13 Fun Similarities between Italian and Spanish Culture
Italian and Spanish culture similarities include cobblestone streets and delicious cuisine.
While Italy and Spain have cultural differences such as lifestyle and language, they share a passion for architecture, food, and travel.
Spaniards and Italians are culturally similar people because of their geographical proximity. They share similar weather and traditions. They both have Latin roots. Both cultures are warm, communicative, and spontaneous. Also, Spanish and Italian share many vocabulary words and grammar rules.
The cultural values in both Spain and Italy are rooted in religion and tradition. Keep reading to learn about the fun similarities between these two fascinating cultures.
13 Similarities Between the Cultures of Italy and Spain
Here are some fun Italian and Spanish culture similarities that will blow your mind.
1. Latin Roots
One of the biggest Italian and Spanish culture similarities are their shared Latin roots.
Because Italian and Spanish are languages rooted in Latin, the language of the Roman Empire. When the Roman Empire collapsed in the 5th century, several dialects started to emerge around Roman territories. This is how the Spanish and Italian languages began.
People who study both Spanish and Italian notice similar words and pronunciation in the languages. They belong to the same family, and if you’re fluent in Spanish, you’ll notice it’s not that hard to understand Italian.
Maybe you won’t be able to speak Italian, but you will understand a lot of the conversation. If you’re an Italian speaker, Spanish will be easier to learn.
See also: Can Spanish Speakers Understand Italian?
2. Romance Languages
There are 35 modern Romance languages, including Italian and Spanish. They are both descendants from Vulgar Latin.
It was a bit different from the written Latin language of aristocrats and philosophers of the time. The written language was called Classical Latin, and both Italian and Spanish languages come from these Romantic roots.
3. Spanish and Italian were Conservative Languages
Out of all the Romance languages, Italian and Spanish were the most conservative. The closer the language remained to Vulgar Latin, the more conservative the language and culture were considered.
4. Food
Another Italian and Spanish culture similarity is the food. Both countries eat a lot of rice, fish, and a sweet dessert after every meal. They both also eat pasta and bread, but Spaniards prefer more oily food whereas Italians prefer good pasta and delicious sauces.
Both countries have high-quality food that depends on the availability of fresh produce. Italians tend to be a bit more imaginative in the kitchen and Spaniards are more traditional and prefer to stick to well-known recipes. Both Italy and Spain are considered food paradises with delicious dishes to sample.
5. Architecture
In the Middle Ages, Spain, southern Italy, and Syria were trading hubs. They were colorful and rich places that shared rulers: the Byzantines and the Arabs.
Merchants from the area brought engineering and architectural techniques that played a huge role in both the Spanish and Italian cultures.
Many important buildings were made during these times. They used stone and sometimes marble. The architecture of both countries has a polished and clean look.
Hand-picked for you: 12 Breathtaking Castles in Spain
6. Weather
Italy’s weather is influenced by the Adriatic Sea, the Mediterranean, and the Alps. And Spain is a larger country with a more varied terrain and altitude.
Another Italian and Spanish culture similarity is that both countries have four seasons. Spain’s weather changes more than the weather in Italy, but the temperatures in both countries are fairly similar.
7. Family Values
Another important Italian and Spanish culture similarity is how important family is in both countries. For Italians, family holds the most important place in their lives. Family life is the foundation of their culture.
Spaniards also value family and enjoy going out to watch Flamenco dancers with friends and family. In both countries, they love gathering to eat together, share, rest, and vacation together.
8. Celebrations
An Italian and Spanish culture similarity that you’ll love are the celebrations! They often have carnivals, festivals, and music festivals that people travel from all over the world to experience.
They also celebrate Catholic holidays such as Semana Santa (Holy week) and Christmas. Both countries are of Latin descent and they take any opportunity they can to celebrate life with loved ones.
See also: What’s the Type of Government in Spain?
9. Landscapes
The landscapes in Italy are mountainous, including the Alps and the Dolomites. Italy has fertile valleys and peaks, whereas Spain has more diverse landscapes.
An important Italian and Spanish culture similarity is how much locals enjoy their landscapes and traveling in their country. Both Spaniards and Italians are proud of their countries and love to travel all over Europe and explore different landscapes.
10. Things to Do
Both Spain and Italy are rich and stunning countries full of mesmerizing architecture, food, friendly people, and exciting adventures. Some of the fun activities to try out in Italy include climbing volcanoes, making your own pasta, driving along the Amalfi Coast, and exploring the Roman chapels.
Some of the most exciting activities to try out in Spain include eating tapas and paella, exploring the Gaudi architecture, and watching a Flamenco show. Depending on where you choose to go, make sure to ask the locals what spots they recommend to make the most out of your experience.
11. Friendly People
Another important Italian and Spanish culture similarity to note is how friendly they all are with travelers from all over the world. Because Italians and Spaniards love to travel, they know how important it is to be welcoming to visitors.
Italy is the fifth most visited country in the world. And Spain has been crowned the most tourist-friendly country in the world. So, it’s safe to say that both countries are friendly and love to host visitors from all over the globe.
Just for you: A Brief Introduction to Spanish Culture, Traditions, and Beliefs
12. Budget-friendly Travel
If you’re traveling on a budget, another Italian and Spanish culture similarity you’ll love is how affordable both countries can be. Yes, they can be expensive but if you know where to look and stay at hostels, you can have a fun and immersive experience in both these European countries. The local street food is accessible and delicious.
13. Infrastructure
One of my favorite things about Europe is how easy it is to travel from country to country, and Spain and Italy are no exception. The amazing buses, metros and trains are affordable and easy to figure out.
You always have to be cautious, but one of the biggest reasons people love to travel to Europe is the safety.
Travel to Spain
Next time you travel to Europe, try to find the similarities and differences between these two fascinating countries.
Why learn Spanish? Spanish is not only useful to speak when you travel, but also in the U.S.! In the United States alone, approximately 53 million people speak Spanish. The United States is currently the second-largest Spanish-speaking country in the world. According to CNN, there are 41 million native Spanish speakers in the U.S. who speak Spanish in their homes.
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