Spain supermarket : where you can (and can’t) shop this Easter weekend

If you’re planning your shop this week, don’t leave it too late. Supermarket opening hours across Spain change sharply over Easter, and depending on where you live, you could easily turn up to find the doors closed.

With Good Friday falling as a national holiday, and Maundy Thursday and Easter Monday depending on the region, the picture isn’t the same everywhere. Some chains stick to strict closures, others stay open where they can – which means planning ahead matters more than usual this week.

Mercadona closures: when stores will be shut in your area

If Mercadona is your usual stop, the rules are simple – and strict.

Mercadona closes on all Sundays and public holidays, without exception. That means all stores will be shut on Good Friday across Spain.

In regions where Maundy Thursday is also a public holiday – including Madrid and Andalucía – stores will be closed that day too. And in areas like Valencia, Catalonia and the Balearic Islands, Easter Monday brings another full closure.

That leaves a fairly small window to shop.

Most Mercadona stores will be open on Holy Saturday, typically from 9am to 9:30pm. But those days are also when crowds peak.

If you’re going, expect queues – especially on Saturday morning.

Carrefour leads on flexibility over Easter weekend

Carrefour is usually the easiest option during holidays – and Easter is no exception.

Most of its larger stores aim to stay open on Maundy Thursday and Good Friday wherever local laws allow, often keeping normal hours of around 9am to 10pm.

In busy areas or tourist zones, some branches – especially Carrefour Express – may open even longer.

That said, not every store follows the same schedule. Opening hours can vary depending on the region and store type, so it’s still worth checking your nearest location before heading out.

If you want a safer bet during the holidays, Carrefour is generally the most reliable choice.

Lidl, Aldi and Dia: mixed schedules depending on location

For Lidl and Aldi, the approach sits somewhere in between.

They tend to adapt their hours based on local regulations, rather than applying one rule nationwide.

On Maundy Thursday, some stores may open – at least for part of the day – in areas where it isn’t a public holiday. But on Good Friday, closures are much more common.

In high-tourist areas, there can be exceptions, but you shouldn’t rely on it without checking first.

By Holy Saturday, both chains are back to normal hours, although stores are often busier than usual.

Dia is the least predictable of the major chains. Because many of its stores operate as franchises, opening hours are often decided at local level. That means your nearest shop could be open for a few hours – or closed entirely.

It’s one of those cases where checking in advance isn’t optional.

The busiest days to shop – and when to avoid supermarkets

Easter week always brings a surge in supermarket traffic, and this year is no different.

Two days stand out:

• The Wednesday before Easter
• Holy Saturday

These are typically the busiest shopping days of the year, as people stock up ahead of closures.

If you can, it’s worth shopping earlier in the week or outside peak hours. Late mornings and early evenings tend to be the most crowded.

Leaving it until the last minute – especially on Saturday – usually means longer queues and limited stock on some items.

Why opening hours vary so much in Spain

Part of the confusion comes from how public holidays work in Spain.

Good Friday is a nationwide holiday, but Maundy Thursday and Easter Monday depend on the region. That’s why you might see shops open in one area but closed in another on the same day.

Add to that the different policies of each supermarket chain, and it quickly becomes a patchwork of schedules.

That’s why the safest move is simple: check your local store’s opening hours before you go.

Plan ahead to avoid a wasted trip

With closures, regional differences and busy stores, Easter shopping in Spain isn’t something you want to leave to chance.

If you rely on Mercadona, make sure you’ve got everything before the holiday closures kick in. If you need flexibility, Carrefour is usually your best option.

And wherever you shop, don’t assume your local supermarket will be open – double-check before heading out. Because this week, turning up at the wrong time could mean going home empty-handed.