As New Year approaches, residents across Spain are caught up in the usual holiday rush: final preparations, unexpected guests, and forgotten groceries. During these days, it’s especially important to know which supermarkets will be open and how late you can shop. After all, December 31 and January 1 aren’t just dates—they’re a real test of organization for many families.
This year, major retail chains nationwide are once again adjusting their schedules. Stores are trying to accommodate the holiday shopping flow, but not all will follow their usual hours. Opening and closing times may vary widely from city to city and even between neighborhoods, so it’s wise to check the details in advance to avoid being caught without essentials at the most inconvenient moment.
Mercadona and Lidl Hours
On December 31, Mercadona will open its doors from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. This is standard for most stores in the chain, though there may be exceptions depending on the region. Keep in mind: all Mercadona supermarkets will be closed on January 1, with no exceptions.
Lidl will also close at 7 p.m. on December 31; however, select locations have special hours. For example, the store at Fuencarral, 101 in Madrid will be open until 11 p.m. on January 1. In Barcelona, at Gran Via de les Corts Catalanes, 159, the doors will be open until 9 p.m. In other cases, most Lidl stores will remain closed on January 1.
Aldi and El Corte Inglés Holiday Hours
Aldi supermarkets in Madrid will be open from 9:00 to 15:00 on December 31, while in Mallorca they will stay open until 19:00. On New Year’s Day, Aldi stores across the country will be closed. Exceptions may apply only to select locations of other chains, such as certain Lidl stores.
El Corte Inglés, including its supermarkets and department stores, will operate from 10:00 to 20:00 on December 31. However, opening hours may vary by city and specific location, so it’s best to check in advance. All El Corte Inglés stores will be closed on January 1.
Carrefour, Alcampo and other chains
Carrefour and Alcampo set individual hours for each store. In most cases, they close at 19:00 on December 31, but some locations may finish earlier or not open at all in the afternoon. On January 1, almost all Carrefour stores will be closed, but selected Alcampo locations, such as in the Tamarguillo shopping center in Sevilla (Sevilla), will remain open until 22:00.
DIA supermarkets will maintain their usual hours on New Year’s Eve, but it’s recommended to check the schedule of your specific store. On January 1, some DIA locations will be open until 21:30, while others will close early at 14:30. On December 31, Ahorramas will be open from 9:00 to 15:00, and on January 1 some stores will be closed. However, for example, the Avenida de Buendía, 15 location in Guadalajara (Avenida de Buendía, 15, Guadalajara) will remain open until 21:30.
Regional details
In major cities like Madrid and Barcelona, there are stores that remain open even on public holidays, but they are few and far between. In regions where holidays are celebrated on a large scale, most shops are closed on January 1. On the islands, such as Mallorca, opening hours may differ from those on the mainland.
Shoppers should keep in mind: even if a store usually stays open late, opening hours may be reduced on holidays. Some chains publish their schedules on their websites, but these are not always updated promptly. So it is best not to leave shopping until the last minute and check in advance if your supermarket will be open.
Holiday rush
During the final hours of the outgoing year, supermarket lines get longer and shelves noticeably emptier. Products for the holiday table are in especially high demand: fresh vegetables, meat, seafood, and sweets. Many stores offer special deals and expand their selections to meet the surge in demand.
However, even with the wide variety, don’t forget about store hours. In some places, the most popular items can sell out an hour before closing. It’s wise to plan your shopping ahead of time and not rely on last-minute luck.
