What is Open on Sundays? A Guide to Madrid Shopping Laws

If you've lived in Germany, Austria, or even parts of France, you know the drill: on Sundays, the entire country shuts down. No grocery stores, no pharmacies (except emergency ones), no retail shopping.

If you are moving to Spain, you might expect the same strict Catholic adherence to the day of rest.

However, Madrid is the grand exception to the rule in Spain.

In 2012, the regional government of the Comunidad de Madrid passed a highly controversial law allowing for absolute freedom of commercial hours (libertad de horarios comerciales). This makes Madrid unique compared to Barcelona, Valencia, or Bilbao, where Sunday closures are still strictly enforced.

Here is a practical guide to what you can actually expect to find open on a Sunday in Madrid.

Supermarkets and Groceries

You will never starve on a Sunday in Madrid, but your choices might be slightly limited depending on your neighborhood.

• The Big Chains (Mercadona, Ahorramas): These traditionally Spanish chains are almost entirely CLOSED on Sundays, even in the very center of Madrid. (Mercadona occasionally opens some coastal/tourist stores in the summer, but generally not in Madrid).
• The Foreign/Express Chains (Carrefour, Dia, Aldi, Lidl): These are your Sunday saviors. Most Carrefour Express, Carrefour Market, and Dia&Go stores in the city center are open all day Sunday, usually from 10:00 AM to 9:00 PM or 10:00 PM. Larger Aldi and Lidl supermarkets are also frequently open, though sometimes they close early (e.g., at 3:00 PM) in the suburbs.
• El Corte Inglés (Supercor): The supermarket inside the massive El Corte Inglés department stores, as well as their standalone "Supercor" convenience stores, are open every Sunday.
• "Los Chinos" (Convenience Stores): Every neighborhood has corner stores run primarily by Asian immigrants. These are open 365 days a year, usually until 11:00 PM or midnight, and sell basic groceries, alcohol, and household items.

Retail and Clothes Shopping

If you want to buy a new jacket or browse Zara on a Sunday afternoon, you are in luck.

• The Tourist Center (Sol, Gran Vía, Preciados): The area around Puerta del Sol and Gran Vía is designated a special tourist zone. Practically every retail store, including massive flagships like Zara, Primark, H&M, and Mango, is open on Sundays, usually from 11:00 AM or 12:00 PM until 9:00 PM.
• Shopping Malls (Centros Comerciales): Because of the regional law, massive shopping malls on the outskirts of the city—like Plenilunio, La Gavia, Xanadú, and Parquesur—keep their retail stores open on Sundays. (Their food courts and cinemas are, of course, open every day).

Pharmacies (Farmacias)

Regular pharmacies close on Saturday afternoons and remain closed all day Sunday.

However, Spain has a robust system of Farmacias de Guardia (on-duty or emergency pharmacies). By law, every neighborhood must have at least one pharmacy open 24/7 or covering the Sunday shift on a rotating basis.

• How to find one: Every closed pharmacy will have a piece of paper taped to the window or an electronic LED sign pointing you to the nearest Farmacia de Guardia. You can also check the official Colegio Oficial de Farmacéuticos de Madrid website.
• The "Trébol" Pharmacies: In central Madrid, look for the green four-leaf clover sign of the "Farmacia Trébol" chain or other prominent 12-hour/24-hour pharmacies (like the famous one in Puerta del Sol). Many of these are open 365 days a year.

Bars, Cafes, and Restaurants

It is a Sunday in Spain. This is the day families and friends gather for a massive comida (lunch) or go for a vermú (vermouth) at noon.

Practically all bars, cafes, and restaurants are open on Sundays for lunch. However, be aware that many independent, family-run restaurants choose Sunday night or Monday as their day off to rest. Always check Google Maps hours before heading out for a Sunday dinner.