How do the Spanish Celebrate Valentine's Day?

Question: How do the Spanish Celebrate Valentine's Day?

Answer: Valentine's Day in Spain is much like in many other parts of the world. Nice restaurants are booked up weeks in advance as amorous couples whisper sweet nothings to each other. Cards and flowers, like everywhere else, are also exchanged.

Valentine's Day Ideas in Spain

Main article: Valentine's Day Ideas in Spain

If you're planning a Valentine's Day trip to Spain for your loved one, probably the first thing you'll want to do is book a meal. Not too many restaurants in Spain have online booking, but most of the ones that do are featured here: Restaurantes.com.

But to make your trip really special, you'll need to think of something else. How about a flamenco show by one of the world's biggest artists? Or a hot air balloon ride from Barcelona?

Read more suggestions and how to book in the main article (see above).

Spain's Second Valentine's Day

But the Spanish actually have two days when lovers can exchange gifts, at least in Barcelona.

La Dia de Sant Jordi (St George's Day) is Catalonia's national day (you thought that was England's saint's day? The two regions share him!), celebrated on April 23 each year. Gallant gentlemen in Spain honor St George's romantic gesture of saving a princess from the clutches of an evil dragon by, erm, buying his loved one a book.

In reality, this tradition probably derives from the fact that William Shakespeare died on this day in 1616 (and Spain's greatest authory, Cervantes, a day earlier).

Read more about Festivals in Spain.