SHOPPING HOURS IN SPAIN

Shopping hours in Spain vary considerably depending on the region, city or town and the type of shop.

There are no statutory closing days or hours for retail outlets, except in Cataluña where shops must close by 9 pm. Large shops must open on a minimum of 8 Sundays and public holidays a year, but the actual number depends on the region. Most regions have opted to open on 8 public holidays only except for Murcia where shops open on 12 Sundays and public holidays a year and Madrid with a record 20 public holidays. Shops located in zones of great tourist influence can apply to open all year round, not just during the summer months.

A big surprise for many foreigners is the long afternoon siesta, when most small shops close from 2pm until 5pm. Apart from department stores and many large supermarkets, there is no such thing as afternoon shopping in Spain. Foreigners are often divided over Spain's shopping hours, some seeing them as an inconvenience, others as a bonus. Many people actually find they prefer to shop in the evening when they get used to it.

Most small shops open from between 9.30am until between 2pm and from around 5pm until between 8.30 and 9pm, Mondays to Fridays, and from 10.00am until 2pm on Saturdays.