Spain Guide
Public holidays
Alongside the Spanish national public holidays there are scores of regional holidays and local fiestas (often marking the local saint's day), any of which will mean that everything except hotels, bars and restaurants locks its doors.
In addition, August is traditionally Spain's own holiday month, when the big cities – especially Madrid and Barcelona – are semi-deserted, with many of the shops and restaurants closed for the duration. In contrast, it can prove nearly impossible to find a room in the more popular coastal and mountain resorts at these times; similarly, seats on planes, trains and buses in August should if possible be booked in advance.
January 1 Año Nuevo New Year's Day
January 6 Epifanía Epiphany
March/April Viernes Santo Good Friday
May 1 Fiesta del Trabajo May Day
August 15 La Asunción Assumption of the Virgin
October 12 Día de la Hispanidad National Day
November 1 Todos los Santos All Saints
December 6 Día de la Constitución Constitution Day
December 8 Inmaculada Concepción
December 25 Navidad Christmas Day