MADRID – Even though many Spaniards are free in August, there is still a national holiday in this month. That’s Monday, August 15. On this day offices, many shops, bars and restaurants are closed.
Furthermore, because the national holiday falls on Monday, people who are normally still at work have a long weekend off. In Spain, such a long weekend is indicated by a ‘Puente’ (a bridge). In this case it is the ‘Puente de Agosto’. That means that more people are going out to enjoy the long weekend. Usually from inland to the coast. Therefore, keep that in mind if you plan to drive.
See also: These are the official holidays and long weekends in Spain in 2022
National holiday
On August 15, the Assumption of the Virgin Mary is celebrated with masses in churches across the country. Moreover, it is a national day off. However, if such a day off falls on a Sunday, the autonomous regions themselves can decide whether to postpone the day off to Monday or let it pass.
Last year, the Assumption of the Virgin Mary – Día de la Virgen de la Asunción – fell on Sunday and only Andalucia, Aragon, Asturias, the Canary Islands and Castilla y León kept August 15 as a regional holiday. Other regions moved the holiday to the following Monday to give employees an extra day off.
Opening hours of supermarkets in Spain on August 15
Mercadona
Spain’s largest supermarket chain, Mercadona, will close its stores on Monday, August 15. It has always been the general policy of this supermarket to close on Sundays and public holidays. Although this year for the first time in the summer season, the Mercadona branches in the most touristic places are open.
Carrefour
The Carrefour will be open in most places from 9.00 am to 10.00 pm. However, some branches will be open for a shorter time than on a normal day and others will be closed completely. Check the website for the opening times of the branch in your area.
DIA
DIA supermarkets have normal opening hours from 8.30 am to 10.00 pm or from 9.00 am to 9.30 pm Monday to Saturday. Most branches are only open in the morning on Sundays. However, on August 15, many stores in less crowded areas will be closed. Meanwhile branches in tourist locations may choose to remain open. Check here the opening times of the branch near you.
Aldi
Aldi is normally open on Mondays from 9.00 am to 10.00 pm. In some places, the branches remain closed on Sundays and public holidays. So check the store’s website to see if your branch is open.
Hypercor
The Hypercor states that, except for certain holidays, all stores are generally open Monday through Sunday from 9.00 or 10.00 am to 10.00 pm. However, on August 15, they may close earlier or have limited opening hours from 11.00 am to 9.00 pm. Therefore, it is best to check the opening hours of each specific store from this link.
Alcampo
Alcampo’s shops are normally open Monday to Saturday from 9.00 am to 10.00 pm or from 8.30 am to 9.00 pm, depending on the location of the store. In addition, most of them are usually open on Sundays and public holidays. Therefore, they are expected to be open on Monday, August 15. To be sure, check the Alcampo website for the opening times of your branch.
Lidl
The same applies to the shops of the German supermarket chain Lidl as the above supermarkets. The usual opening hours are 9.00 am to 10.00 pm Monday to Saturday. Meanwhile some shops have shorter opening hours on Sundays, i.e. only 10.00 am to 3.00 pm. There is, therefore, a good chance that many branches will have limited opening hours on Monday 15 August. Check this link to be sure.
