Beware public holidays!

[eamann]

Those planning to walk the Vía de la Plata in the weeks ahead, especially those coming from outside of Europe, should bear in mind that they will encounter a series of public holidays. These holidays can create problems for walkers and pilgrims:

- in some places accommodation will be difficult to find (e.g., Holy Week in Sevilla, Cáceres, Zamora...);
- shops closed;
- reduced public transport;
- many restaurants will not offer a "menú del día", or if they do, at a higher price;
- an increase in the number of Spaniards walking the Camino, especially during Holy Week.

Here is a calendar of public holidays. You will see that many holidays are limited to certain regions only. Note in particular that 23 April is a public holiday in Castilla-Leon.
http://www.officeholidays.com/countries/spain/index.php

When a public holiday falls on a Thursday or Friday, many people take advantage of this to take a prolonged weekend (called a "puente", meaning "bridge").
For example, this year the national public holiday Labour Day, 1st. May, falls on a Friday and many people will therefore set off on the Thursday evening for popular tourist destinations, e.g., historic towns or those situated in attractive locations in the mountains or near lakes - e.g., in addition to Sevilla, etc., smaller towns such as Montemayor, Hervas, Puebla de Sanbria.... - and come back on Sunday evening.
Similarly, in Castilla-Leon, the regional public holiday, 23 April, falls on a Thursday and those who can will make a "bridge" spanning from Wednesday to Sunday...

Ascension Thursday and Pentecost Monday, public holidays in other traditionally Catholic countries such as France, do not seem to be public holidays in Spain, therefore no "bridges".

Other contributors to this Forum, living in Spain, might like to correct what I have said if need be and/or add additional information.

Best wishes to all already on the Vía de la Plata or planning to do so this year, as I myself do.

 

[nellpilgrim]

But there is an upside to walking on Spanish holidays to lots of fun in the villages and meeting more Spanish pilgrims!

 

[SYates]

Easter in South Spain - Wonderful and very different! Buen Camino! SY

 

[JohnnieWalker]

Grear advice Eamann - thanks. Pilgrims should also be aware that in aiddtion to these holidays there are many local festivals. For example Ascension is the fiesta of Santiago itself.

 

[Castilian]

Other contributors to this Forum, living in Spain, might like to correct what I have said if need be and/or add additional information.

In addition to national and autonomic public holidays, each municipality has two other public holidays (local public holidays). For example, in the city of Madrid, the local public holidays are May 15 and November 9. BTW, your link is inaccurate when it quotes May 15 and November 9 as Regional (public) holidays in Madrid. They are just local (public) holidays of the city of Madrid. A Regional (public) holiday in Madrid (i.e.: in all the Autonomous Community of Madrid; not just in the city of Madrid) is, for example, May 2.

On those local public holidays, there are usually festivals extending themselves several days. Even if they (the festivals) aren't public holidays, you can find some similar problems like, for example, more expensive accommodation during all the festival, more expensive menú del día... You may also find reduced opening times during festival days. Be aware too that sometimes there are festivals on dates that doesn't include any public holiday (other than Sunday).

A final note: Castilla y León; not Castilla-León.