Carmen Hernández
5 min 
Fixed expressions and idioms are like small treasures within a language. They allow us to say a lot with just a few words, to surprise, to make people laugh, and above all, to connect with the real culture of native speakers. In Spanish, many of these expressions refer to cities or countries. Some were born centuries ago, others appeared more recently, but all of them share something in common: they hide curious stories that will make you see the map in a different way.
In this article, we will explore some of these expressions related to cities and places in the Spanish-speaking world… and beyond. Get ready to travel through words and discover a different side of Spanish.
“De Madrid al cielo”
“From Madrid to heaven… and a little hole to see it.” That is the full version of this beloved expression among Madrileños. It is used to say that Madrid is so wonderful, so special, that the only place better than it would be heaven itself. And even then… from heaven you would still want to keep looking at Madrid.
Its origin is not completely clear. Some link it to the 19th century, when Madrid was rapidly modernising. Others believe it became popular thanks to literature and zarzuela, a traditional musical theatre genre from the city.
Fun fact: the writer Ramón Gómez de la Serna, famous for his “greguerías” (short witty phrases), also used this expression to describe his love for Madrid. Today, you can see it everywhere: on T-shirts, murals, bars… and even tattoos.
“Salir de Guatemala y entrar en Guatepeor”
One of the funniest and most popular Spanish expressions. The wordplay is so clever that it has survived for generations.
Although it sounds modern, it already appears in 19th-century texts. It is used when someone tries to escape a bad situation but ends up in an even worse one. “Guatepeor” does not exist as a real word, but its meaning is instantly understood: “something even worse.”
Fun fact: this expression has inspired jokes, memes, and even songs in Latin America. And the best part is that you can understand it even if you know nothing about Guatemala.
“Ser más madrileño que la Cibeles”
The Cibeles Fountain is one of Madrid’s most iconic landmarks. This expression refers to someone who is extremely Madrilenian in spirit—someone who speaks local slang, enjoys churros with chocolate, and knows the fastest metro routes across the city.
Fun fact: whenever Real Madrid wins an important title, the players celebrate at the Cibeles Fountain, even placing a scarf around the goddess statue.
“Going to Seville without seeing the Giralda”
A classic expression. The Giralda, the bell tower of Seville Cathedral, is one of Spain’s most impressive monuments. If someone visits Seville without seeing it, it is as if they were never there.
That is why this expression is used to refer to something essential that should not be missed.
Fun fact: the lower part of the Giralda was originally a minaret of an old mosque. After the Christian Reconquest, it was converted into a bell tower.
“Paris is well worth a mass”
This famous phrase is attributed to Henry IV of France, who converted to Catholicism to secure his rule and bring peace to a divided country. He supposedly said: “Paris is well worth a mass,” meaning that a small sacrifice is worth it for a great reward.
Today, it is used to express that sometimes you need to make small sacrifices to achieve something important.
“This place is as crowded as the Tokyo subway”
Although Tokyo is not a Spanish-speaking city, this expression has become very popular in Spanish. It refers to extremely crowded places such as concerts, beaches, classrooms, or public transport.
Fun fact: in Spain, people also say “more packed than a sardine can,” but the Tokyo version sounds more global and dramatic.
Other curious expressions with places
“Estar en Babia”
Babia is a mountainous region in northern Spain. Kings of León used to go there to rest, and when they were away, people would say they were “in Babia.” Today it means being distracted or daydreaming.
“Hacerse el sueco”
This expression means pretending not to understand or ignoring something. Despite the literal meaning (“to act Swedish”), it is not actually related to Sweden in origin. It likely comes from the Latin word soccus, a type of shoe used in comedy theatre.
Why learn these expressions?
Because they bring you closer to the heart of the language. Understanding expressions like these helps you communicate more naturally and understand how Spanish speakers think and express emotions.
Tip for learners: keep an “expression journal.” Write down new phrases, look for examples, and try to use them in conversation. The more you play with the language, the more it becomes yours.
And you?
Do you know other expressions with city names? Spanish is constantly evolving, with new expressions appearing in social media, music, films, and everyday speech.
If you enjoyed this journey through language and cities, share which expressions you already knew—and which ones you’d like to learn next.
And remember:
Learning Spanish is also a journey.
