The Euro
In Spain, as in 11 other EU countries, local money have been replaced by European currency, the euro.
There are 7 euro notes. In different colours and sizes they are denominated in 500, 200, 100, 50, 20, 10 and 5 euros. There are 8 euro coins denominated in 2 and 1 euros, then 50, 20, 10, 5, 2 and 1 cents.
Euro notes and coins came into circulation on 1 January 2002. It is still possible to convert the pesetas into euros at national central banks.
One (1)euro equals 166.386 pesetas ($USD 0.874202)
For euro-information in Spain, call 901 11 20 02.
American Express
C/Rossello 261, Eixample (93 217 00 70)
Metro Diagonal, FCG Provenca/7, 16, 17, 31, 67, 68 bus. Open 9.30am-6pm Mon-Fri; 10am-noon Sat; closed Sun.
All the usual AmEx services, and an ATM for AmEx cards. 24-hour money transfers anywhere in the world (charges paid by the sender).
Branch: La Rambla 74 (93 301 11 66).
Bank hours
Banks are normally open from 8.30am to 2pm Monday to Friday, and from 1 October to 30 April most branches also open on Saturday mornings from 8.30am to 1pm. Hours vary a little between banks: some open slightly earlier or later. Savings banks (Caixes d'Estalvis/Cajas de Ahorros), which offer the same exchange facilities as banks, open from 8am to 2pm Monday to Friday, and from October to May they also open on Thursdays from 4.30pm to 7.45pm. Savings banks never open on Saturday. Banks and caixes are closed on public holidays.
Banks & foreign exchange
Banks and savings banks readily accept travellers' cheques (you must show your passport), but usually refuse to cash any kind of personal cheque except one issued by that bank. Commission rates vary a good deal, and it's always worth shopping around before changing money. Given the rates charged by Spanish banks, the cheapest way to obtain money may be through an ATM machine with a debit or credit card rather than with travellers' cheques, despite the fees charged for withdrawals.
Card emergencies
All lines have English-speaking staff and are open 24 hours daily.
American Express card emergencies 91 572 0303/travellers' cheques freephone 900 99 44 26.
Diner's Club 901 10 10 11.
MasterCard 900 97 12 31.
Visa 900 974 445.
Credit cards
Major credit and charge cards are widely accepted in hotels, shops, restaurants and many other services (including Metro ticket machines, and pay-and-display parking machines in the street). With major cards you can also withdraw cash from most bank cash machines, which provide instructions in different languages at the push of a button. Banks also advance cash against a credit card, but prefer you to use the machine. Don't forget that interest will be charged.
Out-of-hours services
Outside normal hours there are bank exchange offices open at the airport (Terminals A and B, open 7am-11pm daily) and Barcelona-Sants station (open 8am-9.30pm daily). There's a private bureau de change (cambio) at the Estacio d'Autobusos Barcelona-Nord (open 8am-9pm Mon-Fri; 9am-4pm Sat, 10am-4pm Sun), and many more in the city centre. Some in the Rambla are open until midnight, or 3am from July to September. Cambios do not charge commission, but their exchange rates are usually less favourable than bank rates. At the airport, Sants and outside some banks there are automatic cash exchange machines that accept notes in major currencies, as long as they are in good condition.
Western Union Money Transfer
Loterias Manuel Martin, La Rambla 41 (93 412 70 41)
Metro Liceu or Drassanes/14, 38, 59, 91 bus. Open 9.30am-midnight Mon-Sat; 10am-midnight Sun.
The quickest, although not the cheapest, way of having money sent from abroad.
Branches: Mail Boxes C/Valencia 214, Eixample (93 454 69 83).
