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Cultural

Spanish culture: what newcomers should know about daily life

Meal times, greetings, languages, family life and fiestas: a practical guide to Spanish culture for people who have just moved to Spain.

Jenny Larson

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Expat woman greeted with cheek kisses by a Spanish neighbour on a sunny Málaga street with children playing nearby

Updated: October 2026

Moving to Spain is about more than paperwork. Daily life follows its own rhythm, and understanding a few cultural habits makes it much easier to settle in, make friends and avoid awkward moments. This guide covers the things newcomers notice first, from meal times and greetings to languages, family life and fiestas.

The Spanish daily rhythm

The biggest adjustment for most people is timing. Spain runs later than most of northern Europe.

MomentTypical timeWhat happens
Breakfast7:30–9:00Coffee and something small at home
Mid-morning break10:30–11:30Toast with tomato and olive oil, or a pastry, in a bar
Lunch14:00–16:00The main meal of the day, often with a set menu (menú del día)
Merienda17:30–18:30A snack, especially for children after school
Dinner21:00–22:30Lighter than lunch; later in summer and at weekends

Many small shops still close for a few hours in the afternoon, especially in Andalusia and in smaller towns, and reopen until around 20:00 or 21:00. Large supermarkets and shopping centres usually stay open all day. The long siesta nap is now more the exception than the rule, but the afternoon break is real.

Greetings and social etiquette

  • Two kisses: friends and new acquaintances in social settings usually greet with a light kiss on each cheek, starting on the right. Men often shake hands with each other. In business, a handshake is standard.
  • Say hello to the room: it is polite to say buenos días or hola when entering a lift, a waiting room or a small shop, and hasta luego when you leave.
  • Tú and usted: most people use the informal tú quickly. Use usted with older people and in formal situations until invited otherwise.
  • Time: social plans are relaxed, and arriving a little late to a dinner at someone’s home is normal. Medical, official and business appointments should be on time.
  • Noise and closeness: conversations can be loud and lively, and people stand closer than you may be used to. It is usually a sign of engagement, not anger.

Languages and regional identity

Spanish (Castilian) is the official language throughout Spain, but several regions have their own co-official languages: Catalan in Catalonia and the Balearic Islands, Valencian in the Valencian Community, Galician in Galicia and Basque in the Basque Country and parts of Navarra. In these regions you will see signs, school lessons and official forms in both languages.

Spain is divided into 17 autonomous communities plus the cities of Ceuta and Melilla, and regional identity is strong. Andalusians, Catalans, Basques and Galicians each have their own traditions, food and accents. Even a few words of Spanish make a big difference, especially in dealings with public offices and local businesses.

Family, friends and social life

Family is central. Many adults live near their parents, grandparents often help with childcare, and Sunday lunch with the extended family is a fixed point in the week. Children are welcome almost everywhere, including restaurants and terraces late in the evening.

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Social life happens mostly outside the home: on terraces, in bars and in the street. Spaniards are friendly and open, but close friendships can take time, as many people already have lifelong circles. Joining a sports club, language exchange, neighbourhood association or your children’s school activities is one of the best ways in.

Fiestas, faith and tradition

Every town and neighbourhood has its own fiesta, usually linked to a patron saint, with processions, music, fairgrounds and late nights. Big national moments include Semana Santa in spring, the summer ferias, Christmas and the arrival of the Three Kings on 5 and 6 January, which for many families is more important than Christmas Day. Catholic traditions shape the calendar even though many Spaniards are not regular churchgoers.

Arts, sport and everyday culture

  • Art and museums: from the Prado in Madrid to the Picasso Museum in Málaga, Picasso’s birthplace, there is world-class art across the country, and many museums have free entry at certain times.
  • Flamenco: born in Andalusia and recognised by UNESCO as intangible cultural heritage.
  • Football: a shared passion and an easy conversation starter. Basketball, tennis, cycling and padel are also hugely popular.
  • Bureaucracy: patience is part of the culture. Many procedures need a cita previa (appointment), and paperwork can take longer than expected.

Useful links

FAQ: Spanish culture

Do Spaniards really still have a siesta?

Few people nap every day, but many shops and some businesses close for a long lunch break in the afternoon, especially in the south and in smaller towns.

Is it rude to eat dinner at 19:00?

Not rude, but many restaurants will not serve dinner until around 20:00 or later. In tourist areas you will find kitchens that open earlier.

Do I need to learn Catalan or Basque?

Spanish is enough for daily life everywhere, but learning some of the regional language is appreciated and can help with work and school in those regions.

When do children get their Christmas presents?

Traditionally on the morning of 6 January, from the Three Kings, although many families now also give presents on 25 December.

Disclaimer: This article is general information only. Customs vary a lot between regions, towns and families, and opening hours change – always check locally.

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Cost of Living

Rebajas: when the sales start in Spain and your rights

When the January and summer sales start in Spain, how discounts must be shown, and your rights on returns and warranties.

NewInSpain

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Shopping bags and a clothes rail in a Spanish fashion shop during the sales

Updated: October 2026

Spain’s sales – las rebajas – are a national event. Shops are packed on the first day, discounts grow week by week, and many people plan big purchases around them. Here is when the sales happen, how they work and what your rights are.

When are the sales in Spain?

Since 2012, shops in Spain have been free to decide when and for how long they hold sales. In practice, most still follow the traditional calendar:

  • Winter sales: start around 7 January, the day after Three Kings (Reyes), and run into February or early March. Some chains start online on 6 January or even earlier.
  • Summer sales: start around 1 July and run through August.
  • Black Friday (the last Friday of November) and Cyber Monday have become big too, often stretched over a whole week.
  • Mid-season sales (mid-season or “segundas rebajas”) with extra discounts come towards the end of each sales period.

Your rights when you buy on sale

  • Real discounts: when a shop shows a price reduction, the “before” price must be the lowest price it charged in the previous 30 days. This rule comes from EU law and stops fake discounts.
  • Same warranty: sale items have the same three-year legal guarantee as full-price items. A shop cannot refuse to deal with a faulty item because it was on sale.
  • Returns: in a physical shop, returning an item you simply do not want is a goodwill policy, and shops may have different rules during sales – ask before paying. Online purchases always have 14 days to withdraw.
  • Card payments: a shop that normally accepts cards must also accept them during sales.
  • Keep the receipt (ticket or factura) – you need it for returns and warranty claims.

If something goes wrong, you can complain with an official complaint form (hoja de reclamaciones), which every shop must have. See also our guide to your rights when buying electronics.

Tips for the rebajas

  • Make a list before you go – the first days are crowded and it is easy to overspend.
  • Check prices a few weeks before so you can spot real bargains.
  • Shop online from the evening before: many retailers open their sales online first. Online shops such as Spartoo (ad) and adidas (ad) run their own sales on shoes, fashion and sportswear.
  • Look at the final weeks for the deepest discounts, if you do not mind smaller choice of sizes.

Not sure what to buy for the season? Read what to wear in Spain, season by season.

FAQ: sales in Spain

When do the January sales start in Spain?

Traditionally on 7 January, right after Three Kings. Shops are free to start earlier, and many begin online a day before.

Can I return sale items?

Faulty items, always. For items you just do not want, it depends on the shop’s policy – ask before you pay. Online purchases have a 14-day withdrawal right.

Are sale prices really lower?

They should be: the reference price shown must be the lowest price of the last 30 days.

Disclaimer: This article is general information, not legal advice. Shop policies vary. Links marked “(ad)” are affiliate links – NewInSpain may earn a commission at no extra cost to you.

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Cultural

Christmas gift ideas from Spanish shops, and when to give them

When Spaniards give presents, from Nochebuena to Three Kings, plus gift ideas from Spanish shops and tips for ordering in time.

Jenny Larson

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A family with children opening presents on Three Kings Day morning in a Spanish home

Updated: October 2026

Your first Christmas in Spain comes with a few surprises: the big present day for children is often 6 January, not 25 December, offices hold a Secret Santa called amigo invisible, and a hamper of ham, cheese and turrón is a classic gift. This guide explains when Spaniards give presents and suggests gift ideas from Spanish shops, so your parcels arrive on time and feel local.

When people give presents in Spain

  • Nochebuena and Christmas Day (24–25 December): more and more families give presents now, often brought by Papá Noel.
  • Three Kings’ Day (6 January): the traditional day for children’s presents. The Kings arrive with parades (cabalgatas) on the evening of 5 January, and children wake up to gifts the next morning.
  • Amigo invisible: the Spanish Secret Santa, common at work and among friends, usually with a price limit.
  • Cesta de Navidad: many employers still give staff a Christmas hamper with wine, ham, cheese and sweets.

Read more about El Gordo, the Three Kings and other customs in our guide to Christmas in Spain.

Gift ideas from Spanish shops

Experiences instead of things. Gift boxes with a spa visit, a dinner, a wine tasting or an adventure activity are popular in Spain and easy to send by email. Disfrutabox (ad) has boxes for couples, families and friends, which also work well as a last-minute present.

Spanish wine. A bottle from Rioja, Ribera del Duero or a smaller region is a safe gift for hosts and colleagues. Online wine shops such as Petit Celler (ad) deliver mixed cases and gift packs across Spain.

Personalised gifts. Handmade items with a name or date feel personal and are good for grandparents and godchildren. Ohana Details (ad) is a Spanish brand making personalised, handmade gifts.

For the new home. If friends have just moved, quality bed linen, towels or a throw are always useful. La Mallorquina (ad), a Barcelona home textile company founded in 1947, sells linen and textiles online.

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Shoes and clothes. Winter boots, slippers and trainers are classic Three Kings presents. Spartoo (ad) has a large range of shoes and fashion brands with delivery in Spain.

For the sporty ones. A new padel racket, balls or a court booking makes a great gift in Spain. See our padel guide for beginners for what to choose, and compare rackets at Padel ProShop (ad).

Ordering in time

  • Order early in December. Couriers in Spain are very busy between Black Friday and Three Kings, and delivery times grow.
  • For presents for 6 January, aim to order by mid-December. Many shops publish last order dates for Reyes.
  • Check whether the shop delivers to the Canary Islands, Ceuta or Melilla if you are sending gifts there – extra customs paperwork and costs can apply.
  • Keep receipts: when you buy online from a shop in the EU, you normally have 14 days to withdraw from the purchase, and many shops extend returns over Christmas.

FAQ: Christmas gifts in Spain

When do children get presents in Spain?

Traditionally on 6 January, Three Kings’ Day. Many families now also give some presents on 24 or 25 December.

What is amigo invisible?

The Spanish version of Secret Santa. Each person draws a name and buys one present for that person, usually within a set budget.

What is a typical gift for a host in Spain?

A good bottle of wine, cava, turrón or a box of pastries from a local bakery is always welcome.

Can I return presents bought online?

When you buy online from a shop in the EU, you normally have 14 days from delivery to withdraw from the purchase. Check each shop’s Christmas returns policy, as many give longer.

Disclaimer: This article contains affiliate links marked (ad). If you buy through them, NewInSpain may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you. Prices, ranges and delivery times are set by each shop.

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Cultural

All Saints’ Day (Todos los Santos) in Spain: traditions and what to expect

What happens on Todos los Santos in Spain: cemetery visits, chestnuts and sweets, regional customs, and which regions have Monday 2 November 2026 off.

Asvini

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Three generations of a Spanish family placing chrysanthemums on a cemetery niche in an Andalusian village on a sunny morning

Updated: October 2026

On 1 November Spain celebrates Todos los Santos, All Saints’ Day. For many Spanish families it is a quiet, important day for remembering relatives who have died, rather than a party. This guide explains what happens, the food and regional customs you will notice, and how the holiday works in 2026, when 1 November falls on a Sunday.

What All Saints’ Day means in Spain

All Saints’ Day is a Catholic feast honouring all saints, and the next day, 2 November, is All Souls’ Day (Día de los Difuntos), dedicated to the dead. In everyday Spanish life the two have merged into one tradition: in the days around 1 November, families visit the cemetery to clean and decorate the graves of their loved ones.

Even people who are not religious often take part, because it is as much about family as faith. Relatives travel back to their home town, meet at the cemetery, then share a meal. If you have Spanish neighbours, friends or a partner, you may be invited along. It is a respectful occasion, so dress neatly and follow their lead.

Is it a public holiday in 2026?

Yes. 1 November is a national public holiday every year. In 2026 it falls on a Sunday, so each region could choose whether to move the day off to Monday 2 November. According to the official 2026 holiday calendar published in the BOE, nine regions did so:

  • Monday 2 November is a holiday in: Andalusia, Aragón, Asturias, the Canary Islands, Castilla-La Mancha, Castilla y León, Extremadura, Madrid and Navarra.
  • Normal working day in: the other regions, including Catalonia, the Valencian Community, the Balearic Islands, Galicia, Murcia and the Basque Country, which used that holiday elsewhere in their calendar.

So on the Costa del Sol and in the rest of Andalusia you get a long weekend from Saturday 31 October to Monday 2 November. Expect public offices, banks and health centres to be closed on the Monday. In Andalusia, larger shops are allowed to open on 2 November, as it is on the regional list of authorised trading days. For the full calendar, see our guide to public holidays in Spain in 2026.

Cemetery visits: what to expect

Cemeteries are at their busiest in the last days of October and on 1 November. In Spain many people are buried in nichos, wall niches stacked several rows high, so you will see families on ladders cleaning marble fronts and placing fresh flowers.

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  • Flowers: chrysanthemums, carnations and gladioli are the classic choices. Florists and market stalls are very busy, so buy a few days before if you can.
  • Opening hours and transport: many town halls extend cemetery hours and add extra buses or traffic controls around the holiday. Check your ayuntamiento website for local arrangements.
  • Behaviour: keep your voice low, do not take photos of other families and keep children close. Some cemeteries also hold Masses on the day.
  • Traffic: roads near cemeteries and to inland villages get congested over the long weekend, so allow extra time.

Food and sweets of the season

Bakeries fill up with seasonal sweets in the weeks before 1 November. Look out for:

  • Huesos de santo: “saints’ bones”, small rolls of marzipan filled with sweet egg yolk cream or other fillings.
  • Buñuelos de viento: light fried dough balls, often filled with cream or chocolate.
  • Roasted chestnuts: street sellers with smoking chestnut carts appear in town centres as the weather cools, often with roasted sweet potatoes too.
  • Panellets: small almond sweets covered in pine nuts, typical in Catalonia.

Regional customs worth knowing

Spain’s regions mark the season in their own ways, and some of these customs are fun for families and newcomers.

  • Catalonia – La Castanyada: on the eve of All Saints, families eat roasted chestnuts, sweet potatoes and panellets, often with sweet wine.
  • Galicia and the north-west – Magosto: an autumn chestnut festival with bonfires, roasted chestnuts and new wine, held in many villages around this time.
  • Cádiz – Tosantos: in the days before 1 November, stalls in the city’s food markets are decorated with comic scenes made from fruit, vegetables, fish and meat, a tradition with a long local history.
  • Cocentaina (Alicante) – All Saints’ Fair: one of Spain’s oldest fairs, dating back to the 14th century, with markets, crafts and livestock. Spain’s official tourism site lists it around 1 November.
  • Don Juan Tenorio: theatres in many cities stage José Zorrilla’s 19th-century play about the legendary seducer around this date, a long-standing tradition.

Halloween on 31 October has become very popular in Spain too, especially with children and young people. You will see costume parties, decorated bars and trick-or-treating in some urban areas, side by side with the traditional cemetery visits. For more autumn events, see our guides to Spanish festivals for expats and events on the Costa del Sol.

Practical tips for newcomers

  1. Check whether Monday 2 November is a holiday in your region and in the town where you work, before booking appointments.
  2. Do your food shopping before the weekend. Smaller supermarkets may close or open shorter hours.
  3. Book travel and hotels early if you plan a trip, as many Spaniards travel home or take a short break.
  4. Keep an eye on the weather. Late autumn can bring heavy rain, so read our guide to DANA storms and weather warnings.
  5. If a colleague or neighbour mentions visiting the cemetery, a simple, kind word is appreciated. It is a day of remembrance, not mourning in public.

Useful links

FAQ: All Saints’ Day in Spain

Is Monday 2 November 2026 a holiday in Málaga?

Yes. Andalusia moved the All Saints’ holiday from Sunday 1 November to Monday 2 November in 2026, so it is a day off across the region.

Is 2 November always a holiday in Spain?

No. All Souls’ Day on 2 November is not a public holiday in its own right. It only becomes one when a region moves the 1 November holiday because it falls on a Sunday, as happens in nine regions in 2026.

Do Spaniards celebrate Halloween?

Increasingly, yes, especially children and young adults in cities. It sits alongside the older tradition of cemetery visits and family meals on 1 November.

What are huesos de santo?

Small marzipan rolls shaped like bones and filled with sweet cream, sold in bakeries around All Saints’ Day.

Disclaimer: This article is general information only. Holiday dates are set by the State, regions and town halls, and local events and opening hours can change – always check the official source for your area before you plan.

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