Mercadona opens select supermarkets this Sunday in coastal towns across Valencia, Alicante, and Castellón. Stores will operate from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. only. The measure targets high-traffic tourist zones during the summer season.
Mercadona has announced that on Sunday, July 19, a selection of its supermarkets in the Comunidad Valenciana will open their doors, but only in coastal municipalities and for a limited time frame. The move affects around thirty towns across the provinces of Valencia, Alicante, and Castellón, where stores will operate from 9:00 to 15:00, diverging from the usual Sunday closure policy.
This special schedule is part of Mercadona’s broader summer strategy, which already sees extended hours from 9:00 to 22:00, Monday through Saturday, in nearly 300 supermarkets located in high-tourism areas until August 31. However, the Sunday opening is restricted to specific coastal locations, reflecting the seasonal surge in visitors and the demand for essential shopping options during weekends.
In the province of Valencia, Mercadona stores will be open in Canet d'En Berenguer, Cullera (C/Corbera), Gandía (C/La Goleta), and Oliva (Paseo Gregori Mayans). Castellón will see stores operating in Benicàssim (Gran Avenida Jaume I), Benicarló (Avenida Papa Luna), Moncofa, Oropesa, and Peñíscola. Alicante province features a broader list, including outlets in Alicante (Avenida de las Naciones), Altea, Benidorm, Calpe, Denia (Avenida Miguel Hernández and Paseo Saladar), El Campello (Av. Germanias), El Poble Nou de Benitatxell, Finestrat, Guardamar del Segura, Jávea, L'Alfàs del Pi, Villajoyosa (C/Cervantes), Orihuela (Ctra. Dehesa Campoamor and C/ Turmalina), Pilar de la Horadada, San Fulgencio, Santa Pola, and several in Torrevieja (Avenida de las Cortes Valencianas, Avenida Rosa Manzón Valero, C/ Antonio Machado, and C/ Tritón).
Mercadona recommends customers consult the company’s online store locator for up-to-date information on opening hours and locations, as the chain operates 1,598 supermarkets nationwide. The summer adjustment is designed to accommodate the influx of tourists and seasonal residents, ensuring access to groceries and daily essentials even on non-working days.
This approach mirrors broader trends in Spain’s retail sector, where supermarket chains adapt their schedules to local demand, especially in regions with significant tourist activity. The decision to open on Sundays in select areas highlights the balancing act between traditional business hours and the evolving needs of both residents and visitors. For context, recent measures in other Spanish regions, such as the temporary restrictions in Galicia due to extreme heat, also reflect how local authorities and businesses adjust operations in response to seasonal pressures.
Spain’s retail regulations generally limit Sunday trading, but exceptions are often made in tourist hotspots during peak months. The Comunidad Valenciana, with its extensive coastline and popular resorts, is a prime example of how local economies adapt to the rhythms of summer. For many residents and holidaymakers, these temporary changes in supermarket hours provide practical solutions for weekend shopping, especially in areas where population numbers swell dramatically in July and August.
