Tourists are being advised to plan their upcoming trips to Spain carefully, especially when it comes to the currency they are bringing, as the popular tourist destination is considering phasing out certain types of euro notes and coins.

While cash is still a popular payment method in Spain, there are more and more people opting to use card payments.

There's also been a movement in recent years to eliminate €500 notes, which are often associated with the proceeds of crime. Many shops no longer accept these notes, and back in 2016, the European Central Bank and the Bank of Spain stopped producing them.

While they are still accepted by Spanish banks for exchanges, ones that are damaged are being taken out of circulation.

Now, one and two cent coins may go out of circulation in Spain, according to Euro Weekly News.

This won't come as a shock to us here in Ireland, as one and two cent coins are no longer minted here, with purchases being rounded up top the nearest five cents.

Belgium, the Netherlands, Finland, Slovenia and Italy also stopped using one and two cents.

Now, Spain, along with Germany, France, Portugal and Austria are considering a similar phasing out of the smaller coins.

The proposal is reportedly being discussed with the European Central Bank, but no official decision has been reached yet.

It's worth being prepared before jetting off anyway - check what cash you are bringing and make sure it's accepted.

In unrelated news, many tourists are beginning to shun the popular Spanish hotspots, due to rising costs and protests against tourists.

The Majorca Daily Bulletin Facebook page contained insights from Spanish holiday lovers as to why they aren't returning.

"Yes still coming but only once [...] going to Greece early summer and my usual Hotel in Mallorca later this summer - luckily I booked it last September but if I booked the same holiday now it's nearly €1,000 more expensive," one person said.

"People don't want me there so fine, I'll go somewhere else. I've been going to Porto Pollensa since 2003, always loved our holidays there, never felt so unwelcome as I did year before last, so that's it for me," another tourist added.

Locals have been protesting against unsustainable tourism in many Spanish locations, citing a lack of accommodation for locals due to holiday rentals flooding the market. Working conditions in hotels in touristy areas have also been called into question.