What this tool does
Spain's national holidays are 14 days. Some are universal (1 January, 25 December), some are religious (Semana Santa, All Saints). Each region adds 2–4 more (Catalonia has Sant Jordi, Basque has its patron saint). During these dates: shops close, transport fills up, hotel prices rise 30–100%.
This tool lists holidays for your region and flags the dates to avoid.
The four danger dates
- Semana Santa (Holy Week, March–April): Tourism peaks. Seville and Málaga processions are world-famous. Hotels book 6+ months ahead.
- August: Spaniards take holiday. Beaches and coastal towns fill with locals. Inland cities empty. Hotel prices peak on the coast.
- Feria de Abril (Sevilla, April): Local festival, hotels triple.
- New Year / Christmas week: Cities empty (people go home), restaurants close. Limited transport.
Frequently asked questions
What is "puente"?
"Bridge" — when a holiday falls on Tuesday or Thursday, Spaniards take Monday or Friday off to create a 4-day weekend. Many offices and shops close for the puente too.
Do shops close on holidays?
Most do (small shops). Major supermarkets usually stay open with reduced hours (10:00–14:00). Tourist attractions often stay open — it's when they get most visitors.
Are restaurants open on holidays?
Most yes — they're busy. Book ahead on major holidays (Semana Santa, New Year's Eve).
Limitations
Holiday dates for Easter-related holidays move each year (Carnaval, Semana Santa, Corpus Christi). Dates shown are 2026/2027 approximations. Regional holidays vary by city.