The travel advice on this page is for Malaga. For the latest general travel advice for Spain, please see FCO travel advice.

General

• On 1 January 2006 legislation came into effect across Spain which brought in controls covering smoking in bars, restaurants and other workplaces. Additional legislation has since come into effect bringing in more stringent controls on drinking & sexual activity in public places. This includes Spanish beaches, where regulations have increased significantly. Fines imposed for breach of regulations range from €30 to a maximum of €1500.

Crime

• street crime is occasionally accompanied by violence. Remain alert and guard valuable personal items at all times. The majority of reported thefts are a result of items being left unattended or thieves using distraction techniques. In busy areas of the larger cities such as Malaga, Sevilla and Granada unwary foreigners are often targeted by petty thieves who steal their handbags and other items such as cameras
  
  
• you should resist the temptation of buying cheap counterfeit goods such as DVDs, CDs and items of clothing. This is an illegal practice and the goods offered are generally of a very poor quality
  
  
• at Malaga airport robbers particularly target rental vehicles on the exit road and nearby highways by indicating that there is a problem with the vehicle's tyres. When the vehicle stops the robbers will offer assistance and take advantage of distractions to steal belongings from the interior of the vehicle. You are advised not to leave valuable items in your parked car, even if they are locked away in the boot. Hire cars are particularly targeted.
  
  
• along the Costa del Sol you should take particular care with your belongings and not take valuables or passports to the beach. There has been an increase in theft from bags whilst the owner is sleeping or the bag is left unattended.