Banks: 08:30 to 14:00, Monday to Friday; 16:00 to 20:00, Thursday 
Post Offices: 08:30 to 21:30, Monday to Saturday
Government Offices: 07:00 to 14:00 and 16:30 to 19:30, Monday to Friday
Business Centres: 09:00 to 14:00 and 16:30 to 19:30, Monday to Friday
Shops: 09:00 to 21:00, Monday to Saturday; some open on Sundays

Overall, Marbella is a safe place for travellers, and there are few safety risks of concern. The most pressing concern facing visitors is petty theft. Pickpockets and purse snatchers work crowded areas such as bus and train stations. Be sure to secure your belongings, carrying only those valuables which are necessary.

220V, 50Hz, round two-pin plug.

Quality health care is available throughout Marbella and the expansive Costa del Sol. Urgencies (emergency rooms) are open 24 hours. Visitors from other EU nations qualify for discounted health care through reciprocal agreements and must show their European Health Insurance Card. At all hours, there is guaranteed to be at least one open pharmacy in every region. A sign posted at the entrance to closed pharmacies directs patients to the nearest open branch.

Emergency services: 061

The national language of Spain is Spanish though prominent regional dialects vary.

Spain’s unit of currency is the euro (EUR), and €1.00 breaks down into 100 cents.

Though duty-free sales are no longer available between EU nations, travellers arriving from outside of the EU can import the following items free of duty: 1 litre of spirits and 1 litre of wine along with 200 cigarettes or 50 cigars (totalling 250 grams). VAT tax is waived in airports for those travelling between EU member nations.

Greetings in Spain usually consist of a simple handshake though close friends may exchange a light kiss on each cheek (first left, then right). Dress is an important part of the local culture, and visitors will find patrons dressed stylishly and smartly even in casual environs. The siesta is still central to the Spanish workday, and most small businesses will close for roughly three hours in the afternoon before opening for another two or three hours of business.

Citizens of other EU countries have no need for a visa when visiting Spain. Visitors from Australia, Canada, New Zealand, the United States and several other nations qualify for a tourist visa issued upon arrival. Tourist visas can also be arranged through Spanish embassies and consulates around the world.

There are two tourist information offices in Marbella. The first is at the plaza de los Naranjos (phone: +34 952 82 35 50) and the second is located on the seafront at Glorieta de la Fontanilla (phone: +34 952 77 14 42).