Society & History

Immerse yourself in Spain’s society by learning about its rich history, its attitudes towards religion and diversity, and its most famous inventions.

A man reads the newspapers in the window of a kiosk in San Sebastian, Spain.

Where to get the news in Spain

From picking up an English-language newspaper to listening to the latest podcasts, here’s how expats can keep up with the news in Spain.

Nochevieja: celebrating New Year’s Eve in Spain

MadridMan gives the lowdown on where and how to celebrate New Year’s Eve in Madrid, including the ever-popular party location in Puerta del Sol’s main plaza.

10 Christmas traditions in Spain

Discover the elements of a traditional Christmas in Spain, from rooster mass and nativity scenes to festive sweet and savory treats.

Catalan culture, language, history, and politics

Discover a brief overview of Catalan culture, language, history, and politics, as well as the basic geography of this unique region of Spain.

The Spanish civil war

From bombings, Guernica, forced labour camps and starvation, Spanish civil war survivors tell their stories of the tragedy that tore Spain in two.

The Spanish government: politics in Spain

Learn all about Spain’s political system, the local and national political parties, its government, and much more with this detailed guide.

Popular sports in Spain: a guide to Spanish sports clubs

Looking to play one of the more popular sports in Spain? Here’s a sporty guide to help point you in the right direction to play.

Religion in Spain

Stuffed with religious icons, it’s easy to think Spain is a very Catholic country but in a country where gay marriage and abortion are legal, the reality is not so straightforward.

The Spanish royal family

The Spanish royal family has been a pillar of stability through a fairly tumultuous century on the Iberian Peninsula.

Things you didn’t know were Spanish inventions

The Spanish are responsible for some ingenious inventions that shaped modern society. Discover what they made to make life easier.

The myth of the typical Spanish look

There’s a paradigm abroad of what the typical Spanish people look like: dark eyes and dark hair. But it’s nothing more than a stereotype.

Spanish mythology and folklore

Watch out for the monstrous creature El Coco who eats naughty children, a mouse that takes teeth, and a love story to contest the tragedy of Romeo and Juliet.

Sexuality in Spain

Unlike in some other countries, people in Spain are not particularly shy when it comes to discussing and displaying their sexuality.