At first, it may seem that Valentine’s Day in Spain is very similar to many other parts of the world. You’ll see unique romantic restaurants reserved weeks in advance and street stalls filled with fresh flowers. On the big day, the love in the air will be tangible as the couples walk hand in hand through the picturesque cobbled streets hand in hand or arm in arm, smiling and whispering sweet things to each other.
In Latin America, Valentine’s Day is known as » The day of love and friendship «, the day of love and friendship. However, here in Spain there is no platonic connotation for the day, it is about romantic love.
Eating on Valentine’s Day in Spain
Are you planning to spend Valentine’s Day in romantic and passionate Spain with your special someone this year? First things first: you probably want to reserve your ideal restaurant as soon as possible before the places start to fill up. After all, what’s Valentine’s Day without a fancy candlelight meal?
More and more restaurants in Spain are starting to offer online reservations. Use a tool like restaurants.com to find restaurants in your preferred city that you can book online.
How to say “I love you” in Spanish
If you really want to impress your loved one on Valentine’s Day, try saying those magic words in Spanish, one of the most romantic languages in the world. There are two main ways to say ‘I love you’ in Spanish: » I love you » and » I love you «.
- ” I love you ” translates literally as “I love you” and is the most common way of saying “I love you” in Spanish. Although to English speakers it may appear to have a sexual connotation, that is not the case in Spanish. Parents and children will say “I love you ” to each other. Same with platonic friends and romantic partners – if you love someone in any sense of the word, loving you is the way to go.
- » I love you » is used purely in the romantic sense. You will not hear it among family and friends.
Both ” I love you ” and ” I love you ” are appropriate for professing your love for that special someone on Valentine’s Day. However, keep in mind that ” I love you ” might be considered a bit strong if you haven’t been with your boyfriend or girlfriend for a long time.
” I love you ” is much less intense, but still full of meaning. As a result, even that seemingly low-key phrase could be considered too much if you’re in a very casual relationship. ‘ I like you ‘, which implies that you ‘like’ someone as more than just a friend, is a little lighter.
Second Valentine’s Day in Barcelona
Believe it or not, February 14 is not the only day dedicated to love here in Spain. In Barcelona, you will find more romantic celebrations that will take place on April 23, or Sant Jordi’s Day.
Known as “Saint George’s Day” in English, this festival is one of the most important dates on the Catalan calendar. Every year gallant knights honor Saint George’s romantic gesture of saving a princess from the clutches of an evil dragon, erm, by buying a book for their loved ones.
Don’t see the connection? Without worries. In reality, this tradition probably stems from the fact that William Shakespeare died on the feast day of Saint George in 1616 (and Spain’s greatest author, Cervantes, a day earlier). As a result, two of the greatest literary minds in the Western world are honored alongside the patron saint of Catalonia.
Read more about Festivals in Spain .
Romantic Valentine’s Day in Valencia
Can’t make your romantic trip to Spain until later in the year? Head to Valencia on October 9, when locals proudly celebrate the Feast of San Dionisio ( San Dionisio in Spanish). Believe it or not, it is another of the most romantic dates of the year in Spain.
The traditional gift for this celebration is fruit-shaped marzipan wrapped in a handkerchief, usually bought by men for their wives. The women, in turn, keep the handkerchiefs that their partner has given them each year as a tangible way to show how long they have been together.
