What’s open this Friday on one of the biggest Bank Holidays of the year?
Friday 15th August marks the Feast of the Assumption of the Virgin Mary, one of the most important dates, and celebrated bank holidays, on the Spanish calendar. As it falls on a Friday this year, many people are taking advantage of the long weekend.
The Assumption is a national public holiday on a fixed date that cannot be altered or substituted by regional governments, meaning most workplaces and many businesses across Spain will be closed. However, in the Canary Islands, certain services and businesses will remain open, especially in tourist areas.
What Will Be Open?
Under Canary Islands law, businesses located in “zones of high tourist activity” are allowed to set their own opening hours, meaning many establishments in resorts will trade almost as normal. Restaurants in these zones also benefit from extended terrace opening hours compared with other municipalities.
While public offices, banks, and most shops will be closed, several key services and businesses will be operating as usual:
- Healthcare, police, fire services, and private security will continue as normal.
- Pharmacies on duty will open, in the same was as on a Sunday, along with some that operate 365 days a year. Each municipality publishes its own list.
- Bakeries, including chains such as El Horno de Pan and El Rincón del Pan, as well as many small independent shops, will open their doors.
- 24-hour shops and small supermarkets will generally operate at their usual times.
- Bars and cafés may open at the owner’s discretion. With restaurants often seeing increased trade on holidays, many will remain open, especially in tourist areas.
- Petrol stations will largely be open, although not all. It is advisable to check in advance.
- Shopping centres in tourist zones, such as Siam Mall in the south of Tenerife or the Rubicon in Playa Blanca (Lanzarote) will open almost as usual, given their location in officially designated areas of high tourist activity.
- Supermarkets are more variable. While most of the large chains will remain closed, some located in tourist resorts may be open. Checking individual websites for up-to-date information is recommended.
Final Advice
For anyone needing to run errands on 15th August, it’s best to plan ahead. While many services will be closed, tourists and residents alike can rely on pharmacies, bakeries, fuel stations, restaurants, and selected shops in tourist areas to remain available. Always check the latest information online for your nearest location.
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