Residents and holidaymakers across the Canary Islands face changes to supermarket, shopping centre and public service opening hours today, Monday 12th October, as Spain celebrates its National Day.
The nationwide bank holiday, known as Día de la Hispanidad, affects Tenerife, Gran Canaria, Lanzarote and Fuerteventura, although shopping arrangements differ between islands, and many businesses in popular tourist resorts are expected to remain open.
Importantly, the Canary Islands' 2026 trading calendar allows general commercial opening today in Lanzarote and Fuerteventura, but not in Tenerife and Gran Canaria. This means shoppers should not assume the same rules apply everywhere.
TENERIFE:
Many shops and supermarkets closed, but tourist shopping centres open
In Tenerife, many of the island's major supermarket chains will remain closed for the bank holiday.
Mercadona and Aldi are closed, while Lidl and Carrefour will also close most branches, with exceptions in certain tourist areas.
HiperDino will close selected stores, although the majority will remain open.
Shopping centres in the island's main tourist destinations are expected to open, including:
Meanwhile, major shopping destinations including Carrefour Meridiano, Carrefour Añaza, Alcampo La Laguna, La Villa in La Orotava and El Corte Inglés are scheduled to close.
Restaurants, cafés and convenience shops in resorts such as Costa Adeje, Playa de las Américas and Los Cristianos can continue operating, subject to individual business decisions.
GRAN CANARIA:
Holiday restrictions with exceptions in tourist areas
In Gran Canaria, 12th October is not one of the island's ten general commercial opening days for 2026.
As a result, many supermarkets and large retail establishments will remain closed unless they qualify for an exemption.
Shopping options are more likely to be available in designated tourist areas, including parts of Maspalomas, Playa del Inglés, Puerto Rico and Las Palmas de Gran Canaria.
Restaurants, cafés, leisure businesses and smaller convenience shops may also remain open.
However, shoppers should check individual supermarkets and shopping centres before travelling, as being located in a tourist area does not automatically mean every business will open.
LANZAROTE:
Shops permitted to open for the bank holiday
Lanzarote has a different arrangement today.
Under the Canary Islands Government's official commercial calendar, Monday 12th October is an authorised trading day for Lanzarote, meaning shops that would otherwise be subject to holiday restrictions are permitted to open.
This gives supermarkets, shopping centres and other retailers the option to trade during the public holiday.
Residents and visitors in Arrecife, Puerto del Carmen, Playa Blanca and Costa Teguise may therefore find more shopping options available than on an ordinary restricted public holiday.
However, permission to open does not mean every business will do so. Individual supermarket chains and retailers may still choose to close or reduce their hours.
FUERTEVENTURA:
Retailers can also open today
Fuerteventura is another island where 12th October has been included among the authorised commercial opening dates for 2026.
This means shops and shopping centres are legally permitted to trade during today's national holiday, subject to their own business arrangements.
Visitors in Corralejo, Caleta de Fuste, Costa Calma and Morro Jable may find supermarkets, convenience shops, restaurants and other retail businesses operating.
In Puerto del Rosario and other residential areas, individual opening arrangements will vary.
As in Lanzarote, the authorised trading day gives businesses the option to open rather than requiring them to do so.
Are bars and restaurants open across the islands?
Bars, restaurants and cafés are generally able to operate during national public holidays, and many in the Canary Islands' principal tourist destinations are expected to trade today.
This includes popular holiday resorts in southern Tenerife, southern Gran Canaria, Lanzarote and Fuerteventura.
Some establishments may operate reduced hours or close for the day, particularly outside tourist areas.
What about pharmacies, petrol stations and essential services?
Essential services will continue to operate across the archipelago.
Duty pharmacies will remain available, together with pharmacies that normally open every day.
Many petrol stations, airport shops, convenience stores and certain bakeries may also continue trading.
Emergency services, hospitals and other essential public services will operate, although non-urgent administrative services and government offices will generally be closed.
Public transport may operate to a Sunday or public holiday timetable, so passengers are advised to check their local bus operator before travelling.
Why do the opening arrangements differ between islands?
The Canary Islands Government establishes a calendar of authorised Sunday and public holiday trading days, with dates varying between islands.
For 2026, the official calendar includes 12th October for Lanzarote and Fuerteventura, but not for Tenerife or Gran Canaria.
Separate rules also allow shops in officially designated high-tourism areas greater flexibility to choose when they open.
This explains why a shopping centre in one resort may be open while another elsewhere on the same island is closed.
For residents and holidaymakers planning shopping trips today, the safest advice is to check the opening hours of the individual store or shopping centre before setting off, particularly when travelling outside the main tourist resorts.
