Operating Hours

By Blanca Garcia

As with some other Mediterranean countries, the operating hours for retail and services are sometimes a challenge! Here is a useful guide to help you get a grasp of the peculiarities.

The hours of opening for businesses, shops and government offices vary between winter and summer, with many being closed during the hottest part of t afternoon in summer time.

Government offices, private businesses and shops do not keep the same hours. Opening hours also vary depending on whether they are located in urban, tourist or rural areas.

Below is a very general guide to office, shopping and banking hours.

Public Services

Winter Period - September 1 to June 30
Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday and Friday: 07:30-14:30
Thursday: 07:30-14:30 and 15:00-18:00

Summer Period - July 1 to August 31
Monday to Friday: 07:30-14:30

Banks (hours open to the public)

Winter Period - September 1 to April 30
Monday: 08:30-13:00 and 15:15-16:45
Tuesday to Friday: 08:30-13:00

Summer Period - May 1 to August 31
Monday to Friday: 08:15-13:00

Banks are closed on weekends and public holidays. Some banks in central tourist areas are open in the afternoons specifically to provide services to tourists.

ATMs (Automatic Teller Machines) are available 24 hours a day outside most banks in larger towns and tourist centres.

General Shopping Hours

Winter Period - November 1 to March 31
Monday, Tuesday, Thursday: 09:00-13:00 and 14:30-19:00
Wednesday: 09:00-14:00
Friday: 09:00-13:00 and 14:30-20:00
Saturday: 09:00-15:00

Summer Period - April 1 to October 31
Monday, Tuesday, Thursday: 09:00-13:00 and 16:00-20:30
Wednesday: 09:00-14:00
Friday: 09:00-13:00 and 14:30-21:30
Saturday: 09:00-17:00

Note: During high summer from June 15 to August 31, shops in some towns may close from 14:00-17:00.

Office Hours

Winter Period - September 15 to May 31
Monday to Friday: 08:00-13:00 and 15:00-18:00

Summer Period - June 1 to September 14
Monday to Friday: 08:00-13:00 and 16:00-19:00

Peculiarities

Hair Dressing Salons and Barbershops are closed on Thursdays but are open on Saturdays.

Sanitary Ware shops are open on Wednesday afternoons but are closed on Saturdays.