Spanish Way of Life: 7 Traditions for More Happiness

A holiday is all about one thing: enjoying yourself and having a good time. A holiday home in Spain is perfect for this, because making you smile during your stay is something Spaniards genuinely care about. Their lifestyle is full of traditions that are closely linked to feeling content. The recipe is simple and always available in Spain: milder temperatures than in most of Europe, plenty of sunshine and good food shared with others. The following traditions can help you feel more satisfied.

1. Enjoying life outdoors as much as possible

In Spain the sun shines all year round, so a visit is worthwhile at any time. In the south you will always find atmospheric pavement cafés. Spaniards love soaking up the sun, and you can follow their lead. Stroll through the streets and along the wide boulevards in the cities, lined with countless shops. Thanks to the long opening hours, people often do their shopping after dark. Many towns still have a wonderful atmosphere late at night, especially in summer when numerous street festivals take place.

2. Not being too strict about the time

Many people like to sleep in on holiday. In Spain it is perfectly normal to have breakfast at 10 a.m. You can even have it at noon without anyone raising an eyebrow. Especially on holiday, Spaniards eat later than most other Europeans. Breakfast is often around 10 a.m., a small snack at about 12:30 p.m., lunch around 3:30 p.m. and dinner only after 10 p.m. Try this rhythm for yourself and enjoy a break from rigid schedules. In large cities you can eat almost at any time, because bars and restaurants tend to have very flexible opening hours.

3. Eating tapas in good company

Tapas are a great way to taste many different things in Spain. Locals show how it is done by going from one bar to the next. They sample different tapas with friends, enjoying the small, tasty bites with a drink. Many people eat standing at the counter and then move on to another place. At traditional meals, tapas are also served as starters or small snacks. True enjoyment comes with company. Meeting friends is often simply an excuse to eat together.

4. Taking time for coffee and conversation

In Spain, espresso is not downed in 30 seconds just to get through the next hours at work. People sit down for coffee, drink it in peace and chat away. Try it yourself and pick a cosy café. If you are meeting a Spaniard, plan at least 20 minutes. The same applies after meals. Spaniards like to eat together and then round off the time at the table with a good coffee and lively conversation.

5. Cooking good food with olive oil

If you are in Spain for the first time and get the chance to watch someone cook, you may be surprised that olive oil is used almost all the time. For a Spaniard, frying eggs in butter would be close to unthinkable. Be sure to try dishes prepared with olive oil. You will quickly understand why it is so popular. It is not Spaniards themselves who claim their cuisine is excellent: UNESCO has recognised the Mediterranean diet as Intangible Cultural Heritage. In addition, more and more Spanish chefs are gaining international recognition for their cooking.

6. Free time at every age

Wherever you go in Spain, you will see people of different generations out and about. In parks, older people go for walks while families play with their children. In pavement cafés you see groups of young friends as well as older regulars. On excursions, when shopping, at the cinema or on the beach, different generations often take part in the same activities. There are options for every age group. Older people can enjoy the good weather and nature just like everyone else, as towns and many beaches are easy to reach on foot.

7. Staying cheerful and smiling whenever possible

Spaniards are known for their humour and their tendency to see things in a positive light. This may be linked to their southern temperament, the many hours of sunshine, their love of company and time with friends, good food, going out to celebrate and, above all, having fun.

Whenever you spend time in your holiday home and in Spain, try as many of these traditions as you can and enjoy your stay to the fullest. When you return home, you can bring this new sense of contentment into your daily life and perhaps share a few of these customs with the people around you.