The siesta in Spain is a famous tradition which consists of a short nap, usually 15-30 minutes.
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Siesta. When in Spain, the main meal is lunch, so it is common that many local shops and small businesses will be closed. That doesn't really mean that we are all taking a “siesta” (nap). Nonetheless, you should expect, especially in small towns, local businesses will be closed: From 1 or 2 pm to 4 or 5 pm.
As a result, Spaniards who would eat at 1pm or 1.30pm continued to eat at their usual time (now 2pm or 2.30pm), continued to have dinner at 8pm (now 9pm) and continued to go to bed at 11pm (now midnight).
Siestas are common in many cultures, promoting rest and productivity during the day. A short nap can boost alertness, mood, memory, and reduce stress. Keep siestas short, typically around 20 minutes, to avoid grogginess.
Their day starts at 8:00 am and lunch is at around 2:00 – 3:00 pm. The whole city shuts down then except for tourist sites and everything re-opens at 5:00 pm. Dinner time is also very late, at 10:00 pm and unlike in the United States, they eat a pretty big dinner. Spaniards are also big fans of bread.
But no other group of people takes their naps quite as seriously as those living in Spain. The siesta - which means a midday or afternoon rest or nap - has become a big part of Spanish culture. Many businesses in Barcelona and other parts of the country still shut down every day so that siestas can take place.
Spain has a standard working week of 40 hours, which is typically spread over five days. The maximum number of working hours per week is 48, and any hours worked above this must be paid as overtime.