Forget the political clashes between Sánchez and Feijóo, the heated debates over omelets with or without onion, or the eternal rivalry between Barça and Madrid. The real polarization, the dilemma that splits Spain in half in the summer of 2025, isn’t settled in parliament but at the ice cream parlor. The crucial question is: ice cream in a cup or a cone?
The Great Summer Dilemma: Team Cup vs. Team Cone
An extensive survey by Sigma Dos has revealed what many only suspected: Spain is perfectly divided on the ice cream issue. Exactly 50% of Spaniards prefer their ice cream in a practical cup, enjoyed with a small plastic spoon. The other 50% swear by the sensory experience of licking their ice cream from a crispy cookie cone. This almost perfect split is the most astonishing finding of the study on Spanish summer habits.
But the details make it truly fascinating. Women lean slightly more towards the cup, while the preference for the cone surprisingly grows with age. Political affiliation also plays a role: voters of the People’s Party (PP) and the Socialists (PSOE) are more likely to choose the cup. In contrast, supporters of Sumar and especially Vox are passionate advocates for the cone. Whether there is a political theory to explain these preferences remains an open question. However, market studies suggest that cup-eaters are seen as more rational and controlled, while cone-lovers are considered more spontaneous, hedonistic, and playful.
Vacation Habits of the Spanish 2025: Facts and Figures
Beyond the ice cream debate, the Sigma Dos survey provides a detailed x-ray of Spanish vacation behavior. This year, 63.8% of citizens are traveling, with the average vacation duration being more than three weeks. The average expenditure per person amounts to €1,418.
The most popular mode of transport remains the private car (68.4%). The majority chooses a hotel for accommodation (59.8%), and the favorite destination is the beach (62.3%). Most Spaniards stay within their own country: 70.9% spend their vacation in Spain. Only just under 10% still book through a travel agency; the vast majority plan their trips themselves, with cost being the decisive factor in choosing a destination.
Digital Detox or Social Media Addiction on Vacation?
What about digital relaxation? More than half of Spaniards (over 50%) claim to completely disconnect from work during their vacation. Interestingly, over 60% of those over 65 can easily go more than two hours without their smartphone, while only four out of ten young adults (18-29 years) can manage this.
Only 5% of respondents completely forgo social media on vacation. Almost half use it just as intensively as ever, and around 24.6% post even more content in August—the classic pictures of feet by the sea, picturesque sunsets, and selfies with a mojito in hand.
Love, Lust, and Boredom: Social Life in the Summer
Vacations strengthen relationships: almost 70% of Spaniards pay more attention to their partner during the summer. But does this also affect their sex life? 27.3% say yes and have more sex during the holidays. 8.5% admit that the heat tends to dampen their desire. For the majority (54.8%), nothing changes. A particularly spicy detail: the survey shows that socialist voters report having more sex on vacation most often, while Vox voters show the least increase in this area.
Despite more family time—43% travel with their parents—there are no fewer arguments. 66% say the potential for conflict remains the same as the rest of the year. Incidentally, boredom is viewed by almost 60% as a legitimate form of relaxation, led by supporters of Sumar.
Looking Ahead: New Year’s Resolutions After the Vacation
How do the Spanish view the end of summer? The mood is predominantly positive. Almost half expect to return “calm and rested,” 37.2% feel “happy and re-energized,” and 22% are motivated to return to their routine. Only 18% fear a post-vacation depression. The typical resolutions for September include exercising more, eating healthier, and spending more time with family. However, the most notable fact is that the majority of Spaniards have no new goals for the fall at all. Apparently, deciding between a cup and a cone is exciting enough.
