Barcelona’s Sónar Festival 2025 promises three days of electronic music, digital art, and innovative immersive experiences. Running from 12th to 14th June, this year’s edition runs from two sites: Fira Montjuïc for Sónar by Day, and Fira Gran Via for Sónar by Night. Line-ups include Peggy Gou, Four Tet, and Nathy Peluso.
Founded in 1994, Sónar has grown into a global celebration and reference point for electronic music and multimedia performance. It combines music and the arts with technology, attracting patrons from across Europe and beyond.
Like many festivals, Sónar tickets and purchases within the venues are cashless. And if there’s one characteristic of environments which are mainly cashless, it’s how surprisingly often cash comes in useful. So, whether you’re in Barcelona for one night or the full programme there are plenty of good reasons to carry some Euros while you’re in the city.
Everyday costs in Barcelona
Barcelona remains one of the more affordable major cities in western Europe – but prices still vary depending on where and how you spend. Public transport is well-priced and reliable, with a ten-journey T-Casual card costing €12.55 for one zone. Single journey tickets are priced at €2.65. Taxis have a base fee of €2.75 plus a weekday kilometre price of €1.32 during the day and €1.62 at night (8.00 pm to 8.00 am) which also applies all day on Saturdays, Sundays and bank holidays.
Eating out can be relatively inexpensive. A beer in a local bar typically costs €3–€5, while a basic burger meal ranges from €8–€15. Coffee fans will find lattes and cappuccinos priced at around €1.50–€3.00, and a can of soft drink usually costs €1.50–€2.50. In popular and fashionable areas of the city be prepared for prices higher than these.
Food options at the festival itself are varied and designed to suit international tastes – from vegetarian bowls to Middle Eastern wraps. But expect event prices. For better value, many attendees eat outside the venue, where prices are lower and options broader.
For a more detailed look at likely expenses, follow the links at the foot of this article.
Why you still need cash for Sónar
Sónar Festival 2025 is cashless. All on-site purchases must be made by card or contactless device, but the same doesn’t apply city-wide. Some of the most popular casual cafés, street food vendors, and independent shops in Barcelona still prefer cash, particularly for small purchases.
There are also practical day-to-day expenses that still require coins or notes, such as:
- Public toilets
- Metro vending machines
- Small tips for hotel or restaurant staff
- Late-night kiosks and markets
- Some locker and luggage services
In addition, foreign cardholders may face fees when using ATMs or spending with their home bank cards. Carrying some Euros with you helps avoid these charges and gives you more flexibility. That can come in handy during busy festival days and late nights.
A practical way to get local currency
If you’re planning to take cash, it pays to be smart about how and where you get it. Airport bureaux and overseas ATMs often offer poor exchange rates or add commission fees. It’s not that you shouldn’t use them; just be aware of how much they may actually cost.
A better solution is to pre-order Euros before you travel. Money4Travel offers a convenient, flexible way to do that – with competitive local exchange rates and no hidden charges. You can:
- Find the best exchange rate within a ten-minute drive of your postcode
- Book your currency online in advance
- Collect it at your chosen local agent
- Earn loyalty points (“Pips”) with each transaction, and
- Get a buy-back guarantee if you have leftover Euros.
It’s a simple way to ensure you’re not caught out by unexpected costs — or by a kiosk that only takes cash.
Final tips before you go
Sónar’s atmosphere is open, international, and always surprising. With a bit of forward planning – and a combination of card and cash – you can focus on enjoying the music, the city, and late-night conversations with people from around the world.
Just don’t forget your Euros.
By Declan Morton, writer and editor at Money4Travel – the online service for foreign currency sales in the UK. More about the author.
For reference: TMB (public transport) ; Taxi Fare Calculator Barcelona ; Numbeo
