This week, traffic across Spain is expected to be moderate, following the end of the main summer holiday period. However, several significant local fiestas and sporting events will cause localised congestion, road closures, and diversions, particularly in urban areas and their immediate surroundings. Travellers should be aware of a public holiday in Cantabria and major festivals in Logroño and Barcelona, which will be the primary sources of disruption. Drivers are advised to check local DGT and police reports before travelling to these areas.

Today is a public holiday in Cantabria, celebrating Nuestra Señora de la Bien Aparecida. As a result, traffic around the region, particularly on routes leading to popular coastal and mountainous areas, is likely to be heavier than usual. Expect localised congestion on the A-67 (Autovía de la Meseta) and the N-634 (Cantabrian Highway). Furthermore, the annual grape harvest festival, Fiesta de San Mateo, begins in Logroño (La Rioja) and will continue throughout the week. This will lead to road closures and diversions within the city and on the main access routes, such as the A-12 (Autovía del Camino de Santiago) and the AP-68 (Autopista Vasco-Aragonesa).

With the working week in full swing, urban traffic will return to normal peak-hour levels, especially on the main ring roads and access routes of major cities like Madrid, Barcelona, and Valencia. In the Canary Islands, bus services in Lanzarote and Fuerteventura may be disrupted due to an indefinite strike, which could lead to increased private vehicle traffic and congestion, particularly on routes to and from the international airports on both islands.

The city of Melilla will be observing the Day of Melilla, a local holiday. While this is not expected to have a significant impact on the national road network, travellers in the autonomous city should anticipate some local disruptions. Construction and maintenance work continues to cause issues, with specific reports of roadworks on the N-340 and the A-7, particularly in the Alicante and Murcia provinces.

The DGT advises that the Fiesta de San Mateo in Logroño will continue to be a major source of congestion, particularly with evening events. Furthermore, the Fiestas de la Mercè in Barcelona begins, a major cultural festival that will cause extensive road closures and diversions across the city for several days. Traffic on major routes such as the AP-7, A-2, and B-20 leading into Barcelona will be significantly impacted, and drivers should seek alternative routes or use public transport where possible.

As we head into the weekend, the typical Friday afternoon exodus from major cities will be exacerbated by the ongoing fiestas. Heavy congestion is expected from midday onwards on routes leaving Madrid (A-1, A-2, A-3, A-4, A-5, A-6), and Barcelona (AP-7, A-2). The Fiestas de la Mercè in Barcelona and the Fiesta de San Mateo in Logroño will reach their peak, causing significant disruption. The Jardín de las Delicias Festival also kicks off in Madrid, which will affect local traffic around the Complutense University campus.

The weekend will be particularly challenging for drivers. In Barcelona, the Fiestas de la Mercè will dominate the city’s traffic landscape, with extensive street closures for parades, concerts, and the famous ‘correfoc’ fire run. Traffic will be severely impacted throughout the city centre and its immediate surroundings. In Logroño, the Fiesta de San Mateo will continue to cause localised congestion. In Madrid, the Jardín de las Delicias Festival will generate heavy traffic on local roads around the Complutense University campus. The DGT recommends that anyone travelling to or through these cities on Saturday or Sunday should be prepared for significant delays and use public transport if at all possible. On Sunday, the return traffic from coastal and rural areas to major urban centres will create peak congestion in the late afternoon and evening.

Looking ahead to next week, traffic patterns are expected to settle back into their usual rhythm following the conclusion of the major festivals. However, the Fiestas de Santa Tecla in Sitges and the Fiestas de Carthagineses y Romanos in Cartagena will begin, and while these may not have a major impact on the national road network, they will cause localised disruptions in and around those specific towns.

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