Should I get euros before going to Barcelona?

We do not recommend carrying a lot of cash with you while visiting Barcelona. However, it is a good idea to bring a small amount of Euros cash in advance to cover some initial expenses like taxi, meal etc. until you can arrive at a bank or cashpoint to obtain some more money.



For a trip to Barcelona in 2026, it is generally recommended to avoid buying large amounts of euros before you depart. Most travel experts, including Rick Steves, advise that you will receive much better exchange rates by using a local ATM (CaixaBank, BBVA, etc.) once you land in Spain. Barcelona is a highly digital city where contactless payment (Apple Pay, Google Pay, and "tap" credit cards) is the standard for almost everything from tapas bars to the Metro. It is a peer-to-peer "best practice" to carry only a small "emergency" cushion of about €50 for small vendors or tips. When using ATMs, always decline the "Dynamic Currency Conversion" (DCC) and choose to be charged in euros rather than your home currency to avoid hidden 5–10% markups. Also, ensure your debit card is from a bank that refunds international ATM fees, such as Charles Schwab, to keep your costs at the absolute minimum.

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Resist the urge to buy foreign currency before your trip. Some tourists feel like they just have to have euros or British pounds in their pockets when they step off the airplane, but they pay the price in bad stateside exchange rates. Wait until you arrive to withdraw money.

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Resist the urge to buy foreign currency before your trip. Some tourists feel like they just have to have euros or British pounds in their pockets when they step off the airplane, but they pay the price in bad stateside exchange rates. Wait until you arrive to withdraw money.

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Buy currency before you travel. Doing so gives you time to shop around for the best rate. Plus, when you arrive, you won't have to immediately find a bank or currency exchange. Do some research ahead of time to see if US dollars are widely accepted at places you plan to go to.

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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.

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Bring cash in the foreign currency until you can arrive at a bank or cashpoint to obtain some more money. Barcelona does have a pickpocketing problem, and it is advised to ensure you do not carry too much cash around with you.

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until you can arrive at a bank or cashpoint to obtain some more money. Barcelona does have a pickpocketing problem, and it is advised to ensure you do not carry too much cash around with you. Banks usually only open from Monday to Friday from between 08:00 and 08:30 to 13:30 or 14:00.

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You may want to investigate banks that do not charge ATM fees and/or banks that are found throughout Europe. The cheapest and easiest way-and the best exchange rates-to get your hands on some euros is to simply use your US based bank's ATM/debit card at the many ATMs located throughout Madrid.

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Under post-Brexit rules, Spanish border officials can ask travellers to show that they have 'economic resources' to cover the cost of their trip. This amounts to €100 for each day of their trip. They must also possess a minimum of €900 for their whole stay.

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The takeaway on getting money in Spain Pay everything with your travel debit card and forget about hidden fees. Use your debit card to get most of your money after you arrive in Spain. You can get your first wad of cash from an ATM at your arrival airport.

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This is so entirely dependent on your own travel preferences that it's tough to estimate but we recommend putting aside roughly €700 to €1700 for spending money for one week in Europe.

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But if you pay in euros, you'll get a rotten exchange rate. Ideally, if you're in a non-euro country for more than a few hours, head to the ATM and use local currency instead. Use your credit card to get cash only in emergencies.

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