and Galicia, where locals have their own language and cultural identity.
4. Don’t limit yourself to Costa de Sol. Surely this Andalusian stretch of coast is absolutely lovely, but parts of it can also be very touristy and expensive. Besides, there are other 12 beautiful coasts in Spain waiting to be explored, and all of them boast wonderful beaches, picturesque towns and fabulous local cuisine.

5. Do not call a Catalan Spanish. You certainly don’t want to piss off more than 7 million people who are so proud of their language, culture and history, and who currently struggle for their independence. Nothing will offend them more.
6. Do not expect to see Flamenco everywhere. Of course, this is a genuine Spanish form of art and one of the first things that come to mind when thinking of Spain. And although it has a strong tradition in many parts of the country, that doesn’t mean you’re going to see an authentic show everywhere you travel. You won’t go wrong with Andalusia, though. This is arguably the birthplace of flamenco, or at least its spiritual home, so wonderful shows are held almost daily in venues across Seville, Granada, Cadiz or Jerez de le Frontera. Madrid is also a great place to enjoy this famous Spanish tradition, offering an excellent range of tablaos. One more thing, don’t expect to see Spaniards dancing flamenco for fun (unless you’re visiting a gypsy cave in Granada), this is a performance art usually put on display in theaters and other dedicated venues.
7. Don’t bring too many clothes.Spain is a shopping Mecca with options for any budget and style out there. Not to mention chances are you’ll be tempted by their chic and delightfully accessible fashion brands such as Zara, Mango, Bershka, Pull & Bear, Stradivarius, Blanco and so on. You can find them everywhere, and, if you have the chance to visit Spain during the sales (rebajas) periods, you’ll get some really fantastic bargains.
8. Don’t expect to see a bullfight in Barcelona or the Canary Islands. Catalonia was the second Spanish region to ban this blood sport after the Canary Islands.

 9. Don’t underestimate tapas, especially if you’re traveling on a budget. They are not just an excellent way to immerse yourself in the Spanish culture and sample the local cuisine, but also a great way to cut down on travel costs. They usually come for a small price or free when ordering a drink, like in Granada and Madrid.
 10.Don’t plan every minute of your trip. Following a schedule could be an effective way to manage your time, but who needs that in a country where art, history and local culture can be experienced almost everywhere – on the streets, at the market, in the tiny plazas, in the lively bars and even on the football stadium. Moreover, every visitor to Spain should leave some time for serendipitous opportunities; you never know what you might discover by chance in this beautiful country that bursts with treasures, excitement and creativity.

Written by Miruna Corneanu