If you’ve spent any time in Spain, you’ve probably found yourself asking: “What the heck is wrong with Spanish schedules?”
You might have tried shopping at 2:30 p.m., only to discover that local stores don’t reopen until 5 p.m., or you may have been invited to an 11 p.m. dinner and wondered if that’s normal. Late meals, odd work hours, and even an almost mandatory midday nap—it’s not just foreigners who find these habits peculiar. Spaniards are well aware of their unconventional schedules, but they’re not random. And they have nothing to do with daylight savings. In fact, there are deep historical and cultural reasons behind this seemingly chaotic routine.
The “why” of Spanish schedules
The truth is, the Spanish didn’t choose these unusual hours. Their daily schedule is shaped by several factors that go back decades, even centuries.
Spain is in the wrong time zone
Here’s the story: Spain is geographically located in the GMT time zone, same as the UK, Portugal and Morocco. But our clocks are set to Central European Time (CET), which is an hour ahead.
Why? Well, it all goes back to World War II. Spain’s then-dictator, Francisco Franco, decided to align the country’s clocks with Nazi Germany as a political gesture of solidarity. Unlike other European countries that reverted after the war, Spain never changed its clocks back. Some believe this might be because having more daylight hours was seen as a benefit for productivity and leisure, but the real reason is unknown.
Spain’s solar time doesn’t match that of its clocks. As a result, the Sun rises and sets later than it should. For example, in Galicia, Spain’s westernmost region, the sun sets around 10:30 pm in summer, and sunrise can be as late as 9 am. This means people often start their day in the dark, and falling asleep before 11 pm can be a challenge with so much daylight and street activity.
The domino effect
This time zone misalignment leads to a series of daily shifts. With many Spaniards getting less sleep, they start their workday tired, skipping a proper breakfast in favor of a mid-morning snack.
Lunchtime happens later too—closer to 2 pm or even 3 pm—with longer breaks to accomodate big lunches. Traditionally, a long lunch break was also practical for parents, who needed time to pick up their kids from school around this time. These habits spiraled into longer workdays, with people often finishing as late as 8 p.m. This leads to late social gatherings, dinners around 9-10 pm, and, consequently, later bedtimes.
Don’t mess with the siesta
After all this, it’s no wonder Spaniards need a midday nap. But the siesta is more than just a reaction to late hours and heavy lunches—its origins trace back to the Romans, who practiced a rest period during the hottest part of the day. The tradition stuck in the Iberian Peninsula, where scorching summer afternoons can reach up to 40°C.
The need for a siesta was also exacerbated by Spain’s post-Civil War era, when many men worked two jobs and needed a short nap to manage their grueling schedules.
One perk of this siesta culture? The persiana—Spain’s famous window blinds that completely block out sunlight. Whether you nap or not, you’ll appreciate them when trying to sleep in on a lazy Sunday morning.
Why doesn’t Spain just switch time zones?
There’s been talk of moving Spain back to GMT to bring it in line with its natural time zone. The argument is that this would shorten workdays and improve work-life balance. However, experts say that the change might not make a huge difference, only for people with specific jobs.
On a brighter note, policies have shifted in the last decade. Some offices now close earlier, with employees finishing by 6 pm or even 3 pm in some cases, leaving more time for friends, family and hobbies. Public school kids now eat at school and leave in the afternoons making parents’ schedules more manageable.
A silver lining
In larger cities like Madrid or Barcelona, you might not notice it as much. Shops often stay open all day, and early-morning joggers or dog walkers are a common sight at 6 a.m. Many people adapt to earlier lunches and dinners, especially in more international settings.
But Spain’s culture remains unique. The extra daylight hours also fuel a vibrant nightlife, long, conversation-filled meals and a generally more laid-back lifestyle. And let’s not forget—more people out at night means safer streets—so you can enjoy the evening atmosphere without worry. Studies also link exposure to sunlight to greater overall happiness, making the late sunsets worth the trouble.
So, prepare to adjust to the local schedule if you’re planning on spending time in Spain or studying there. Don’t be surprised when you can’t find an open café at 7 a.m. or if your favorite boutique is closed during your lunch break. It might be harder for a Spaniard to adjust to life outside Spain than it is for you to get used to unusual Spanish schedules. Trust me—you’ll learn to love it.