How Much Cash Should You Carry in Barcelona Daily

Friday, June 13, 2025 By BarcelonaFly

So you're heading to Barcelona?

awesome choice!

This vibrant city has it all: stunning architecture, delicious tapas, sunny beaches, and lively street life.

But before you jump into Gaudí masterpieces or wander down Las ramblas, theres a practical question that pops up for most travelers: how much cash should you actually carry around each day?

Nobody wants to be stuck without enough euros for a gelato or overdo it and risk losing a big wad of cash.

Let's break it all down so you can focus on enjoying the city stress-free.

Daily Cash Amount
Typical Cash Uses
Card Acceptance
Withdrawing Cash
Money Management
References
Image Credits

1. How Much Cash Should I Carry Each Day in Barcelona?

okay, so first things first-there's no one-size-fits-all answer, but we've got a ballpark.

a lot depends on your travel style.

are you doing Barcelona on a shoestring budget or planning to indulge a bit?

If you're traveling on the cheap-maybe hostels, cheap eats, and mostly walking or taking the metro-then €50 to €100 a day in cash should do the trick.

think sandwiches, museums, and a glass of sangria in a casual bar.

Mid-range travelers who like eating out at nicer places or hitting a couple of paid attractions daily might want to carry more-something like €100 to €200.

that covers meals, public transport, and some souvenirs.

now, if you're staying in a fancy hotel or going out to upscale restaurants, it's still fine to carry around just enough for the day-keep the rest on your card or locked up at your hotel.

Cash does come in handy in some spots though-like small cafés, local markets, or tipping a helpful guide.

That's where carrying around €50 to €150 becomes a good safety net.

Keep in mind that carrying too much cash isn't great either.

petty theft can happen, especially in crowded touristy places.

Better safe than sorry, right?

one way to figure out your daily cash is to plan out your meals, entry tickets, and transit-and round it up.

barcelona's not super pricey, but some days can surprise you.

so really, aim for just enough for daily spending, maybe a little buffer for unexpected treats or emergencies-and make sure you've got a card or two as backup.

2. What Do Most Travelers Use Cash For in Barcelona?

In barcelona, a lot of places take cards-but cash still rules in some everyday spots.

You don't need to hoard coins, but having some bills in your wallet definitely comes in handy.

you'll want cash if you plan to shop in local markets-think la Boqueria or flea markets.

some stalls only take cash, and they might even give better prices when you pay with it.

A lot of cafés, especially those tiny ones in local neighborhoods, prefer cash for small transactions.

If you're just getting a coffee or a pastry, it's easier to pay with coins than swipe a card.

Tipping isn't a huge thing in spain, but when you do leave something for good service, it's usually in cash.

Same with street performers or tour guides-it's just polite.

Public toilets sometimes charge a small fee and only take coins.

it's not glamorous, but you'll thank yourself later when nature calls and you're prepared.

some taxis take cards, but not all.

if you're planning to grab a cab, having around €20-€30 in cash could save you a headache.

Street vendors and buskers?

Cash only.

whether it's handmade jewelry or a flamenco show in a plaza, they won't be breaking out a card reader anytime soon.

it's also smart to have some cash just in case your card gets declined or the machine isn't working.

barcelona's got solid tech, but glitches happen.

3. Are Credit and Debit Cards Widely Accepted?

yes, for the most part.

Barcelona's pretty card-friendly.

you can use your visa or mastercard almost anywhere-hotels, big restaurants, stores, metro machines-you name it.

most tourist-heavy spots are ready for cards.

that includes attractions like the sagrada Família, Park güell, and most museums.

You can even book stuff online ahead of time with your card.

Bigger restaurants are usually cool with cards too, especially in city center areas.

But some smaller places or family-owned joints might still have a "cash only" sign at the counter.

you'll definitely need a card for public transportation if you wanna use ticket machines or grab a t-casual pass.

The newer machines have contactless too, which is super handy.

One thing: make sure your card has no foreign transaction fees, or those daily purchases will add up faster than your tapas bill.

some travel cards avoid this, so check before you go.

it's a good idea to let your bank know you're traveling, just so they dont freeze your card the first time you try to buy churros in Spain.

also, always choose to be charged in euros instead of your home currency.

Dynamic currency conversion can sneak in bad exchange rates, and thats never fun.

4. Where Can I Withdraw Cash Easily If Needed?

running low on euros?

No worries-barcelona has aTMs everywhere, and they're pretty easy to use, even if your Spanish is rusty.

most major banks have aTM machines with English language options.

just look for names like CaixaBank, BBVA, santander, or sabadell.

if you're at the airport or a major train station, you'll definitely find aTMs-but those might have higher fees, so its better to wait till you're in town.

stick to machines connected to actual bank branches for better exchange rates and fewer fees.

Avoid those random, sketchy standalone ones if you can.

You might wanna check with your bank before leaving home about international withdrawal fees-they vary a lot.

Some banks even partner with Spanish ones to waive those.

Always choose to be charged in euros when withdrawing.

it sounds small, but it can make a decent difference in what you get back.

a good move?

Pull out enough for a few days to avoid repeated fees-but not so much that you're walking around with a small fortune in your pocket.

Comparison table: Local banks vs Airport ATMs

location	average Fees	exchange rate Quality
Local Bank aTM	low	Good
airport aTM	High	poor to fair
hotel lobby ATM	medium	often fair

5. What's the Smartest Way to Handle Money Daily?

It's all about balance.

You dont wanna carry too much or too little.

just enough to get through your day, and maybe a little cushion for unexpected stuff.

A good rule is to carry just what you need for meals, minor transport, and anything small or spontaneous-like buying a museum ticket or tipping a guide.

keep the bulk of your cash safe-either at your hotel in a locked bag or a secure room safe.

that way, if you lose your wallet, you're not losing everything.

mix it up!

Use your card for bigger purchases-dinners, attractions, transport passes-and save your cash for street snacks, cafés, and markets.

Having a money belt or an inside-pocket pouch isnt a bad idea either.

Barcelona is amazing, but like many big cities, its its share of pickpockets.

divide your money.

keep some in your wallet, a little backup in a bag, and your card somewhere else.

If one goes missing, you've still got options.

and finally, use a budgeting app or write down your daily expenses.

that way you know how much you're spending and how much you need for the rest of your trip.

getting your money situation sorted in barcelona doesnt have to be stressful.