Spain’s Claim To Fame: The Country’s Much Loved Culture

Spain is an incredibly popular holiday destination. While the country’s tourist renaissance since the 1960s accounts for some of this popularity, it actually has a far longer history of captivating visitors. Nearly every part of the country has been defined by travel, trade and conquest (while we’re staying away from that last one, the first two remain excellent reasons to visit!).

Read on to learn more about Spain’s unique culture – and get excited enough to start booking your tickets, Barcelona airport transfer and accommodation immediately.

Siestas and Fiestas

Two of the most recognisable Spanish words to enter English discourse, ‘siesta’ and ‘fiesta’ describe opposite ends of the spectrum, but complement each other perfectly.

The siesta is the pivot around which the Spanish afternoon turns. Developed as a break from work, school and so on during the hottest part of the day, the tradition has contributed to a thriving culture of late-opening cafes, late dinners and excellent daytime snacks.

A fiesta, on the other hand, is something simple and universally accessible: a party. The word is used to refer to everything from small gatherings to major festivals, and anyone booking a holiday to Spain should research what’s on and set aside time to drink in the local culture.

With events as unique as Valencia’s Tomatina and Pamplona’s Bull Run – a mass food fight and a run pursued by stampeding bulls, respectively – you’re sure to find something exciting while on holiday here.

Tapas and Paella

After a flight and a Barcelona airport transfer, you’ll probably be looking forward to a good helping of Spanish food. Luckily, Spain has more than enough to offer in this area, with two of its most famous cuisines filling distinct roles in the country’s food culture.

Tapas

As much about style as anything else, tapas are small plates designed to be shared among multiple diners. You can eat whatever you like whenever you like, as most bars and cafes serve these all day and into the night. Classics include garlic prawns or gambas, Spanish omelette, cured meats like ham and chorizo, cheeses and spiced potatoes (patatas bravas).

Paella

If you fancy a bigger meal, don’t worry – paella is the perfect dish for you. Regional variations abound, with Valencia’s meat-and-veg offering probably the most authentic. Coastal areas tend to offer seafood paellas, which are an excellent way to enjoy fresh local produce. Any paella is good, though, with ingredients mixed together in a hearty, well balanced sauce absorbed in risotto-style rice.

Arts and Architecture

Wherever you’re based in Barcelona, airport transfers will likely take you past unique buildings and galleries. As in most countries, major cities often boast multiple galleries, ranging from contemporary works to established classics.

Salvador Dali and Pablo Picasso are probably the two most famous Spanish artists, with each developing a distinctive style and making a huge impact on twentieth century art.

Gaudi, meanwhile, is the country’s great architect, with seven UNESCO world heritage sites to his name.

All this is of course just a peek at Spanish culture. Controversial practices like bullfighting still command attention, while debates continue over regional independence. To explore these and more, why not book a holiday now? Don’t forget to include a Barcelona airport transfer to get you in to the city quickly and without hassle.

Author Plate

Lukas Johannes is a driver for Shuttle Direct, the number one provider of shared and private airport transfers in various countries across the globe. If you’re looking for an affordable Barcelona Airport transfer, Lukas and his colleagues can make sure that you get to and from the airport swiftly and safely.