A typical day
| Time | What happens |
|---|---|
| 7:30 to 9:00 | A quick coffee and maybe toast at home or in a bar. |
| 10:30 to 11:30 | Mid-morning coffee and a small bite (tostada, pincho de tortilla). |
| 14:00 to 16:00 | Lunch (la comida), the main meal. The menú del día (two courses, bread, drink and dessert or coffee) is offered on weekdays in most restaurants. |
| 17:30 to 19:00 | Merienda: a snack, especially for children. |
| 20:30 to 22:00 | Tapas or a light drink with friends. |
| 21:00 to 23:00 | Dinner (la cena), usually lighter than lunch. Restaurants fill from about 21:30. |
Shops and offices
- Many small shops open about 10:00 to 14:00 and 17:00 to 20:30, closing in the afternoon.
- Supermarkets, chain stores and shopping centres usually stay open all day, often until 21:30 or 22:00.
- Public offices often work mornings only, especially in summer.
- Sunday opening varies by region; in much of Spain most shops close on Sundays, while Madrid allows Sunday trading.
The siesta
Few working people nap in the afternoon today, but the long lunch break survives in small towns and in the south, especially in summer, when streets empty in the hottest hours.
August
Much of Spain goes on holiday in August. Many businesses close for two to four weeks, and cities like Madrid feel half empty, while the coast is packed.
Why so late?
Spain sits on Central European Time, although geographically it lines up with the UK and Portugal. The sun rises and sets late, and daily life followed.
