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Many visitors to Spain assume the country’s famously late mealtimes are a reflection of its relaxed Mediterranean lifestyle, but the real reason lies in an unusual quirk of history: Spaniards have been living in the wrong time zone for over 70 years.
The country operates on a time schedule that doesn’t quite match its natural daylight hours, due to a historical decision to align with Central European Time during Franco’s era. This shift left Spain an hour ahead of where its routine would naturally fall.
Combined with long work hours and a traditional break in the middle of the day, lunch is often pushed to the mid-afternoon, and dinner follows late in the evening.
Efforts to return Spain to its natural time zone have sparked debate. Advocates argue it would improve health and productivity, while opponents highlight the benefits of later sunsets, especially for tourism. For regions like the Balearic Islands, the extended daylight draws visitors eager to enjoy mild winters and late summer evenings.
Culturally, however, eating is more than nourishment in Spain—it’s a social event. Dinners, in particular, are leisurely affairs, enjoyed with family or friends after the workday has ended.
The climate also plays a role, especially in summer, when the heat makes it more comfortable to dine after sunset.
Over time, these quintessentially Mediterranean habits have become an integral part of Spanish life, where the late-night meal is simply a reflection of the country’s relaxed and social approach to daily living, the product of a historical anomaly and a legacy that continues to shape the rhythm of life across the country.
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