Spending money - Algarve

[Stargirl2707]

Hello,
we’re going on holiday tomorrow to the Algarve for a week - myself, partner and three year old.
I’m having last minute panics about spending money and really not sure if we’ve changed enough and need more.
we’re staying bed and breakfast board in hotel (and in not a super tourist area)

I’ve exchanged 700€ for the week

have I exchanged too little!?

how much would you expect to spend for a week on holiday? We need to buy lunch and dinner, drinks, ice cream plus additional spends.

thank you

We take just a small amount in Euros, but also a wodge of £, that we change if we need to, it is usually cheaper to change cash than from a card. However since covid virtually everywhere takes card payments fir the smallest amounts, so check what your debit and credit cards charge when used abroad. We are with Starling, and not only have no extra charges when used in the EU, but also give an excellent exchange rate we got around 1.16 to the £ when the best banks etc were offering was around 1.10.

That sounds like quite a lot tbh, unless you're planning a lot of paid activities and cocktails. Portugal is cheap for eating out etc.

But can you use a card as a back up? Most places are nearly all card payments now anyway, you'll be in a minority paying in cash. You just need to make sure you understand how your bank/credit card charges for card payments as some are the best by far, no fees and unbeatable exchange rate, while others will charge a cut of the exchange rate, and a fixed fee, which will obviously make it very expensive for multiple purchases.

You can use your bank card or Apple Pay etc anywhere so it doesn’t matter if you haven’t changed all your spending money. I usually change a few hundred euros and then use my card for the rest.

im planning ok taking £1600 spending money (not all in cash) for a week b&b. But that includes £200 for car hire and we are essentially 4 adults. €700 may well be enough for 2 adults and a tot.

We are going to Majorca on the 28th for a week.
We are half board so breakfast and evening meal is sorted. We have a 3 bedroom apartment with a fridge freezer etc, and a microwave and hob. So we will get some bits in to do sandwiches etc for lunch, and a stock of drinks too.

There are 5 of us and we are taking 500 euros in cash, plus a further 550 on travel card. Probably won't need it all but that's fine as we are off on holiday again next year so can use then too

Lots of places don’t take cash in the Algarve so beat is to get a virtual Revolut card.

Just back from two weeks ai but ate out in the evenings, spent around €1650 for two adults and two tweens who eat main meals. We did a couple of trips and spent over €100 on spf, take as much as you can within your weight allowance.

I use Monzo abroad and heads up you can't use it on Tui inflight just in case
You are.

We were in portimao in the Algarve and unlike previous posters were surprised by the cash culture; smaller cafes and a boat trip only took cash for example

It was good value for food etc in supermarkets - 15/20 euros for a nice main out, alcohol seemed good value, 8 ice-creams for about 15 euros

Its relatively cheap. If your shoes I'd use card where possible - supermarket, some restaurants. trips, and save the cash for tips and those places that are cash only or small purchases.

Thank you everyone for your replies. I really appreciate it.
We’re going today so no time to buy a travel money card or set up an account with a bank who offer free withdrawals in Europe but it’s definitely something I’ll consider and plan further ahead for next time.
we’ll stick with the cash we have but have looked at rates etc for using our debit cards whilst there and if needed we’ll make one larger withdrawal rather than lots of little ones.
Thank you ☀️