If you’re Spanish, then why are you blonde and white? If I got paid every time people from other countries told this to my Spanish friend, I’d be rich. (or probably millionaire) 

I’m here to tell you that not all Spanish people look the same, and I’ll let you know exactly what science says about it so that the next time you meet a Spaniard, you don’t get shocked. 

Here are 5 easy ways to recognize Spaniards by how they look. This will be a mix of stereotypes and science, so you can get a picture of what Spaniards look like (including personality traits!) Let’s get started.

How do Spanish People Look

1. Spanish Facial Features

The Spanish Facial features are the ones of the Mediterranean race: an aquiline nose, pinkish-white to light-tan skin, and short to average height (not taller than someone from the Netherlands or Nordics in general, for example). Also, dark hair is prevalent (brown or black), and dark eyes or light (brown, hazelnut, honey tones, and to a lesser extent, green or blue).

But wait a minute… What is the Mediterranean race in the first place? It is the predominant race in Southern Europe (primarily Portugal, Spain, Southern Italy, France, and Greece). Mediterranean physical types could not necessarily share a common ancestor since “Mediterranean” is just a phenotype.

My mom used to say: “The higher up in Europe, the more likely they are to be white and blonde with blue eyes. The further south, the more likely they will have dark hair and eyes”.

Now try to imagine it! Generally speaking, a Mediterranean is a white male of variable height – usually short to medium. His legs are relatively long compared to his trunk, and his hands and feet are pretty small.

His face is usually tiny, narrow, and delicate. Its chest is relatively flat, its neck is medium long, and its head is medium-sized, long-oval in shape with parallel sides. Small teeth, his face is narrow, and his nose, as a consequence, is often prominent compared to the broad, low-bridged beaks of breeds with wider or longer jaws in Europe and elsewhere in Africa and Asia.

He has a lot of hair! (not if they’re old, but the Mediterranean race doesn’t go bald quickly). His head is covered with a relatively thick layer of straight, wavy, or curly hair, usually fine in texture. His eyebrows are full, often above his nose. He’ll grow a beard. (While not the thickest beard in all of humanity) but it is usually closed.

Mediterranean skin color is dull but varies from pink to light brown. Don’t be fooled: The color of the exposed part of the skin could be dark brown, while the color of the skin under the arm is ten times lighter. Especially in summer, in Spain, people LOVE to get tanned, and it’s actually “a thing” to get a nice medium brown color before winter. Spain has a lot of summer destinations and beautiful beaches worth visiting!

Mediterranean hair is usually black or dark brown, while mustache hairs may reveal some red or blonde strands. Of course, we all have seen some blondes out there! But they are the exception. It also appears in infants but typically darkens as the hair coarsens with age.

Our Mediterranean man can have almost all eye colors, but black is the exception. A dark or medium brown color is more common. However, some might have blue, gray, or green eyes, usually mixed with brown in the iris pattern. Eyes do not darken with age. Therefore there is a higher prevalence of light eyes than blonde hair among adults.

2. Spanish Average Height and Weight

Average Spanish Men above 18 years old are 176.11 cm (5 ft. 9 in). According to https://worldpopulationreview.com/in 2022. While Average Spanish Women above 18 years old are 162.03 cm (5 ft. 4 in). 

But how tall are Spanish people compared to other European countries? Let me show you what Studies have to say about this! I have put together a table so you can see it more clearly. This is the actual comparison between countries in Europe and their average height.

Spanish people are not small, they just have taller neighbors! But everyone has their own opinion. I asked 10 people “Are Spanish tall?” and here are the results!

Regarding their average weight, the average among men over 18 years old is 170.85 pounds, and women 139.9 pounds.  

Considering their weight, the standard among the shortest men (with less than 5'5 feet) is 161.3 pounds; the ones who measure between 5'5 and 5'7 feet is 168.8 pounds; while the tallest (from 5'75 feet) is 268.3 pounds. 

In women, the average weight among the shortest (less than 5'2 meters) is 136.6 pounds; between 5'2 and 5'4 meters, 139.3 pounds; and the highest is 142.4 pounds. 

Spanish typical clothing

3. How do Spanish people dress 

In Spain, presentation does matter. If you’re wondering how Spanish people look, then I assure you won’t find them wearing joggers and hoodies on any given Wednesday afternoon. Spanish Fashion History has always played an important role in Spain’s culture.

Men wear well-fitted clothes, preferring a slightly tailored look rather than a loose one in major cities such as Madrid, Sevilla, or Barcelona. And yes, you can find them wearing athletic clothes, but this is not the norm in big cities unless these are shirts from their favorite Spanish football teams. 

Spanish women dress very fashionably. The amount of clothes they wear depends on the region they’re in since culture and customs are very different among regions. In small towns, they opt for more relaxed and comfy loose looks. In more conservative places, they tend to do layering and playing with accessories, while in less traditional cities, they often bare more.

Also, you need to know that summer in Spain is really hot. Seriously, really hot. Temperatures consistently are over 30-40 degrees celsius. Lightweight shoes, sandals, and loose dresses are every Spanish woman’s bestie in summer to beat the warm weather. Once the temperature gets hot enough, you’ll see some man wearing knee-length shorts. 

In winter, the weather calls for layers! Boots and trench coats are every Spanish woman’s go-to. Men often wear well-fitted coats and opt for clean looks. Pro Tip: If you want to look like a local, don’t underestimate getting a good haircut and cleaning up your excess facial hair. 

If any Spaniard tells you: “I just randomly put this outfit out of my closet,” that’s all lies. 

Spanish people say they prioritize comfort over fashion around these extreme weather seasons but let me tell you that they NEVER lose their style. 

Unique Spanish Personality Traits

4. Spanish People Look Like Natural Extroverts

Since they are extroverted, you can quickly identify a Spanish person in a room full of people. A common personality trait among Spaniards is that they often speak with everyone. They are not afraid of making new friends, talking to many other people, and even breaking the ice glass introducing themselves to a group of new friends. 

My European friends said, “Are they always this annoying?” 

Spanish people often talk about their experiences without anyone asking them first. Spaniards are the kings of small talk! 

A typical conversation with them usually begins with funny stories about things they’ve done earlier that day. Also, they tend to ask many questions to someone they’ve just met and don’t care. 

Other European countries consider this trait unbearable since they tend to be more reserved and prudent and only ask or talk when it’s supposed necessary. Spanish people were not born with this filter! 

While some people find their comments unnecessary, others find them very welcoming and familiar. It’s all about perspective! Spaniards tend to be more open-minded and careless about joking around and are more confident at the beginning of a friendship, which might shock some people.

Don’t get confused! Of course, not every Spanish person is like this. It depends on their personality, like everywhere else in the world. But I would say that being naturally extroverted people is a common trait among Spaniards that would definitely help you identify them. 

Also, it is essential to highlight that they tend to have very different manners and customs depending on their region. There are also a lot of funny stereotypes by region that I suggest you see if you want to discover more about Spain and its people!

5. Spanish people look disrespectful

I know, I know… Everyone complains about Spaniards being disrespectful. It is culturally accepted that people talk above others and interrupt each other in an informal conversation between friends or family. It is definitely not the norm. If you’re in a formal or business environment, please don’t interrupt anyone to avoid misunderstandings. 

Another thing that might look disrespectful is being too confident. Spanish people tend to be more touchy than North American and European countries. They will stand closer, speak closer and louder and touch your arm while talking to you. 

Trust me, this Spanish trait brings a lot of controversies. It is one reason people might perceive them as disrespectful people while they’re not. When meeting a Spanish person, the first thing they do is hug and kiss you. (not just 1 kiss, but 2) Personal space norms are different in Spain. Hugging, touching, and bumping are nothing to be avoided and are seen as very human traits to have between each other.