Nobody from any country in the western world will find any fundamental differences between southern Spanish society and the one they left behind. The real difference will probably be the climate, since few western countries outside the Mediterranean basin enjoy such a luxury. The people are, of course, different, and they speak a different language and have different customs, but it is the marked friendliness of the Andalusians, their gastronomy and their traditions – all different from ours - that prompt most people to come here in the first place.

 Nevertheless, to thoroughly enjoy one’s stay on the Costa del Sol, it is as well to know how things work here. 

First the nuts and bolts. Electrical current in Spain is 220 volts, and the electrical plug used is two-point. Adaptors must thus be used for any electrical appliance that does not use the two-point plug, and transformers must be used with appliances that use a different voltage. It is advisable to take these with you. 

Spain is metric, and although we all know what that means in weights and measures, we not have such a clear idea of clothes and shoe sizes. This is a brief guide to the differences, with the corresponding British size in italics.

Women’s dresses, coats and skirts sizes: 40, 8. 42, 10. 44, 12. 46, 14. 48, 16. 50, 18.
Women’s shoes: 36, 5. 37, 4. 38, 5. 39, 6. 40, 7. 41, 8.
Men’s suits: 44, 34. 46, 36,. 48, 38. 50, 40. 52, 42. 54, 44. 56, 46.
Men’s shirts: 36, 14. 38, 15. 39, 15 1/2. 41, 16. 42, 16 1/2. 43, 17. 44, 17 1/2.
Men’s shoes: 39, 6. 40, 7. 41, 7 1/2. 42, 8. 43, 9. 44, 10. 45, 11. 46, 12.


The climate on the Iberian Peninsula is generally stable, and as far as meteorological science permits, weather forecasts are reliable. The seasons are fairly predictable, with periods of rain in the Costa del Sol from the end of September to the end of November, and in March and April. Rain and sunshine can alternate on any given day during these periods, and it is rare to have rain falling for more than two or three days at a time. 

The beaches on the Costa del Sol are largely sandy, but there are also many pebble beaches where foot-ware is advised. Tourists coming to the Costa del Sol in winter are advised to take umbrellas and raincoats, although such items can be purchased cheaply in local shops. 

Opening hours for shops tend to change from winter to summer. In general, summer shopping times are from 10 in the morning to 1.30 or 2 in the afternoon, and from 5.30 to 9 at night. In important tourist areas, many shops open later than nine in the morning, and remain open during siesta time and until quite late at night. Spanish law permits supermarkets to open on Sundays in large tourist areas during the summer period. Bars, restaurants and cafeterias have more flexible opening hours, generally in accordance with the requirements of their clients.