❓ Common questions guests ask us

Everything this page answers — in plain-English question form. Scroll on for the full answers, or message us on WhatsApp if your question isn't here.

• What's the emergency number in Marbella?
• Where's the nearest 24-hour pharmacy?
• Which is the best hospital in Marbella for English-speaking guests?
• Where do I find an English-speaking dentist, physio or optician?
• Where's the vet in central Marbella? Is it 24-hour?
• Which beaches allow dogs in Marbella?
• How do I get to Puerto Banús without a car?
• Does Uber work in Marbella? Which taxi apps do?
• How much are private airport transfers from Málaga?
• Which supermarkets are within walking distance of Skol?
• Where are the local farmers' markets?
• Where can I withdraw cash without a fee?
• Do I need a Spanish SIM card?
• Where are the best playgrounds near Skol?
• Where can we get baby food, nappies or a pediatrician?
• What do the beach flag colours mean?
• What do I do if I get stung by a jellyfish?
• Where can I rent paddleboards, kayaks, jet skis or a boat?
• Is Marbella tap water safe to drink?
• What time do Spanish restaurants serve lunch and dinner?
• Do you tip in Spanish restaurants? How much?
• Do restaurants and taxis take card in Marbella?
• Which public holidays close the shops?
• What are the essential Spanish phrases every visitor needs?
• Where can I park safely in central Marbella?
• Is there beach wheelchair access in Marbella?
• What tourist traps should I avoid?

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🧭 Useful Local Info — Marbella Made Easy

The stuff nobody tells you until you actually need it. Bookmark this page — or screenshot it now, save it to your camera roll, and thank us later.

Everything below is what our guests ask us most: where's the nearest pharmacy, how do I get to Puerto Banús without a car, is the tap water OK, where do I take my dog to the vet, what's that jellyfish rating flag mean, how do I say "the bill please" without embarrassing myself.

Real answers from us — Daniela & Vincenzo — after 20+ years of running Skol.

💬 Message us on WhatsApp anytime — for anything not on this page, or if you just want a human to help.

🆘 In an emergency

112 — the one number to remember. Ambulance, police, or fire — one call for all of them. Say "inglés por favor" and you'll get an English-speaking operator.

Other numbers (in case 112 is engaged):

• 091 — Policía Nacional (national police)
• 092 — Policía Local (Marbella municipal police)
• 062 — Guardia Civil (rural / highway)
• 080 — Bomberos (fire brigade)
• 900 202 202 — Salvamento Marítimo (sea rescue / coast guard)
• 016 — 24/7 domestic-abuse helpline (free, confidential, doesn't show on phone bill)

And us — Skol 24/7 reception on the ground floor, plus Daniela & Vincenzo on WhatsApp. Whatever the issue, we're your first call — even the tiny ones, even at 3am. That's the whole point of staying with us.

💊 Pharmacies & Chemists (farmacias)

Spanish pharmacies handle everything from paracetamol to serious repeat prescriptions — no appointment needed for most over-the-counter advice.

Near Skol / central Marbella:

FARMACIA GALLEGO — Calle Pablo Casals 7 · Mon–Fri 9–2 & 5–9 · Sat morning only

FARMACIA MINGORANCE — Avda Ricardo Soriano 44 · 24 hours ⭐

FARMACIA BERDAGUER — Avenida Ricardo Soriano 2 · 24 hours ⭐

FARMACIA LLANO COROMINAS — Imperator building · 9am–9pm

Farmacia de guardia — every night one pharmacy in Marbella stays open all night on rotation. If the two 24-hour ones above are far, ask us — we'll tell you which one's on duty tonight. The rotating list is also posted on the door of every closed pharmacy.

🏥 Doctors, hospitals & clinics

Public health (EU visitors with a EHIC/GHIC card, non-EU with travel insurance)

HOSPITAL COSTA DEL SOL — Autovía A-7 Km 187, 29603 Marbella  ·  📞 951 976 669 / 951 976 670  ·  📧 info@hcs.es

Private (for anyone with private insurance — often faster for non-urgent)

HOSPITAL QUIRÓNSALUD MARBELLA — Avda. Severo Ochoa 22, 29603 Marbella  ·  📞 952 774 200  ·  📧 info.marbella@quiron.es

HOSPITAL OCHOA — Paseo Marítimo, Edificio Mayoral s/n, 29602 Marbella  ·  📞 952 861 400  ·  35+ medical specialties, long-established Marbella private hospital

CLÍNICA PREMIUM MARBELLA — C/ San Juan Bosco 8, 29602 Marbella  ·  📞 952 865 856  ·  WhatsApp +34 660 333 030  ·  multidisciplinary outpatient specialists

Walk-in for minor issues

For a sprain, mild fever, ear infection or anything that doesn't need the full hospital — the private hospitals above take walk-ins for a moderate fee (usually €80–150 for a consultation), and you'll be seen within an hour. Faster than the public route if you're not covered by public health.

English-speaking GPs & specialists

Straight to Hospital Recoletas Salud Marbella — GPs, pediatricians, physios, chiropractors, cardiologists, all under one roof with English-speaking staff. Book a consult on 952 899 350 or through recoletasmarbella.com. If you'd rather we help set up the appointment, message us on WhatsApp.

Ambulance

112 — ask for "ambulancia, inglés por favor"

🦷 Dentist in Marbella

INFINITY DENTAL MARBELLA — English-speaking clinic · 📞 952 65 05 30

DENTAL MARBELLA — English-speaking clinic · 🌐 dentalmarbella.com

CLÍNICA FUTUREDENT — 📞 952 82 00 80

💪 Physiotherapy when you need it

CORPORIS — Avenida Ricardo Soriano, central Marbella · English-speaking · 📞 +34 640 58 37 88

Our go-to for guests dealing with a sports strain, a stiff back after a long flight, or an old injury flaring up on holiday. Walk-in or appointment, straightforward pricing, and they don't upsell you into a treatment plan you don't need. Message us on WhatsApp and we'll help set up the visit.

👓 Optician (when the glasses go)

Glasses break. Contacts run out. Marbella has you covered.

ÓPTICA DUNIA — English-speaking · same-day repairs · can copy your prescription from your phone or an old pair.

Message us on WhatsApp if you'd like us to call ahead or help translate your prescription.

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🚕 Getting around

You don't need a car for daily Marbella life — everything's walkable, the bus network is cheap and reliable, and taxis are on tap. Here's how everything works.

Taxis

Taxi rank right outside Skol — usually a car waiting. If not, one turns up within a few minutes.

Marbella dispatch: 952 77 44 88 / 952 82 35 35

Diego — our regular Skol driver, English-speaking, pre-book: 671 38 87 98

Taxi apps that work in Marbella:

• FreeNow — the biggest, works with local licensed taxis, card in app
• Cabify — private-hire, fixed prices shown upfront, good for airport runs
• Bolt — cheapest off-peak, but supply is thinner

Buses

Marbella's bus network is cheap, air-conditioned, and easy once you know the numbers.

• M-220 — Marbella ⇆ Puerto Banús ⇆ San Pedro · every 15–20 min · ~€1.50 · runs until late
• M-113 — Marbella ⇆ Málaga city / Málaga airport · every ~30 min · ~€6 · the airport connection
• M-224 — Marbella ⇆ Estepona · frequent
• M-231 — Marbella ⇆ Fuengirola (connects to the coastal train to Málaga)

Bus stops in central Marbella are on Avenida Ricardo Soriano and at the main bus station (Avenida Trapiche). Google Maps shows live times.

Airport transfers (Málaga airport — AGP)

We arrange private transfers if you'd rather not think about it:

• Up to 4 people: €80 each way
• Up to 6 people: €100 each way

Alternatively — the M-113 bus (~€6, 1hr) or a taxi (~€75–90 depending on time of day). Bus stop is at Marbella bus station; taxi rank is directly outside Málaga airport arrivals.

Renting a car

You don't need one for Marbella-Puerto Banús-Estepona living — everything's walkable + bus/taxi. You DO want one for Ronda, Gibraltar, Nerja, Córdoba.

Rent at Málaga airport — the branded companies (Europcar, Hertz, Sixt, Enterprise) are cheaper and more reliable than the tiny local ones. Airport pickup is faster than in-town pickup in every case.

Watch for: excess insurance (add it upfront online — the counter mark-up is brutal), full-to-full fuel policy (not "full to empty"), and toll roads (see the driving section below).

Bikes & e-scooters

Marbella has proper bike lanes along the Paseo Marítimo — flat, safe, scenic. Rental shops throughout the centre (~€10/day for a bike, ~€35 for an electric).

E-scooters — Bird and Lime operate here. Legally you need to stay on the bike path or road (never the pavement) — the police do fine people using pavements. Speed limit 25 km/h.

Walking distances from Skol

• Fontanilla beach: 0 min (you're on it)
• Marbella Old Town: 10 min
• Alameda park: 8 min
• Puerto Deportivo (marina): 15 min
• La Bajadilla fishing port: 20 min
• Puerto Banús: 45 min walk / 15 min taxi / 15 min bus

🐕 Travelling with your dog?

Because half our guests bring the dog — and this stuff isn't easy to find in English.

Vet in central Marbella

HOSPITAL VETERINARIO COSTA DEL SOL — Avda. Severo Ochoa 2, Marbella · 📞 952 86 44 44 · Open 24h ⭐

CENTRO VETERINARIO MARBELLA — Calle Hernán Cortés 2, Marbella · 📞 952 77 44 33

Dogs on the beach — the rules

Marbella's main beaches (Fontanilla, La Bajadilla, Venus) are banned to dogs from 1 June to 30 September. Off-season (October–May), most beaches allow well-behaved dogs on a lead.

Marbella has an official dog beach — Playa El Pinillo — where dogs are allowed year-round, off-lead. It's a 10-minute drive east from Skol.

Dog-friendly food & drink

Most chiringuitos (beach bars) on the Paseo Marítimo are dog-friendly — outdoor terraces welcome well-behaved dogs. Full restaurant interiors vary. If in doubt, ask "¿aceptan perros?" ("do you accept dogs?").

Pet food & supplies

The main supermarkets (MasKóm, Supercor, Eroski) stock the mainstream brands. For premium or prescription food, the vet sells what they recommend.

Dog groomer / peluquería canina

PIRULI — inside El Corte Inglés · trusted by us and locals for a proper trim, bath and nail clip.

🛒 Shopping basics

Supermarkets on and around Ricardo Soriano

MASKÓM — Avda. Ricardo Soriano · Mon–Sat 9–21 · Sun 10–14 · walking distance from Skol

SUPERCOR — Calle El Calvario / Avda. Ricardo Soriano · Mon–Sat 9–22 · Sun 10–14 · walking distance · El Corte Inglés-owned, wider range including some international brands

EROSKI — Centro Comercial La Cañada · Mon–Sat 10–22 · Sun 10–14 · 10-min drive from Skol · biggest selection if you're planning a stock-up

Farmers markets (mercadillo)

MARBELLA MERCADILLO — every Monday morning at the recinto ferial (fairground) · 9am–2pm · everything from fresh produce to leather sandals to random tat · genuinely local.

PUERTO BANÚS MERCADILLO — every Saturday morning · 9am–2pm · bigger, more tourist-oriented.

LA CAÑADA MERCADILLO — Marbella's biggest shopping centre also runs an outdoor market.

Fish market

LA BAJADILLA FISHING PORT — proper Spanish fish market, mornings only. The fish comes off the boats and onto the counters. Best around 9–11am.

Bakery / panadería

MALEVA — Marbella

FERMENTO — Marbella

LA CANASTA — Marbella

Fresh bread, croissants, tortilla de patatas by the slice — every neighbourhood in Marbella has 2–3 panaderías besides these three. Skol is surrounded by them. Just walk out and follow your nose in the morning.

💰 Money & admin

ATMs (cajeros automáticos)

Central Marbella is thick with ATMs. Fee warning: most Spanish bank ATMs (Santander, BBVA, CaixaBank) now charge non-customers €3–6 per withdrawal.

Fee-free (or near-free) options if your home bank has a European partner:

• Deutsche Bank ATMs (Ricardo Soriano) — usually fee-free for many EU cards
• Openbank ATMs — fee-free
• Withdraw a larger amount less often to reduce the flat-fee sting

Post office (Correos)

CORREOS MARBELLA — Calle Alonso de Bazán 3 (5-min walk from Skol) · Mon–Fri 8:30–14:30, Sat 9:30–13:00. Stamps also sold at tabacos (tobacconists — the "T" signs) if the post office is closed.

Printing / photocopies

Most papelerías (stationery shops) do photocopies for €0.10 a page and can print from a USB or email attachment. Multiple in central Marbella.

📶 Staying connected

WiFi at Skol

Fibre WiFi in every apartment, plus in the reception and common areas. Fast enough for video calls, streaming, uploading photos, and remote work.

Spanish SIM cards (for stays over a week)

Roaming from your home country works for short trips. For longer stays a local prepaid SIM is much cheaper.

Free WiFi hotspots

• Marbella municipal free WiFi — patchy but covers the Paseo Marítimo, the marina, Old Town central squares
• Starbucks, McDonald's — reliable free WiFi on any device
• Most cafés in the centre — free WiFi with any drink · ask for the "contraseña del WiFi"

👶 Family essentials

Playgrounds near Skol

• Parque de la Represa — Marbella's main urban park, 5-min walk from Skol · big playground, shaded, lots of running-around space
• Paseo Marítimo playgrounds — several small ones along the promenade, right on the beach
• Parque de la Constitución — small park near Old Town, quieter

Baby cot & high chair

Included and free — just add "cot + high chair needed" to your booking and we'll set them up before you arrive. Cot is a proper travel cot with a mattress, high chair is a wipe-clean sturdy one.

Nappies, baby food, formula

Any of the main supermarkets (MasKóm, Supercor, Eroski) stock all the mainstream brands: Dodot and Chelino for nappies, Blevit and Hero for baby food, Nutriben and Nestlé for formula. If you use a specific brand from home, bring the first few days' supply and buy in-town after.

Pediatrician

HOSPITAL RECOLETAS has English-speaking pediatricians. Book on 952 899 350, or message us on WhatsApp and we'll set up the appointment for you.

Buggy hire

If you didn't fly with one, we can arrange rental — just ask.

🌊 Beach practicals

Beach flag system

Watch the flag on the lifeguard tower before going in:

• 🟢 Green — all safe, swim freely
• 🟡 Yellow — swim with caution, don't go far from shore
• 🔴 Red — do not swim, dangerous conditions (rough sea, currents, or jellyfish)

Jellyfish (medusas)

Some summers we get carabela portuguesa (Portuguese man o' war) on the currents from the Atlantic. When it happens, red flags go up and there'll usually be warning signs.

If you get stung:

1. Get out of the water calmly
2. Do NOT rinse with fresh water (makes it worse) — use seawater
3. Do NOT pee on it (this is a myth)
4. Remove tentacles with a stick or tweezers (never bare hands)
5. Apply cold (ice wrapped in cloth, not directly)
6. Go to any pharmacy for crema para las picaduras (sting cream). For severe reactions, 112.

Lifeguards

Lifeguards on Fontanilla beach through the swimming season (usually June to September, 11am–7pm). Off-season the beach is unmanned — swim at your own risk.

Sunbeds & umbrellas

Sun loungers on Fontanilla beach: €3 per day (order from us). Chiringuitos on the beach also rent sunbeds — usually a bit more expensive but they'll bring you drinks.

Water sports rentals

NALUSUR — paddleboards (SUP) ~€15/hour and kayaks ~€10/hour · on Fontanilla and neighbouring beaches · walk-up or book ahead.

MARBELLA SPORT BOAT — jet skis (~€60/30min from Puerto Banús marina), boat trips, sunset cruises, dolphin trips, and private charters from Puerto Deportivo Marbella.

Public showers & toilets on the Paseo

Free public showers every few hundred metres along the Paseo Marítimo — rinse the sand off before walking back to the apartment. Public toilets are less consistent — the chiringuitos are your best bet (a €2 coffee gets you access).

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⏰ Spanish daily life

The rhythm you'll adjust to — meal times, shop hours, tipping, cash vs card, public holidays.

Meal times

Spanish restaurants run late.

• Breakfast: 8:00–11:00 (a coffee + tostada until noon)
• Lunch: 14:00–16:00 (this is the main meal, not dinner)
• Merienda: 18:00–19:00 (afternoon coffee + something sweet)
• Dinner: 21:00–23:30 (turning up at 19:30 for dinner marks you instantly as a tourist)

Most kitchens close between lunch and dinner (16:00–20:30). Chiringuitos on the beach stay open all afternoon for drinks and light bites.

Siesta hours

Most small shops close between roughly 14:00 and 17:00 — reopening until 20:00 or 21:00. The big supermarkets and shopping centres (MasKóm, Supercor, El Corte Inglés, La Cañada) stay open all day.

Tipping

Not a percentage culture. Rounding up the bill (€1–2 per person for a normal meal, €5 for a special one) is the norm. In tapas bars, leaving the coin change is standard. No tip on the coffee.

Cash vs card

Cards work almost everywhere now — including tiny bars, market stalls, taxis. A very small number of old-school chiringuitos are still cash-only — they'll tell you upfront. Contactless up to €50 is the default. Apple Pay and Google Pay work everywhere card does.

Public holidays — when shops close

Spanish public holidays where most shops close (restaurants, bars and beaches stay open):

• 1 January — Año Nuevo (New Year)
• 6 January — Reyes (Epiphany — bigger than Christmas for kids)
• Easter (Semana Santa) — Thursday & Friday, dates change each year
• 1 May — Día del Trabajador (Labour Day)
• 11 June — San Bernabé (Marbella's local patron saint — HUGE local fiesta, 6 days of concerts, food, fireworks)
• 16 July — Virgen del Carmen (fishermen's patron — sea procession, Mass on the sand at Cable Beach)
• 15 August — La Asunción (Assumption)
• 12 October — Fiesta Nacional
• 1 November — Todos los Santos
• 6 December — Constitución
• 8 December — Inmaculada
• 25 December — Navidad

Tap water — is it safe?

Yes, Marbella tap water is safe to drink. It's tested constantly and meets all EU standards. Some visitors find the taste a bit chlorinated compared to home — most locals drink it anyway, some prefer bottled. Do what you like.

🗣️ Survival Spanish

The 15 phrases you'll actually use.

Hola / Adiós — Hello / Goodbye

Por favor / Gracias — Please / Thank you

Buenos días / Buenas tardes / Buenas noches — Good morning / afternoon / night

¿Habla inglés? — Do you speak English?

No hablo español — I don't speak Spanish

Una mesa para dos, por favor — A table for two, please

Dos cañas, por favor — Two small beers, please

Agua sin gas / con gas — Still / sparkling water

La cuenta, por favor — The bill, please

¿Cuánto cuesta? — How much does it cost?

¿Dónde está el baño? — Where's the bathroom?

Sin gluten / vegetariano / vegano — Gluten-free / vegetarian / vegan

Tengo una reserva — I have a reservation

Necesito un médico — I need a doctor

¡Ayuda! — Help!

🚗 Driving in Marbella

Parking on the street

Marbella uses a coloured zone system:

• 🔵 Blue lines (ORA) — paid parking, pay at the meter, ~€1/hour, max stay usually 2 hrs · Mon–Fri 9:30–14:00 & 17:00–21:00 (free on weekends and evenings)
• 🟢 Green lines — residents only, do NOT park unless you have a resident permit
• 🟡 Yellow lines — no parking, ever, for anyone
• ⚪ White lines — free parking, but rare in the centre

Underground car parks (safe, secure, always available)

• Parking El Fuerte — near the Paseo Marítimo, walking distance to Skol
• Parking Puente de Málaga — near Alameda park
• Parking Puerto Deportivo — at the marina

~€1.50/hour, ~€18/day. Worth it for peace of mind vs street parking.

Toll AP-7 vs free A-7 coastal

Two motorways run along the Costa del Sol:

• AP-7 — toll road, faster, less traffic. ~€6 for Marbella to Málaga airport.
• A-7 (coastal) — free, but slower especially in summer, plus lots of roundabouts and speed cameras.

If you're going airport → Skol, the AP-7 saves ~15 minutes.

Petrol prices

Cheaper in Spain than most of northern Europe. Repsol, Cepsa, and BP stations dot the coast. Diesel is called gasoil or gasóleo. Unleaded is sin plomo (95 or 98).

If you get a ticket

Fines are cheaper if paid within 20 days (usually 50% off). Instructions on how to pay are on the back of the ticket. Ignoring it doesn't work — Spain enforces internationally.

♿ Accessibility in Marbella

Beach wheelchair

Free beach wheelchair loan at the Fontanilla lifeguard station in season (usually June–September). Come with ID and the lifeguards set you up.

Restaurant / bar accessibility

Marbella is mostly flat and paved along the Paseo Marítimo — the promenade is fully wheelchair-friendly. Old Town cobbles are trickier — some restaurants have step-free entrances, most don't. Ring ahead if it matters.

Electric wheelchair rental

We can arrange this for you — call us with your dates and mobility needs. We work with a local supplier who delivers to Skol. Message us on WhatsApp.

Public transport

Marbella city buses (M-220 etc) are wheelchair-accessible. Regional buses to Málaga (M-113) usually are too, but confirm at the counter.

⚠️ Watch out for

The small stuff nobody warns you about — and it's entirely avoidable once you know.

Beach thefts

Do not leave phones, wallets, or bags unattended while you swim — even for 30 seconds. Take turns, or leave valuables in the apartment. This is the #1 tourist problem in Marbella, and it's entirely avoidable.

Timeshare touts in Puerto Banús

People stop you saying you've "won a free scratchcard" or a "free bottle of champagne" — don't engage, just walk on. They're timeshare pressure salespeople and they will hold you for hours.

"Broken meter" taxis

All Marbella taxis must run the meter. If the driver refuses ("meter broken, flat rate 40 euros"), get out and take the next one. Insist: "con taxímetro, por favor."

Ticket scalpers

Buy Starlite Festival and Marbella Arena tickets from the official websites only. Marbella has a lot of "spare ticket, cheap price" street resellers around venues — often fakes.

Restaurant covers / bread charges

Some restaurants add a cubierto charge (bread + service). Check the small print on the menu before you order.

📞 When in doubt call us

We've said it three times on this page because we mean it: whatever the issue, we're here for you.

Restaurant reservation you can't book online. Taxi that didn't turn up. Bill you can't read. Doctor you need to find at 11pm. Kid with a fever. Dog that got a jellyfish sting. Suitcase wheel that died. Anything.

The whole point of staying with us is the personal touch. We want you to actually enjoy Marbella, not just sleep here.

See you soon under the sun,

Daniela & Vincenzo

Skol Apartments Marbella · Licence A/MA/01317