The bridge of October 12 forces to organize with a little more anticipation the weekly shopping. Mercadona will not open on Monday, October 12, 2026, a day on which the National Day of Spain is celebrated and which this year is a holiday throughout the country. The company thus maintains its usual policy of closing on Sundays and certain national holidays, so its supermarkets will remain inactive for two consecutive days: Sunday the 11th and Monday the 12th.
On Saturday, October 10, however, Mercadona operates normally and the general hours of its stores are from 9:00 AM to 9:30 PM, although it is always advisable to check the specific establishment. After the double closure on Sunday and Monday, ordinary activity will resume on Tuesday the 13th. October 12 is a national holiday of general nature throughout Spanish territory.
Hours of Mercadona during the bridge of October 12
The calendar is, therefore, simply: Saturday, October 10, open; Sunday the 11th, closed; Monday the 12th, closed. For those who usually do their shopping over the weekend, Saturday becomes the last opportunity before two consecutive days without the chain opening.
The online shopping service also does not guarantee deliveries every day. Mercadona generally establishes delivery slots from 7:00 AM to 10:00 PM from Monday to Saturday, subject to availability and geographical area, and allows checking on its platform the days and slots that can be selected for each address. For this holiday Monday, the published information about the bridge indicates that there will also be no ordinary delivery, so it is advisable to review the calendar of the application before placing an order.
Why Mercadona closes even though other chains may open
That October 12 is a holiday does not mean that all supermarkets have to remain closed. Commercial regulations vary between autonomous communities and there are also establishments with freedom of opening due to their location, size, or activity. The official calendar of authorized Sundays and holidays shows significant differences between territories: in Andalusia, for example, October 12 is listed among the days of authorized commercial opening in 2026.
Mercadona applies, however, its own commercial calendar and has opted to close this Monday in its establishments. Other companies use different strategies and may keep part of their network open, especially in large cities, tourist areas, service stations, or proximity establishments.
Carrefour: some stores open, but you have to check one by one
Carrefour is one of the main alternatives, although there is no single schedule for all of Spain. The chain itself has a specific search engine for openings on holidays and explains that some hypermarkets, Carrefour Market, and Carrefour Express remain active on Sundays and holidays, while others remain closed.
For this reason, it is not advisable to assume that the nearest Carrefour will be open simply because another establishment of the same chain is. The Express formats and certain urban stores tend to have greater flexibility, while large hypermarkets may apply different hours depending on the community and the shopping center in which they are located.
Lidl and Aldi: several stores do work on Monday
Lidl also offers openings on October 12 in certain establishments. In Madrid, for example, several stores of the chain officially show holiday hours for Monday from 9:00 to 22:00 hours, while some even open from 8:00. This is the case of establishments consulted in Guzmán el Bueno, Vía Carpetana, Bravo Murillo, or Hacienda de Pavones.
Something similar happens with Aldi. The chain publishes special hours for each supermarket and several stores in Madrid appear open on October 12 from 10:00 to 22:00 hours, although others close at 21:00. For example, its establishments in Conde de Peñalver and Gaztambide announce opening until 22:00, while the one on Avenida Juan Antonio Samaranch will do so until 21:00.
These hours serve as an example of why it is necessary to consult the specific local: even within the same city and chain there may be differences.
Dia and Alcampo can also be an alternative
The supermarkets Dia also present variable hours depending on the establishment and the autonomous community. Many proximity stores have greater flexibility to open on holidays, but not all will do so and some will reduce their usual hours. At Alcampo, something similar happens: a good part of the large hypermarkets may close, while smaller formats like Mi Alcampo or stores located in areas with authorized opening have more chances of remaining active.
In communities like Madrid, where there is a wide commercial freedom on Sundays and holidays, finding open supermarkets will be easier than in other areas. Even so, the final schedule depends on each establishment and may be specifically modified for the National Holiday.
What to do if you need to shop on Monday, October 12
The safest option is to consult the official locator of each chain before traveling. The hours that usually appear on Google Maps or other services may not correctly reflect the modifications of a holiday, while chains like Carrefour, Lidl, or Aldi already show on their pages the special hours of October 12.
Some convenience stores, small-format supermarkets, establishments located in stations or gas stations, and shops situated in areas of high tourist influx may also remain open, depending on regional and municipal regulations. In any case, their prices, hours, and assortment may differ from those of a conventional supermarket.
Mercadona: two consecutive days with the shutters down
For regular customers of Mercadona, the main consequence of the bridge is clear: the shopping must be done this Saturday, October 10, or wait until Tuesday, October 13. The chain will close on Sunday, as it usually does, and will keep the shutters down on Monday for the National Holiday of Spain.
Those who need to fill the fridge during the holiday will have alternatives, but they will need to check the specific establishment. Carrefour, Lidl, Aldi, Dia, and Alcampo will have some stores open on Monday, October 12, with hours that can range from practically normal days to reduced openings. In this bridge, more than ever, checking the schedule before leaving home can avoid a wasted trip.