5 Myths About Spain You Shouldn’t Take Any Notice Of
You can probably think of plenty of odd myths about your own country, and the same can be said of Spain! There are plenty of interesting myths going around about this brilliant country, it’s traditions, food and more… but most of these are far-fetched from the truth.
For example, bullfighting isn’t actually Spain’s national sport; actually, it isn’t a sport at all!
And no, La Sagrada Familia isn’t Barcelona’s cathedral; Cathedral of Santa Eulalia is.
So to keep you in-the-know when it comes to Spain, here are five myths you shouldn’t take any notice of:
1. Paella Is a Seafood Dish
Think of paella like a pizza. Sure, you can put seafood on it, but you can really put almost anything on it! So when you’re ordering paella in a restaurant in Spain, don’t feel like you have to get seafood, especially if you aren’t a fan. Just like a pizza, you can order it with almost any toppings you want, so experiment a little bit to find what you like!
2. Sangria is the Drink of Choice
Believe it or not, there isn’t a traditional recipe for sangria. Sure, some recipes are better than others and with a bit of dedication you can absolutely make fantastic sangria, but the truth is you’ll only find a version of this popular drink everywhere in Spain because of tourists. It isn’t actually the drink of choice for the Spanish locals, so if you aren’t really feeling it, feel free to try something more to your taste!
3. Tapas Are a Type of Food
Would it be surprising if we said that practically anything can be tapas? It’s true! There’s a misconception that tapas are a type of food, but they’re actually just smaller plates of food; any food, really. It’s a Spanish tradition that’s meant to be enjoyed alongside a good drink as you go from bar to bar throughout the night. The idea is to get something small everywhere you go, rather than enjoying one large meal at one location. So if you want to feel more like a local while you’re in Spain, go bar hopping with the locals and try out a bunch of the tapas!
4. Spain’s Food Is Hot and Spicy
You might have heard that Spain’s food is hot and spicy, but the only “spice” you’ll find here is from the savory kind! The Spanish locals actually don’t much care for hot, spicy food, so if you have a mild palate you’re in luck! That’s not to say you won’t find spicy foods in any of the restaurants you go to, but for the most part you’ll get flavorful food that won’t burn your taste buds!
5. It’s Always Sunny in Spain
While Spain is known to have over 300 days of sunshine in a year, you don’t want to pack sunblock and leave your umbrella at home. Spring tends to get more rain than any other time of year, but that doesn’t mean you won’t find yourself under a rain cloud now and again while you’re exploring this extravagant country during any of the other seasons. Whether you’re planning a hiking tour or just want to lay out by the beach (or your villa’s private pool!), be sure you plan ahead and bring some rain gear!
See Spain the Way Locals Do
If you’re looking to have an authentic experience while you’re vacationing in Spain, it’s a good idea to look beyond the myths you hear. If you follow in the footsteps of the locals you’ll be sure to find the best food, drinks, locations and experiences around!