Essentials

Some useful numbers, information and opening hours for the Costa del Sol

Facts and Figures

Language: Spanish (Castillian), Catalan, Galician and Basque

Currency: Euro

Average July Temperature: 29ºC / 84ºF

Average Daily Sunshine: 11 hours

General information

Telephone Country code: 34

Time zone relative to GMT: +1

Mains voltage: 220 volts. Need a standard European two pin plug or a travel adapter.

Average cost of menu of the day (lunchtime): £7

Three course meal (with wine): £14.50

Bottle of wine in restaurant: £6.50

Bottle of wine in supermarket: £4

Soft drink in restaurant: 90p

Glass of beer: £1

Emergency numbers

National Police: 091

Municipal Police: 092

Ambulance/Medical Emergency: 061

Fire Brigade: 080

Dial 112, the free European-wide emergency number, in all kinds of emergency e.g. security, health or other urgent matters. Spanish, English, French and German speaking personnel operate this 24-hour-service line.

Opening Hours

Banks (Monday -Friday) 09:00 - 14:00 (13:00 on Saturday)

You may find local variations to these times

Shops: 09:00-13:30 and 16:00 - 20:00

Department Stores: 10:00 - 20:00

Post Offices (Correos): 09:00 - 14:00

Chemists: 09:00 - 13:00 & 16:30 - 20:00. Every area will have a 24 hour pharmacy

Business hours: Variable. Generally start 08.00 and finish 20.00, with a siesta of two to three hours for lunch.