12 Fun Facts About Spain You Might Not Know

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With a wonderful blend of sun, sea, sand, delicious cuisine, and rich history, Spain is an alluring destination that draws millions of tourists yearly. It has everything from big, bustling cities like Madrid to picturesque coastal towns like Sitges, rugged mountain landscapes, and historic villages.

However, how much do you actually know about this fascinating country? For example, did you know there’s a rumor that the Eiffel Tower, Paris’ iconic landmark, was initially intended for Barcelona? If not, you’ve come to the perfect place. In this article, we’ve listed 12 fun facts about Spain you might not know. Stick around if you want to learn more.

The Eiffel Tower Was Intended for Barcelona

Fun Facts About France You Might Not Know Eiffel Tower Gets Repainted — © Givaga / Adobe Stock

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Let’s start with this bizarre fact that’s probably left you with many questions. Believe it or not, one of France’s most famous tourist attractions and iconic landmarks was rumored to have been initially intended for Barcelona. While there’s no official documentation to prove the rumor, many people believe the architect Gustave Eiffel first pitched the idea of the Eiffel Tower to Barcelona.

According to the rumors, the Spanish government rejected the proposal because they thought the monument would be an eyesore, which most Parisians did for many years. Therefore, Gustave Eiffel pitched his designs to Paris, where he succeeded. Whether this story is true or simply an urban myth remains a mystery. We wonder if Barcelona regrets its decision.

The Stapler Was Invented in Spain

Spain is known for many things, but most people don’t credit the nation for the stapler. Inventors Juan Solozabal and Juan Olive first designed and created the stapler in Spain’s Basque country. Compared to the staplers we use now, it sounds like a grand piece of equipment.

Created in the 18th century for France’s King Louis XV, every staple used in the device was engraved with the King’s royal emblem. Imagine the scenes now if the royal family of another country gifted a royal family member a stapler. We can’t imagine it going down very well. In 1866, George McGill received the first patent to create what we now know as the modern stapler.

Spanish Is One of the World’s Most Spoken Languages

Spain might only have a population of approximately 47.5 million, but that doesn’t stop its language from being one of the world’s most spoken languages. Admittedly, Spanish is far behind English and Chinese (Mandarin), with more than one billion speakers. Still, it sits in fourth place, just behind Hindi (609 million speakers).

According to Statista, roughly 559 million people worldwide speak Spanish, and over 20 countries declare it their official language. Aside from Spain, countries that use Spanish as their official language include Mexico, Costa Rica, Peru, and Argentina. Interestingly, Lingoda reports that Mexico is the largest Spanish-speaking country, with 113 million native speakers.

La Sagrada Familia Is the World’s Largest Unfinished Church

La Sagrada Familia, also known as the Basílica i Temple Expiatori de la Sagrada Família, is a beautiful Catholic church in the heart of Barcelona. Construction started in 1882, but it’s still not complete almost 140 years later, making it the largest unfinished church worldwide.

The church, designed by world-famous architect Antoni Gaudí, is best viewed from the lake at Plaça de Gaudí. The delay in finishing the church is due to the sheer cost of building it and changes to the intricate design over the years. Luckily, La Sagrada Familia is due to be completed in 2026.

Spain Has a Tooth Mouse

When children in countries like the United States and the United Kingdom lose a tooth, it’s tradition to place the tooth under a pillow for the tooth fairy to collect. In return, children usually receive some money. There isn’t a tooth fairy in Spain and other Hispanic-speaking countries, such as Peru, Chile, and Mexico.

Instead, when Spanish children lose a tooth, a small tooth mouse comes to collect it. The mouse in question is called El Ratoncito Perez. Folklore states that he will visit children once they’re asleep, take the tooth from under their pillows, and replace it with a small gift or money. We don’t know about you, but we like the sound of El Ratoncito Perez.

Spain Is Home to the Oldest Restaurant in the World

If you’re a big foodie like us, you must eat at Restaurante Botín in Calle de Cuchilleros, Madrid. Opened in 1725 by a French chef named Jean Botín and his wife, it is the oldest restaurant in the world. The restaurant sits inside a beautiful 16th-century building near Plaza Square, adding to its magnificence.

Still open today, you can enjoy traditional Madrid cuisine in Restaurante Botín, surrounded by much of the original 18th-century interior, including the original firewood oven. The restaurant is now owned by the third generation of the Gonzalez family, but it still specializes in slowly cooked lamb and suckling pigs.

There’s a Free Wine Fountain in Ayegui, Navarre

If you prefer a refreshing glass of wine, you’ll appreciate the free wine fountain in Ayegui, Navarre. However, you’ll have to work hard for it. Clocking in at almost 500 miles (800 kilometers, the Camino de Santiago, or the Way of St. James in English, is a challenging pilgrimage route in Northern Spain famed for its primitive paths and scenic views.

Along the route, outdoor enthusiasts come across a small town called Ayegui, home to the Bodega Irache Winery. Visitors can experience something very unique here. To treat weary travelers, the winery built a free wine fountain in the late 20th century that offers a constant flow of free red wine. If anything will encourage us to walk that far, it’s a free glass of red.

Approximately 700 People in a Spanish Town Share the Surname Japón

Fun Facts About Spain Approximately 700 People in a Spanish Town Share the Surname Japón — © joserpizarro / Adobe Stock

One of the strangest facts about Spain is that the town of Coria del Río has a unique Japanese legacy that has seen roughly 700 people share the surname Japón. This tradition’s history can be traced back to Hasekura Tsunenaga, the leader of a Japanese delegation that visited Spain in the 17th century.

Instead of returning to Japan, six samurai remained in Coria del Río. As such, the surname Japón is conserved by residents to identify them as descendants of the six samurai who belonged to Hasekura Tsunenaga’s delegation. Remnants of the delegation can also be seen across the town in various monuments, including a statue of Hasekura Tsunenaga himself.

In Spain, it’s a Tradition To Eat 12 Grapes for Good Luck

In many countries, it’s New Year’s tradition to see out the year with a glass of Champagne or Prosecco and a kiss from a loved one. However, in Spain, most people follow a unique tradition that involves eating grapes. To add some sweetness to New Year festivities, people eat the “twelve grapes of luck.”

When the clock strikes midnight, Spanish people following the tradition, start eating their grapes. Eating one grape every time the twelve-called bell strikes to welcome the New Year is important. To bring you good luck, each grape and bell strike represents a month in the upcoming year.

Spain Is the World’s Largest Producer of Olive Oil

Spain holds the prestigious title of being the world’s largest producer of olive oil. The country accounts for approximately 40% of the world’s global production. For context, Olive Oil Times reports that Spain produces a whopping 1.4 million tons of olive oil yearly. Furthermore, Spain exports almost 46% of the total olive oil it produces, making the nation the world’s leading exporter of olive oil.

Spain thrives as an olive oil-producing nation because it experiences favorable climates and extensive olive groves, especially in regions like Catalonia and Andalusia. However, in recent years, poor harvests have seen Spain’s olive oil production levels drop. In 2023/24, Spain produced just 846,800 tons of olive oil.

Spain Hosts the World’s Largest Food Fight

In the small town of Buñol in the province of Valencia, the world’s largest food fight takes place every year. La Tomatina happens on the last Wednesday of August yearly, attracting thousands of locals and tourists who wish to experience the spectacle.

During the event, thousands of people come together to haul ripe tomatoes at each other in what is a super messy, colorful, and quite delicious affair. Several myths surround why La Tomatina happens, but the primary belief is that it started due to a street brawl. It’s believed an argument broke out over a spilled vegetable stand in 1945. Those involved are rumored to have ended the dispute by throwing tomatoes at each other.

Spanish People Don’t Consider Paella the National Dish

For many tourists, no trip to Spain is complete without sampling the national dish, Paella, with prawns and shellfish, us included. However, ask most Spanish people, and they’ll tell you they don’t believe that paella is the national dish. Instead, many people see Spanish cooking as very regional, so there is no truly authentic national dish.

Most Spanish people also deem paella a Valencian dish instead of a national dish, as that’s where it originates from. To make matters worse, many Spanish people don’t believe an authentic paella should contain fish or shellfish. We must admit, though, this doesn’t stop us from craving a delicious paella and a plate of patatas bravas.