Spain - What is Spain Famous For

I am presently in Malaga, Spain. So, I thought I will write something about Spain. Now, When someone mentions Spain, what comes to your mind? What is Spain famous for?

I guess if you are a beach goer, you will think of Mediterranean beaches – of the Costa del Sol. If you are a foodie, you will think of wine, cheese, olive oils, Spanish ham or Jamon, Paella and Tapas. If you are into architecture, and the arts, you will think of museums, cathedrals and art galleries. Spain is also rich in history dating back to the Roman times. Whatever you are into, there is always something to see or do in Spain.

Mediterranean Beaches - Costal de Sol

150km of Sun, sand, beach, shops and eateries, hotels and apartments

Click here to read more about the Costa del Sol

Wine

Spain is reportedly the third largest producer of wine in the world, and the ninth in worldwide consumption of wine.

Olive oils

Olive oil is an integral part of Spanish cuisine and Spain is the biggest producer of olive oil in the world. Apparently, Spain is home to 300 million olive trees. The life span of an olive tree is between 300 – 600 years, and there are over a hundred varieties of Spanish olives.

Spanish Ham or better known as Jamon.

Cheese

Cheese is serious business in Spain too.

Click here and Here if you wish to know more about Spanish cheese.

Paella

It is a rice based dish which has beans saffron, olives, herbs and spices, vegetable, meat, fish, shrimps, squids and clams. This dish is considered the national dish of Spain. You will find it in the menus in most restaurants. The seafood Paella is the most popular one.

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Tapas Bar/Restaurant

Tapas is basically a small snack served, when you order a drink. It can be any kind of food the establishment serve. It could be a small sandwich, or a couple of meatballs, or whatever is on the restaurant’s menu – cheese and olive, patatas bravas, calamares, chorizos... any finger food that the restaurant decides. Generally, you will find that it is an item in their menu – something that is suitable to be serving as a small snack.

Not all bars and restaurants do that though – only those that have the word ‘Tapas’ on their signs. With each order of drink, you will be served a tapas. They will serve you a different snack with each order unless they run out.

So, if you have a small appetite, it is possible that you could have a few drinks and not worry about lunch or dinner.

The origin of the Tapas is a bit vague. You are read all about it Here if you like.

Bull fighting

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Bull fighting was once very popular but it is a dying sport now. Only the older generation are into it. I am glad it is a dying spot. I think it is cruel.

Flamenco

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A very elegant and difficult dance. It has 4 components to it – the dance, the clapping, singing and the guitar.

Festivals

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There are many festivals in Spain. La Tomatina is one of the more interesting one. It is the hour-long tomato food-fight on the streets of Bunyol. It takes place in August every year. The tomatoes used in the festival are specially grown only for this purpose and they are inferior quality tomatoes that are not fit for consumption. Can you imagine, growing low quality tomatoes for the purpose of food-fight?

Siesta

Siesta means nap. It is still a practice today. The local shops are closed between 2:30 pm and 5:00 pm, So that employees can take their lunch, and a nap.

So, all the above are what Spain is famous for. Of course, there are the museums, cathedrals and art galleries, and the very rich history dating back to the Roman times. Whatever you are into, there is always something to see or do in Spain.

If I miss out anything that you know of, do put it in the comments.