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The big Easter weekend is nearly here and if you're planning your shopping around the public holidays, it's worth knowing what you're likely to find when you turn up at the supermarket. Opening hours vary significantly between chains and between regions, so a bit of advance planning can save you a wasted journey.

 

One thing worth bearing in mind is that not all public holidays apply everywhere. Maundy Thursday and Easter Monday are regional holidays in some parts of Spain but normal working days in others, while Good Friday is a public holiday across the whole country.

 

As a general rule, the Wednesday before Easter and Holy Saturday tend to be the busiest shopping days of the year, so if you can get your big shop done before then, you'll be saving yourself a lot of queuing.

 

 

Mercadona is the most clear-cut of the major chains. It closes on Sundays and public holidays without exception, meaning all stores will be shut on Good Friday. In regions where Maundy Thursday is also a holiday, such as Madrid and Andalucía, expect closures there too.

 

In the Valencian Community, Catalonia and the Balearic Islands, Easter Monday means another day with the shutters down.

 

If Mercadona is your go-to, Wednesday and Saturday are your best bets, with stores open from 9am to 9.30pm.

 

 

Carrefour is the most flexible option over the holiday period. Most of its hypermarkets and supermarkets aim to stay open on Maundy Thursday and Good Friday wherever local regulations allow, generally keeping to normal hours of 9am to 10pm.

 

Express stores and those in busy areas may offer even longer hours. It's still worth checking your specific store as hours can vary by location and format.

 

 

Lidl and Aldi take a middle-ground approach, adapting to local rules rather than applying a blanket policy. On Maundy Thursday, where closure isn't legally required, many stores will open at least until midday.

 

Good Friday is more likely to mean a full closure, although high-tourist areas may be exceptions. Saturday sees both chains back to normal hours with larger than usual crowds expected.

 

 

Dia is the most unpredictable of the bunch. Many of its stores operate as franchises and decisions on opening over the holidays are largely down to individual owners and local regulations. You might find your local Dia open for a few hours or closed entirely, so it's definitely worth checking before making the trip.

 

The safest approach with any of these chains is to use the store locator on their website to check the specific hours for your nearest branch before heading out.