This is a habit in many countries with warm climates such as the Philippines, which was occupied by Spain. It is believed that the combination of a heavy midday meal and warm temperatures causes drowsiness, so taking a break becomes a welcome relief.

But while Ador is embracing the tradition of siesta , elsewhere in Spain it seems the days may be numbered for one of the country’s most enduring stereotypes. The siesta is now as alien to most Spaniards as it is to the foreigners who package it into their image of Spain.

The siesta is historically common throughout the Mediterranean and Southern Europe and Mainland China and Indian subcontinent. It is the traditional daytime sleep of Spain and, through Spanish influence, the Philippines, and many Hispanic American countries.

Romans may have originated the siesta, giving the word its Latin origins. Historically, the siesta began as a way to give people a break from the afternoon heat, since most people performed work outside. Siestas gave people time to take a break before travelling to their next job.

Midday napping in the form of a siesta is associated with a number of health benefits. Napping in general can improve alertness (7) and cognitive performance (8), and it may also improve long-term health. Mediterranean adults who regularly take a siesta have a lower risk of mortality from heart disease.

Here are 15 things that tourists should never do in Spain.

• Never expect punctuality.
• Never expect shops to open in the middle of the day.
• Never forget to try some Spanish phrases.
• Never be surprised at being greeted with a kiss.
• Don’t worry about day drinking.
• Don’t be surprised to receive free food.

The later working hours force Spaniards to save their social lives for the late hours. “If we changed time zones, the sun would rise one hour earlier and we’d wake up more naturally, meal times would be one hour earlier and we’d get an extra hour’s sleep.”

Are Spanish always late? People usually get out of the office late in Spain, and it’s quite cultural. It may seem like a lack of organization, but it also means employees are at the office later than normal. Spaniards might not have the same timing as the rest of Europe.

The country has Europe’s longest high-speed rail network and is only surpassed globally by China. The major industries that drive the economy of Spain are the tourism, manufacturing, agriculture, and energy industries.

While an American traditional breakfast has pancakes, bacon, and eggs, the Spanish “traditional” breakfast consists of the vastly popular churros, served sprinkled with sugar or dunked in hot chocolate. Spaniards eat their lunch, or comida, between 2:00 and 4:00 in the afternoon.

These 14 dishes — from seafood and meat to rice and pastries — are essential meals when you travel to Spain.

1. Paella Valenciana. Paella is perhaps the most famous Spanish dish of all, and certainly one of the most abused.
2. Patatas bravas.
3. Gazpacho.
4. Pimientos de Padron.
5. Fideuà
6. Jamón.
7. Tortilla.
8. Churros.

Sangria. Sangria is without a doubt one of the most popular drinks in Spain, especially during summertime. The base alcohol is red wine, but triple sec and brandy are also included, with the addition of lemon-lime soda, sugar, oranges, lemons and ice.

The custom in Spain is that you use shorts only at the beach and not in the city. If you wear shorts in the city everyone will know you are a tourist, which is not a good thing because you may call attention from pickpockets. However there are no rules.

SPAIN sells the cheapest alcohol in the eurozone, according to research by the EU’s statistics office Eurostat. The price of alcoholic beverages in Spain was 84% of the median price across the whole EU, making it the cheapest of any country using the Euro.

Cava

Top 8 Must-Eat Foods In Barcelona You Must Try At Least Once

• Paella. No foodie trip to Spain would be complete without a paella feast!
• Bombas. During the dark days of the Spanish Civil War, Barcelona was fraught with danger.
• Calçots and romesco sauce.
• Esqueixada.
• Pa amb Tomàquet.
• Escalivada.
• Mató
• Crema Catalana.

Not only will I share my favorite local spots below, I’ll also tell you the 27 must try foods in Barcelona so you can be sure to order well in this foodie paradise!…Fish & Seafood

• Rape: Monkfish.
• Merluza: Hake.
• Bacalao: Cod.
• Cabracho: Scorpion Fish.
• Sardinas: Sardines.
• Boquerones: Anchovies.
• Atún: Tuna.
• Lenguado: Sole.

Traditional food in Barcelona: typical Catalan dishes

• Canelons.
• Escudella i Carn d’Olla / Sopa de Galets.
• Faves a la Catalana.
• Botifarra amb mongetes.
• Fricandó
• Ànec amb peres.
• Cargols a la llauna.
• Cold cured meats.

• #1. Park Güell. Park Güell.
• #2. Mercat de Sant Josep de la Boqueria (Boqueria Market) Mercat de Sant Josep de la Boqueria (Boqueria Market)
• #3. Barri Gòtic (Gothic Quarter)
• #4. Las Ramblas.
• #5. La Sagrada Família (Church of the Sacred Family)
• #6. Casa Batlló
• #7. Camp Nou Stadium.
• #8. Catedral de Barcelona (Barcelona Cathedral)

The typical breakfast for a local in the city is a coffee with milk (think latte) and some sort of pastry such as a croissant or a doughnut. On the savory side it’s all about sandwiches, or “bocadillos.” These are usually half a baguette smothered with olive oil, tomato and perhaps a pinch of salt.

Most bars in Barcelona do not offer a free tapas in the style of Andalusia or Madrid. However, there are a select few that treat customers to a delicious tapa with their drink.

La Comida (Lunch): 2 p.m. to 3:30 p.m. Spanish lunch is food paradise. Most restaurants open for lunch around 1:30 p.m. and the crowds start pouring in around 2 p.m. Tables will stay full until well past 4:30. On weekends the post-lunch sobremesa (after meal conversation) can last nearly until dinnertime.