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Shopping Centres in Andalucia
Over the past ten years or so, out-of-town shopping centres ( centros comerciales, or CCOO), whether supermarkets or fashion outlets, have become increasingly prevalent in Andalucia, located on the edge of towns and cities or in their suburbs. With the convenience of visiting several stores together, they are situated close to major roads and therefore easily accessible, and have large car parks as well as facilities like restaurants, cinemas, cafes and toilets. Today they form an integral part of most people's shopping experience, although those living in town and city centres are often more likely to use small, local shops.
Shopping centres are invaluable for those who have little time to devote to shopping and who appreciate being able to buy everything under one roof. Whether for food, clothes, furnishings, toiletries, electrical goods or DIY, shopping centres will normally supply the demand. However, this is often to the detriment of village stores and traditional family shops: in Andalucian villages, the charming local shops provide a lifeline for villagers for whom a car is not an option, and buses are scarce, to get to the shopping centre to stock up. Despite feeling guilty at our contribution to the demise of the local shop, many of us realise that the practicalities of shopping centres sadly trump our social and environmental consciences.
Shopping centres in Andalucia have the added advantage for expatriates who are as yet unfamiliar with the Spanish language; they can wonder about freely and find the often varied products they require without having to get out the phrase book. Waiting in a long queue with villagers to be served in the local shop is a great way to get to know your neighbours and find out about local life, but often each customer will chat to the shopkeeper at length, while you find yourself waiting for 20 minutes. Which is fine if you're not in a hurry and are content to experience village life; otherwise, a supermarket check-out is a faster option.
Today’s shopping centres provide variety, fast service and easy parking. What is more, opening hours suit all timetables and are normally from 10:00 hrs until 22:00 hrs from Monday to Saturday, remaining open at lunch time, unlike smaller stores. They also open some Sundays.
For Spanish families, going to a shopping centre is a day out: at the weekends, particularly Friday night and all day Saturday, these places will be packed with people eating, drinking, shopping or browsing with the entire family. During the summer, air-conditioned shopping centres provide a welcome respite from the searing Andalucian sun, while shoppers enjoy the delicious cool buildings, stores and public areas, without having to go outside from shop to shop.
There are a number of different hypermarkets which form the hub of the commercial centres, each with their own characteristics. For example, in some Carrefour shopping centres, customers not only do their shopping, but can also use other services such as a travel centre, car maintenance workshop, petrol station and financial services including credit and insurance services etc.
Shopping Centres in Andalucia
Andalucia is not alone in its quest for the convenience of large out-of-town shopping centres or commercial centres ( centros comerciales) . Over the past five years shopping centres in Andalucia… More →
Andalucia is not alone in its quest for the convenience of large out-of-town shopping centres or commercial centres ( centros comerciales) . Over the past five years shopping centres in Andalucia… More →
Andalucia is not alone in its quest for the convenience of large out-of-town shopping centres or commercial centres ( centros comerciales) . Over the past five years shopping centres in Andalucia… More →
Andalucia is not alone in its quest for the convenience of large out-of-town shopping centres or commercial centres ( centros comerciales) . Over the past five years shopping centres in Andalucia… More →
Andalucia is not alone in its quest for the convenience of large out-of-town shopping centres or commercial centres ( centros comerciales) . Over the past five years shopping centres in Andalucia… More →
Andalucia is not alone in its quest for the convenience of large out-of-town shopping centres or commercial centres ( centros comerciales) . Over the past five years shopping centres in Andalucia… More →
Andalucia is not alone in its quest for the convenience of large out-of-town shopping centres or commercial centres ( centros comerciales) . Over the past five years shopping centres in Andalucia… More →
Andalusia is not alone in its quest for the convenience of large out-of-town shopping centres or commercial centres ( centros comerciales, more commonly abbreviated to C.C). Over the past five… More →
Sunday Trading in Andalucia
Traditionally very few shops used to open on a Sunday or public holiday in Andalucia. This was due to restrictions on Sunday trading by the Junta de Andalucía (regional government). However, since 2020, the number of Sundays when shopping centres and large supermarkets are permitted to open has increased substantially.
Trading on Sundays and bank holidays for shopping centres and shops whose floor space is more than 300 square metres is decreed by the Junta de Andalucía. Shops that can open on any Sunday or holiday are:
Shops selling cakes and pastries, bread, ready meals, chips (French fries), nuts and sweets, newspapers, flowers and plants; also the preparation and sale of churros.
Shops selling cultural and sporting products located inside museums, and cultural or sporting establishments.
Petrol stations and shops designated as 'convenience stores'.
Shops in train and bus stations, and airports and sea ports.
Larger shops and shopping centres are permitted to open on the following Sundays and holidays throughout Andalucía. Note that this does not imply that all shops in a town or village will be open on a Sunday; it simply means that they are permitted to open. In practice, larger shopping centres and retail parks will definitely be open, while some shops in towns and cities will open. Shops in smaller towns and villages will be closed, apart from small convenience stores and petrol stations.
Permitted Sunday and bank holiday trading days in 2024 - Andalucia-wide
There are 16 permitted Sunday and Bank Holiday trading days in 2024 - Andalucia-wide:
6 January 2024
28 March 2024 (Easter Thursday)
30 June 2024
7 July 2024
28 July 2024
4 August 2024
15 August 2024(Asunción de la Virgen)
1 September 2024
12 October 2024 (Día de Colon)
1 November 2024 (Día de Todos los Santos)r
1 December 2024
6 December 2024
9 December 2024 (following Día de la Concepción Inmaculada)
15 December 2024
22 December 2024
29 December 2024
This list is similar each year; depending on the day of the week that a publich holliday falls. Local town halls are permitted to modify two days with respect to their local holidays.
Permitted Sunday and bank holiday trading days in 2024 - Costa del Sol
Any town that the Junta de Andalucia has designated ‘an Area of Great Tourist Influx' can open on additional Sundays or Holidays. This aplies to Easter week (from Palm Sunday to Resurection Sunday inclusive) and Summer from 1st June to 30th September. This applies to Sunday and holiday trading in the Costa del Sol towns and cities: Malaga, Marbella, Fuengirola, Estepona, Benalmádena, Torremolinos, Nerja, Rincón de la Victoria, Mijas and Manilva. It also applies to coastal resort towns on the Costa de la Luz and the Costa Almeria.
There are 16 permitted Sunday and Bank Holiday trading days in 2024 - Costa del Sol
6 January 2024
24 March 2024 (Palm Sunday)
28 March 2024 (Easter Thursday)
29 March 2024 (Good Friday)
31 March 2024 (Easter Sunday)
June 2024: every Sunday
July 2024: every Sunday
August 2024: every Sunday
15 August 2024 (Asunción de la Virgen)
September 2024: every Sunday
12 October 2024 (Día de Colon)
1 November 2024 (Día de Todos los Santos)r
1 December 2024
6 December 2024
9 December 2024 (following Día de la Concepción Inmaculada)
15 December 2024
22 December 2024
29 December 2024
This list is similar each year; depending on the day of the week that a publich holliday falls. Local town halls are permitted to modify two days with respect to their local holidays.
Permitted Sunday and Bank Holidays trading days in 2023 - Inland Cities
The historic city centres of Almeria, Granada, Seville, Cordoba and Jerez de la Frontera are also 'Areas of Great Tourist Influx' also have their additional holiday trading dates from the 'Andalucia-wide' list above. However these are generally related to Sundays and holidays during Easter week.
Opening Hours
Shopping centres are generally open from 10.00 to 22.00 Monday to Saturday. They are also open for the same or slightly reduced trading hours on the Sundays and bank holidays listed above.