Spain Local Customs

  Great Fair
by jol1y
 
  • Great Fair
      Great Fair
    by jol1y
  •   Food / Drink
    by Roadquill
  • Not a perfect looking specimen
      Not a perfect looking specimen
    by jol1y
  • Jamon in window to be sliced
      Jamon in window to be sliced
    by BruceDunning
  • RAcks of hanging jamon-ham
      RAcks of hanging jamon-ham
    by BruceDunning
 

Most Viewed Local Customs in Spain

1.

Food / Drink   Barcelona

Food / Drink, Barcelona

 92 Reviews  The locals flock to get all they can of the ham and pasteries that abound around the city. We saw the real store that only sold the jamon, and yes; it is expensive no matter how you cut it, or how... 

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2.

Culture   Madrid

Culture, Madrid

 56 Reviews  In Spain, there's no need for a special reason to go out and celebrate, it's seems like the city is always prepare to go out and have good time. In Madrid, the official fiestas , by calender , are... 

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3.

April Fair   Sevilla

April Fair, Sevilla

 9 Reviews  Next to the Feria you find a huge lunapark, called "Calle del Infierno" - Hell's street. When you walk around there you understand why it got this name. You can find merry go rounds but also some... 

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4.

A matter of Lingo   Palma de Mallorca

A matter of Lingo, Palma de Mallorca

 5 Reviews  In Mallorca, anything goes. You will see old men at cafes drinking beer at ten in the morning, and young people going home from clubbing at four. There is supposedly a drinking age, but no one seems... 

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5.

FREE TAPAS   Granada

FREE TAPAS, Granada

 10 Reviews  We'd read about this, but didn't expect it to be as good as it sounds ... but it is ! We went into 5 bars, and in each one we had different tapas with each beer. Now granted they were not all to our... 

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6.

Food & Drinks   Majorca Island

Food & Drinks, Majorca Island

 5 Reviews  We just returned from Cala Millor resort and had been surprised to discover that practically noone was eating in the diners even as late as 9pm. Tourists and locals were mainly sipping on their drinks... 

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7.

Carnival   Cadiz

Carnival, Cadiz

 19 Reviews  All week long there is always something different to do and see. On the First Saturday there is a Cabalgata (parade) and a kiddie pageant. the Goddess of Carnival is also elected. On Sunday there... 

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8.

The Feria del Caballos   Jerez de la Frontera

The Feria del Caballos, Jerez de la Frontera

 8 Reviews  The Feria del Caballo - (Horse Fair) which is held annually in early May in Jerez was a highlight of our holiday. If you want to see a real Andalucian festival with flamenco dress, equestrian pride... 

 See All 16 Local Customs in Jerez de la Frontera

9.

Language   Barcelona

Language, Barcelona

 54 Reviews  Catalunya is a bilingual community. Everybody in Catalunya do speak Spanish (or Castellano as we prefer to call it here), but in fact NOT everybody do speak Catalan (about 60% in Barcelona, less in... 

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10.

Gastronomy   Madrid

Gastronomy, Madrid

 50 Reviews  It's a fact that Madrileños love to stay out really late. They eat, they drink and dance till the wee hours, and then they eat chocolate con churros. (I guess they just dance off the fat.) San Gines... 

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11.

Semana Santa   Sevilla

Semana Santa, Sevilla

 10 Reviews  In Seville, they take Holy Week very seriously. Every day, at different times during the day, there are parades, and here is what usually happens for each parade: Groups of nazarenos in robes with... 

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12.

Luxury produce   Palma de Mallorca

Luxury produce, Palma de Mallorca

 2 Reviews  This street, storekeeper, is the equivalent of the Rue de Rivoli in Paris. Under the arcades one recovers all stores of luxury and the big dressmakers who settled in Palma. It is therefore there that... 

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13.

FESTIVALS   Granada

FESTIVALS, Granada

 14 Reviews  This is a free techno/dance festival that takes place every spring just outside Orgiva (although in 2010 it was held in Santa Fe and was much smaller). The site is a quarry and dried-up river bed that... 

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14.

Language   Cadiz

Language, Cadiz

 5 Reviews  Angango: People that usually wear lots of gold and shout and fight about everything and anything. Aro- Shortened from the Castillano word claro which means 'of course'. Bastinazo- An extremely... 

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15.

Language and Local Customs   Jerez de la Frontera

Language and Local Customs, Jerez de la Frontera

 6 Reviews  In the Cadiz province no one pronounces the any S in any word. So for example Despues becomes Depue and Estoy becomes Etoy or even toy. This is very useful when you are trying to understand what... 

 See All 16 Local Customs in Jerez de la Frontera

16.

City Highlights   Barcelona

City Highlights, Barcelona

 23 Reviews  During the summer time from 15th to 21st of august, everybody are just waiting to celebrate the Gracia s Party called Fiesta major de Gracia. Gracia is a area in barcelona, this area seems to be... 

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17.

Entertainement   Madrid

Entertainement, Madrid

 45 Reviews  During my weekend in Madrid, I enjoyed listening to, and watching the various musicians, playing on the streets of Madrid. Three of my favourites were the trio in my 1st picture, who played near El... 

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18.

Alcoholic Beverages   Sevilla

Alcoholic Beverages, Sevilla

 6 Reviews  Sangria is lovely, because it has lots of fruit in it and I am a big fan of fruit. It is however, rather hard to get hold of Sevilla, if you don`t know where to go. On Calle Mateus Gago, the bar... 

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19.

SIESTA   Granada

SIESTA, Granada

 3 Reviews  Shops usually open fom about 9 in the morning and close at 2pm (in Spain the morning (mañana) is considered to be up to 2pm not 12pm). They then open again in the afternoon at about 5:30-6 until... 

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20.

Relics   Cadiz

Relics, Cadiz

 3 Reviews   the business of the relics at the Medieval times was very important. A good church or cathedral with a relic had a promising future and many incomes. Here the one in Cadiz had two, this one is from... 

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21.

Fiestas de Otono   Jerez de la Frontera

Fiestas de Otono, Jerez de la Frontera

 1 Review  During the autumn festival in September, the bars in Jerez participate in a competition called Tapa Centro. Over 50 bars take part, and a booklet is published giving the list of bars, their locations... 

 See All 16 Local Customs in Jerez de la Frontera

22.

Sundays / La Sardana   Barcelona

Sundays / La Sardana, Barcelona

 15 Reviews  If you're in Barcelona on a Sunday, try to see the people dancing the Sardana, the Catalan national dance. Try near the Cathedral. When I saw people doing the Sardana it was in the afternoon in the... 

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23.

Local Festivities   Madrid

Local Festivities, Madrid

 27 Reviews  FORUM REPLY. I have been in Madrid in May as it is a fine period for the weather between cold winter and super hot summer. No particular problem with the Feria di San Isidro; Madrid is always full of... 

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24.

Flamenco   Sevilla

Flamenco, Sevilla

 6 Reviews  I am by no means an expert on Flamenco, so I would ask you to research a little yourself - you might want to start with the link I gave you below! Flamenco is not the happy, outgoing way of dancing,... 

 See All 103 Local Customs in Sevilla

25.

THE ALHAMBRA   Granada

THE ALHAMBRA, Granada

 4 Reviews  La Alhambra: es una roja fortaleza que domina la ciudad. En el Patio de los Arrayanes se reflejan los palacios y sus filigranas de piedra, en medio del perfume de las plantas aromáticas. Los... 

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Reviews from VirtualTourist Members

Semana Santa & Pasqua (Easter)

by DSwede

Spain is a predominantly Christian country, and in many ways, the south has the traditional roots going deeper.During Semana Santa (Holy Week) and ending on Pasqua (Easter), there is no shortage of religious events, processions and celebrations. Since Easter floats on the calendar, I will not give specific dates, it is best to simply review the current year's schedule. But during this week, many offices will be closed, operating hours reduced, etc.The traditional processions are somber in tone. The marches are very slow and often labored. But that is to be expected, because many of the groups will be carrying on their shoulders the various Stations of the Cross, leading through the events that mirror the circumstances of Christ.The bands of drummers, the robed patrons of the hermanidads (brotherhoods) of the churches and other followers are to be found everywhere. The member of these...

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Gigantes

by DSwede

While it may be argued that the Gigantes are typically witnessed in Catalunia (example: Barcelona and Tarragona), they are seen outside of the region too (example: Morella and beyond).These large costumes are hollow and worn on the sholders of their 'drivers'. The frames are made out of wood and/or aluminum typically and the exteriors are paper-maché.These figures typically come out during the particular town's namesake festival, but are not limited to just then.The Gigantes depict archetypes of the area. Dark skinned Gigantes may be the African or Moorish people of the old days. White women may be the noble class. Others can be peasants, important clergy, other nobles, etc. Throughout the festivals, they are used to reenact the important events and relationships in the town's history.

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The Fallas in Valencia (province)

by DSwede

The Fallas are a spectacle to see. Happening on a sliding calendar, depending on the year, they are typical in the month of April.Originally, people used to do their spring cleaning and had to overcome the problem of what to do with their discarded rubbish. Long time ago, the communities would get together, help each other and eventually burn the unwanted items.Over time, these piles of rubbish and the burning of them became more the focal point than the spring purging. The piles and fires became more intricate, larger and more grandiose.Today, the Fallas are a week long festival. Local communities each make and display their large sculptures from flammable (wood and paper-mache) materials for a week or more. Then, on the final eve of the festival, they are lit on fire.The fires are hot and fast, being forewarned by a loud procession of fireworks (the Mascleta). The firemen and...

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Santa Tecla in Tarragona

by DSwede

The third week of September in Tarragona is filled with festivities to honor Santa Tecla, the local saint. Not that they need any other excuses to stay up late with loud music or fireworks, but now they add the extras of road closures, parades and street performances. Most of it was pretty good, but after 10 days you just want the 6am concerts to stop. Regardless, this is the time when they have the contest of the Castellers, or the human tours, which is only found in Tarragona. There are also other activities, such as the parade of the Gigantes, music, fireworks, etc.There are contests in the city plaza (Placa de la Font), as well as larger contests in the Plaza del Toros! I simply cannot describe how amazing this is to see first hand!!See my Tarragona page for more details.

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Riñones al Jerez - Sherry Kindeys

by Danalia

Ingredients10 fresh lambs' kidneys1 big onion, chopped4 tablespoons olive oil4 oz bacon1 garlic clove, finely chopped2 tablespoon flour4 fl. oz fino dry sherry or Montilla1 tablespoon tomato concentrate2 sprigs fresh thymeSalt and freshly ground black pepperPreparationFry the onion in 2 tablespoons of oil over a low heat in a big frying pan. When it starts to soften add the diced bacon and garlic.Remove the membranes and cut out the middle cores from the kidneys, then cut them into large dices.Remove and reserve the onion and bacon from the pan and add 1-2 tablespoons more olive oil.Put in the diced kidneys, a handful at a time, over the highest heat and stir occasionally. When they are sealed, pull them to the sides of the pan and add the next handful. When they are all sealed and coloured, return the onions and bacon, sprinkle with flour and stir in.Add the Sherry, tomato concentrate...

Tuna and Goat Cheese Empanadillas

by Danalia

Ingredients1 tablespoon olive oil5 tablespoons minced onion6 oz canned tuna, packed in olive oil4 oz goat cheese3 oz pimento-stuffed olives, chopped5 tablespoons toasted pine nuts5 tablespoons capers, chopped1 teaspoon paprikaSalt and pepper, to taste.2 cloves garlic, peeled and minced16 oz puff pastry, defrosted if frozenPreparationHeat the olive oil in a skillet over medium heat. Add the onion and garlic and sauté for about 5 minutes or until softened. Remove from the heat and set aside.Using a fork, mash the tuna with the onion, garlic, goat cheese, pimento-stuffed olives, pine nuts, capers, paprika, salt, and pepper. Set aside.On a floured surface, roll out the pastry to 1/8 inch thickness. Using a 3-inch cookie cutter, cut out as many dough circles as the dough will allow, rerolling the dough sheets if necessary. Cupping each dough round in your hand, spoon about 1 teaspoon of the...

Pulpo a Feira - Galician Octopus

by Danalia

Ingredients4 quarts water6 tablespoons coarse sea salt1 frozen octopus, about 3 pounds thawed overnight in the refrigerator1 pound new potatoes, boiled with their skins on and kept warm1 cup extra virgin oil2 tablespoons hot paprikaPreparationIn a large stockpot, combine the water and 5 tablespoons of the salt and bring to a boil. While the water is heating, rinse the octopus under running cold water. Using sharp kitchen scissors, cut out the mouth and the eyes.With a long fork, pierce the octopus to get a good grip and dip it into the boiling water. Lift out immediately and, when the water returns to a boil, dip it briefly again. Repeat this dipping procedure 3 or 4 times, or until the tentacles have curled. (Dipping the octopus into boiling water helps to tenderize it.) Submerge the octopus in the water and let it boil over medium heat for about 2 hours, or until it is tender when...

Empanada

by Danalia

Ingredients1 egg, beaten3/4 lb of pork loin, thinly sliced1/2 tsp bittersweet smoked Pimentón (spanish paprika)3 tbsp olive oil 2 tbsp chopped garlic1/2 tsp oregano1/2 cup piquillo pimentos, sliced3 onions chopped3 tomatoes, peeled, seeded and chopped2 tbsp chopped parsleySalt and pepper1 lb of yeast pastry or bread dough1 large red pepper, chopped2 hard boiled eggsPreparationPut the sliced pork in a dish with paprika, 1 tbsp of the chopped garlic, oregano, salt and pepper, and let sit for 30 minutes. Heat the olive oil in a pan and fry the pork very quickly, removing slices as they are browned. In the same oil, sauté the chopped peppers, onions and remaining garlic until softened. Add the prepared tomatoes, parsley, salt and pepper and cook until the tomatoes are reduced and the sauce is very thick.Divide the dough in half. On a floured board, roll out to a thickness of 1/4 - 1/2 inch....

Smoked Fish and Fruit Pintxos - Pintxos de Ahumado

by Danalia

Ingredients7 oz smoked salmon7 oz smoked trout7 oz smoked mackerel6 cherry tomatoes, halved12 mixed green and red grapes, halved and deseeded2 kiwi fruit, peeled and cut into 3/4-inch pieces9 oz assorted berries (strawberries, raspberries, etc)6 green olives, pitted and halvedFreshly ground black pepper1 lemon, quartered12 skewersPreparationCut the fish into 1-inch pieces. Alternate pieces of the three fish, folding where necessary, with the cherry tomatoes, fruit and olives. Season lightly with pepper and squeeze over the juice from the lemon wedges.

Ceviche

by Danalia

Ingredients1 1/2 lb halibut, turbot, sea bass or salmon fillets, skinnedJuice of 3 limes1-2 fresh red chillies, seeded and very finely chopped1 tablespoon olive oilSaltFor the garnish:4 large firm tomatoes, peeled, seeded and diced1 ripe advocado, peeled and diced1 tablespoon lemon juice2 tablespoon olive oil2 tablespoon fresh coriander leavesPreparationCut the fish into strips measuring about 2 x 1/2 inch. Lay these in a shallow dish and pour over the lime juice, turning the fish strips to coat them all over in the juice. Cover with a clear film (plastic wrap) and leave for 1 hour.Mix all the garnish ingredients, except the coriander, together. Set aside.Season the fish with salt and scatter over the chillies. Drizzle with the oil, Toss the fish in the mixture, then replace the cover. Leave to marinate in the fridge for 15-30 minutes more.To serve, divide the garnish among six plates....

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Questions and Answers

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Q:  Hi everyone, I really need some help to decide where to bring my young family this year for holiday. I am keen on going to the... 

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A: all there is child friendly catering to families like yours. Great area indeed. y ou can check on destination above tips by posters like us or the tourist office... 

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