[takeaways] • Spain is the only EU nation with a land border with Africa, via Ceuta and Melilla, which border Morocco.
• The Spanish national anthem, "Marcha Real," has no official lyrics — one of only four national anthems in the world without words.
• Spain has the highest bar density per capita in the world, with roughly one bar for every 207 citizens.
• Botín, in Madrid, is recognized by Guinness World Records as the oldest restaurant in the world, founded in 1725.
• Public nudity has technically been legal in Spain since 1988, though local jurisdictions can still regulate it.
• A SIMOVO eSIM for Spain saves you money on roaming and means no hunting for local SIM cards as you explore. [/takeaways]
Spain is already one of the most fascinating countries in Europe from all kinds of perspectives — history, culture, landscape, you name it. However, chances are, there are still plenty of facts about the country that might just raise an eyebrow or two.
In this article, we've brought together some of the most interesting facts about Spain that actually surprised us, too! Consider this a way to build up an appetite for your next vacation here.
[numbered title="Spain has a unique European-African border" pill="Geography"]Believe it or not, Spain is the only European Union nation to have a border with an African country. In this case, it's Morocco, and the border territory is Ceuta and wider Melilla. However, this area has become dangerous over the years as it has emerged as a migration and diplomatic flashpoint, according to The Irish Times. This is partly due to Morocco not recognizing Ceuta and Melilla as Spanish property.[/numbered] [numbered title="The Spanish national anthem has no lyrics" pill="Culture"]Yes, weirdly, the Spanish national anthem is only one of four worldwide that has no official lyrics. The "Marcha Real" is frequently hummed to — and as the name suggests, it actually started out as a tune to accompany a military march. That said, it's reported that there have been several attempts to try and add official lyrics to the tune, but the Spanish government is yet to sign off![/numbered] [numbered title="Spanish restaurant and bar density is incredibly high" pill="Food and drink"]If you're interested in touring the best cities Spain has to offer, chances are you won't be stuck for choice when it comes to finding somewhere to eat and drink. It's actually estimated that Spain has the largest bar density per capita in the whole world, with around 207 citizens for every bar. This is particularly interesting given the fact that there are almost 2,400 different Spanish municipalities that don't actually have bars at all![/numbered] [numbered title="Spain is world-famous for its olive oil and its blueberries" pill="Food and drink"]Food and wine tourism in Spain is absolutely huge, and the country does an incredible trade in global olive oil supply. It reportedly accounts for at least 45% of olive oil exports the world over, with more than 300 million olive trees growing across the region. Spanish blueberries, too, are immensely popular for their flavor profile — Spain's envious, sunshine-splashed location is a prime factor in why olive trees and blueberry farms thrive so much in the region. And, as many foodies will tell you, Spanish produce is among the best in the world. Take a trip out here, and you can taste it all for yourself.[/numbered] [numbered title="You're banned from driving in certain footwear" pill="Law"]Well — that's the idea, anyway. Reportedly, Spanish authorities can fine drivers who they believe their footwear (or lack thereof) to be impeding on their control over their vehicles. It's a common misconception that Spain has a "barefoot ban" outright, but it's still wise to wear sensible shoes or boots when driving vehicles wherever you go. In Spain, if an officer deems you to be out of control of a vehicle with due cause, you could be fined up to €80. That's money better spent on actually enjoying your vacation, surely![/numbered] [numbered title="It's supposedly home to the oldest restaurant still open" pill="Food and drink"]Yes, weirdly enough, Spain's incredible history can be experienced even through evening meals — as Botín, in Madrid, is considered the oldest restaurant on the planet. That, according to the restaurant's website, isn't just an estimation, but an accolade confirmed by Guinness World Records. It was founded all the way back in 1725, meaning it recently celebrated its 300th birthday! While the restaurant still follows traditional recipes, there's a good chance what's on offer here has evolved with public tastes over the years — it's a must-visit for foodies and historians, and anyone crossing between them.[/numbered] [numbered title="Public nudity is technically legal in Spain" pill="Law"]This is one of those strange loopholes that offers a bit of a gray area. While there have been cases where people have been arrested for walking naked down city streets, public nudity has technically been legal in Spain since 1988, according to Reuters. That said, as the source points out, there are local variations on this law that allow cities and jurisdictions to regulate people going around naked. Nudist beaches, therefore, aren't uncommon across Spanish regions — just make sure to check the local laws before you disrobe![/numbered] [numbered title="Spanish people eat grapes at New Year for luck" pill="Tradition"]We all have our own traditions and superstitions when it comes to harnessing good luck, and in Spain, it's a well-worn tradition for families to eat a grape for every chime after 12 at the stroke of midnight on New Year. It's a tradition that's said to have started as early as the turn of the 20th century, and it's literally a mouthful — you have to quickly get through a grape per chime! Don't, however, take things too quickly, and pace yourself to avoid choking.[/numbered] [numbered title="The Spanish tooth fairy is… a mouse?" pill="Folklore"]El Ratoncito Pérez, to give him his full title, is a mouse who visits Spanish children and who leaves gifts in return for their lost teeth! He first appeared in a story written for Spanish royalty at the end of the 19th century, and in the 100+ years since, he has continued to charm children in shared folklore and myth — it's just one of many, many different takes on the tooth fairy legend that differ from region to region![/numbered] [esim flag="🇪🇸" label="Spain" data="10GB · 30 days" price="$8.50" href="/products/spain" benefits="Instant QR setup · Reliable 4G/5G · No contract"]Save on roaming and explore Spain fact by fact — stay connected wherever you go[/esim]
Travel tips for Spain
Ever been to Spain before? If these interesting facts have got you intrigued about traveling out here, take on board the following tips to make sure your adventure goes as smoothly as possible.
[tip title="Visit in late spring or early fall to save money and beat the crowds"]Spain gets immensely busy around the summer months — June, July, and August are peak tourist seasons. Save money while still experiencing fantastic weather and many of Spain's best attractions by exploring the region in late spring or early fall instead. In September, for example, you can still enjoy warm water to swim in without the crowds.[/tip] [tip title="Round up your bill or leave up to 10%"]You don't usually have to tip when dining out in Spain, but rounding your bill up or leaving up to 10% is good practice if you've had a great time.[/tip] [warning]As safe as Spain can be, always make sure you keep your belongings in close sight, and avoid holding your phone out as you walk around. Unfortunately, there is always a risk of pickpocketing in the main tourist areas.[/warning] [warning]If you need help in an emergency, remember to call 112. It's also wise to make sure you have travel insurance coverage before you go, just in case you need to claim on any accidents you may experience.[/warning] [tip title="Pack light for cobblestoned city streets"]Depending on where you're heading in Spain, it can be advantageous to pack light! Many of the city streets are cobblestoned, for example, and heavy baggage is the last thing you'll want or need to lug around with you.[/tip] [faq] [q]What are some interesting facts about Spain?[/q] [a]Spain is the only EU country with a land border in Africa (Ceuta and Melilla), its national anthem has no official lyrics, it has the highest bar density per capita in the world, and it's home to Botín in Madrid — recognized by Guinness World Records as the oldest restaurant in the world, founded in 1725.[/a] [q]Why does the Spanish national anthem have no lyrics?[/q] [a]The "Marcha Real" started as a military march tune rather than a song, and no official lyrics have ever been formally adopted despite several attempts over the years. Spain is one of only four countries in the world — alongside San Marino, Kosovo, and Bosnia and Herzegovina — with a national anthem that has no official words.[/a] [q]Is public nudity legal in Spain?[/q] [a]Public nudity has technically been legal in Spain since 1988, though it exists in something of a legal gray area, as local jurisdictions and municipalities can still regulate or restrict it. Nudist beaches are common across Spanish regions, but it's worth checking local rules before you disrobe.[/a] [q]What is the oldest restaurant in the world?[/q] [a]Botín, in Madrid, is recognized by Guinness World Records as the oldest restaurant in the world, founded in 1725. It recently celebrated its 300th anniversary and still follows many of its traditional recipes.[/a] [q]Why does Spain have so many bars?[/q] [a]Spain has the highest bar density per capita in the world, with roughly one bar for every 207 citizens. Bar culture is deeply embedded in Spanish social life, though the distribution is uneven — almost 2,400 municipalities across the country don't have a bar at all.[/a] [q]Do I need an eSIM for visiting Spain?[/q] [a]A SIMOVO eSIM for Spain is a convenient way to stay connected throughout your trip — it saves money on roaming charges and means no hunting for a local SIM card on arrival. It's especially useful if you're exploring multiple regions or cities during your visit.[/a] [/faq] [esim flag="🇪🇸" label="Spain" data="10GB · 30 days" price="$8.50" href="/products/spain" benefits="Instant QR setup · Reliable 4G/5G · No contract"]Get connected before you land in Spain[/esim]
