Holidays in Spain

General information for a vacation in Spain

Tourists from other European countries don’t have to change their habits too much to get along fine in Spain. But especially in Andalusia you have to be patient sometimes with the people living here. Everything goes a bit slower. "No stress" is the mission statement. Most of the shops open from 10am till 22pm with a Siesta (noon break) from 14pm till 18pm.

Form of payment is the Euro, electrical devices run on 220 Volt and 50Hz and there are bank machines even in the villages. Fuel is cheaper than in northern Europe (Diesel around 70 Cents, Super around 88Cents). Surf equipment and other things on a roof rack should be secured with a lock while you’re travelling down to Andalusia, but once you arrive in Chiclana it’s not very dangerous anymore. There have not been many thieveries happening over the last years.

Paying in a restaurant you should add between 5% and 10% of tip depending on the degree of satisfaction.

The general emergency call is 112, the fire brigade is 085 and the Guardia Civil (Police) is 062.