Where + when are you visiting?
Day planner
Typical Spanish opening hours
| Venue type | Open morning | Siesta | Open afternoon |
|---|---|---|---|
| Small shops / panader铆as | 09:00鈥?3:30 | Closed | 17:00鈥?0:30 |
| Bars / caf茅s | Open all day | Open | Open |
| Big stores (El Corte Ingl茅s) | 10:00鈥?0:00 | Open (10鈥?2) | Open (10鈥?2) |
| Museums (Prado, Reina Sof铆a) | 10:00鈥?5:00 | Open | Closed Mon 路 17:00鈥?0:00 |
| Government offices (Sede) | 09:00鈥?4:00 | Closed | Closed |
| Pharmacies (turno) | 09:30鈥?4:00, 17:00鈥?0:00 | Closed | 17:00鈥?0:00 |
| Tourist offices | 09:30鈥?3:30 | Closed | 16:00鈥?8:00 |
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How to read results
- Siesta impact is highest in pueblos and summer months (where temperatures 35+掳C force early closures).
- Madrid / Barcelona have largely moved to "European" hours 鈥?shops open all day, museums 10鈥?0:00. But banks and small shops still close 14:00鈥?7:00.
- Tip: Use the siesta window for museums, lunch, or a long meal. Go back out at 17:00.
- Tip 2: Don't expect tablaos (flamenco) to start before 21:00. Don't expect restaurants for dinner before 20:30.
Limitations
- "Siesta" as a cultural phenomenon is changing. Younger Spain is moving away from it; older Spain keeps it.
- Each municipality has its own horas comerciales 鈥?verify with the local tourist office.
- August is "vacaciones" 鈥?many shops close for 1鈥? weeks. Coastal Spain benefits; inland suffers.
FAQ
Can I find a caf茅 open at 14:30? Yes 鈥?always. Bars / caf茅s keep full-day hours. Only shops close.
What about Sundays? Many shops closed or morning-only. Big cities have shopping centres open 11鈥?0.
Are pharmacies open at night? Always one pharmacy per district is on "turno" (overnight). Listed in pharmacy windows and on the regional health page.