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Costa del Sol
SPAIN TOURIST GUIDE
From sizzling cuisine
and riotous fiestas to
cutting-edge
contemporary art,
rigorously conserved
natural spaces and a
stunning network of
rural accommodation,
Spain offers the lot.
Spain's old urban
centres exude
architectural jewels,
with Romanesque, Gothic,
and Baroque churches,
Moorish fortresses and
Renaissance palaces.
Plazas and bars ensure
ancient city streets
remain the focus of
social activity, and a
sprinkling of modern
masterpieces adds a
contemporary tone.
Sun, sea, and sangría
can certainly be had
along the country's
south coast, but Spain's
natural beauty extends
to many different
terrains. Mountainous
national parks offer
stunning hiking in
alpine environments,
while the north coast
offers rolling green
hills, huddled fishing
villages and isolated
sandy coves.
Coastal and island
holidays remain
extremely popular, but
many visitors are also
turning inland: an
artistically restored
rustic stone farmhouse
is a beautiful base for
exploring the
wonderfully relaxed pace
of Spanish village life.
ACCOMMODATIONS:
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Sunset Beach Club |
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'PROMOTIONAL OFFER'
One Weeks Accommodation For
2 Adults Or 2 Adults +
1 or 2 Children For:
ONLY £79
Sunset Beach Club is an ideal choice of
hotel for all ages. Our seafront location on
Benalmadena Costa, great value room rates, comfortable
hotel-apartment accommodation, outstanding services and facilities, and great
ambience all combine to ensure you enjoy your stay with us.
More Details
'Remember; Flights can be
booked from as little as £80 return p/p !!'
(See
Below)
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Resort Details & Bookings |
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Crown Resorts |
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'PROMOTIONAL OFFER'
One Weeks Accommodation For
2 Adults And Up To 3 or 4 Children For:
ONLY £79
Crown Resorts consists of five different
resorts located in the areas between
Fuengirola and 'Sitio
de Calahonda' beacjand only 30km from Malaga International airport.
Each Resort has their own character, and comprises 454 apartments, 3 reception
areas, attractive gardens and pools, heated indoor pool and spa centre, a choice
of restaurants, bars and cafés, and a whole host of leisure and activity
facilities.
More Details
'Remember; Flights can be
booked from as little as £80 return p/p !!'
(See
Below)
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Resort Details & Bookings |
More
Costa del Sol Package
Holiday Offers
Use
the below holiday search
engine to search for the
best priced holiday
packages (Flight +
Hotel) to Costa Del Sol
We
advise you to search for
Holiday packages to
Costa Del Sol from major
airports in the UK.
Searching for Holiday
packages may differ from
different airports in
the UK so if non or a
few Holiday packages
appear in a search
results let say
searching Gatwick, try
another airport such as
Manchester, Heathrow or
Bristol. Try a few
times.
Once you
have added your details,
click on the 'Search'
tab. Once clicked, the
details will open in a
new window and the
search will commence.
Once all the search
results have appeared,
you will then see the
best prices and be able
to click on our partner
companies logo on the
right-hand side, go
their their site and
book direct.
If no or
few results appear,
tweak the search script
and few times or change
the Holiday package
booking dates, board
bases or even
destination. Also try
clicking and
re-searching a few times
due to sometimes the
internet is slow or the
server maybe down.
FLIGHTS TO SPAIN
The
best flight site and
prices that we can
suggest for you to use
is by following this
link
Costa del Sol
Flights
due to it shows you the
best available flight
prices, and if there is
a better flight price
prior or after the dates
that you want to fly, it
show's you.
Points: Once
you have
the above link opens, go
to the booking script,
select 'Flight Only'
then your departure
airport and then click
on the 'Country'
tab (Which is Spain). Once the destinations
with-in Spain has loaded,
use the second airport tab and
scroll down and select
'Malaga (AGP)'. Obviously then
add the dates, amount of
persons and search.
Also try our
flights to Spain search engine below:
Simply add
your preferred departure airport in the UK and the City or Airport
code (As Below)
to which you wish to fly too and then search.
Once you have added your details, click on the 'Search' tab. Once
clicked, the details will open in a new window and the search will
commence. Once all the search results have appeared, you will then
see the best prices and be able to click on our partner companies
logo on the right-hand side, go their their site and book direct.
If no or few results appear, tweak the
search script and few times or change the
Holiday package
booking
dates, board bases or even destination. Also try clicking and
re-searching a few times due to sometimes the internet is slow or
the server maybe down. Also, to find the best deals, once the new
search window is open, change the search by adding in the:
Flexibility: 1 week - Staying For; Show Me All - Price: Show Me All
and in the Travelling To box / Sub Category, leave this blank.
Please also add the airport codes, airport name or the city where
the airport is located. To do this, click on
this
link and search for the airport and destination.
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 Getting
There by Air
 Approximate
Flight Times
From London to Barcelona is 2 hours;
to Madrid is 2 hours 20 minutes and to Málaga is 2 hours 45 minutes.
From New York to Madrid is 8 hours 35 minutes.
 Main
Airports
Spain boasts over 30 international
airports, run by AENA (Aeropuertos Espanoles y Navegación Aérea).
Their excellent website (www.aena.es)
has comprehensive transport and service information.
Madrid (MAD) (Barajas) is 13km (8 miles) northeast of the
city. Terminal 4 is separate from the rest of the airport and
connected by bus and metro. To/from the airport: Bus
and underground services depart to the city regularly. Taxi service
is available. Facilities: Restaurants and bars,
bank, several car hire offices, hotel reservation and tourist
information desks, and duty-free shop.
Barcelona (BCN) (el Prat) is 3km (2 miles) southwest of the
city. To/from the airport: Bus and rail services to
the city depart regularly. Taxi service to the city is available
(journey time - 30 minutes). Facilities: A bank,
restaurant, bar, several car hire companies, hotel reservation and
tourist information desks and duty-free shops.
Alicante (ALC) (Altet) is 12km (7 miles) southwest of the
city. To/from the airport: Bus service runs to the
city regularly. A taxi service is available to the city. There is a
taxi connection between Alicante and Valencia Airport.
Facilities: Duty-free shop, bank, bureau de change, car
hire, tourist information and restaurant.
Málaga (AGP) is 10km (6 miles) southwest of the
city. To/from the airport: Buses run regularly
throughout the day; a convenient train service zips you into the
centre or to nearby resort towns like Torremolinos. A taxi service
to the city is available. Facilities: Duty-free
shop, bank/bureau de change, restaurant and car hire.
Valencia (VLC) (Manises) is 8km (5 miles) west of the city.
To/from the airport: An aero bus takes passengers
into the city. Other buses travel to the city frequently throughout
the day. Taxis also run. Facilities: Several car
hire firms, bank/bureau de change, restaurant, bar and duty-free
shop.
Departure Tax
 Getting
There by Water
 Getting
There by Rail
The quickest route by train from the
UK is through the Channel Tunnel with connections from Paris to
Spain. Eurostar operates direct high-speed trains from London to
Paris (Gare du Nord). For further information and reservations,
contact Eurostar (tel: 0870 160 6600, in the UK;
www.eurostar.com);
or Rail Europe (tel: 0844 848 4064, in the UK;
www.raileurope.co.uk).
There are direct train services to Madrid and Barcelona from France
and Portugal, as well as Barcelona-Zürich and Barcelona-Milan.
Border connections link with the French TGV (high-velocity
route) and the rest of the high-velocity routes in Europe. Motorail
services run between Paris and Madrid. For more information, contact
the Spanish Rail service (tel: (020) 7725 7063;
www.spanish-rail.co.uk)
or Renfe (www.renfe.es).
Rail Passes
InterRail:
offers unlimited first- or second-class travel in up to 30 European
countries for European residents of over six months with two pass
options. The Global Pass allows travel for 22 days, one month, five
days in 10 days or 10 days in 22 days across all countries. The
One-Country Pass offers travel for three, four, six or eight days in
one month in any of the countries except Bosnia-Herzegovina and
Montenegro. Travel is not allowed in the passenger's country of
residence. Discounts are offered on Eurostar and some ferry routes.
Available from Rail Europe (tel: 0844 848 4064, in the UK;
www.raileurope.co.uk/inter-rail).
Eurailpass: For non-European residents. Options
include a comprehensive Global Pass with practically
unlimited travel in 18 European countries, the more limited Select
Pass and Regional pass, or the single-country National Pass.
For more details, contact The Eurail Group (www.eurail.com).
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 Getting
There by Road
The main route from the UK is via
France. The main motorways to Spain from France are via Bordeaux or
Toulouse to San Sebastián (northern Spain) and via Marseille or
Toulouse to Barcelona (eastern Spain).
Eurolines (tel: 08717 818181, from the UK;
www.eurolines.com)
runs regular coach services to Spain. Passes:
Travellers can book a 15- or 30-day pass.
Getting
Around by Air
Getting
Around by Water
The main domestic sea routes run from
Barcelona, Denia, and Valencia to the Balearic Islands, from Cádiz
to the Canary Islands, and from Algeciras, Almería, and Málaga to
the North African enclaves of Ceuta and Melilla. Trasmediterranea (www.trasmediterranea.es)
is one of the principal operators, while the websites
www.directferries.es
and
www.aferries.es
cover all routes.
Getting
Around by Rail
Spain's high-speed rail network is
rapidly expanding, making this a convenient, though far from cheap,
way to explore the country. Nearly all train services are operated
by RENFE (tel: 902 240 202;
www.renfe.es); you
can check timetables and buy tickets via their website.
Rail Passes
Students can purchase the InterRail
pass (www.interrailnet.com)
from travel agents, but it's not valid on high-speed trains. An
international student or young-person's card grants a discount, and
if you're over 60 you can purchase a Tarjeta Dorada for a
small fee, granting a substantial saving on all rail services.
Normal fares vary according to the type of service. First class is
preferente, which costs around 30% more. It's worth buying
tickets in advance for long-distance services.
Getting
Around by Road
Traffic drives on the right. Motorways
(autopistas, numbered with ‘A' ) are well-maintained and
form a comprehensive network across the whole country. Tolls are in
operation on some sections and can be paid in cash or by card. Trunk
roads (rutas nacionales, numbered with ‘N') between major
cities are generally fast and well-maintained. Rural roads are of
differing quality.
Coach/Bus: Intercity bus services are the staple
transport of Spain, and are fast and cheap. Departures are generally
from a central terminal at which the operators will have individual
booths selling tickets. Most places have a bus link of some kind,
even the more remote villages. The biggest operator is Alsa (tel:
902 422 242;
www.alsa.es).
Car hire: All major car hire companies are
represented in major cities, resorts and airports. Drivers must be
over 21 to hire a car.
Regulations: Seat belts must be worn.
Spare bulbs, red hazard triangles and a reflective vest or
jacket must be kept in all vehicles. Parking laws are rigorously
enforced. The speed limit for motorways is 120kph (80mph); in
built-up areas the limit is 50kph (30mph); for other roads it is
90kph (56mph) or 100kph (62mph). The legal limit for drink driving
is 0,5 grams of alcohol per litre of blood and penalties are severe.
Emergency breakdown service: Real Automóvil
Club de España (RACE) (tel: 902 300 505;
www.race.es).
Documentation: Most foreign licences including Canadian, EU
and US are accepted. Minimum third Party insurance is compulsory;
carry a copy of your policy and registration document if bringing
your own car.
 Getting
Around Towns and Cities
Traffic in Spanish cities is normally
heavy, and urban driving takes some time to adjust to. City public
transport facilities are generally good. Barcelona, Bilbao, Madrid,
Sevilla and Valencia have metros as well as buses; work on the first
two lines of the Málaga metro is well underway. Other towns and
resorts are well served by local buses. Metered taxis are available
in all major towns and cities.
 Telephone
Country code: 34. Emergency calls:
112. Area codes are incorporated within a nine digit number dialled
from wherever you are.
 Mobile
Telephone
Roaming agreements exist with most
international mobile phone companies. Coverage is good throughout
most of the country. Spanish mobile numbers begin with 6.
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 Internet
Internet cafés are available in most
urban areas, and wireless access is widespread in cafés and hotels.
 Post
There are efficient internal and
international postal services (correos) to all countries.
Airmail within Europe usually takes around five days. Main post
offices in cities are normally open 0800-2000 Mon-Fri, and 0800-1400
Sat.
 Media
Broadcasting in Spain has witnessed a
spectacular expansion in recent years with the emergence of new
commercial operators and the launch of digital services. State-owned
TVE operates TV-1 (La Primera) and TV-2 (La
Dos). Antena 3, La Cuatro, Telecinco
and La Sexta are privately run channels. There are various
free-to-air regional channels, as well as digital sports and
entertainment channels. RNE is state-run. It operates
Radio 1, Radio Clásica, Radio 3 and Radio
5. Cadena SER and Onda Cero are popular
commercial stations. Cadena COPE is controlled by the
church.
British Embassy in Spain
Torre Espacio, Paseo de la Castellana
259D, 28046 Madrid, Spain
Tel: (917) 146 300.
Website:
www.ukinspain.fco.gov.uk
Opening hours: Mon-Fri 0900-1730.
Turespaña – Spanish Tourist Board
José Lázaro Galdiano 6, Madrid 28071
Tel: (00 34) 913 433 500.
Website:
www.spain.info
Spanish Embassy in the UK
Spanish Consulate in the UK
20 Draycott Place, London SW3 2RZ, UK
Tel: (020) 7589 8989 or 0906 550 8970 (recorded visa
information; calls cost £1 per minute) or 0906 554 0714 (to
make an appointment; calls cost £1 per minute).
Website:
www.conspalon.org
Opening hours: Mon-Fri 0915-1400 (visa information by appointment
only).
Spanish National Tourist Office in the
UK
Spanish Embassy and Consulate in the
USA
2375 Pennsylvania Avenue, NW,
Washington, DC 20037, USA
Tel: (202) 452 0100 or 728 2330 (consulate).
Website: www.spainemb.org
Spanish Tourist Office in the USA
666 Fifth Avenue, 35th Floor, New
York, NY 10103, USA
Tel: (212) 265 8822 (visits by appointment only).
Website:
www.spain.info/us/tourspain
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Time
Mainland Spain/Balearics:
GMT + 1 (GMT + 2 from last Sunday in March to last Sunday
in October).
The Canary Islands: GMT (GMT + 1 from last Sunday
in March to last Sunday in October).
Area
504,644 sq km (194,844 sq miles).
Includes Balearics, Canaries, Ceuta, and Melilla.
Population
Population Density
92.5 per sq km.
Capital
Madrid. Population:
3.2 million (2008).
Electricity
220 or 225 volts AC, 50Hz.
Generally, round two-pin plugs and screw-type lamp fittings are
in use.
Passports
Passport valid for at least three
months beyond length of stay required by all nationals referred
to in the chart above except:
(a) 1. EU nationals holding a valid national ID
card.
Note: EU nationals are only required to produce
evidence of their EU nationality and identity in order to be
admitted to any EU Member State. This evidence can take the form
of a valid national passport or national identity card.
Either is acceptable. Passports held by EU nationals need only
be valid upon entry to and exit from Spain. Possession of a
return ticket, any length of validity on their document,
sufficient funds for the length of their proposed visit should
not be imposed.
Note
Spain is a signatory to the 1995
Schengen Agreement.
Visas
Not required by nationals of EU
countries regardless of purpose and/or length of stay;
2. not required by nationals of other countries
referred to in the chart above for stays of up to 90 days.
Currency
Euro (EUR; symbol €) = 100 cents (céntimos).
Notes are in denominations of €500, 200, 100, 50, 20, 10 and 5.
Coins are in denominations of €2 and 1, and 50, 20, 10, 5, 2 and
1 cents.
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Currency Exchange
Money can be changed in any bank,
and at most travel agencies, major hotels and airports.
Credit/Debit Cards and ATMs
American Express, Diners Club,
MasterCard/Cirrus and Visa/Plus are accepted in nearly all ATMs,
which are common throughout the country.
Traveller's Cheques
Traveller's cheques are
disappearing from use fast, and it's far more convenient to
travel with cards these days. Nevertheless, you can still change
them in main bank branches and exhange bureaux, and they are
accepted in major hotels.
Banking Hours
Generally Mon-Fri 0830-1400. Some
branches open Saturdays too, from October to April.
Public Holidays
Below are listed Public Holidays
for the January 2010-December 2011 period.
2011
21 Apr
* Maundy Thursday.
1 May -
2 May
Labour Day.
8 Dec
Immaculate Conception.
Note
(a) *These holidays may be
replaced by the autonomous communities with another date. (b)
Additional dates are celebrated as regional public holidays.
These vary from region to region.
Spain Health
Legal drinking age:
16 for wine and beer, 18 for
spirits.
Tipping: Staff don't expect tips except in
tourist areas, where a service charge may be added to the bill.
Spaniards tend to leave small change; 5% is considered generous
in a restaurant.
Things To Do in
Spain
Bullfighting
This controversial but regularly thrilling gladiatorial
activity is still very much alive in Spain. Most towns only
hold bullfights during their annual spring or summer
fiestas, but temples of tauromachy, like Madrid's Las Ventas
or Sevilla's Maestranza, hold regular corridas.
Book tickets via
www.taquillatoros.com
or
www.tauroentrada.com.
Cycling
Pedal along one of the many vias verdes (www.viasverdes-ffe.com):
scenic railway tracks converted to cycle paths.
Mountain biking is becoming increasingly popular,
and paths and tracks are plentiful.
Fishing
Spain has opportunities for all types of
fishing - the rivers and streams of the
Pyrenees and the Picos de Europa offer good freshwater
casting, while trout is abundant throughout the country.
Permits must be requested from the regional authorities.
Flamenco
Feel the passion of flamenco, in music,
dance and song, throughout Andalucía and particularly the
cities of Sevilla and Jerez de la Frontera.
Get chatting!
All Spanish cities have academies that offer classes, from a
couple of days to kick-start your holiday to longer programs
to gain real expertise. They can be combined with cultural
visits and homestays for a richer experience.
Golf
Golf (www.golfspain.com)
is immensely popular, with Costa del Sol
and La Manga two of Spain's premier golfing destinations.
The south of Spain has over 200 golf courses including many
of mainland Europe's finest championship courses.
Enjoy Moorish pleasures
Soak in a real Arab bath or hammam, reconstructed
to luxury standards to suit modern tastes. You can find them
in many southern cities, often combined with a tetería,
where you can sip mint tea on low cushions after your bath.
Mountain climbing
There are great opportunities for rock
climbing in Spain's mountains. Well-known, challenging
climbs include the Naranjo de Bulnes in the Picos de Europa
and Monte Perdido in Ordesa National Park.
Run with bulls
Run with the bulls or join with the crowds at the Festival
of San Fermín in Pamplona (www.sanfermin.com).
The famous 'running of the bulls' through
the streets of the centre takes place in July and attracts
huge numbers of tourists.
Skiing
Spain has many natural ski runs and winter resorts, all well
equipped with facilities. There are five main skiing
regions, including the Pyrenean and Cantabrian ranges, and
check out the southern Sierra Nevada, east of Granada, for
the chance of combining a bit of winter sun with your snow.
Watersports
Swimming, jetskiing and waterskiing facilities can be found
at nearly all seaside resorts. Spain's premier resort for
windsurfing and kitesurfing is Tarifa, on the Atlantic
coast, while surfing is big in the north, particularly
around the Basque village of Mundaka. Spain is also great
for sailing.
Wine Tasting
Wine tourism is relatively new in Spain, but the bodegas
have upped their act recently. The wineries of La Rioja now
offer everything from 5-star architectural treats with
grapeskin spa treatments to state-of-the-art wine museums.
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British
Business Finder Homepage -
Holiday's -
Spain Travel Guide -
Costa del Sol
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