Good Friday, falling on the 29th of March this year, stands as one of the most significant public holidays, with numerous individuals seizing the chance for an extended weekend getaway. Given its status as a bank holiday, the majority of establishments close their doors to the public, raising the question of what remains accessible on Tenerife.
Good Friday has been designated as an “irreplaceable” public holiday by the Ministry of Employment, Industry and Commerce of the Canary Islands Government, meaning it cannot be shifted by autonomous communities to fit their scheduling preferences. As such, on this day, most businesses observe a break.
However, in areas classified as Zonas de Gran Afluencia Turística (Zones of High Tourist Influx), retail establishments are granted the autonomy to decide their operational hours, as per the Order of June 27, 2011. This flexibility aims to accommodate the needs of tourists and locals alike during the holiday.
Regarding the hospitality sector, there’s a provision allowing for an extended closing time of terraces by an hour beyond the standard municipal regulations, applicable across both winter and summer seasons.
Open Services on Good Friday in Tenerife
- Emergency Services: Health professionals, police officers, firefighters, and private security personnel remain on duty.
- Pharmacies: Those assigned to be on-call and those advertised as open 365 days a year will continue their services. A complete list by municipality is available for consultation.
- Bakeries: Newly established franchises and small bakeries like El horno de pan or El rincón del pan will welcome customers. These businesses focus on the sale of bread and related products.
- 24-Hour Shops: Convenience stores and mini-supermarkets typically maintain their standard opening hours on Good Friday.
- Bars and Cafés: The decision to open is left to the discretion of individual owners, many of whom opt to serve the increased holiday clientele.
- Petrol Stations: Similar to pharmacies, not all stations are open, but many operate to cater to the reduced number of available shops. It’s advisable to check which ones are operational.
- Shopping Centres: In tourist-heavy areas, certain shopping centres like Siam Mall, Rosa Center, and Martiánez Shopping Centre may remain open, offering a variety of services and shopping experiences.
- Supermarkets: Some, particularly in tourist regions, will open their doors, including chains like TuTrébol, HiperDino, and SuperDino, providing essential services even on public holidays.
For the most accurate and up-to-date information, it’s recommended to check the official websites of these services and verify their operating hours, as not all outlets within open shopping centres may be operational.
