Tourist Information

General Information

Using a Credit Card

When using your credit card you will need to provide your passport or photo driving licence.

Time

Spanish time is 1 hour in front of UK (both GMT and BST)

Pharmacy

Large illuminated green cross. Those open at night in a town will have a list near or on the door for weekend and late night emergencies.

Toilets

Public toilets are rare in Spain, so use bar toilets. If the toilets are locked you may ask for a key to open the door. Ask for LA LLAVE PARA LOS ASEOS (la yah-beh pah-rah loss ass-ay-oss).

Shops

Opening hours are normally 10 am to 2 pm and reopen at 4 pm to 8 pm, though the precise hours may differ. Sundays are normally closed but in the summer some will be open. Hipper markets and department stores stay open throughout lunch time.

Postal Service

You can buy stamps (SELLO DE CORREOS — say-oh day corr-ay-oss) from TABACOS. Post boxes are yellow.

Weather

The Costa del Sol on average has 320 days of sunshine per year.

Spring: 13°C – 21°C (55°F – 70°F)
Summer: 21°C – 32°C (70°F – 84°F)
Autumn: 16°C – 23°C (61°F – 73°F)
Winter: 8°C – 17°C (46°F – 63°F)

Travel

Hire car

When driving expect the unexpected! The Spanish do not use the Highway Code!

Train

Very prompt, safe and cheap, air conditioned.

Buses

Safe and cheap.

Málaga Tour Bus

(Málaga only) Very interesting, well worth a day’s ride, takes and tells you about the historical side of a wonderful city (aprox 10 euros including head phones). Tour Buses also in Sevilla and Granada.

Personal Security and Health

In Spain as in most European countries, rural areas are generally safe, but certain parts of cities are subject to petty crime. Carry cards and money close to you in a belt; never leave anything visible in your car. If you lose documents, contact the local police and your Consulate. Just be vigilant and careful.

Free English Newspapers

The News (Wednesday)
The Euroweekly (Thursday)
Sur In English (Friday)
The Iberian Times (Friday)
Friday–Ad (Friday)
Sol Mediterraneo (Monthly)
Round Town (Monthly)
The Holiday Guide (Monthly)

Useful Telephone Numbers

European Emergency (Ambulance): 112/061
Local Police: 092
Guardia Civil: 062
National Police: 091
British Consulate (Málaga): 952352300
Fire Brigade: 080
Sea Rescue: 900202202
Crime Denunciation: 902102112
Irish Consulate: 952475108
Tourist Information: 952371909
American Express: 902375637
Visa/MasterCard: 902114400
Málaga Airport Info: 952048842/484
Málaga Football Club: 952614210
Lost Credit Card: 915811811
Victim Support: 952136675
Railway (Renfe): 952240202
Bus Station: 952350061
Málaga Taxis: 952333333
Málaga Tourist Office: 952061380
Benalmádena Taxis: 952441545
Benalmádena Police: 952562142
Benalmádena Tourist Office: 952442494
Fuengirola Taxis: 952471000
Fuengirola Police: 952589324
Fuengirola Tourist Office: 952467625
Mijas Police: 952460909
Torremolinos Taxis: 952380600
Torremolinos Tourist Office: 952379551

To phone the UK from Spain, drop the first zero and add 0044. For example:

the regional code 01243 becomes 0044 1243
a mobile number beginning with 07794 becomes 0044 7794

Markets

Mondays: Marbella — near the football stadium
Tuesdays: Fuengirola — Feria Ground
Wednesdays: Benalmádena — flea market at Parque de la Paloma; Calahonda — at la Cala; Estepona — in town centre; La Linea
Thursdays: San Pedro — in the Divina Pastora District; Torre del Mar — next to Conj Europa; Torremolinos — at the Recinto Ferial near the Aquapark; Velez–Málaga — at Parque de los Patos
Fridays: Benalmádena — Tivoli near Arroyo de la Miel train station; Benalmádena — at Recinto Ferial by parque de la Paloma; Casares — in the town centre; Las Chapas — in La Vibora area
Saturdays: Calahonda — at La Cala; Puerto Banus — massive market and car boot sale near the bullring; Fuengirola boot sale — feria ground
Sundays: Fuengirola — near the port; Estepona — around the small port; Málaga — near the Rosaleda football stadium; Torremolinos — in the Los Pinares area (by the Crocodile park); Sabinillas — market and car boot sale alongside the N340 highway; Sotogrande — (temporarily moved in the new marina)