Eating Cheaply Abroad?

Donnie

Barcelona Supermarkets & Grocery Shops

You'll be ok. Don't worry about the big spenders here.

I love hitting the supermarkets and grocery shops when I travel.

Go to a map website and mark out the locations, so that you know where to go once you've settled in.

mandi gives good advice when she suggests that you take some 'standbys' with you.

The money won't affect your holiday. I spent a week cycling and staying along the Spanish coast from Malaga and then spent a week in Morocco with £250. That had to pay for flights and accommodation. Lent my friend some along the way and came back with £50. We had the best time. Ok, we were lucky that we met a couple of girls with a two bedroom apartment in Torremolinos, but that's another story.

Donnie

delwynsholidaydeals wrote: »

40 Euros per day on two people is very very tight

If they maybe just sit in the apartment all week and do a weekly shop yeah

But if they wanting to go out and about I dont think it poss in my opinion

Del

We'll see. They can tell us about it when they get back.

Out and about? What are you talking? They can still go out and about and enjoy themselves. They can make up a picnic or take a packed lunch out with them.
For what reason will they need more cash?

spugzbunny

Don't forget that if you pack food in your suitcase - even if it's 'allowed' you need to tick the yes I have food box on the customs form if you get one. They will then check it and allow you through

Donnie

Doshwaster wrote: »

In Spain I save money by going to supermakets at lunch time and getting a selection of bread, cold meats, cheeses etc - and a carton of plonk for a picnic (drinkable stuff is little over a Euro). You can get a good feast for €5 a head.

Barcelona can be very expensive. Just avoid the tourist traps around Las Ramblas and the Olympic port.

So why is your name Doshwaster?

Seriously, even in Paris I don't think we spent much more than 40 euros per day and that was with eating out every day.

We had an excellent bakery around the corner of our place which does quite tasty formule for around 5 euros. That's a drink, sandwich/baguette/hot pastry and a dessert. Then we'd hit the Latin Quarter or similar for a three course meal. Maybe another 15 euros each.

No need to spend a lot of money to have a great time.

Donnie

spugzbunny wrote: »

Don't forget that if you pack food in your suitcase - even if it's 'allowed' you need to tick the yes I have food box on the customs form if you get one. They will then check it and allow you through

Customs form to Spain??

delwynshd

Donnie wrote: »

We'll see. They can tell us about it when they get back.

Out and about? What are you talking? They can still go out and about and enjoy themselves. They can make up a picnic or take a packed lunch out with them.
For what reason will they need more cash?

I just would defo say that was not a realistic budget to only spend 40 euro per day (20 euros each)

By out and about I mean to bars and restaurants, it obviously does depend on what the OP really wants to do

As I said they could go and do a weekly shop and take a picnic yeah every day!

Its just not gonna give them a bit pocket money to maybe explore or go out and sample some of the evening entertainment the city has to offer

Del

sara86pink

Thanks for all the replies!

I know Barcelona is expensive but when I went last year I only took £80-£100 and that included flights, hostel and 2 days sightseeing and meals. Lets just say I was on a mission to be on a budget!

We dont need to eat out every night or go to any of the expensive sight seeing as we are good walkers so planning on walking any places we cant get to on our travel card.

OH has said we will prob end up with around £400 between us which is even better, will be ending up going to market and cheap supermarkets and then find a cheap restaurant here and there, was very surprised how many cheap buffets we found right in the middle of ramblas etc so if we look further afield we know what to expect!

Thanks for the replies everyone

markandkate

The main market in Barcelona is very good value and superb. There is also a section at the back which serves hot food and tapas.

Many people will tell you to eat your main meal at lunch time which is good advice but what do you do in the evening? You sit in a bar opposite the cathedral ( exhorbitant ) and make one drink last ages then promenade along Las Ramblas taking care to buy nothing.

On the other side of the Ramblas from the cathedral there are a lot of cheaper places to eat in what was the old port/ red light area. It is quite safe to walk around and you can get lebanese food which is cheap and filling.

It will still be warm so take yourself off for picnics

Doshwaster

markandkate wrote: »

Many people will tell you to eat your main meal at lunch time which is good advice but what do you do in the evening? You sit in a bar opposite the cathedral ( exhorbitant ) and make one drink last ages then promenade along Las Ramblas taking care to buy nothing.

Actually, promenading along Las Ramblas is one of the most expensive (and dangerous) things you can do. The whole strip is swarming with pickpockets often working in tandem with the street prostitutes. The girls come up to hassle you and while you are fighting them off someone else will come up behind you and help themselves to the contents of your pocket or bag. I only escaped one gang by running into a bar past the protection of a bouncer.

spiro

I was in Las Ramblas 3 days ago and it wasn't the pickpockets taking the money it was the guys with the 3 match boxes and the pea underneath. There must have been 6 operating each with at least one stooge in the crowd egging the victims on.

Dont know were you aqre staying but the el Corte ingles at the top of the Ramblas (Placa de Catalunya) has a large supermarket in the basement. They do have a gluten free section because I've seen it in the past. The also have a self service snack bar/cafe/resturant on the top floor with great views across the city.