Euro question

[larry the lobster]

Hi, we are going to Barcelona 2 days pre cruise this summer. Do we need to get some money changed into Euros? If so where is the best place to do it?

Thanks! :D

[TLCOhio]

Hi, we are going to Barcelona 2 days pre cruise this summer. Do we need to get some money changed into Euros? If so where is the best place to do it? Thanks!

 

The Barcelona airport is very nice, fairly new and close to the central city. You could use an ATM at the airport and/or make sure the cab for the ride in to your hotel takes credit cards. Within Barcelona, there are lots of banks and options to use ATM there to get added euros. Barcelona is a super great city. From my live/blog below, you can see many more details on this charming, modern and historic city. You might use one of the Hop-On, Hop-Off buses to ride around Barcelona, get a sampling for all that it offers, be introduced to its beauty, etc. That will also be easier on your body that might be a little tired after a long flight and time-zone changes.

 

Here are a few of my pictures to get you excited about this wonderful city. Added questions and reactions?

 

THANKS! Enjoy! Terry in Ohio

 

Did a June 7-19, 2011, Solstice cruise from Barcelona that had stops in Villefranche, ports near Pisa and Rome, Naples, Kotor, Venice and Dubrovnik. Enjoyed great weather and a wonderful trip. Dozens of wonderful visuals with key highlights, tips, comments, etc., on these postings. We are now at 81,835 views for this live/blog re-cap on our first sailing with Celebrity and much on wonderful Barcelona. Check these postings and added info at:

http://www.boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=1426474

 

 

For Barcelona, one of the most famous sites is its main and historic Cathedral that is over 700-years old and right around the corner from our Hotel Regincia Colon. It is also near where you catch the hop-on buses circling the town.:

 

 

 

Barcelona has many apartment building with interesting architectural details. Here the iron railings are wonderfully designed with a local lady taking a look as we passed below on the top level of our hop-on bus.:

 

 

 

This is a closer look at the top of one of Gaudi’s most famous buildings in Barcelona.:

 

 

 

Gaudi’s new Cathedral is still under construction, making progress toward a potential 2026 completion. The Pope was here in the fall of 2010 for a dedication. This design is “unique”, innovative and in some ways strange. Here is one small sampling what is being done, so far.:

 

 

 

We first visited Barcelona in 1998 and loved the Las Ramblas. It is always busy with lots of tourists and locals, around the clock, participating in the spectacle that is Barcelona. Las Ramblas runs from the start of Placa de Catalunya and ends to the south at Port Vell at the Christopher Columbus statue. Las Ramblas runs through Barcelona’s center, with the Gothic Quarter and El Raval neighborhoods to either side. There are colorful street performers and vendors selling everything imaginable from flowers to caged birds. The architecture is such an interesting mix. Here is one of many examples for what is interesting with its buildings along this great walking place, including one of the many theatre in this area.:

 

 

 

Before boarding our ship, we visited Barcelona’s famed Mercat La Boqueria and had breakfast here. WOW!!! It is easy to see why this popular Boqueria Market is not to be missed. It has a wide range of fresh meats, cheeses, produce and delicious food options to enjoy. Here is one of the beautifully stock fruit stands and a busy breakfast stand in the market.:

 

[dln929]

Hi, we are going to Barcelona 2 days pre cruise this summer. Do we need to get some money changed into Euros? If so where is the best place to do it?

Thanks! :D

 

It depends on what you want to buy. Shops will always take credit cards but not necessarily all restaurants, and if you wish to buy anything at the market, you're definitely going to need euros. Just use the ATM when you arrive at the airport. Alternately, you can go to your local bank and order some euros before you leave if that makes you more comfortable. Just don't wait until the last minute to do it, though!

[jtagphillycruiser]

Dear Terry:

 

Thank you for those wonderful pics. I will not be in Barcelona until May of 2013, but am so excited.

[Mzhelen]

There is an ATM right there in the BCN terminal. Check with your bank in advance to determine what fees they may charge you. Right around the corner from the ATM is the exchange window (part of that same bank) and VAT refund window. Fair warning: 2 weeks ago the change window had only one person working and the line was over 1/2 hour long!

[chipmaster]

ATM and with the curren Euro all time lows who know maybe get them now :-)

 

ATMs you can find all around town and at the airport. As others mentioned most/many stores take CC too.

[MATHA531]

ATM and with the curren Euro all time lows who know maybe get them now :-)

 

ATMs you can find all around town and at the airport. As others mentioned most/many stores take CC too.

 

Just to correct the record....the euro is not at an all time low. When the first euro banknotes appeared, the euro was pegged at $1.17 to each €. It then preceded to fall to as low as 85¢ for each euro at its low point and then gradually rose hitting a high of about $1.60 as the Germans pushed for a strong currency. As the economy of many of the smaller eurozone countries suffered setbacks, it could not be maintained.

 

Currently the euro is hovering just above $1.25; whether it's a good thing or not, is something some economist can explain.

[1SMURFF99A]

Hi, we are going to Barcelona 2 days pre cruise this summer. Do we need to get some money changed into Euros? If so where is the best place to do it?

Thanks! :D

 

If you belong to AAA, you can get Euros and they come to your house in 2 days.:)

[numbersix]

Just to correct the record....the euro is not at an all time low. When the first euro banknotes appeared, the euro was pegged at $1.17 to each €. It then preceded to fall to as low as 85¢ for each euro at its low point and then gradually rose hitting a high of about $1.60 as the Germans pushed for a strong currency. As the economy of many of the smaller eurozone countries suffered setbacks, it could not be maintained.

 

Currently the euro is hovering just above $1.25; whether it's a good thing or not, is something some economist can explain.

 

Although not an economist, my degree is in economics, so let me try to answer that in the best economist fashion I can:

 

The Euro at $1.25 is, perhaps, a good thing...or not.:p:rolleyes:;)

[new salt]

For what iit is worth, I have paid the balance of our Ejuro denominated cruise some four months early since, living in Spain, I did not want to wake up one day and find my Euros converted to Pesetas, but a large bill waiting in Euros. I would be inclined to wait and see for a while before buying your currency, the dollar still travels well!

[bluesea777]

Best to buy the euros from your bank before you fly - for the convenience.

 

You arrive in BCN dog tired and frazzled after the long overnight flight (and a long day) and you may not be thinking straight.

 

We were only interested in getting our bags and getting out of airport, grabbing a cab to the hotel to crash into bed for 3 hours nap to make up the sleep lost during the flight.

[Keith1010]

As many have said, I would just get the Euros in an ATM at the airport after you arrive. I find it very easy, convenient and you get an optimal exchange rate.

 

Keith

[thinfool]

I am gonna go with the ATM, too. Easy peazy.

 

Just be sure to let your bank and credit card people know that you will be in Spain, and other ports so that their fraud dept. doesn't hold or cancel your card.

[TLCOhio]

As many have said, I would just get the Euros in an ATM at the airport after you arrive. I find it very easy, convenient and you get an optimal exchange rate. Keith

 

Agree with Keith and others. Barcelona has lots and lots of ATM around the town. We were there last June and it was easy getting euros out at the various ATM's in Barcelona. Very good added point by thinfool on letting your bank and credit card people know you will be traveling in Europe.

 

THANKS! Enjoy! Terry in Ohio

 

Did a June 7-19, 2011, Solstice cruise from Barcelona that had stops in Villefranche, ports near Pisa and Rome, Naples, Kotor, Venice and Dubrovnik. Enjoyed great weather and a wonderful trip. Dozens of wonderful visuals with key highlights, tips, comments, etc., on these postings. We are now at 85,197 views for this live/blog re-cap on our first sailing with Celebrity and much on wonderful Barcelona. Check these postings and added info at:

http://www.boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=1426474

[Travelcat2]

Also agree about getting Euro's from an ATM. Am posting to add that it is not a good idea to buy too much -- thinking that you may use it on a vacation next year. Three weeks ago 1 EUR = $1.30. Today (according to OANDA Foreign Exchange Rates) 1 EUR = $1.24. With the uncertainty of the future of the Euro, it may be wise to convert only the amount that you need for now.