If you’ve noticed the roads getting busier or holiday homes filling up across Andalucia, there’s a reason.
This weekend marks a ‘puente‘ – or bridge holiday – and many residents are taking full advantage of the extended break.
What is a ‘puente’?
In Spain, a puente happens when a national or regional public holiday falls close to a weekend, often on a Thursday or Tuesday.
Many workers use the adjacent workday – typically Friday or Monday – to create a long weekend.
This year, Sunday October 12 is Dia de la Hispanidad, Spain’s National Day, a public holiday across the country.
Because it falls on a Sunday, most workers across the country are not granted an extra day off, but Andalucia has decided to extend the holiday to include Monday. It is one of the few regions to do so.
Many people have also opted to take Friday off to create a four-day getaway.
What to expect in Andalucia
Expect increased traffic on the motorways, especially between major cities and coastal towns. Travel agencies and local tourism offices report a notable uptick in short-stay bookings across the Costa del Sol, Sierra de Grazalema, and inland hotspots like Ronda and Cordoba.
Hotels in popular destinations like Sevilla, Malaga, Cadiz, and Granada have reported higher-than-usual occupancy for mid-October.
Local businesses, restaurants, and attractions are likely to stay open to cater to the influx of domestic tourists – especially in tourist-heavy zones – though some government offices and services will be closed on Saturday.
However, some shops may close on Monday, including supermarkets, so stock up on essentials if you don’t want to be caught short.
Good weather, good timing
With mild temperatures forecast across much of the region (and only a few showers on Friday) many Andalucians are using the weekend to escape the city, visit family, or enjoy a few days at the beach before autumn properly settles in.
Read more Andalucia news at the Spanish Eye.
