Spain
Southern Europe · Spanish · Euro
Lunch at two, dinner at ten — show up earlier and you'll dine alone with the staff.
Today in Spain
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5 phrases you need in Spain
- HelloHolaOH-lah
- GoodbyeAdiósah-DYOHS
- PleasePor favorpor fah-BOR
- Thank youGraciasGRAH-thyahs
- Excuse mePerdonaper-DOH-nah
The Trovlr app drills all 8 Spain phrases with audio, Duolingo-style. Get the app →
Know before you go
etiquette
Meal times run late: lunch 2–4pm, dinner after 9pm, and many kitchens simply don't open earlier. The menú del día is the great-value lunch move.
money
Cards are accepted nearly everywhere, but some old-school tapas bars are cash-only — and never accept an ATM's offer to charge you in your home currency.
tipping
Tipping is minimal: loose change or rounding up is normal, and 10% signals genuinely exceptional service.
scams
Pickpockets work the Madrid and Barcelona metro and the big sights — keep your phone off the café table edge and your bag zipped in front on Las Ramblas.
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