What is a “siesta” and do people still take them?
Short answer: a siestanap is a short rest after lunch, traditionally during the hottest part of the day. People do still take siestas in some places, but the daily citywide nap you might imagine is mostly a myth today. Let’s unpack the culture, the language, and how siestas work now.
What exactly is a siesta?
- A siesta is a brief rest period after the midday meal.
- In Spanish, the common phrase is echar la siestato take a nap. You will also hear tomar una siestato take a nap, especially in Latin America.
- It is different from sobremesaafter-meal chat, which is the leisurely conversation that happens at the table after eating.
Where the word comes from
The word “siesta” traces back to Latin sexta hora, the sixth hour after sunrise, roughly midday. In hot climates, work paused then to avoid peak heat.
Do people still take siestas?
Yes, but not in the one-size-fits-all way you might think.
- In big cities like Madrid or Barcelona, most office workers do not nap during the workday. Many workplaces now use a continuous schedule without a long lunch break.
- In smaller towns and some family-run businesses, you might still see a midday closing, especially in summer.
- In parts of Southern Europe and Latin America, short naps or quiet rest after lunch are common on weekends or when the schedule allows.
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Why did siestas become a thing?
- Climate: Pausing during peak heat made outdoor work safer and more productive. Brush up on basic weather words in Spanish with our guide to weather.
- Meal times: The main meal often happened midday, which encourages a natural dip in energy. If you’re learning food words, review our A1 list for food and meals.
- Work rhythm: The traditional split shift, or jornada partidasplit workday, created a longer lunch break. For useful office terms, see the office and work life.
Today, air conditioning, commuting, and global schedules have reshaped habits.
How long should a siesta be?
Sleep science suggests shorter is better for most people.
- Power nap: 10 to 20 minutes helps alertness and mood.
- Longer nap: 60 to 90 minutes can be restorative, but it is more likely to cause sleep inertia for some people and can affect nighttime sleep.
Siesta sweet spot
Try 15 to 20 minutes, early in the afternoon. Keep your sleep routine consistent, especially if you need to madrugarto wake up early the next day.
What is the best length for a typical siesta if you want to feel refreshed?
What does a modern siesta look like?
- Many people do not sleep at all. They just unplug for a few minutes, dim the lights, and rest quietly.
- Some workplaces have quiet rooms or encourage a quick reset after lunch.
- In hot summers, a short nap plus a later evening is more common.
Think “strategic micro-rest” rather than “hours-long snooze.”
Talk like a local: useful Spanish phrases
- Voy a echar la siestaI’m going to take a nap.
- Voy a dormir un ratoI’m going to sleep for a bit.
- Estoy echando una cabezadaI’m taking a quick nap (a quick doze).
- Después de comer echo la siestaAfter eating I take a nap.
- Hicimos sobremesa después de comerWe chatted at the table after lunch.
Notice the IR + a + infinitive pattern in “Voy a echar la siesta.” Review it here: the informal future (ir + a + infinitive).
Say it naturally
In Spain, you will often hear echar la siesta. In much of Latin America, tomar una siesta is also very common. Both are fine.
Want smoother sobremesa conversation? Build flow with advanced connectors and discourse markers.
Where will you encounter siesta culture?
- Spain and Portugal
- Italy, where it is often called riposo
- Greece, with quiet hours after lunch
- Parts of Latin America, especially outside major urban centers
Tourist zones and big chains often stay open throughout the day, while small businesses in smaller towns may close for lunch. Planning a trip? Explore useful phrases in travel and cultural experiences.
Mini practice
If you’re studying routines, this sentence fits perfectly alongside daily routine and reflexive verbs.
Arrange the words to form a correct sentence:
Key takeaways
- A siesta is a short post-lunch rest, not necessarily a full-on sleep.
- Many modern workers do not nap daily, especially in large cities.
- Short naps of 10 to 20 minutes work best for most people.
- To sound natural in Spanish, try “echar la siesta” or “dormir un rato.”
Cultural tip
If you see a shop closed midafternoon, check the posted hours. Many reopen later and stay open into the evening.
Want more real-life context? Read graded stories in our library: browse all Spanish stories or start simple with an A1 story.