en
How to Get WiFi in Barcelona Complete Guide for Tourists
10 May 2024
pocket wifi
Joseph Philipson
Barcelona is a hugely popular tourist destination. With Catalonia boasting more tourists than any other region in Spain, Barcelona is one of the destinations at the top of many people’s lists.
Barcelona has everything tourists could want. It features all the amenities of modern and advanced cities, historic sites and architecture, theme parks, and beaches. There’s something for everyone!
With so much to see and do, having an internet connection can help. Not only can you navigate Barcelona’s metro and rodalies train service, but you can also book restaurants and activities and keep all your friends and family up-to-date with all the fun you’re having!
The Best Ways of Getting WiFi in Barcelona
From Parc Güell to the Barceloneta beach, it can help to have internet access in a city with so much to do.
Fortunately for tourists, Barcelona is well-connected, with plenty of different solutions.
While most people choose to rent a pocket wifi for its competitive pricing (especially for groups), high-speed connectivity, and convenience, here are the leading solutions along with their pros, cons, and costs.
Pocket WiFi
Pocket WiFi allows tourists to stay connected to the internet through a single device. It works a lot like a mobile router; once it connects to the mobile network, it creates a WiFi network that you can connect several devices to.
Pros
Pocket WiFi is a great solution for groups of tourists traveling together. Friends and family only need one solution rather than each requiring a SIM card, eSIM, or data roaming package.
Most pocket WiFi devices can connect around 10 devices, enough for most groups to connect each of their phones and maybe a tablet or laptop!
Cons
Though the pocket WIFi device is small, it’s another thing you must carry with you when you want internet access, and you also need to ensure that it’s charged.
Most devices can work for at least 6 hours, can be plugged in and charged from plugs and battery packs, and will last you most of the day if you don’t use them too much.
Cost
Hippocketwifi is undoubtedly the best pocket WiFi provider for Spain and Europe, offering excellent value for money. You can rent your pocket wifi in Barcelona here with Hippocketwifi, starting at 3.95€/day. Other options in Spain include My Webspot, WiFi Away, TravelWifi, and Spain Internet.
Spain pocket wifi costs between €7 and €2 each d for a two-week trip, with a needlessly complicated pricing structure. The first five days cost €7 each, days 6 to 10 cost 4€ per day, and days 11 to 20 cost €2 per day. For 14 days, this would cost €63.
TravelWiFi charges between €4.95 and €6.95 a day, depending on your chosen data limit. You’d pay between €70 and €100 for a two-week trip.
Hippocketwifi would charge €71.60 for 1GB a day for two weeks or €99.60 for unlimited data.
from
3.95€
per day
Your rental must be at least 3 days
From
€For days in with data plan
SIM Cards
A SIM card is a small card with a chip that allows your phone to access your mobile carrier’s network to make calls, send and receive messages, and access the internet.
Tourists heading to Barcelona can buy a prepaid SIM card to access the internet either before they get to Spain or from a store when they arrive.
Pros
You can insert a prepaid SIM card into your phone, provided it isn’t locked to a single carrier. Prepaid SIM cards are easy to buy, can be found in many different stores (including locutorios in Spain), and have prices indicated when you buy them.
Cons
If your phone doesn’t have two SIM card slots, you’ll have to remove your everyday SIM card and find a safe place to keep it.
When you remove your everyday SIM, you won’t be reachable on your usual phone number. However, people can still contact you via email or messaging services.
A prepaid SIM mightn’t cut it for those visiting several countries looking for WiFi access across Europe. Tourists visiting several European countries should look to a better solution like pocket WiFi.
Cost
Opting for prepaid SIM cards from domestic mobile carriers is a good idea. Movistar, Vodafone, and Orange are the most popular and recommended options in Spain.
Depending on your chosen data limit, these solutions typically cost between €10 and €40. The SIM cards are generally good for close to a month (typically 28 days).
eSIM
An eSIM is an embedded SIM card. This newer technology allows smartphones to change SIM cards without physically inserting or removing them.
An eSIM allows you to access the functionality of a SIM card through the software on your phone. Once you’ve paid an eSIM provider for their service, they’ll provide you with the required setup information.
Pros
eSIM solutions offer all the benefits of prepaid SIM cards without users waiting for a SIM card to arrive or going somewhere to pick one up.
Cons
Only some smartphones are compatible with eSIM cards. While the technology is becoming more widespread, you should check that your smartphone is compatible before buying a roaming eSIM.
An eSIM roaming connection might work well for the phone that has it, but tethering it to other devices like laptops, computers, and tablets won’t offer as good a connection as pocket WiFi, and it’ll quickly drain your phone’s battery.
Coverage in Barcelona is good enough for SIM and eSIM connections, but if you want to head out of the city to enjoy the natural beauty of Catalonia in places like the El Garraf, Olèrdola and El Foix natural parks, these solutions may struggle to provide a fast and stable connection. Instead, pocket WiFi devices are typically equipped with better antennae and provide faster connections in areas with limited or low coverage.
Cost
The leading companies offering eSIM solutions in Spain are Nomad, Airalo, and Holafly.
Airalo offers various “Guay Mobile” packages for between $4.50 and $26.
Nomad’s solutions are all valid for 30 days, and the amount you pay will depend on the data limit and connection speed you choose. Prices start at $8 and go up to $27.
Holafly’s unlimited data plans start at $6 per day.
Data Roaming International Plan
You can also contract international data roaming from your domestic mobile carrier. You have to contact them and choose the service you want.
Pros
Data roaming is generally relatively easy to set up. You can call or message your carrier to set it up or go through their website or app.
It’s quickly done, and if you don’t do anything, you’ll likely receive a message the second you touch down at Barcelona El Prat airport.
Cons
Roaming is expensive at the best of times. Unplanned data roaming costs can be outrageous if you don’t contract the service before you go.
Some carriers charge users thousands without warning when they travel, so data roaming without a plan should be avoided.
Cost
Data roaming costs vary from very little or free for some providers to thousands for unplanned data roaming.
If you don’t know how much it’ll cost you, we’d recommend avoiding it.
Use Free WiFi
Suppose you don’t get pocket WiFi, a prepaid SIM card, an eSIM, or data roaming. In that case, you can always look for free WiFi networks in and around Barcelona.
Cafés, restaurants, and shopping centers like Diagonal Mar, Gran Via 2, Glories, Maremagnum, and Las Arenas typically offer free WiFi connections.
Pros
The most significant advantage of free WiFi is the price. If you’re in a bind with no internet connection, you can use free WiFi.
Cons
The biggest downside to free WiFi is that you can’t guarantee the quality or speed of the networks. Free WiFi networks are affected by how many users are connected, and in busy areas, speeds can drop.
There’s also the risk of hackers on unsecured networks and scammers setting up scam networks. Never connect to any unknown WiFi networks.
Cost
As you can imagine, these WiFi networks are free. In shopping centers, you might be asked to give an email address or some details before accessing the internet. Don’t be surprised if they add you to a mailing list.
How to Choose the Best WiFi Option for Your Barcelona Trip
Choosing the right internet solution for a trip to Barcelona depends on several factors. Here’s what you should consider.
Rental Duration
Different solutions become more economical over time. Always check the total price of each option for the length of time you’ll need them.
With many prepaid SIM cards lasting a month (or 28 days), you mightn’t need that much time or data if you spend only a weekend in Barcelona.
Connectivity
As Barcelona is a modern and technologically advanced city, staying connected will be fine. However, checking the reliability of different network providers and ensuring your connection is through a trusted network is worthwhile.
Data Limit
Some people use different amounts of data. Your smartphone’s settings usually show you how much mobile data you use daily.
You can use this as a guide to see which data limits are right for you. Remember that if you regularly stream video, use maps and navigation, or send large files, you may want to opt for larger data limits or even choose unlimited data!
Usage
How you use your internet connection will dictate which solution is best for you. Pocket WiFi is typically good for groups as several devices can connect. Still, a solo traveler may be happy with a SIM or eSIM.
A 4G connection will likely be enough for most users. However, more demanding users or those needing high speeds and large file transfers may want to pay extra for 5G solutions. 5G is also available almost everywhere in Barcelona!
Local network providers like MasMovil, Yoigo, Movistar, Orange, and Vodafone all provide high-speed connections.
