On January 1st 2002 Spain changed to the European single currency. Every Euro is split into 100 cents and there are seven euro notes - in denominations of 500, 200, 100, 50, 20, 10, and 5 euros.

The exchange rate has changed significantly over the past year and the British pound no longer goes as far as it used to when exchanging for the Euro.

At the moment it is possible to get 1.1 euros for your British pound. There was a time when you would have got 1.5 euros for your £1.0 if not a bit more.

Despite the exchange rate the average costs in Spain are lower than in the U.K. As a tourist you can get by on £20 - £25A day, if you are prepared to have a picnic lunch. If however, you want to eat out every day in more expensive restaurants and see some nightlife then you will need at least £35 per day. I am not taking into account 4 and 5 star hotel rooms here, they are obviously a lot more expensive.

Campsites are around £5 per night per person and in some areas you may even get cheaper than this but be aware of high season when it will become more expensive to camp in the Alicante province. Don’t forget that as well as having to pay for the people you have to pay for the car and the tent.

Whilst eating out you can really hunt around for a bargain. In most towns on the Costa Blanca you should be able to finsd restaurants that do the ‘meal of the day’. This is a fixed three course meal that is around £5. Alcohol is notoriously cheap in Spain and you can get through a night out on as little as £10 (drinks only).

Taking Euros to Spain

I always take cash out from a cashpoint when in Spain. I withdraw amounts in about £100 sums. Once the £100 has gone then we withdraw the next £100. I check the exchange rate with my bank before we go and warn them that I will be withdrawing cash from a foreign country. (so they don’t put a hold on my card).

Although the £100 doesn’t go as far as it used to we cn still have a holiday in Spain for what I think is relatively cheap.

For information about Alicante  please see our main site where you will find lots of information.