As spring unfolds and Holy Week officially begins, many people in Spain are gearing up for family gatherings or short getaways during the festive days. However, with the holidays upon us, shoppers are left wondering about the opening hours of supermarkets, particularly Mercadona, one of the most beloved grocery chains in the country. It's crucial to know whether the stores will be open, especially if meals are planned or if there’s a need to stock up on essentials.
Mercadona, which has adapted its calendar to align with significant festivities each year, has issued a clear announcement regarding its operating hours during Holy Week 2025. This year, the chain will be closed on several key dates, and it’s essential for customers to be aware of these changes to avoid any last-minute surprises.
On Thursday, April 17, 2025, known as Jueves Santo (Holy Thursday), Mercadona will close its stores nationwide, except in the autonomous communities of Catalonia and Valencia, where the day is not considered a holiday. This means that customers in these regions may still find their local Mercadona open, depending on local regulations.
The following day, Friday, April 18, 2025, is marked as Viernes Santo (Good Friday) and will see all Mercadona locations closed across Spain. This is a national holiday, and many shoppers may forget to plan ahead for their grocery needs on this day.
Fortunately, Saturday, April 19, 2025, brings good news for shoppers. Mercadona will reopen its doors, operating under normal hours from 9:00 AM to 9:30 PM. This provides an excellent opportunity for customers to do their weekend shopping or stock up before the holiday closures resume.
On Sunday, April 20, 2025, known as Domingo de Resurrección (Easter Sunday), all Mercadona stores will again be closed, following the chain's consistent policy of not opening on Sundays, except in select tourist areas. Many may overlook this closure due to the holiday's significance, so it's wise to plan accordingly.
Adding to the confusion, Monday, April 21, 2025, also known as Lunes de Pascua (Easter Monday), will see Mercadona closed in several regions, including Catalonia, Valencia, Navarra, La Rioja, and the Basque Country. This closure extends the chain's holiday shutdown to four days for some areas, making it crucial for customers to be aware of their local store's hours.
To avoid unexpected closures, Mercadona encourages customers to utilize its online store locator. By entering a postal code or the name of a locality, shoppers can verify whether their nearest store will be open on the key days of April. This tool is particularly helpful during festive periods when operating hours may vary significantly.
In addition to Mercadona, other supermarket chains are also adjusting their hours for Holy Week. Carrefour, for instance, will open but not all its establishments will be operational, reflecting a mixed approach to holiday hours. On the other hand, DIA supermarkets typically operate Monday through Saturday from 9:00 AM to 9:30 PM, but their hours during Holy Week will depend on the specific location.
Lidl generally opens its doors throughout Holy Week with standard hours of 9:00 AM to 10:00 PM. However, on Good Friday and Easter Sunday, many of its stores may only operate from 9:00 AM to 3:00 PM, subject to local variations. Aldi also tends to maintain its usual hours, opening on all days, including Holy Thursday and Good Friday.
El Corte Inglés, another major retailer, may have modified hours during the holiday, with some stores reducing their schedules to operate from 11:00 AM to 9:00 PM. Supercor, a subsidiary of El Corte Inglés, usually opens on Sundays and holidays, and some locations will follow a standard schedule during the Holy Week holiday.
In Zaragoza, the situation is particularly intricate. Only one Mercadona store will open on Holy Thursday, April 17, 2025, located at Calle San Vicente de Paúl, 42, and it will operate from 9:00 AM to 3:00 PM due to its status in a high-traffic tourist area. Most other supermarkets, including Lidl and Carrefour, will remain closed on Holy Thursday, Good Friday, and Easter Sunday. The local council had initially designated Holy Thursday as a holiday for commercial openings but later changed it to All Saints' Day on November 1 to allow workers more extended holiday periods.
With the myriad of changes and exceptions, it's essential for shoppers to check the specific hours of their local supermarkets. Many chains, including BonÀrea, have not marked any closures during this period, indicating they may remain open throughout Holy Week.
In summary, as Holy Week approaches, shoppers must remain vigilant about the opening hours of their favorite supermarkets. Mercadona will close on national holidays, including Holy Thursday, Good Friday, Easter Sunday, and in several regions on Easter Monday. Meanwhile, other chains like Carrefour, Lidl, and Aldi will offer varying hours, with some stores open while others remain closed. Utilizing online tools to check local store hours will help ensure that customers can complete their shopping without any hiccups during this festive time.
