Fun Facts About Spain You’ve Probably Never Heard Before

With good reason, Spain is one of the most popular travel destinations worldwide. Imagine endless sunshine, picture-perfect beaches, historic towns that rival the charm of France and Italy, and of course, tapas, jamón ibérico, and that pan of paella with burnt-socarrat rice on the bottom that is bursting with flavour.

If you've spent any time on social media in the past five years, you've probably seen the highlights: Seville sunrise, Barcelona's Gaudí overload, and sunsets in Ibiza that make you reevaluate your life decisions.

However, Spain has a different side that isn't depicted in glossy travel advertisements or Instagram reels.

We searched for the untold tales, the stunning oddities, and the downright bizarre facts that add to Spain's attractiveness. Your next trip will be unforgettable thanks to what we discovered, even if it doesn't make it into a travel brochure.

The wine-spilling facts about Spain that follow are all rated with a Silliness Level so you can see just how far off the rails we're going. ¡Vamos!

1. One Man Built a Cathedral – With Trash

What if your grandfather decided to outdo the Vatican after watching a YouTube tutorial? In Mejorada del Campo, which is outside of Madrid, that is essentially what took place.

Justo Gallego, a former monk, got his hands dirty and began constructing a cathedral back in 1961. alone. Lacking official blueprints, architectural training, and most definitely building permits. His building supplies? recycled trash, such as broken bricks, paint cans, scrap metal, and any other abandoned construction materials he could find.

He spent more than 60 years working on it, frequently by himself, and continued to construct well into his 90s. The outcome is a huge, breathtaking, unfinished cathedral that is currently 40 meters high. That's part of the magic, as locals describe it as anything from a miracle to madness.

This is the place to go if you're ever in the Madrid area and want to see something that blends faith, ingenuity, and unwavering genius.

 Silliness Level: 3/5 – It’s peculiar, but also very inspiring.

2. Madrid’s Oldest Restaurant Has Kept the Same Fire Burning Since 1725

Located just off Plaza Mayor, Sobrino de Botín is officially the oldest continuously operating restaurant in the world, according to Guinness. Here's the real chef's kiss, though: since 1725, the wood-fired oven inside has never gone out. That is almost three hundred years of continuous sizzle!

But wait, there's more: before enrolling in the Royal Academy of Fine Arts, one of Spain's best-known painters Francisco de Goya is rumored to have worked there as a teenager, possibly doing dishes or serving tables. 

Also, Ernest Hemingway was a frequent guest and had a special table upstairs and he even praised the Botín in The Sun Also Rises.

Silliness Level: 2/5 – It’s not wild, but there’s something magical about a fire that’s been cooking for nearly three centuries.

3. A Stone Frog Will Decide Your Academic Fate

This is your first informal test if you're considering studying in Spain: can you identify the stone frog?

One of the oldest universities in Europe, the University of Salamanca, has a small frog carved into its elaborate stone facade. The catch is that it's concealed among carvings that date back hundreds of years, perched atop a skull. Additionally, if you discover it on your own, you will be fortunate to have good academic luck, according to tradition.

Students travel from all over the world to try their luck – and their vision. For hours, tourists crane their necks. Guides? Since the magic only works if you recognize it for yourself, they decline to assist.

The frog is quite tiny. Time has worn down the skull it rests on. What about superstition? It's still more potent than your morning coffee.

So, if you’re planning to study in Spain, especially in Salamanca, you might want to warm up your eyes before orientation. 

Silliness Level: 4/5 – You must admit a tiny stone frog that is deciding your GPA? Only in Spain.

4. There’s a Town-Wide Wine Fight Every Summer

Spanish wine is one of the best in the world, and for a reason. If you are traveling to Spain a bold Rioja should be on your radar when eating Spanish meats, white crisp Albariño is great for pairing with seafood, and of course there is nothing better for warm summer days than a bubbly Cava. But this is something, although worth repeating, you probably saw when searching for things to do in Spain.

So let’s talk about Haro, a small town in the heart of La Rioja. Every June, this peaceful village transforms into a chaotic, grape-stained battlefield for La Batalla del Vino – The Wine Battle. Locals (and true wine enthusiasts) begin hiking up a nearby hill at dawn, armed with buckets, water guns, and bottles filled with red wine. What's the mission? Soak everyone. No one leaves dry, and no one seems to mind.

What's the best part? Laughing, dripping, and wine-stained, they all return to town after the battle and eat a communal meal as if it were any other Tuesday.

Silliness Level: 5/5 – It’s part wine tasting, part full-blown food fight, and entirely unforgettable.

5. Visit the "Smurf Village" of Júzcar (Andalusia)

Prior to the Smurfs' arrival in 2010, Júzcar was just another quaint, whitewashed beautiful village located in the Andalusian hills.

But this small town was chosen by Sony Pictures as a promotional stunt for the 2011 Smurfs film. The entire village, including the town hall, church, and homes, was painted a bright blue as part of the campaign. And the idea was that after the premiere, the village would be repainted white.

But something funny happened: everyone loved the new look and all of the citizens were for keeping the blue color. That resulted in tourists starting to pour in. And the town’s identity shifted from “another pretty pueblo” to “The Smurf Village.”

So, they held a vote and the residents voted to keep it blue. To this day, Júzcar remains a real-life cartoon backdrop, complete with Smurf murals, statues, and themed events.

Silliness Level: 4/5 – Regular village turned to Smurf HQ? That’s something nobody expected.

Spain: The Mesmerizing Country with Weird and Wonderful Things Waiting Around Every Corner

When travelling to Spain, besides visiting picturesque beaches, enjoying refreshing sangria, and taking pictures of breathtaking architecture, make sure to leave time for fun and outside-of-the-box activities. Whether you're a curious traveler, a future student, or just someone who appreciates a bit of delightful nonsense, Spain has a way of surprising you when you least expect it.

And hey – when you’re out there discovering these hidden gems, don’t forget to grab your eSIM card before you go. It’s the easiest way to stay connected and post all of the fun happenings you encounter – without the need for Wi-Fi or racking up roaming fees.