Late lunches, later dinners

Newcomers commonly report that the day runs on a later clock:

• Lunch starts late. Spain's official tourism site gives the usual lunch time as around 13:30 to 15:30, and says restaurants tend to serve lunch between 13:00 and 16:00.
• Dinner is later still. The same site says restaurants usually serve dinner between 20:00 and 23:30 and that in big cities and in summer it is normal for dinner to be served until 23:30. Another spain.info page notes that meals are served much later than in the rest of Europe, with dinner often well after 22:00.
• A drink before lunch. Going for a drink or tapas with friends between about 12:00 and 14:00 is very typical.
• Shops adapt. The norm is for shops to open from about 10:00 to 21:00; some close between 14:00 and 17:00, especially in summer.

Why it matters for invitations

Because lunch and dinner are later, an invitation for a meal usually means a later time than many newcomers expect. If you are unsure, ask what time to come.

Shops and services

Shops generally stay open into the evening (typically until about 21:00), which fits the later rhythm of the day, but some shops close in the early afternoon, especially in summer.

• Season and city size. spain.info notes that late dinners are most usual in big cities and in summer.
• Individuals and households. These are typical times, not rules; households and workplaces keep their own rhythms, so take your cue from the people you are with.