Before moving here, I thought I had a pretty good idea of Spain – eternal sunshine, flamenco everywhere, and daily siestas. However, living here has revealed a far more diverse story, including varying climates, vast cultures and numerous languages. These are the three biggest misconceptions I have uncovered.
Spain is Not One Single Nation—It’s a Mosaic of Cultures
The most eye-opening fact I have learnt is that Spain is made up of 17 autonomous communities (Comunidades Autónomas), each with their own distinctive cultures, histories and traditions. Making this distinction is a core belief in some regions, like in the Basque Country and Catalonia.
Living in Catalonia has introduced me to their unique language and sense of cultural identity, as well as cities beyond Barcelona. Girona, Cadaqués, Tarragona and Lleida display a varied representation of Catalan culture – medieval architecture, coastal fishing towns and mountain landscapes – making locals proud.
Spain Isn’t Hot and Sunny All Year Round
Before moving to Spain, I had spent many summers soaking up the sun on white-sand beaches in Spain. So, you can imagine my surprise when I realised that during the winter, Spain becomes unrecognisable from the pictures on holiday postcards.
I arrived very unprepared, bringing only a light jacket and only two jumpers, which squeezed my cabin bag, making shopping trips to Barcelona essential. Every winter, my town is hit by deathly cold Tramuntana winds from the mountains, making me question whether the English rain is so bad after all.
Despite this, it remains true that in small towns the rhythm of daily life is slower – something I have been enjoying during my time here.
Learning about Spain beyond the stereotypes has helped me appreciate the country on a deeper level, allowing me to see it not only as a holiday destination but as a rich and diverse home of regional identities, unpredictable seasons, and varied customs – a home that is now mine.
Author: Eryn D.