Anyone been to Barcelona, Spain ?

[edro]

I am going for max 3-5 days. How much is food usually ? and should i take certain amount of cash ? I like to use my card everywhere, but thats not the case everywhere.
Learning alot from you folks. Thank you very much for your insights !

Visa charges a percentage on top of each transaction.
Still, it is usually cheaper than paying for ATM fees, which are a percentage + the normal fees.
You can get Euros from a bank, but they charge fees too.

We ordered Euros from our local bank, but they gave us a crap exchange rate which had the fees rolled in.

You basically HAVE to pay fees no matter what. The cheapest way is to just use a credit card and pay the fee on each transaction.

You need some Euros though, so you can just get them from an ATM. Try to get all you need, so you pay the fees only once.

BTW, tips are MUCH MUCH less in Spain than in the USA. 5% tip is considered good. 20% tip is retardedly high.
We were tipping everyone like 20-25% for the first few days until a local told us it isn't expected.
Bread usually isn't free. The bread money goes as the tip to the waiters... or so we were told.

 

[SolMiester]

I lived in Barca for 7 mths back in 1992, when the Olympics were on, and can tell you now, Barca is one of my favourite city in the whole world...The people are beautiful and kind, the atmosphere is very friendly and there is so much to see....If I could visit a city again, it would be Barcelona, you are very lucky!...Enjoy!

 

[KeithTalent]

It's awesome; love it there. We went a couple of years back.

KT

 

[KeithTalent]

Visa charges a percentage on top of each transaction.
Still, it is usually cheaper than paying for ATM fees, which are a percentage + the normal fees.
You can get Euros from a bank, but they charge fees too.

We ordered Euros from our local bank, but they gave us a crap exchange rate which had the fees rolled in.

You basically HAVE to pay fees no matter what. The cheapest way is to just use a credit card and pay the fee on each transaction.

You need some Euros though, so you can just get them from an ATM. Try to get all you need, so you pay the fees only once.

Eh? I have not been charged any additional fees for using my credit abroad on any of my travels. You get charged exchange, but that's it. Are you talking about using the credit card to withdraw cash? Who the hell does that?

I use my credit card for most things when travelling and just use the ATMs over there for cash when I arrive. Don't forget to change your PIN to four digits as many machines over there will not accept a PIN longer than that (just happened to my friends who were travelling abroad).

KT

 

[threeringbinder]

here's an idea:

Get on boat.
Arrive ibiza.
Party.
Profit!!!

ibiza!

 

[shortylickens]

Just got back from Barcelona. F the Black Sheep - total craphole for partying.

If you want to party, go to Opium Mar, ask for Eric at the door. He speaks English. Good guy. That place is f'ing awesome man. Insane party scene alllll night into the morning. There's a couple other spots right by there as well that are just as good. This is if you want the club atmosphere, loud house music bumpin all night/morning with everyone dancing and expensive drinks.

Other than that, loved Barcelona. Food is AMAZING. Make SURE you eat at Tickets (Ferran Adria's new restaurant), and Con Garcia. Just let the chef choose what you eat at both places. Amazing food, good times.

Be sure to hit the beach and drink some sangria and listen to the tunes. The asian dudes will bother you to buy "cerveza aqua cerveza aqua" or asian women "massage massage massage massage" hahaha just ignore 'em. We stayed in a sweet 3 bedroom apartment overlooking the beach at Diagonal Mar. It's more of the "ritzy" area I guess you could say, but the beach was awesome. if you want the younger kids beach area (hash, etc) go down by the W hotel beach area.

For tourist shit, do the Sagrada Familia for sure and the other top tourist spots. You also may want to check out the Picasso Museum and there's tons of little shops and alleyways you can wander around by there that have sweet restaurants and areas to just sit out at and have a nice drink and small meal.

I'm actually thinking of going back to Spain or Italy to do my MBA....but anyway...PM me if you have any specific questions, need advice, or want me to connect you with anyone out there (I made a few friends)...always willing to help out the fellow traveler.

HAVE A GREAT TIME MAN!!

Well, I guess I shoulda said I last saw it in 1998.

:awe:

 

[zinfamous]

No. I don't think anyone has been there.

 

[flyboy84]

Visa charges a percentage on top of each transaction.
Still, it is usually cheaper than paying for ATM fees, which are a percentage + the normal fees.
You can get Euros from a bank, but they charge fees too.

We ordered Euros from our local bank, but they gave us a crap exchange rate which had the fees rolled in.

You basically HAVE to pay fees no matter what. The cheapest way is to just use a credit card and pay the fee on each transaction.

You need some Euros though, so you can just get them from an ATM. Try to get all you need, so you pay the fees only once.

BTW, tips are MUCH MUCH less in Spain than in the USA. 5% tip is considered good. 20% tip is retardedly high.
We were tipping everyone like 20-25% for the first few days until a local told us it isn't expected.
Bread usually isn't free. The bread money goes as the tip to the waiters... or so we were told.

Get the Capital One Venture or Venture One Visa Cards. They charge $0 foreign transaction fee.