Tipping in Spain is very different from tipping in North America. Rather than being expected and almost mandatory, tipping is a reward for exceptional service. It’s appreciated and is commonplace across the hospitality sector, at restaurants, tapas bars, and beach clubs in places from Bilbao to Barcelona.
Will you be chased down the sidewalk for not tipping in Spain? Absolutely not. Wages in the hospitality sector usually don’t assume that the worker will make up the rest of their income with tips. The Spanish themselves are not great tippers, either. What’s more, in a restaurant, service is often included.
This guide will arm you with everything you need to know on gratuities, from when to tip and how much to tip, to when not to tip.
Tipping in Restaurants, Bars, & Cafés
Cartagena
If you enjoy a delicious meal in Spain, perhaps paella in Valencia or a selection of sublime pintxos in Bilbao’s Old Town, it is customary to tip anywhere from 10 to 15 percent.
For example, if your check comes to €45, you might want to round up to somewhere in the region of €50 to €55 to include a tip. That said, use your judgement, too. If you feel the service you receive warrants more or less than this amount, go with that.
If you see “servicio incluido” on your bill, it means service is included and there is zero expectation for you or your party to tip.
Tipping in chiringuitos, the seasonal beachfront restaurants that pop up all over Spain, is the same as tipping in a restaurant; these toes-in-the-sand restaurants are becoming increasingly sophisticated nowadays. Buying skewered sardines from a rustic beach shack, though, doesn’t necessitate a tip.
Malaga
Tips are given as cash and in a bar or restaurant, simply left on the table. It’s not necessary to make a big presentation. It’s also better not to add the tip if you pay by credit card; leaving Euro notes and coins means the tip is more likely to reach the right person.
How about bars? If you’ve been sipping on dry martinis or Old Fashioned cocktails at the elegant Ideal Cocktail Bar in Barcelona’s L’Eixample district, it’s a good idea to tip the hardworking bartender who has expertly crafted your cocktail, too.
A euro or two per drink is sufficient in this scenario. They’ll appreciate it—and may even pour in an extra dash of Bourbon in your next drink. Consider leaving a small tip when enjoying waiter service for wine, beer, or other hot or cold drinks, too. Again, you could round up your bill or add 10 percent and leave cash when you depart.
There are nuances, however, for example, it is not necessary to tip at casual cafés, fast food outlets, food markets, or at street vendors.
Tipping in Taxis
Taxis in Barcelona
Tips in Spain extend to taxis but there is no set rule and it is more common simply to round up the fare.
For example, if your fare is €17.50 and you hand your driver €20, you could say “quédese con el cambio” or “guárdelo,” which means “keep the change”.
Unless your driving has given exceptional service, however, perhaps collecting and loading your bags or offering local insight into your destination, it is not necessary to tip more than this.
If you use a ride-share service the app will invite you to tip after your journey. It’s up to you whether to do this but adding a small tip may help with your own rating on the platform.
Tipping Tour Guides in Spain
Alhambra, Granada
Tour guides are often vital for travelers to get the most out of discovering a region or landmark in a short amount of time. Not only do they often work long hours, they’re equipped with expert knowledge and can share local stories and tips on the destination. They’re also mostly freelance, so tips are much appreciated.
From tours to the mountain retreat of Montserrat, near Barcelona, to touring the breathtaking Alhambra complex of palaces, courtyards, and gardens in Granada, it is appropriate to tip your tour guide.
There is no expectation to leave a hefty tip, though the amount you tip will depend on the length of your tour, the quality of your tour, and how personalized your tour is.
Montserrat
If, for example, your guide leads a full-day trip with a small group of around six, or is guiding your own private party, tip up to €5 per person in your group. You could even pull together a tip kitty, with each member contributing an agreed amount.
If you’re part of a larger tour, say a coach tour around Valencia, Palma, or Malaga, that lasts up to four hours, a smaller tip of a few euros is fine. If you join a walking city tour—often one of the best ways to experience local neighborhoods or specialist topics, such as architecture and gastronomy, in a city—offer a couple of euros tip at the end.
Tipping Bus Drivers on Tours
Bus tour in Barcelona
Coach drivers on tours do not expect to receive a tip, nor is it necessary. Having said that, similar to if you’ve experienced a first-class tour guide, it’s nice to show your appreciation to the coach driver, too.
Particularly if he/she has spent several hours driving and time waiting in parking lots, a small amount of a few euros is sufficient.
If you’re planning on joining a hop-on-hop-off bus tour of a city, such as Barcelona, Malaga, Palma, Seville, or Valencia, feel free to tip them a couple of euros at the end of your tour.
Tipping Hotel Staff in Spain
Hotel in Barcelona
It will depend on the interactions and service you receive as to how much, but it is common to tip certain hotel staff in Spain.
If a porter or a bellhop assists with your luggage to and from a taxi and your hotel room, it is customary to tip a couple of euros. Likewise, you can tip hotel concierge staff if they assist with making arrangements.
Tip a room attendant who delivers room service one or two euros. For housekeeping, consider leaving one or two euros for each night of your stay. If you’ve been impressed with the level of service and received extras, such as welcome gifts or turndown service, it’s worth tipping a little more.
Tipping in the Canary Islands
Santa Cruz de Tenerife
As with on the mainland, tipping in the Canary Islands—including Lanzarote, Tenerife, and Gran Canaria—is done on a voluntary basis. Tips are generally not included on the bill and it is commonplace to tip for good service in bars and restaurants. The standard tip in restaurants is 10 percent of your bill.
Tip your guide, too, if you’ve experienced a fantastic tour to the rugged Mt. Teide in Tenerife or Lanzarote’s otherworldly Timanfaya National Park.
If you’re traveling by taxi, it is also commonplace to round up the fare—say your journey is €17, you could offer €20—and remember the phrase “guárdelo.”
Tipping in the Balearic Islands
Palma de Mallorca
The Balearic Islands—Mallorca, Menorca, Ibiza, and Formentera—follow the same tipping culture as on the mainland. You’ll want to tip servers at restaurants, cocktail bars, and at beach club restaurants.
Tip taxi drivers a couple of euros and if you experience a memorable tour led by a knowledgeable guide, tip them, too.
Tipping at Beach Clubs
Barcelona
With shimmering sun-kissed stretches and tranquil cerulean coves, Spain has some of the best beaches in Europe. Most of Spain’s glorious beaches—including La Concha in San Sebastian, Cala Conta in Ibiza, and Playa de Bolonia in Cadiz—are completely free.
However, if you opt for the luxury of a private beach club, with amenities such as beachside food and drink services, easy access to bathrooms, and often plush lounge chairs, expect to pay a fee for the facilities and separately, a tip for any food you order, unless the check states that service is included..
Tipping at Vineyards in Spain
Wine tasting in Spain
If you’re a connoisseur of wines, you’ll want to schedule a visit to Spain’s world-beating vineyards while on vacation. Rioja, near Bilbao in northern Spain; Catalonia, in northeast Spain; and sun-soaked Andalucia in southern Spain are just some of the areas replete with leafy vineyards.
If you embark on a tour and a tasting of sherry in Jerez de la Frontera, near Seville, or sparkling Cava, at a winery near Barcelona, tips are not expected and are at your own discretion. If you’ve had a great time, the service has been fantastic, and the wines are delicious, offering a small tip of a few euros is a nice gesture to show your appreciation. Don’t tip the vineyard owner, though; only the guides who conduct the tours and tastings.
Tipping at Landmarks in Spain
Sagrada Família, Barcelona
Tipping at landmarks in Spain, such as the Sagrada Família in Barcelona or the City of Arts and Sciences in Valencia, is more nuanced.
While tipping in museums is not necessary for a general visit, if you book a guided tour, consider tipping your guide a few euros. The Guggenheim Museum in Bilbao, for example, offers 60-minute tours with groups containing a maximum of 20. Tours should be booked ahead and are not included within the general admission price.
Gran Canaria’s Casa de Colón also offers guided tours. The Picasso Museum in Malaga offers multiple guided tour options, including guided visits led by museum educators for groups of up to 20; walk-in guided tours, and private guided tours. You really don’t need to tip much for these services, a couple of euros is adequate.
Other landmarks you might consider leaving a donation are at churches, monasteries, and cathedrals, where donation boxes are often left near the entrance to encourage visitors to leave a small contribution.
When You Should Not Tip in Spain
Market in Valencia
You should not tip in shops when making purchases. Nor is it necessary to tip in fast-food outlets, when ordering take-out coffee, or purchasing items at markets, such as La Boqueria in Barcelona.
If you’re dining at one of Spain’s more rustic, seasonal beachfront food venues, you’re not expected to tip. Similarly, no matter if you order one scoop or two, a gelato or ice-cream parlor doesn’t require tipping.
It is not required to tip after a massage, manicure, or at the hair salon. Public transport workers, too, don’t require tipping—though a simple “por favor” and “gracias” always goes a long way. Public officials and other metro personnel, such as subway workers and bus drivers certainly do not require tips in Spain.
Another scenario when you do not need to tip is when renting lounge chairs and parasols on Spain’s beaches—you can simply pay the amount required. When visiting art galleries, it is also not necessary to tip.
When else might you not tip in Spain? If you’ve experienced terrible service or an unpleasant meal, it is acceptable not to tip.
Tips for Tipping in Spain
Ibiza
You should carry a supply of cash in euros for tipping in Spain. That way, you can give it directly to your server, guide, or driver. If you have no euros, you can leave dollar bills, but coins in foreign currency will be of no use to the person you are tipping.
Use your own intuition, too. Spain’s tipping culture is not like that of the United States, where it is always expected. Use your own judgement.
Has service been good or great? Was the food, drinks, or tour memorable? Would you recommend the service to someone else visiting Spain? If the answer is yes, they likely deserve being rewarded with a tip.
Read: Spain Travel Tips
Sagrada Família, Barcelona
Plan your next European adventure on one of Celebrity’s cruises to Spain. Browse itineraries and book your dream vacation today.
