Dealing with Money | Gimme Some Barcelona Travel Guide (2024)

Dealing With Money

Here are a few things that will make your time in this lovely city a bit easier:

Cash vs. Cards

  • Youwillneed some cash. Small businesses have credit/debit card minimums, especially at markets likeLaBoquería and Santa Caterina.
  • Consider ordering some euros to pick up at your local branch before your trip. Some banks will have fees attached, others might just exchange the money at the official rate of the day.
    • Tip: If you choose to order some euros in advance, ask if you can have some of it in small bills (€5s or €10s). It makes small purchases much simpler.

Using Credit Cards:

  • Somecredit/debit cards charge transaction fees on every purchase made abroad. It adds up, so check in advance before you leave.
  • Credit and debit cards are used commonly here, so you’ll be able to get around mostly with card if you’d like. (Taxis accept credit cards too!) But just be aware that if you’re using a debit card to get money out of an ATM that’s out of network, the additional fee is generally around €5.
  • Securityis tighter than ever nowadays with foreign purchases.
    • Alwaysinform your credit/debit card companies in advance that you’ll be traveling.
    • Despite placing travel notes on all of our cards, we still get them rejected from time to time simply because it’s a U.S.-based card used abroad. This is another reason you should always have cash handy.

Always Pay In Euros

  • If you’re using your credit or debit card, you’ll usually be asked on the credit card reader if you’d like to pay in euros or dollars. Choose euros.
    • Note: The credit card machines will often ask, “Do you want to pay in dollars?” with aYES/NO option. Answer “NO”. It may seem like you’re turning down the entire purchase, but don’t worry, the machine will proceed on its own to finish the transaction in Euros.
  • If you choose to pay in dollars, just know that you’ll be charged an additional fee. It’s called Dynamic Currency Conversion,which charges you extra for the “convenience” of showing you the price of your purchaseindollars. But in the end, you almost always end up paying more. Sneaky tourist trap.

Tipping

Pickpocketing

  • More on pickpocketing here. Pickpocketing is unfortunately rampant in Barcelona,but you can take basic precautions by moving your wallet to the front pocket of your pants,and usinga cross-bodypurse/wallet (and keeping that in front of you when you walk).A few simple precautions can go a long way.

For MoreBarcelonaTravel Recommendations…

Check out ourGimme Some Barcelona Travel Guide,which includes a constantly-updatedlist of our best recommendations on where to stay, what to do, and where to eat in Barcelona. Plus, we’ve also shared a bunch of our best Barcelona-specific travel tips, so that you can navigate the city like a local.

Also, feel free to download ourGimme Some BarcelonaGoogle Map, which includes all of the recommendations listed in our travel guide.

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Dealing with Money | Gimme Some Barcelona Travel Guide (2024)

FAQs

How much spending money do you need for 3 days in Barcelona? ›

Minimum you will need 30 € per day (this will include bed in a hostel, food from the supermarket and tickets for public transport).

How much money do you need to travel to Barcelona? ›

Visitors to Barcelona usually spend between $65 and $459 per day on average for one person and $131 to $919 for two people. While this is a wide range, the average daily cost averages $169 (€156) per person. This average includes sightseeing, hotel, food, and local transportation expenses from other travelers.

What I wish I knew before visiting Barcelona? ›

10 things to know before visiting Barcelona
  • You can't see the whole city in a day. ...
  • There will be lots of tourists. ...
  • Avoid traveling during big events. ...
  • Know what cultural events to look for. ...
  • There's more than one Rambla. ...
  • The beaches get better the further away from the city center you get. ...
  • Get to know Catalan culture.
Aug 7, 2023

How much money do you need for food in Spain? ›

Street food or fast food: around 5-10 EUR (6-12 USD) per meal. Casual dining or local restaurants: around 10-20 EUR (12-24 USD) per meal. Mid-range restaurants: around 20-30 EUR (24-36 USD) per meal. High-end or luxury restaurants: cost upwards of 50 EUR (60 USD) per meal.

Is 100 euros a day enough in Barcelona? ›

€100 per day is still not a huge amount but you can probably get by on it. You should perhaps read up on free stuff to do during the day and not plan on paying to go inside too many tourist attractions.

Is 1000 euros enough for a month in Barcelona? ›

Is 1000 euros enough for a month in Barcelona? The average salary in Barcelona is €2,500 a month, which means that living on your own within €1,000 can be quite manageable. These €1,000 will help you cover groceries, rent, transport, and utilities.

Should I carry cash in Barcelona? ›

You can pay by card virtually anywhere in Spain - from large cities like Madrid or Barcelona, to remote villages on the coast. Some places though (like tobacco shops or bus recharge spots) do not accept card payments for very small transactions (under €10) so it is advisable to carry some cash around.

How much cash should I take to Spain for a week? ›

For starters, the typical cost of a week-long trip to Spain for an individual fluctuates between $1,100-$2,257. For a couple, it appears to average between $1,900-$3,800.

Should I take cash or card to Spain? ›

Bottom line. A combination of travel money products is the best approach to funding your trip to Spain. Use a debit card or a travel card to withdraw cash from ATMs and to make over-the-counter purchases when available, and use a credit card for emergencies and big ticket purchases.

What is the 1 1 rule Barcelona? ›

FC Barcelona is hoping to get approval from La Liga to begin signing players under the “1-1 rule,” that is, they will be able to spend every euro they bring in.

Is it safe to walk through Barcelona at night? ›

Yes, you can safely walk alone at night in Barcelona.

Still, watch out for darker spots, like certain alleys. In certain narrow alleys, the lights are scarce. The area near La Rambla, especially, can get rowdy after hours, turning into a hotspot for drunk and shady people.

Is Barcelona cheap to eat out? ›

And don't worry, Barcelona isn't short of budget-friendly options. Here you'll find everything from classic tapas to cheap pasta, and fresh dumplings to gnocchi bars. At most spots on our list, you can get lunch for around €10, which is an absolute steal.

How much is a cup of coffee in Barcelona? ›

In Spain, a cup of coffee can cost as little as €0.60, or as much as €2.50 if we're talking about speciality coffee. The average cost of a cup of coffee in Spain is around €1.50 in 2023.

Is it cheap to eat out in Spain? ›

In places where local workers eat, on trading estates, or well away from the beachfront then this can be as little as €12 still. In more touristy areas I've seen menu del días at over €20 with no bread or drink included. Obviously, a la carte menus are totally down to what you choose.

How much money do you need per day in Barcelona? ›

For budget-minded travelers, it costs around €70-€95/day to visit Barcelona. These prices are based on what you'll need to visit the city comfortably as a budget traveler. If you want to upgrade your accommodations then you'll want to add another €120-€150/night depending on where you stay.

How much spending money do you need for a weekend in Barcelona? ›

Average Costs in Barcelona:
One night in a shared apartment rental (double room, total)€50 / £42 (total for room)
Transport around the city€2.60 / £2.20
Lunch/Dinner at a restaurant in Barcelona€12 / £10.50
Espresso at a local cafe€1.50 / £1.30
Glass of Catalan wine€3 / £2.60
Jan 2, 2022

Is it worth going to Barcelona for 3 days? ›

Barcelona is easily worth two days, and no one would regret having a third day (or a fourth, or a fifth…). If you can spare only one full day for the city, it will be a scramble, but a day you'll never forget.

How much does it cost to eat in Barcelona per day? ›

The ideal daily food budget for Barcelona

We think a budget of €35–40 per person, per day, is enough for you to eat out every meal and enjoy great food.

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