Spain Explained

About Spain Explained

Spain Explained is the podcast for people who want to understand Spanish culture, Spanish food, and Spanish traditions beyond the guidebook basics. Hosted by award-winning author and cook Marti Buckley, who's lived in Spain since 2010, this show unpacks the concepts, rituals, and quirks that make Spain… Spain. Whether you're planning a trip to Spain, obsessed with Spanish cuisine, dreaming of moving there, or just curious why lunch can last four hours, this podcast translates the untranslatable. Each episode dives into one single part of Spanish life, from sobremesa to siesta, café con leche to jamón ibérico, and explains what it is and why it matters. Marti is the author of cookbooks including The Book of Pintxos and Basque Country, writes for Condé Nast Traveler, The Telegraph, and Food & Wine,, and founded the International Society for the Preservation and Enjoyment of Vermouth. She's your insider guide to Spanish culture, Spanish daily life, and Spanish food traditions. This podcast is about understanding why Spain works the way it does. Perfect for Spain lovers, travelers, expats, and anyone who's wondered why Spaniards eat dinner at 10pm. New episodes weekly covering Spanish food culture, daily life in Spain, regional traditions, and the quirks of living in Spain.

Publisher

Marti Buckley

Category

arts · society & culture

Language

en

Explicit

No

First episode

3 Feb 2026

Latest episode

6 Oct 2026

Latest episodes

19 of 38 episodes have a transcript.

1. 

   6 Oct 2026TRANSCRIPT

   What is Valencia? (EP 38)

   Host Marti Buckley explores the Comunitat Valenciana, uncovering its history, language, food, and cultural significance for listeners.

2. 

   29 Sept 2026TRANSCRIPT

   What is a Pintxo? (EP 37)

   Author Marti Buckley explains the delicious tradition and evolution of pintxos, differentiating them from tapas and sharing their cultural significance.

3. 

   22 Sept 2026TRANSCRIPT

   What is Iberia? (EP 36)

   Host Marti Buckley explores the ancient origins and modern meanings of "Iberia," revealing its geographic significance and cultural impact on Spain and Portugal.

Inside a recent episode

What is Valencia? (EP 38)

Published 6 Oct 2026 · Transcript excerpt

[…] If you're not sure what a Comunidad Autónoma is, I have a recent episode on that as well. Let's start. Let's get nerdy. Starting with the map. Where the heck is Valencia? The Comunitat Valenciana is this long strip along Spain's eastern coast. It has 500 kilometers, give or take, of Mediterranean shore, starting from Catalonia, Barcelona, Catalonia at the top, and down all the way down to Murcia in the south. On the inland side, it touches Aragon and Castilla-La Mancha. Valencia is made up of three provinces, and they stack north to south, Castellón, Valencia, the city and the surrounding area, and Alicante. […]

Reach and audience

Public platform figures. Ratings count people who left a rating, not total listeners.

Apple Podcasts (US)

5.0 / 5

45 ratings

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Guest appearances

Does not typically book guests

Based on episode analysis; this does not confirm that the show is currently accepting guests.

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