How Public Holidays Work in Spain (and What a Puente Is)

Spain has up to 14 paid public holidays a year, but which days they fall on depends on where you live. Some are national, some are set by your region and two are chosen by your town.

National holidays

National days include 1 January, 6 January, Good Friday, 1 May, 15 August, 12 October, 1 November, and 6, 8 and 25 December.

Regional and local days

Each region adds its own, such as 11 September in Catalonia, and each town sets two local holidays; ask your town hall or check its website. The BOE, Spain’s official gazette, publishes the national calendar each autumn, and regions follow with their own lists.

Puentes

When a holiday falls on a Tuesday or Thursday, many people take the Monday or Friday off too, turning it into a puente, a four-day weekend. Expect busy roads and booked-up hotels.

The big fiestas

Las Fallas, Semana Santa, the Feria de Abril, San Fermín and La Tomatina draw huge crowds, so book accommodation months ahead. Some, like La Tomatina, are ticketed. Expect closed shops, streets shut for processions, fireworks and very late nights.

Plan your year with our local fiestas and public holidays planner.