Spain Quotes: 50 Quotes That Will Inspire You to Visit

ByTristina Oppliger
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Are you looking for the best quotes about Spain? Having lived in Spain, I’m always noting fun Spain quotes when I come across them. In this article, I’ll walk you through my favorite quotes about Spain in hope that you’ll be so inspired, you’ll book a visit to this marvelous country.

Whether you’ve just started planning a trip to Spain or are still deciding where to go on your next adventure, keep reading to get inspired! 

Oh! I’ve included images that you can Pin them on Pinterest, so feel free to do so if you see anything that moves you.

Spain Travel Quotes

One of the most visited countries on Earth, Spain seemingly has it all. From sun and sand to mountains and everything in between, it’s easy to see why. But not only do it’s landscapes inspire, but also its diverse mix of culture, food, language, and fashion. That’s what makes Spain one of my favorite places to visit: there’s just so much to see and do! Keep reading this section below where I share some of the best Spain travel quotes from others who have felt just like me!

1. “Spain: a great whale stranded on the shores of Europe.” – Elizabeth Oakes Smith

2. “This is the dream of all the world. The dream is to live in Granada. You know, work in the morning, have a one-hour in the afternoon, at night go out and have that life. You know. Go out and see your friends and eat tapa and drink red wine and be in a beautiful place.” – Anthony Bourdain

3. “You can’t buy happiness but you can go to Spain and that’s pretty much the same thing!” ― Unknown

4. “I would sooner be a foreigner in Spain than in most countries. How easy it is to make friends in Spain!” ― George Orwell

5. “There is no night life in Spain. They stay up late but they get up late. That is not night life. That is delaying the day.”  ― Ernest Hemingway

6. “Spain, the beautiful country of wine and songs.” ― Johann Wolfgang von Goethe

7. “To this day the Arab influence is evident in southern Italy, northern Africa and, above all, in Spain.” ― Carroll Quigley

Quotes about Spanish food

Spanish food is certainly underrated. Did you know that San Sebastian actually has some of the most Michelin star restaurants per capita in the world? Indeed, this country has a lot to offer when it comes to food. And, it’s not only the mind-blowing flavors. It’s also the lazy Sunday dinners, the long lunches, and drinks well into the night. There’s no rushing when it comes to food in Spain—it’s a slow traveler’s paradise (but there are also food options for when you’re on the go)! Listed below are a few of my favorite quotes about food in Spain.

8. “Because the Spanish eat so crazily late – Anybody who’s been to Spain has had the experience of sitting down at 9:30 PM to find themselves the first customer in the restaurant. They tend to favour an early evening drink and a nibble to keep them going.” — John Lanchester

9. “Not to mention the endless Saturday afternoon lunches with the entire family, savoring calamares, gazpacho, pescaito frito, flounder ceviche, solomillo al queso, a filet in blue cheese sauce, and arroz con leche.” ― Kate Jacobs, Comfort Food

10. “Spain is a fascinating mix of people, languages, culture, and food, but if there is one thing all Spaniards share, it’s a love of food and drink.“ — José Andrés

11. “The belly rules the mind.” — Spanish proverb

12. “I cook croquetas, and I eat Jamon. I keep my diet 100% Mediterranean and drink my Rioja. In that sense, I have a piece of Spain in West Hollywood.” — Paz Vega

13. “Any reasonable, sentient person who looks at Spain, comes to Spain, eats in Spain, drinks in Spain, they’re going to fall in love. Otherwise, there’s something deeply wrong with you. This is the dream of all the world.”  — Anthony Bourdain

Quotes about Spanish Culture

Spaniards have a culture and rhythm all of their own. If you’re an expat in Spain, this can be hard to get used to. But, before you know it, you’ve fallen in love with the lifestyle and never want to leave (at least that’s how it was, in my case). So what makes Spanish culture so intriguing? Look no further than these quotes that describe Spanish culture to find out.

14. “Since I am from Spain, once the morning has gone, I like to take a nap while falling asleep to black and white movies. It feels less lonely. There is a comfort in hearing their voice, like when you’re a child and your mother tells you a story before bedtime.” — Jordi Molla

15. “The culture of modern Spain is something many people are still discovering.” — Jose Andres

16. “Italy valued cathedrals while Spain valued explorers. So worldwide, five times as many people speak Spanish than Italian.” — Neil deGrasse Tyson

17. “I tried to photograph the mysterious, true and magical soul of popular Spain in all its passion, love, humour, tenderness, rage, pain, in all its truth; and the fullest and most intense moments in the lives of these characters, as simple as they are irresistible, with all their inner strength.” – Cristina Garcia Rodero

18. “Like Spain, I am bound to the past.” — William Burroughs

19. “We don’t look at teachers as scholars the way they do in Europe. In Spain you’re called a professor if you’re a high school teacher, and they pay teachers – they pay teachers in Europe.” — Frank McCourt

20. “In a unified and diverse Spain, based on the equality of and solidarity between its people, there is room for all of us. And for all of our feelings and sensitivities and our distinct ways of being Spaniards.” — Felipe VI of Spain

21. “In Spain, if you don’t follow football, you’re dead. You don’t have a conversation.” — Garbine Muguruza

Quotes about Barcelona

Barcelona is one of Spain’s most lively and colorful cities. I’ve had the fortune of visiting many times, and every time I discover something new! In this section, I share some of the best quotes to describe Barcelona.

22. “Barcelona, a fountain of courtesy, the shelter of strangers, hospice to the poor, land of the valiant, avenger of the offended, reciprocator of firm friendship, a city unique in its location and beauty.”  — Miguel de Cervantes

23. “To travel across Spain and finally to reach Barcelona is like drinking a respectable red wine and finishing up with a bottle of champagne.” — James A. Michener

24. “I wrote every day between the ages of 12 and 20 when I stopped because I went to Barcelona, where life was too exciting to write.” — Colm Toibin

25. “Here in Barcelona, it’s the architects who built the buildings that made the city iconic who are the objects of admiration – not a bunch of half-witted monarchs.” — Julie Burchill

26. “Even the moon was embarrassed by the beauty of Barcelona.” — Andrew Barger

27. “Barcelona didn’t try to live at the same pace as other global cities. It moved to the ticking of its own clock and everyone accepted it.” — Sarah Dayan

28. “Barcelona is a very old city in which you can feel the weight of history; it is haunted by history. You cannot walk around it without perceiving it.” — Carlos Ruiz Zafon

Andalucia Quotes

Known as the Spain that you see in the movies, Andalucía or Andalusia is full of bright colors, fantastic landscapes, and more. Plus, the Arab influences in its architecture, music, dance, food, and culture are undeniably fascinating. Truly, southern Spain has much to offer and is hard to beat, especially for first time visitors to the country! Until you visit, see these quotes on Andalucía and its many gems.

29. “Ronda is the place where to go if you are planning to travel to Spain for a honeymoon or for being with a girlfriend. The whole city and its surroundings are a romantic set. Nice promenades, good wine, excellent food, nothing to do.“ — Ernest Hemingway

30. “The air soft as that of Seville in April, and so fragrant that it was delicious to breathe it.” — Christopher Columbus

31. “The truth is, that I’m beginning to wonder if there is any greater pleasure in life than visiting Granada and it is going back and visiting it again.” — Alexandre Dumas

32. “I do not know what to call this land upon which I stand. If what is beneath my feet is paradise, then what is the Alhambra? Heaven?” — Lope de Vega

33. “I like the south of Spain, notably for the Moorish vigour and the weather.” — Alexei Sayle

34. “Granada is Spain’s most valued treasure; a melting pot of flavors, smells, and passion.” — Víctor Hugo

35. “Granada is so moving that it stimulates and melts all of the senses.” — Henri Matisse

Quotes by famous Spanish people

From historical artists to modern sports figures, Spaniards have had a lot to say about their country and the way they view life, which undoubtedly reflects their culture. Here are a few of my favorite picks by Spanish people.

36. “I do the impossible, because the possible anyone can do.”  —  Pablo Picasso

37. “My eyes filled with tears; not tears of sorrow nor of happiness, but of fulfillment of a quiet, hidden life in Granada.” – Miguel de Unamuno

38. “In one kiss, you’ll know all I haven’t said.” – Pablo Neruda

39. “In Spain the dead are more alive than the dead of any other country in the world.” ― Federico Garcia Lorca

40. “Madrid seems to be in a hurry to say everything.” ― Javier Marias

41. “In Spain, the best way to keep a secret is to write a book.” ― Manuel Azaña

42. “If ever a painter wrought a miracle of illusion with brush and pigment that painter was Velazquez in his Las Meninas, at the Prado in Madrid.” ― Joaquín Sorolla

Planning a trip to Spain? Be sure to check out our essential Spain travel guide for all the information you need to get started.

Spain quotes for Instagram

If you’re on Instagram, you’ll almost certainly want to add some meaningful captions to your posts and Reels. In addition to using any of the quotes above, here are some top Spain quotes to add some pizzazz to your captions!

43. “On the search for the best sangria in Spain.”

44. “I left my heart in Spain.”

45. “The rain in Spain stays mainly in the plain.” ― Eliza Doolittle

46. “If you were to visit just one city in Spain, it should be Granada.” ― Ernest Hemingway

47. “Oh my Gaudí!”

48. “Granada is the perfect dream and fantasy, forever ineffable. Granada will always be more malleable than philosophical, more lyric than dramatic.” ― Federico García Lorca

49. “An ivory tower should be built to protect the Basque people and their language, to ensure that this jewel does not disappear.” ― Nikolai Marr

50. “Every curious traveler keeps Granada in his heart, without having even visited it.” ― William Shakespeare.

Conclusion

There you go: a collection of inspirational quotes all about Spain.

I hope these instantly made you fall in love with Spain. Now, it’s your turn. If these quotes resonated with you, share them to your favorite social network!

More travel quotes

If you’re looking for more travel inspiration, check out our lists of other quotes:

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Blogger & Ex-Spanish Teacher

Tristina Oppliger has traveled to 35+ countries on five continents. Having previously lived in Spain, she loves studying foreign languages and cultures. In fact, she has a Master's in Foreign Language Education and is a former Spanish Teacher! Tristina is passionate about living free—remote work, exploring the world, and finding adventure wherever she goes.