Spain kicks off May with one of the most important dates in the calendar: May 1, International Workers’ Day.
It’s a nationwide public holiday and marks the start of the long-awaited May bank holiday weekend.
But if you’re planning a big shop, you’ll need to think ahead. Many supermarkets across Spain will shut their doors on Friday May 1 and again on Sunday May 3, meaning shoppers could face limited options over the long weekend.
Things are even tighter in Madrid, where Saturday May 2 is also a regional holiday, although most supermarkets will still open that day.
Here’s how the main chains are operating:
Mercadona: Mercadona sticks firmly to its policy of closing on Sundays and public holidays.
That means all stores across Spain will be shut on Friday May 1 and Sunday May 3.
They will open as normal on Thursday April 30 and Saturday May 2.
Carrefour: Large Carrefour hypermarkets will close on May 1 but reopen on Saturday.
However, smaller formats like Carrefour Express or Market may open depending on the location. It’s best to check your local store in advance.
Lidl: Most Lidl stores will close on May 1 and reopen on Saturday, including in Madrid (some with reduced or special hours).
A small number of stores may open on the holiday, so checking online is recommended.
Alcampo: Alcampo hypermarkets will also close on May 1 and reopen on Saturday.
Stores that are authorised to open on Sundays may operate on May 3, depending on location.
DIA: The majority of DIA supermarkets will be closed on May 1, although some franchised stores may open for limited hours, usually in the morning. Local store hours can vary widely.
Aldi: Aldi stores are expected to close on May 1 and reopen on Saturday. Usual hours are around 9am to 9pm, though these can vary by location.
El Corte Ingles: All El Corte Ingles departments and supermarkets, including the supermarket and retail departments in Malaga and throughout the country, will be closed for the entire day on May 1.
They will reopen on Saturday, May 2.
With closures across much of the country, the key advice is simple: don’t leave your shopping until the last minute.
Thursday and Saturday are likely to be the busiest days, so expect queues and plan accordingly.
