As Semana Santa 2025 approaches, shoppers in Spain are gearing up for the holiday season, but they need to be aware of the varying supermarket opening hours across the country. Major supermarket chains have announced their special schedules for the festive days, which could significantly impact last-minute shopping plans.
Starting with Mercadona, one of Spain's largest supermarket chains, the company has decided to close most of its establishments on Thursday, April 17, 2025, known as Jueves Santo. However, a few locations in the Valencian Community and Catalonia will open from 09:00 to 14:00 hours. On Friday, April 18, all Mercadona supermarkets will remain closed, which could pose a challenge for regular shoppers. The chain will return to its regular hours on Saturday, April 19, but will remain closed on Sunday, April 20, except in some tourist areas. Additionally, on Monday, April 21, Mercadona will also be closed in regions where Lunes de Pascua is a holiday, including Catalonia, Comunidad Valenciana, Navarra, Euskadi, and La Rioja.
On the other hand, Carrefour is maintaining its regular hours during the holidays, operating from 09:00 to 22:00 across most locations. This decision aims to provide customers with shopping opportunities even during peak demand days like Semana Santa. Shoppers are encouraged to check the specific hours of their local Carrefour store, as they may vary depending on the community.
Lidl is also sticking to its usual hours of 09:00 to 22:00 during the holiday period, although consumers should verify the specific hours for their local store, as these may differ based on location. This flexibility is beneficial for those needing to make last-minute purchases.
Alcampo presents a mixed bag: while some of its establishments will close during the holidays, others will be open from 09:00 to 22:00. Given this variability, it is advisable for shoppers to check the opening hours of their nearest store before heading out.
In contrast, Dia has opted to keep its stores open throughout Semana Santa, including Domingo de Resurrección on April 20, 2025. This decision allows customers the convenience of shopping at any time without worrying about holiday closures.
Hipercor, part of the El Corte Inglés group, will have special hours, opening from 11:00 to 21:00 on April 17, 18, and 20, 2025. This extended schedule aims to accommodate consumer needs during the holiday season.
In Madrid, the situation mirrors that of other areas, with some supermarkets closing while others remain open or reduce their hours. Carrefour will operate on its usual schedule of 09:00 to 22:00 on Jueves Santo, Viernes Santo, and Domingo de Resurrección. Mercadona will close on Friday and Sunday but will open on Thursday from 09:00 to 15:00 and Saturday from 09:00 to 21:30.
Dia stores in Madrid will also remain open during Semana Santa, following their regular hours of 09:00 to 21:30, including on Jueves Santo and Viernes Santo. However, on Sunday, they will close early at 14:30.
Alcampo is set to open every day of Semana Santa, with most locations operating from 09:00 to 22:00, except for Sunday, when hours will shift to 10:00 to 21:00. Lidl will follow a similar pattern, opening every day from 09:00 to 21:30, except for Sunday, which will see a reduced schedule from 09:00 to 15:00.
El Corte Inglés, which encompasses various retail formats, will also adhere to its normal operating hours of 09:00 to 22:00 throughout the holiday period. Meanwhile, Ahorramás will close on April 18, but will open from 09:00 to 15:00 on Jueves Santo and resume regular hours on Saturday.
Aldi will keep its stores open on Jueves Santo, but the hours for the rest of the holiday will depend on the specific location. Shoppers are advised to check the hours online.
In Valencia, the Semana Santa celebrations impact supermarket operations as well. Mercadona will close on Friday and Lunes de Pascua, along with Sunday, April 20. However, it may offer reduced hours in tourist-heavy areas like Denia or Jávea on Jueves Santo. Consum will also close during the holidays, except for its Charter franchises, which will operate from 9:30 to 14:30 hours.
Carrefour will open on Viernes Santo but will close on Lunes de Pascua. El Corte Inglés plans to operate on both Friday and Sunday but will close on Easter Monday. Other chains like Día, Lidl, and Alcampo will adjust their schedules, and customers are encouraged to visit their websites for the latest information on store hours.
As for shopping centers in Valencia, they will close on Lunes de Pascua but remain open on Viernes Santo and throughout the weekend. This includes popular destinations like Bonaire, El Saler, Aqua, Arena Multiespacio, and Nuevo Centro.
In summary, as Semana Santa 2025 unfolds, shoppers should plan ahead and check the specific opening hours of their local supermarkets to ensure a smooth shopping experience during the holiday festivities.
