Barbershop in Spain: what to expect, how to book and what to know before you sit down in Castelldefels
Barbershop · Santos Tattoo & Barber ·
Most barbershops in Spain work by appointment, and many take walk-ins when there is a gap. Tipping is not expected like in the US; rounding up is a kind gesture. Bring a photo of the cut you want, say how short in millimetres, and a little Spanish goes a long way.
Appointment or walk-in: how it usually works
If you are used to turning up and waiting your turn, Spain will feel familiar in some places and different in others. Many barbershops now work mainly by appointment, because it saves everyone waiting around and lets the barber plan the day. Others still take walk-ins, and in a quiet moment you can sit down straight away. The honest answer is that it depends on the shop and on the day. Friday afternoons, Saturday mornings and the days before a holiday or a wedding are the busiest, and if you turn up without a booking at those times you may be told to come back later. What we suggest is simple: book ahead whenever you can. At Santos you can do it online on Booksy, and the booking page works in English, so you do not need any Spanish to reserve a slot. If you are on holiday and your plans are loose, message us on Instagram, @santos_tattoobarber, and ask if there is a gap that day. Sometimes a cancellation frees up a slot and we can fit you in. One more thing that surprises visitors: Spanish timing is a little more relaxed than in some countries, but appointments are still appointments. If you are going to be late, let the shop know. We will do what we can to keep your slot, and we will tell you honestly if we cannot.
Who speaks what: language and how to get understood
Castelldefels is an international town. Between visitors, residents from many countries and the airport nearby, barbers here are used to clients who do not speak Spanish or Catalan, and nobody will make a fuss if you ask in English. That said, a few words help, and they also make the cut more accurate. You do not need grammar. You need numbers, lengths and a couple of verbs. The most useful tool, in any language, is a photo. Show two or three pictures of the cut you like, ideally from the front, the side and the back, because a haircut can look very different from each angle. Then use your hands: show with your fingers how much length you want to keep on top, and point to where you want the sides to start getting shorter. Say the length in millimetres or centimetres if you know it. And if there is something you do not want, say it as clearly as what you do want: for example, not too short at the sides, or no fringe. A good barber will repeat it back to you before starting. If you spend more than a few days in Spain, learning a handful of barber words, like más corto, menos, por los lados or arriba, is a nice touch, and people appreciate the effort. But you can get a great cut without any of it.
What the visit looks like, from sitting down to leaving
A typical visit goes like this. You arrive, say hello and tell the barber your name or show your booking. Then you sit in the chair, they put a cape around you, and the conversation starts. This part matters more than people think: it is where the barber asks what you want, looks at your hair, checks the shape of your head and your hairline, and tells you what is realistic. If you came with a photo, now is the time to show it. A good barber will be honest about what will work with your type of hair, because the same cut looks different on thick, thin, straight or curly hair. Then comes the cut itself, usually clippers for the sides and back, scissors or a comb for the top, and detail work around the ears and neck. If you ask for a beard trim, it normally comes after the hair. At the end, the barber will show you the back with a hand mirror and check you are happy. This is your chance to ask for small changes. Do not be shy: it is easier to adjust a little before you stand up than to come back later. Many clients also ask which product to use to style it, and a good barber will tell you without trying to sell you anything you do not need. The whole thing takes less time than most people expect.
Tipping and paying: what is normal
This is one of the most frequent questions from visitors, especially from the US and the UK. In Spain, tipping is not expected in the way it is in some countries, and nobody will chase you for a percentage. The common habit is to round up the bill or leave a few coins if you were happy with the service. It is a thank you, not an obligation, and a smile and a good word are also appreciated. We can only tell you the general habit here, and it is fine to follow your own custom if you prefer to tip more. As for paying, most places take cards, but not all, and smaller shops sometimes prefer cash, so it is worth checking before you sit down. If you pay by card, the payment is usually made at the counter at the end, not at the chair. Prices are shown in the shop or on the booking page, and it is always fine to ask before you start what the service will cost. At Santos we talk about the service and what is included before we begin, so there are no surprises. Ask any question you have, in English if it helps. Understanding how it works before you sit down makes the whole experience more relaxed.
What to ask for: cuts, beard and common terms
Some of the words you will hear in a Spanish barbershop come straight from English, which helps: fade, taper and skin fade are all used as they are. Others are Spanish: degradado is the Spanish word for fade, pelo is hair, barba is beard, perfilado is lining up or shaping the edges, and tijera and máquina are scissors and clippers. A useful way to order is to say three things: how short at the sides, how long on top and whether you want a fade. For example: a low fade, a couple of centimetres more on top, and tidy the neckline. If you want a beard trim, say how short you want it and whether you want the edges sharp or natural. Many visitors also ask about a clean shave. A traditional shave with a razor is a separate service in some places, so ask if it is available. And if you have curly or afro-textured hair, mention it at the start, because it affects the technique, the tools and the length that will look good. Do not worry if you mix up the words: the photo and the hand gestures do most of the work. And do ask the barber what they recommend. They see hundreds of heads, and the suggestion is often better than the first idea you walked in with.
Barbershop in Castelldefels: where to find us and how to book
If you are staying in Castelldefels, or you live here, Santos Tattoo & Barber is at Carrer Arcadi Balaguer, 76. We are a barbershop and a tattoo and piercing studio under the same roof, and we work with visitors and residents all year, not just in summer. To book, use Booksy, which you can set in English, or send us a message on Instagram, @santos_tattoobarber. Tell us your dates, what you want to do, and anything that helps, like a photo or whether you need a beard trim. If you have a wedding, a trip or an event coming up, say so and we will help you plan the visit so you leave looking your best. In summer, the sun and the sea can dry out hair and skin, so it is worth planning the cut for the start of your holiday rather than the last day, and asking us how to care for your hair in the sun. If you are not sure what to ask for, come with a picture and we will talk it through. And if you are a regular visitor, tell us what you had last time; we will do the best we can to repeat or improve it. A barbershop is a place where people feel comfortable, and that is the part we like to get right first.
Frequently asked questions
What should I expect at a barbershop in Spain?
Most work by appointment, and some take walk-ins. The barber will ask what you want, cut your hair and show you the result in a mirror. Tipping is not expected like in the US. Bring a photo and say your lengths in millimetres or centimetres.
Do I need to book a barber in advance in Castelldefels?
It is the safest option, especially on Fridays, weekends and before holidays. At Santos you can book on Booksy, which works in English, or message @santos_tattoobarber on Instagram to ask about a gap.
Do barbers in Spain speak English?
In a town like Castelldefels, many do or manage well enough. A photo of the cut you want and a few hand gestures solve most things. A few Spanish words, like más corto or por los lados, are a nice extra.
Do you tip a barber in Spain?
It is not expected like in the US. Rounding up the bill or leaving a few coins for good service is the usual habit. It is a thank you, not an obligation, and you can follow your own custom.
Can I get a beard trim and haircut in the same visit?
Yes. Say it when you book so we leave enough time. The beard is usually done after the hair, and we will ask how short you want it and whether you want sharp or natural edges.
Where can I get a haircut in Castelldefels as a visitor?
At Santos Tattoo & Barber, Carrer Arcadi Balaguer, 76, Castelldefels. Book on Booksy in English or message @santos_tattoobarber on Instagram with your dates and what you want.