Traditions and everyday life in SpainFestivals, family customs, favourite places and everyday traditions, written by members of Global Penfriends who live in Spain. Each cultural keepsake is a short note about life where they are.
80 keepsakes from Spain · page 1 of 3
San Isidro's Feast Day. One of the most celebrated holidays of Madrid is held on May 15, the Feast Day of San Isidro who is the city's patron saint as well as the patron saint of farmers. The traditional festival and feast are…
Shared by andrew2108
Every January, the city of Palma de Mallorca lights up with Festivities of San Sebastià, its patron saint. These celebrations, which run from January 14 to January 22, reach their peak on January 20.The origins of this festival…
Shared by sonatasiniestra
Catalonia is a stateless nation with a rich history, culture, and distinct identity. Here are some notable points: Language and Culture: Catalan is the official and native language of Catalonia. Additionally, Catalan culture has…
Shared by JBiG
The Fallas of Valencia (or “falles” in Valencian) are one of the most well-known traditions from our region worldwide. It is believed that the Fallas originated from ancient pagan celebrations held in honor of the changing of the…
Shared by zaradietx
The Living Nativity Scene of Corbera de Llobregat is a traditional Christmas performance. This event, held in the town's historic center, is distinguished by its realism and the active participation of the local residents, who…
Shared by Ana_00
Carnestoltes is a week long celebration that starts with Dijous Gras, where everyone eats greasy foods like Coca de llardons or Botifarra d'ou. During this week, streets are filled with music, humour, fun and costumes. Schools…
Shared by Springbloom
Sant Jordi is the best day of the year for Catalan people! It's a tradition celebrated in Catalonia, Spain, where boys give red roses to girls, and girls give books to boys, although nowadays everyone receives anything from…
Shared by Springbloom
THE SAN SEBASTIÁN ROSCOS FESTIVAL: The big day in honour of Saint Sebastian, on 20 January (which, coincidentally, is my birthday), sees the images of the saint and of San Ildefonso carried in procession from his church to that…
Shared by Danielmzga
Sorolla is one of my favourite artists, and one of the most well known in Spain. His paintings are about his family or common activities, like going to the beach or going for a walk in the garden. He had a rough start in life…
Shared by Kirke
I don’t know who came up with this tradition, but we always start the year choking on it!! hahaha. We watch the countdown on TV, eating a grape every second (the last 12 of the year). The first ones are fine, but by the last one…
Shared by florlila
The Tower of Hercules (Galician: Torre de Hércules, Spanish: Torre de Hércules) is an ancient Roman lighthouse in A Coruña, Galicia, Spain, overlooking the Atlantic coast. It is the only fully preserved Roman lighthouse still…
Shared by albab
The neighbourhood of La Boca, located in the Federal Capital, is a very important part of Argentine culture and of my life.It experienced a large wave of immigration, particularly from Italy, which had a significant impact on the…
Shared by nevusa
This photograph was taken inside a beautiful church in Granada, the city where I come from. Catholicism has been an important part of Spanish culture and history for centuries, and churches are still an important part of Spain’s…
Shared by Blanca08
Beauty can be found anywhere if you look with intention, and graveyards are good proof of it.The "Cementiri de Poble Nou", also known as "Cementiri Vell" (old cemetery), was created at the end of the 18th century to solve the…
Shared by Soldinvierno
The Roscón de Reyes is a Christmas sweet that is typically eaten on the night of January 5th or January 6th (that is, the night of the Three Kings Parade or the day of the Three Kings). It is an O-shaped bun filled with cream…
Shared by shaylee93
In Spain, on New Year's Eve, we have a unique tradition: eating 12 grapes to the rhythm of the 12 chimes of midnight. This tradition is believed to attract good fortune; If you manage to eat all the 12 grapes in time, a…
Shared by lacherrypau
When people think about Andalusia, they usually imagine beaches, sunshine and hot weather. But we also have beautiful mountains and forests! Hiking is something I enjoy because it is a good excuse to escape from the city, get…
Shared by Blanca08
Here in Catalonia (Spain) we celebrate "La Castanyada", this tradition is celebrated around November 1st. Traditionally, an elderly woman known as "La Castanyera" roasts chestnuts on a charcoal stove and sells them wrapped in…
Shared by vocataofxoriso
In Valencia, Spain We celebrate the fallas every March. During this celebration, large artistic monuments made of wood, and other materials are displayed in the streets. These figures often represent satirical scenes about…
Shared by Miitr1xx
This festivity celebrates the conquest and battles between Christians and Muslims in the Iberian Peninsula. People dress up according to the ‘comparsa’ (troupe) you belong to. In my city, we have Piratas, musulmanes, zíngaros…
Shared by Panadera
Caga Tió is a Christmas tradition in Catalonia, Spain. It's a magical log with a smiley face, blanket and red hat (called barretina in Catalan), that lives in each family's house during the month of December. Most Caga Tió's are…
Shared by Springbloom
In Sant Jordi's (Saint George) day, we celebrate both World Book Day and Couple's Day. On this day, it is custom for couples to exchange gifts: the men receive a book and the women receive a rose. However, this has developed over…
Shared by LauraInBarcelona
"Día de los Finaos" is a traditional Canary Islands celebration held on the night of October 31st to honor and remember deceased loved ones. Families gather to share memories and stories of their ancestors while enjoying local…
Shared by Paulimanzana
First of all, I have to tell everybody that my country is Catalunya. However, since it doesn’t appear in the list of countries, I have used Andorra, because they are close to us, share the same language (Catalan), and have a…
Shared by PepSerinya
Temple of Debod is an Egyptian temple from the 2nd century BC. Egypt donated it to the Spanish government to save it from the floods the construction of the great Aswan Dam originated. It is now in Madrid in a high location so…
Shared by Beeeleeen
In Spain, Santa Claus isn’t the star of Christmas, nor does he deliver presents on 24 December. That role is played by the Three Kings on Three Wise Men's Day, 6 January. Or so they tell Spanish children. On the eve of Three Wise…
Shared by Alicisaborlimon
Each summer since I was little, I go with my father (and sometimes friends) to the mountains to hike for a week or so. It is really an experience, being up in the middle of nowhere, sleeping under the stars, carrying everything…
Shared by Estegosaurio
This religious tradition / celebration is commemorated on January 6. It is an exchange of presents and we eat a special cake called "Roscón" with ceramic figures inside. There are two types of figures, one of them brings luck to…
Shared by Silenaid
Sant Antoni is one of the most deeply rooted festivals with numerous activities related to the veneration of the patron saint of domestic animals, to obtain protection for animals useful in field work. Large bonfires are lit in…
Shared by Darlingx
On the night of the 5th of January, kids from all over the country await presents delivered by the Three Wise Men (los tres Reyes Magos), celebrated on the 6th. There are also many parades on the 5th, and the day after all…
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