Life in Spain through the eyes of a tourist

How to Live Like a Local in Spain

Normally when we take a trip to another location we have the traditional holiday experience involving standard accommodation, places to eat out and transportation all tailor made to be tourist friendly. What would it be like to take a trip abroad and truly live like as the locals do? Is this even possible? The answer is of course yes; with careful planning and a desire to really get involved into the culture a foreigner can savour a slice of life in a foreign country like Spain.

Research and Prepare
If you really want to enjoy life as a local, a basic grasp of the spoken language is key. Many people will see this step as an excuse to never even get out there and live like a local but in truth this step will be as easy or as hard as you make it. Spanish isn't definitely not the hardest language to learn, especially for speakers of other Romance languages such as French, Portuguese or Italian. There are countless resources for even the most time-strapped travellers. How often you practice is the most important factor so don't let perfectionism get in the way here; the most valuable learning will be done while you are there as you learn from the locals during conversation.


There are companies whose job is to set up travellers with a temporary apartment in Spain, transport and a guide of the local area, including shops and cafes. These are a great option but not necessary the best in terms of experience. Once you have a small grasp on the language, head out to Spain. You can stay at any hotel or even hostel you feel like but it’s better if the area is less touristy and more local. To live like a local, pack lightly and avoid backpacks at all costs. Nothing screams traveller like walkin around with your possessions strapped to your back. When it comes time to eat, avoid places that are near cthe city centres and head a little further out. Kepp an eye out for a steady stream of locals; the best local hotspots enjoy a steady amount of foot traffic.

As you wander through Spain, talk a lot, to everyone you approach. Walk up to people and engage with them in polite conversation. Be friendly, welcoming and ask lots of questions. Then sit back and learn. Many people are happy to take the time to share their stories if they realise that you're genuinely interested. Take note of regional sayings; having a small notepad on hand is great for this.

To live like a local, take ownership of your surroundings and drink in as much local culture as you can. That's all it takes to live like a Spanish local.

Spain is one of Europe's best travel treasures as a huge portion of the country is able to receive sun for around 300 days a year.  It’s Mediterranean climate means the summers are hot and dry and the winters are mild making any time or season a perfect time to visit Spain! Here are three very different parts of Spain that all offer the same warm weather, but vary in what attracts people to them. Where ever you go, make sure you pack your sunglasses, sun cream and sun hat!

Barcelona is Spain's second largest city and as a result, a very popular tourist destination, It’s actually the 4th most visited city in Europe. Barcelona contains both the highest concentration of Gothic architecture in the whole of Europe thanks to buildings such as the Cathedral of Santa Eulalia, and more avant garde buildings built with a more modern design. With plenty of divine culinary delights to choose from, you’ll never go hungry in Barcelona. With its numerous fresh food markets and local street food delights dotted throughout the city, you’ll be spoilt for choice.

The island of Ibiza is well-known for its wild party lifestyle, and throughout the summer you will never be short of a party to join. Thousands visit the island each year to enjoy the sun and sea, from across Europe and also further afield. Some of the world’s biggest and best DJ’s flock to this area to play in the top clubs. But these big DJ’s come at a price. It’s not uncommon to pay 40 Euro to get into some of these places.

Located on the Southern coast of Spain you’ll find Malaga, right at the heart of the popular Costa del Sol. Malaga is the southernmost larger municipality in Europe, and has one of the mildest winters around meaning if you head in the winter month, you can actually enjoy a enjoying a subtropical climate. Malaga has become synonymous with package holidays but there are areas that are seen as much more exclusive. Marbella has become an international reference for luxurious escapes and has the designer shops and fancy restaurants to keep everyone entertained.  

Here are just a few of the different types of holidays that Spain has to offer but there are plenty more and I look forward to writing about them!

Spain is one of the most popular destinations in the world, and over 53 million people came here last year. This is great news for the tourist industry, but if you take a moment to think about that number it begins to seem a bit overwhelming - not least because Spanish tourist spots are becoming incredibly crowded. This works for many people especially if it’s your first time to the country, but if you want to relax, get some peace and quiet and enjoy the sunny weather, it might not be ideal. For a relaxing break in Spain, I’d say head away from the city centres and head for the hills. Here are a few of the ways I’ve experienced Spain with a difference.

Hiking holidays are a great way to avoid the crowds especially because most people probably aren’t aware there is a great landscape for it. Most people relate Spain with beaches and islands, but the country has so much more to offer, especially when you head inland.

Andalusia is in the south and has an incredible collection of remarkable trails that will take you up into the highlands and hills for some truly amazing views. Once there, you’ll feel a million miles away from the hustle and bustle of the city centres.

The majority of people go on holiday to Spain between the holidays of Easter and the end of summer; and as a result, prices of all types of activities, transport and accommodation costs rise dramatically. Over the years I’ve learnt there is no reason to conform to this. If you really do want to enjoy the cities but without all the business, your best bet is to head there outside of peak season.

You won’t have to put up with the sometimes unbearable heat, and the crowds will be much smaller. Be sure to avoid school holiday times, as these weeks will see the beaches flooded with families.

Another way to have a great trip is to plan it yourself from scratch. While package holidays are great for those who enjoy laying by the pool instead of expoloring a new city. By tailoring your trip specifically to what you want to do, you generally avaoid the corwds. For example, My family and I have had a few memorable holidays walking up in the Pyrenees, enjoying visits to medieval castles  and learning about the unique culture of the Basques. There is so much to see in Spain, and, thankfully, often the best bits are hidden away from the crowds.

If you've got any tips on how to enjoy Spain without the crowds, let me know in the comments below!

Valencia was one of the first places in Spain I visited and I went there on a camping holiday when I was about four years old. At the time I probably didn’t enjoy it but my parents, made sure we explored the city and took in as much as the culture and past heritage the city had to offer. This is where my love affair with the beautiful city began.

Below are five of the many, many things we did while in Valencia that will help you learn about the culture of this beautiful city.

1.      
The L'Umbracle Garden is a walkway that overlooks the City of Arts and Sciences and contains a garden that grows lush vegetation. It displays work by contemporary Valencian artists and also features a car park.

2.      
For a more historical adventure, visit the Museo De La Ciudad. This beautiful museum displays paintings and sculptures spanning five centuries that were previously held by the Valencian government and private collections.

3.      
The entire family will enjoy the L'Oceanographic aquarium. This underwater aquarium allows visitors to view thousands of aquatic species in an underground facility. Don't miss Nights at L'Oceanographic in July, which is a celebration of all ocean life and features a sound show made by dolphins.

4.      
To get away from the hustle and bustle of city life, venture up to Patacona Beach located in the northern beach area. This beach is known for its quiet, serene atmosphere and is great for taking a dip.

5.      
In mid-March the Las Fallas, which means "the fires", is a moving carnival through the streets of Valencia. It is known for its wild bonfires and spectacular fireworks.

These are just a few suggestions from my fun and educational camping trip. Valencia offers far too many activities to mention but if you have any you think should be on the list, let me know.

Hi All,

My name is Sally and this is a short welcome message to say hi and what you can expect from me and my posts.

I’m in the middle of travelling around South east Asia but will be returning to the UK at the end of August. I love travelling and have been travelling around Europe since I was a little kid. Spain is by far my favourite European destination and I have stacks of journals from all my trips which I thought would be great content to share with everyone. So here I will be writing about things I’ve seen and done in the past and mainly about how to enjoy Spain as a tourist.

I’ll be posting some stuff soon so I hope you enjoy reading it!

Thanks,
Sally