Big changes to Easter opening hours in Spain: Which supermarkets are open and when this Easter?

If you’re the kind to leave your shop until the last minute – or just stuck working shifts when everyone else is tucking into Easter eggs – you’re not alone. As Spain gears up for Easter 2025, the big question on many lips is: Will the supermarket be open on Thursday, April 17? And what about Good Friday?

The short answer? It depends. The long answer? Well, it really depends.

Unlike the blanket bank holiday timetables in other countries like the UK, Spanish supermarket opening times during Semana Santa are a regional patchwork. While there is a national law governing opening hours, each autonomous community – and even local councils – have the final say, meaning you could find your local Mercadona wide open in one town and firmly shuttered in the next.

Here’s what you need to know if you’re planning to dash out for a dozen eggs or a last-minute leg of lamb.

Malaga: Sun, saints… and supermarket surprises

In Andalucia’s capital, the Semana Santa festivities are in full swing. But with Thursday (April 17), Friday (April 18), and Sunday (April 20) marked as public holidays, opening hours are all over the shop. Literally.

• Mercadona: Spain’s biggest supermarket chain will mostly shut up shop on April 17, 18, and 20 – but a few locations like Av. Juan Sebastián Elcano (Malaga), and outlets in Benalmadena, Estepona, and Torremolinos will open just for the morning. Check their store locator for local details.
• Lidl: Most stores stay open Thursday and Friday but will close Sunday. Some may shut on April 18 too, so better look online before you roll up with your trolley.
• Carrefour: The French chain will keep many stores running throughout, with hours from 10 AM to 10 PM. The Express shops may open earlier (e.g. 9 AM on c/ Especerías).
• Aldi: Open Thursday 9 AM – 9.30 PM, but limited hours Friday. Malaga locations like plaza Humilladero and Av. Molière will remain open throughout the weekend – great for your last-minute bits and bobs.
• Maskom: Local favourite Maskom will run special holiday hours, often closing at 2.30 on national holidays – especially at sites like Cristo de la Epidemia.

Valencia

In Valencia, Thursday (April 17) is not a public holiday – but Easter Monday (April 21) is. That’s thrown a spanner in the works for supermarket opening hours across the region.

Mercadona will open as usual on Thursday, shut on Good Friday and Easter Sunday, open Saturday – then close again on Monday.

Carrefour goes big over the weekend – stores like Campanar and Alfafar are open 10 AM- 10 PM from Friday to Sunday, but shut Monday. Smaller Carrefour Express branches stick to normal hours all week. Still, best to check online before heading out.

• Alcampo plans to open Thursday and Friday with normal hours, then close Sunday and Monday – though this can vary by location.
• Lidl is open 9 AM to 10 PM on Thursday. Most shops close Friday and Monday, open Saturday, and are shut Sunday (with the odd local exception).
• Aldi opens Thursday, then shuts Friday, Sunday and Monday in most areas.
• DIA stays open Thursday, but many branches close Friday and Monday. Sunday depends on the store.
• Consum is closed Friday and Monday – but some shops stay open on most holidays.

Mallorca

Thursday – April 17 – has been officially declared a business day in Mallorca for 2025, meaning shops can open… if they feel like it. They don’t have to, so it’s up to each business to decide whether it’s worth lifting the shutters.

In previous years, most major supermarkets and big-name chains haven’t missed the chance to cash in during the Easter rush –  but don’t bank on every shop being open. Best advice? Check first.

Madrid: Capital crunch time

Madrid treats Thursday and Friday as official holidays. That’s great for processions… not so great for pantry prep.

• Mercadona: In true tradition, is closed both Thursday and Friday – and also on Sunday. A few rare exceptions (e.g. Collado Villalba) will open just half a day on Thursday, but don’t bank on it.
• Carrefour: You’ll find some open doors on Friday, but reduced hours apply. Their Carrefour Express shops are more reliable – handy for city dwellers and corner-shop converts.
• Lidl & Aldi: Patchy openings. Some branches soldier on through the whole week, others go dark for the holidays. Check the official websites – or prepare for disappointment.
• Alcampo (Auchan): Generally open, but holiday tweaks possible. Usual hours are 9 AM – 9 or 10 PM depending on the store.
• Dia: Open even on Friday and Sunday in many locations, often with reduced hours (9.30 AM til 3 PM). A lifesaver if you’re caught short.
• Ahorramás: Opens Thursday (April 17) until 3 PM, but most will close Friday.

Barcelona: Bustling but beware

In Catalonia, Monday, April 21, (Easter Monday) is also a public holiday – making for four days of potential chaos if you’re out of milk or Mahou.

• Mercadona: Closed on Friday, Sunday, and Monday, but open Saturday (April 19) as usual.
• Lidl, Aldi, and Ametller Origen: All closed on Friday, Sunday, and Monday, open Saturday only.
• Caprabo: The outlier – open every day, from 8 AM to 11 PM, though hours may vary slightly on holidays.
• Hipercor / El Corte Inglés: Only open Saturday, everything else shut.
• Carrefour: Regular stores closed most days, but Carrefour Express are the Easter MVPs – some even open daily from 9 AM to 2 AM.
• BonÀrea: Open every day, but Sunday hours are tight – 10 AM to 2 PM.
• Bonpreu: Only Saturday, so plan accordingly.
• Dia: As elsewhere, some open every day, others not – varies by location. Expect hours like 9 AM to 10 PM, or shorter festive shifts.

Coastal exceptions:

Tourist-heavy spots like Denia, Benidorm, Salou and Lloret de Mar will see some Mercadona stores open on Friday, from 9 AM til 3 PM, in a rare break from their usual no-festivo policy.

Check before you trek

With Spain’s supermarket map looking more like a holy maze than a holiday plan, your best bet is to check the official store locators below for your area before heading out – especially on Friday or Sunday.

Or take the safe route: shop Saturday, siesta Sunday, and enjoy your Easter egg in peace like a boss.

Don’t get caught with an empty fridge while the saints are marching – your best Easter Week survival strategy might just be a full trolley.

Official store locators

• Mercadona
• Lidl
• Carrefour / Carrefour Express
• Aldi
• Maskom
• Alcampo
• Dia
• Ahorramás
• Caprabo
• Ametller Origen
• Hipercor / El Corte Inglés Supermercados
• BonÀrea
• Bonpreu

The takeaway? Check before you shop

With rules changing by region and even by neighbourhood, double-check the website of your chosen supermarket. There’s no one-size-fits-all answer. So play it safe, plan ahead, and maybe – just maybe – don’t leave it to the last minute this Easter.

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