Spain is one of the most visited countries in the world, but the truth is… most people only scratch the surface. Yes, Spain has sun, beaches, tapas, and football, but it’s also a country of wildly different regions, centuries of cultural layers, and some very peculiar traditions.
While traveling around Spain, we kept finding little surprises – things that made us laugh, things that confused us, and things that made us go “Wait, why don’t people talk about this?”
So here are 25 fascinating facts about Spain, the kind that help you understand Spain a little deeper, appreciate it a little more, and hopefully smile a bit along the way.
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1. Spain has the second-highest number of UNESCO sites in the world
Spain is absolutely packed with cultural and historical treasures. From entire cities like Toledo and Salamanca to masterpieces like the Alhambra, Spain has more than 40 UNESCO World Heritage Sites, making it one of the most heritage-dense countries on the planet.
You can barely drive an hour without stumbling into something UNESCO-worthy. Have a look at our post about the most famous landmarks in Spain.
2. Spanish isn’t the only language – not even close
Yes, “Spanish” (Castilian) is the official national language…but travel around and you’ll quickly realise Spain is multilingual. Catalan, Basque, Galician, and several other regional languages are alive, taught in schools, and used in daily life.
These aren’t dialects, they are completely differente languages and they represent the identity of those people.
3. Spain used to be ruled by the Moors for almost 800 years
From the 700s to 1492, much of Spain lived under Islamic rule. This left a huge mark: architecture, food, science, agriculture, and even everyday vocabulary. Without the Moors, Spain simply wouldn’t look or feel the way it does today — and cities like Córdoba and Granada wouldn’t have half their charm.
4. Andalucía feels completely different from the North
Spain isn’t one country culturally — it’s more like several mini-countries stitched together. The South is warm, musical, and Moorish-influenced; the North is green, rainy, and Celtic-tinged. If you drive from Seville to Asturias, it almost feels like crossing national borders.
5. Spain’s oldest restaurants claim to be the oldest in the world
Madrid’s Sobrino de Botín has been serving food since 1725 and holds the Guinness record as the oldest continuously operating restaurant in the world. They’ve had plenty of time to perfect the roast suckling pig…
6. Spain’s “Meseta” is a giant high plateau
Most people imagine Spain as beaches, but the country’s heart is a huge plateau sitting more than 600 meters above sea level. This explains the hot summers, cold winters… and why Madrid gets frost even though it’s “sunny Spain”.
7. Flamenco isn’t just dancing – it’s deep emotion
Flamenco combines guitar, singing, and dance, but what makes it special is the emotional intensity. It’s raw, dramatic, heartfelt — and deeply rooted in Roma (Gypsy), Andalusian, and Moorish influences. Watching a live performance in Seville or Jerez feels almost intimate.
8. The Alhambra was almost left abandoned
Today it’s one of Spain’s biggest attractions, but for centuries the Alhambra was neglected, vandalized, and used as military barracks. Romantic-era writers “rediscovered” it, and only then did restoration begin.
9. Spain’s famous “paella” isn’t seafood by default
Everyone knows and orders “seafood paella”, but the original Valencian paella was made with rabbit, chicken, and snails, not prawns. Traditionalists will fight you (politely… or not) if you suggest otherwise.
10. Spain produces nearly half of the world’s olive oil
Spain is the undisputed king of olive oil production.
Andalucía alone produces more olive oil than Italy and Greece combined. Once you taste fresh Spanish olive oil, you’ll suddenly understand why locals put it on everything.
11. Dinner is ridiculously late
If you’re hungry at 6 pm, good luck. Many restaurants don’t open before 8 pm, and Spaniards routinely sit down for dinner close to 10 pm. The whole day is shifted — it’s normal to go to bed after midnight even on weekdays.
12. The Sagrada Família has been under construction since 1882
Barcelona’s most iconic landmark has taken longer to build than the Egyptian pyramids. Gaudí knew he wouldn’t finish it — in fact, he said, “My client is not in a hurry,” referring to God. Fair point, I guess.
13. Spain has a real desert… used for Hollywood movies
The Tabernas Desert, in Almería, is the only desert in Europe and was the set for dozens of Westerns, including classic Clint Eastwood movies. You can visit the old film sets, which feel a bit kitschy but fun.
14. Spain hosts the biggest food fight in the world
La Tomatina, in Buñol, uses over 100 tons of tomatoes every year. It lasts less than an hour, everyone gets soaked, and the whole town turns into a giant bowl of tomato soup.
15. The Camino de Santiago isn’t just a hike
It’s a pilgrimage route dating back more than 1,000 years. People walk it for spirituality, adventure, therapy, fitness, or simply because they love long-distance hiking. The sense of community on the Camino is something special.
16. Spain has one of the longest life expectancies in the world
Thanks to the Mediterranean diet, good weather, strong social life, and universal healthcare, Spaniards regularly rank among the longest-lived people on Earth.
17. Bullfighting is controversial, but still part of some regions’ culture
Many areas have banned it, and others defend it fiercely. No matter how you feel about it, bullfighting has shaped Spanish art, festivals, and history — it just isn’t as nationally universal as many foreigners assume.
18. The Spanish “siesta” still survives… kind of
It’s not as common in cities anymore, but in smaller towns, shops still close in the afternoon. And yes, a lot of people still love a good post-lunch nap — especially in summer, when the heat makes it mandatory.
19. Spain has the world’s first modern novel
“Don Quixote”, written by Miguel de Cervantes in 1605, is considered by many scholars to be the first modern novel. And if you drive through La Mancha, you’ll see the famous windmills he “fought”.
20. Madrid has more bars per capita than almost any city in Europe
Spaniards love socializing, and bars are at the center of it. Whether it’s a quick coffee, a beer, or tapas, the local bar is part of daily life.
21. Spain’s Roman ruins are among the best preserved in Europe
From Mérida to Tarragona, Spain has some incredible Roman theaters, aqueducts, and amphitheaters. Many are as impressive as Italy’s — just with fewer crowds.
22. Spain once ruled territories across the world
The Spanish Empire stretched from the Americas to Asia (yes, the Philippines!). This global reach shaped languages, food, religion, and culture across continents.
23. Spain is home to Europe’s largest Royal Palace by floor area
Madrid’s Royal Palace is enormous — even bigger than Versailles in terms of floor space. It has over 3,000 rooms, though only a fraction is open to visitors.
24. The Basque Country has one of the world’s oldest languages
Euskera, the Basque language, is mysterious — it predates Latin, Celtic, and all Indo-European languages. No one knows exactly where it came from.
25. Tapas is much more than food
Tapas started as a simple “cover” placed on top of drinks — usually bread or ham to keep flies away. Over time, this small snack became a full cultural ritual.
Today, tapas are one of Spain’s most iconic food traditions, turning a simple drink into a social mini-meal.
Spain is one of those places that keeps surprising you, even when you think you already “know” it. The mix of food, festivals, history, and everyday quirks makes the country endlessly fascinating. Whether you’re into architecture, nature, or just wandering around with a plate of tapas in hand, Spain always delivers something fun to learn or experience.
If all these facts got you in the mood to plan a trip, we’ve got you covered. Check out our full travel guide to Spain for practical tips, inspiration, and a deeper look at the places we love exploring: Everything you need to know before traveling to Spain. Happy travels — and happy fact-collecting!