The Euro
The currency used in Barcelona is the Euro. You can’t usually pay with another currency, in town.
How much does it cost to Visit Barcelona ?
For a great European city, Barcelona has comfortable prices. Barcelona is cheaper than northern Europeans cities like Paris and London.
Here is a list of common prices in Barcelona in 2023 :
| In Euro | |
| A fast food meal with a drink | 10 Euros |
| Ice cream, 2 scoops | 4 Euros |
| A Capuccino in a coffee place |
4 Euros |
| Metro, 10 rides (T10) | 12 Euros |
| A Cocktail or Whisky-Cola in a dancing club |
10 Euros |
| Beer in a tapas bar | 3 Euros |
| Local Sim card + 40 Giga Internet |
20 Euros |
| Dormitory bed in a hostel – high season |
30 Euros |
| Private room in a hostel – high season |
70 Euros |
| Entrance to museums and cable cars |
20 Euros |
- Use this Currency Converter to get the prices in your local currency.
- Use Numbeo to compare cost of living between cities.
- Accommodation :
The Hotel in Barcelona is the biggest expense that you will have. In high season there are many tourists in Barcelona and the hotels are expensive and fully booked, so it is better to reserve in advance. See the page : Where to Stay in Barcelona, the potential zones. - Food : There is a lot of healthy and cheap “street food” in Barcelona. You can get “combo menus” for less than 10 Euros. Visit the page : Vegetarian options in Barcelona.
ATM in Barcelona
There are a lot of ATMs in Barcelona, and you can withdraw money from them (Euros) with an international credit card.
The banks involved in the transactions (hopefully, just 2) will take commissions in the process.
Currency Exchange in Barcelona
There are private offices and banks all over the city including at the airport.
The problem with exchanging cash in Barcelona may be with the exchange rates. I saw private offices in la Rambla where the difference between buying and selling dollars was 30% ! (It seems Spain has found a way to solve the financial crisis). The regular banks in Barcelona (la Caixa etc…) have better rates than the private offices of la Rambla. Maybe the best is to change to Euros in your country, before the trip.
Pay with international Credit Card
It is very common to pay with a credit card in Barcelona.
You can pay by credit card in places like shops, hotels and for services. Probably, at the Boqueria market they won’t accept a credit card for a natural juice at 1 euro.
Use ATM or bring cash to Barcelona ?
You need to find an equilibrium between these two.
The ATM are very safe and convenient but the banks charge commissions for each withdrawal.
Bringing Euros in cash may leave you more of your money, but it is unsafe because of the risk of theft and loss. Anyway, you need to bring some cash with you, as a backup, for any case. Try to stay in hotels that have a safe box in the room or at the reception.
When you withdraw money from the ATM, do it for a medium or large sum because each withdrawal has a fixed commission. If you are travelling for a short period, you can afford to bring with you more cash than if you are travelling for months.
If you are out of ideas and desperate about the money, consider to buy a Loto ticket in Barcelona, maybe you will be lucky as a tourist.
How to carry the cash during the trip
I recommend this type of Hidden Pocket
There are 2 strong loops, so it is very safe. I have two of these because sometimes I travel for a long period and it gets thick, so I divide the cash and put one pocket on each side. You can buy this hidden pocket on Amazon , they ship it worldwide.
There is also an horizontal version of an hidden pocket, one that you don’t need a belt. But I personally prefer the vertical version.
More on Barcelona :
- Where to Stay in Barcelona – Potential Zones for the Hotel.
- What to Visit in Barcelona – The Tourist Attractions and how to Arrive.
- What to Pack for the trip to Barcelona – Hidden Pocket cash…
- Frequently Asked Questions about Barcelona – Weather, Feasts, Costs…
- Barcelona Tour – How is Barcelona, get the feeling of the city.
- Shopping Zones and Commercial Centers in Barcelona.
- Barcelona Nightlife – Where to Drink and Dance in Barcelona.
- Barcelona Transport – Airport, metro, buses, trains, outside town…
- Barcelona Cost – Typical prices in Barcelona, change money…
- Barcelona Internet – How and where to buy a local SIm, cost…
- Vegetarian Restaurants and Fast-Food in Barcelona – Eating Healthy.
- Barcelona Maps – Google maps with points of interest for tourists.
- Barcelona Photos – Nice photos of the city.
If you have specific questions about Barcelona, you can ask them in this TripAdvisor Forum.
On Thailand :
- Bangkok – What to Visit, Where to Stay, Transport…
- The Islands in Thailand – Which one to choose, Where to stay, How to arrive ?
- Chiang Mai – What to Visit, Where to Stay, Transport…
- Pattaya city – What to Visit, Where to Stay, Transport…
Other Stuff :
- What to Pack ? the visual list that will help you prepare the suitcase.
- Visit my Vegetarian Page. Why be Vegetarian ? What to eat ?
- Visit my Salsa Dance Page. Salsa main Styles. Why Dance Salsa ?
- See City Information about 2 more cool cities: Barcelona and Tel-Aviv.
- Listen to nice Songs with translation in French, Spanish, Italian, Hebrew.
- Listen to basic Words In Spanish, French, Hebrew
If you find incorrect data on this page, like a restaurant that has closed or a big river that has moved or you want to tell me something, please write me to contact.
