Sunday and public holiday shopping hours by region

Key rules

• Regional rules: Each region sets its own Sunday and holiday opening rules, so check the region where you live.
• Small shops: Shops under 300 m² of sales area, bakeries, press shops, convenience stores and petrol stations can generally open freely.
• Large shops: Large shops can open only on the days their region lists each year.
• Tourist zones: In a tourist zone, shops can open on Sundays and holidays freely.

Who decides if shops are open on Sundays

Each region sets its own Sunday and public holiday trading rules, so what is open in one town may be shut in the next region. A national framework sets the minimum, and regions can allow more. Many shops are closed on Sundays and holidays, so plan your main shop for another day.

Which shops can open freely

Some shops can open on Sundays and holidays in any region:

• Small shops under 300 m² of sales area, if they are not part of a large chain or group.
• Bakeries and pastry shops.
• Press and magazine shops.
• Convenience and 24-hour stores.
• Petrol stations.
• Flower and plant shops.
• Shops in stations, ports and airports.

For your everyday needs, a corner shop, bakery or petrol station shop is usually your safest bet on a Sunday.

Large shops: a limited number of days

Large shops, such as big supermarkets, department stores and shopping centres, may open only on the Sundays and holidays their region allows. The number differs by region. Many allow roughly 8 to 10 days a year, while a few, such as Madrid, Valencia and Murcia, allow free opening or many more days. The dates often include the Sundays before Christmas, the January sales and some other busy weekends.

Tourist zones

In a zona de gran afluencia turística, shops can set their own hours and open on Sundays and holidays freely. Regions decide which towns or districts count. Madrid, Cataluña, Valencia, the Balearics, the Canary Islands and parts of coastal and big-city Andalucía have large zones, including city centres and resort towns. These lists change, so do not assume that your area is or is not included.

How to check your town

1. Find out which region your town is in.
2. Search the region's name with "calendario comercial festivos apertura" to find this year's list of open Sundays and holidays.
3. Look at the regional commerce department's website or official gazette for the dates.
4. Check your town hall (ayuntamiento) website to see if your area is a tourist zone.
5. Look at the shop's own website or app, or call, to confirm its hours on the day.

Calendars are set every year, so always use the current one. The checklist and questions below go through the same steps.

Checklist

• Find out which region your town is in, because each region sets its own Sunday and holiday trading rules.

• Look at your region's official gazette or commerce department website for the dates large shops may open.

• Check your town hall (ayuntamiento) website to see whether your area is a tourist zone, where shops open freely.

• Check whether the shop is small, under 300 m² of sales area, or a type that opens freely, such as a bakery, press shop or gas station.

Calendars and tourist-zone lists change every year, so confirm them for the current year with your region's commerce department.

Frequently asked questions

Which shops can open on Sundays in any region?

Shops under 300 m² of sales area can generally open freely on Sundays and holidays, as long as they are not part of a large chain or group. Bakeries, press shops, convenience and 24-hour stores, gas stations, flower shops and shops at stations, ports and airports are also free to open.

What is a zona de gran afluencia turística?

A zona de gran afluencia turística is an area where shops set their own hours and can open on Sundays and holidays freely. Regions pick these areas, usually whole municipalities or districts, based on visitor numbers. Big cities, resort towns and coastal areas often have them, and the lists change, so ask your town hall.

How many Sundays can large shops open in my region?

Each region sets its own number every year, and many allow roughly 8 to 10 days.

Where do I find the official trading days for my town?

Your region publishes its yearly calendar in its official gazette and on its commerce department's website. Search the region's name with "calendario comercial festivos apertura". Your town hall's website lists any tourist-zone declaration.