Spain had its record number of visitors in 2023, with a whopping 85 million. It's a fantastic country that everyone should put on their bucket list.

We’ve compiled a list of 20 things to never do in Spain. Don’t let anything on this list put you off. Every country is different, and nothing here will get you into trouble; it's more just “friendly advice” so you don’t stand out as a tourist. The Spanish people are charming and are generally very warm and friendly.

1. Assume Everyone Speaks English

Spain attracts millions of tourists from all over the world. Yes, English is the language spoken by most tourists, but don’t just turn up and presume everyone will understand you. If you visit some smaller cities or towns, there's a good chance they won’t speak English. Learning basic phrases will take a long way, and the locals will appreciate it.

When some of the Frugal Expat team entered a tapas bar in Barcelona (one popular with locals), there were no signs in English; the staff only spoke Spanish, and we just had to point out what we wanted. It was fine and good fun as sometimes we didn’t know what we were ordering, which meant we ordered something we usually wouldn’t and could try new things. That's what going to another country is all about, isn't it?

2. Don’t Ignore The Tapas

Following the mention of tapas above, you should not ignore this. Tapas are the soul of Spanish food, and it's a great way to eat and try things you haven’t before. It's a way to immerse yourself in their culture. What's more, it's also a frugal way of eating compared to traditional meals. Some places even offer small tapas dishes for free if you sit down and order a drink.

3. Eat Early

We are not saying to never eat early; it's just that everything happens a bit later in Spain. There is no rushing around here. If you eat your lunch back home at about 12 (as we do), then expect to eat at about 3 pm. As for your evening meal, expect to eat at about 9 pm. Of course, if you go to Spain alone, you can eat whenever you want, but don’t expect to see restaurants busy or the locals out until much later. If you are staying with Spanish friends, just be prepared to eat later than usual.

4. Ignore The Siestas

Siesta means “midday break”. This is something that many tourists in Spain forget about. 

If you are in a sleepy coastal town, expect places to close for an hour or so later in the afternoon. This doesn't happen as much in the bigger cities with many tourists, and it rarely happens in the Catalonia area of Spain (the North). While doing our research, we found that it's a tradition that is slowly dying out.

5. Don’t Limit Yourself To The Main Cities

This could be said about any country that you visit, but most people will tend to head to the main cities of Madrid, Barcelona, and Valencia. While these beautiful cities and you will have a great time, another side of Spain awaits exploration. Head to one of the lesser-known towns (even for a day trip from a big city), and you will get a better feeling of the Spanish way of life and a memorable, authentic experience. You will also get away from some tourist crowds, and these places will be cheaper.

6. Drink The Tap Water Everywhere You Go

While you might drink tap water at home, we wouldn’t risk it in Spain. In some places, it's okay, but in other areas, it won't be. So, just drink bottled water whenever possible to ensure you don’t ruin your holiday. If you order water in restaurants, ensure it comes in a bottle, and you get to see them open it.

7. Wear Beachwear Away from the Beach

Wearing beachwear down at the beach is fine, but don’t wander into the city wearing it, or you could be fined between 100 and 200 euros.

This is also the same with flip flops – this isn’t something you will get fined for, but generally, the Spanish only wear these down at the beach. If you are wearing flip-flops in the city, it's a big giveaway that you are a tourist.

Wearing swimsuits or beachwear outside of the beach areas is generally frowned upon.

8. Ignore Pickpocketing Warnings

Spain has a major pickpocket issue, especially in Major cities, with Barcelona being a hot spot. Several people we know have had their wallets or phones taken out of their pockets on the underground or around famous landmarks where tourists look confused. Be vigilant and aware of your surroundings, and if possible, put your items in your inside pocket so you know where they are at all times.

Once, when we were in a bar in Barcelona, we left our phones on the bar just in front of us with our pints of beer. The barmaid came over and told us not to leave our phones there as pickpockets were about. Apart from us, only about five people were in the bar, but she was adamant that we didn’t leave them out. It was just to get us in the mindset to remember not to do this anywhere, as it's not worth the risk.

An anti-theft backpack is a good idea. These have zips located on your back, meaning there are not just pockets that thieves can easily open!

9. Expect Everywhere To Be Open On a Sunday

In parts of Spain, Sundays are a day for rest. You might head to the beach or just have a day off doing anything. Therefore, don't expect every restaurant or shop to be open on Sundays, especially in smaller towns. A lot of restaurants will also close on  Mondays.

10. Expect The Bill At The End Of Your Meal

In the US, when you finish your meal, the waiting staff will usually bring over the bill as soon as you are done. This is not the case in Spain (and many places in Europe). Here, it is a lot more relaxed and has a slower pace. This is good as it means you can take your time, but you must ask for the bill when you are ready to go.

11. Don’t Only Drink Sangria

When you think of Spain, you probably think of Sangria; while it is nice, it is usually made with cheap wine and sold to tourists.

The tapas bar mentioned at the start of the article only sold two types of wine; both were Cava, and you could pick Rose or White. That was it. That's what the Spanish drink. Spanish people sometimes joke that Sangria was only invented for them to give the wine they don't like to the tourists.

12. Don’t Worry About Tipping

While tipping might be a big deal back home, it's not something you have to worry about here. The serving staff are paid a decent wage and won't have to rely on your tips to top up their wages. 

If there's some loose change at the end of your meal, feel free to leave it; it will be appreciated; just don’t feel like you have to tip big.

13. Don’t Be Surprised To See Children Out Late At Night

In many countries, seeing children out late at night is frowned upon. I know it is in the UK, where I am from. In Spain, it's common to see the whole family out late at night enjoying a meal or down by the beach. 

14. Respect the Regional Differences

We could write a whole article on this, but have a look at where you are going and do some Googling on the area. In certain regions of Spain, people do not like being referred to as Spanish. In the Catalonian regions, they want to be referred to as Catalans, and in the Basque Country, they want to be referred to as Basques. 

15. Don’t Order Paella In a Tourist Area

If you had to go to an area like Las Ramblas, you would only get standard paella that has probably been reheated and served to tourists at high prices. If you want proper paella, research it or ask for recommendations. 

When I was on holiday in Spain with some Spanish friends, I was asked the day before if I wanted paella. I found it strange that they had to know the day before. However, this was because it took so long to make, and they also wanted to know how many people they were making it for. When the paella arrived the next day, it was one of the nicest things I have ever eaten. The staff took such care in presenting it and then serving it to us all.

16. Don't Expect to See Spain In A Few Days

Spain is much bigger than people think, with flights a reasonable way to travel between cities (unless you fancy a long drive). This just means you must return to this amazing country a few times to see more of it.

17. Don’t Take Taxis Everywhere

Taxis in Spain are expensive. When you arrive at your airport of choice, you will probably have three options to get to the city center—bus, train, or taxi. Yes, a taxi might be the easiest, but it will cost you about four times as much. The airport shuttle will likely only cost a few euros and run about every half an hour. As a frugal traveler, this will be your chosen way to get about. 

If you have to get a taxi in Spain, use Uber. It's much cheaper than the local taxis, and you can see how much you will pay before you order. That way, there are no nasty surprises at the end.

18. Don’t Rush

After spending a few days in Spain, you might realize that things happen here slightly slower than what you are used to. If you rush around everywhere, you will stand out as a tourist. Our advice is to take your time, take it all in, and just go with the flow. Don't be shocked if you are at a bus stop and your bus hasn’t arrived on time. If you arrange to meet with a Spanish friend, they might be 20 minutes late; that's how things happen here.

19. Don’t Wear The Wrong Football Tops

The Spaniards are very passionate about football. If you are a Barcelona fan, don’t turn up in Madrid wearing your top. This will only cause issues. Leave the football tops at home, but if you can, attend one of the matches.

20. Don’t Presume Everywhere Takes Card

Shops in the major cities will take cards, but don’t presume that everywhere will. This can be the case at more local restaurants or some taxi companies. It's always wise to carry cash on you, significantly smaller bills. People will be grateful for the cash, which means you are never stuck unable to pay.

Final Thoughts

That is a wrap on the 20 things not to do in Spain.

If you think we have missed anything from our list or want to comment on anything we have added, please let us know by filling out the comment box below.

Adiós!