Banks: 10:00 to 17:00, Tuesday to Saturday
Post Offices: 08:00 to 16:00, Tuesday to Saturday
Government Offices: 09:00 to 12:00 and 14:00 to 18:00, Monday to Friday
Business Centres: 09:00 to 14:00 and 16:30 to 20:00, Monday to Friday
Shops: 09:00 to 14:00 and 16:30 to 20:00/21:00, Monday to Friday

Almeria has low crime rates and little in the way of serious danger issues therefore very few visitors experience anything untoward during their stay. Petty criminals exist of course, but with some attention to personal security visitors can reduce their chances of being targeted by either pickpockets or bag snatchers.

220V, 50Hz; round, two-pin plugs are standard.

There are no vaccinations necessary for visiting Almeria and no serious problems with hygiene in public places. Furthermore, tap water is safe to drink here. The standard of treatment in public hospitals is high and EU visitors can get free emergency care if they are in possession of a European Health Insurance Card. Travel insurance with medical cover is advisable for all visitors.

Hospital Provincial Santa Maria Magdalena: +34 950 241 455
Emergency services: 112

Castellano or Castilian is the main form of the Spanish language and is spoken by most locals in Almeria. However, since the city is located in the Andalucia region, some locals speak the regional dialect known as Andaluz.

Spain uses the euro (EUR), with €1 equal to 100 euro cents.

There are no restrictions on the movement of goods by EU citizens between countries within the EU, so visitors may bring an unspecified quantity of alcohol, tobacco and other products into Spain provided they are for personal use only and volumes are not excessively large.

Visitors arriving from outside of the EU may bring the following into Spain without needing to pay customs charges: 200 cigarettes, 100 cigarillos, 50 cigars or 250gms of loose tobacco; one litre of spirits, two litres of wine and two litres of fortified wine; 60ml of perfume and 250ml of eau de toilette; and gifts and souvenirs up to a value of €200.

In general, Spaniards are relaxed and social situations and day-to-day interactions are typically informal. As with elsewhere in the EU, business situations are formal, however. Punctuality is not considered essential for social engagements but for official appointments, effort should be made not to be tardy. Meeting and greeting is done with handshakes initially then later with continental style “air kisses” when familiarity has been established.

Visitors should dress relatively smartly in public places; beachwear is not considered appropriate attire for restaurants or government buildings in the city centre. Wine is consumed with frequency by the locals, but public insobriety is rare so visitors should avoid drinking too much.

EU visitors from Schengen countries can enter the country with only a valid passport. Most other visitors require visas, with the exception of nationals of the US, Canada, Australia and New Zealand. Visitor visas can be obtained from Spanish embassies around the world.

The Almeria Municipal Tourist Office is located at Avenida Federico Garcia Lorca and can be contacted on: +34 950 280 748.