Welcome to Spain!
Spain is a great and enjoyable country to visit and the Spanish are very patriotic and proud of their heritage. It can do more harm than good if things are going wrong. So it is extremely important to know some information about the local customs and the governing laws in order to fit in and respect those around you, also avoid any kind of crime or harm. The more prepared a traveler is, the lesser problems may encounter. So prior to travelling to Spain, bear in mind the following Spain travel tips of dos and donts.
Spain Travel Taboo
Any aggression directed towards the elderly are not tolerated.
Spain Travel Donts
- Do not complain about smoking. Spanish believes whoever complains about smoking are actually afraid of life.
- Do not get involved with any drugs. The penalties for the possession of any kind of drugs are severe in Spain.
- Do not wear shorts in public.
- Do not eat with your hands. Not even fruit!
- Do not get drunk and do not walk around at night alone.
- Do not carry your wallet in back jeans pocket, nor do the ladies sling your bags over the backs of chairs.
- Do not be tempted to walk home if you are out after the Metro and the buses are shut down.
- Do not cross the eight lane roads anywhere except at the crossings.
- Do not walk anywhere uphill in the heat and humidity.
- Do not dally watching the street entertainers as the pickpockets are there making a living too.
- Do not go to Starbucks, the coffee elsewhere is better and cheaper.
Spain Travel Dos
- Do shake hands with everyone, from the oldest to the kids, and expect a kiss on each cheek, a hug or a pat on the back from those you know.
- Do dress stylishly, but modestly. Wear nice accessories too.
- Do get ready to become a second-hand smoker if you are not a smoker, and pretend that you are fine with it. Smoking is widely accepted in Spain.
- Do leave your valuables in the hotel safe. Wear a money belt or something to keep money really close to your body to avoid pickpocket attack.
- Do carry small changes for using the public toilets.
- Do be prepared for late lunch and dinner. In Spain, no one goes out much before 10pm to eat or for a drink, try to have a light snack about 5pm to put you on.
- Do tips if you are satisfied with services. Tipping is not customary in Spain.
- Do rest your wrists at the edge of the table when eating.
- Do put your knife and fork on your plate parallel with the handles facing to the right to show that you have finished eating.
- Do give a high quality gift, such as brandy or whiskey, and bring a small gift for children as well. Open your gift immediately when receiving a gift.
- Do be patient. The Spanish have a very relaxed view of time.
- Do be aware that dining is important to business relationships in Spain.
- Do make use of the public transport system. Well organised and one ticket fits all.
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