How many times do you think you look at your phone during a day in Barcelona?
If you’re anything like me, the answer is a lot. I used mine to navigate between attractions, figure out public transportation, find restaurants, pull up tickets, translate things, send messages and check directions when I inevitably took a wrong turn. Barcelona is a fantastic city for walking, but having Google Maps in my pocket made those walks considerably less stressful.
And then there’s the obvious stuff: taking photos, researching something interesting I spotted along the way and sharing what I’m doing with the people back home.
For me, having mobile data while traveling isn’t really optional anymore. I want my phone to work when I land, not after I’ve spent the first hour of my trip trying to figure out how to get it working.
That’s one reason I recommend using an eSIM for international travel. For my international trips, Holafly is my eSIM pick because it offers unlimited-data plans, so I don’t have to worry about how much data I’m using.
Just want the highlights? Here they are: Holafly lets you install an eSIM before your trip, keep your regular SIM in your phone and use mobile data when you arrive. Its Spain offers unlimited data, which is especially handy when you’re constantly using Google Maps, transportation apps, restaurant information, attraction tickets and messaging. And with Holafly’s Always On, you get 1GB of free backup data every month for 12 months, starting from the moment you install your eSIM.
✨ If you’re ready to get connected before your trip, you can save 5% on eSIMs and 10% on Holafly Plans( for the first 12 months) by using code BUCKETLISTJOURNEY through my personalized https://hfly.co/ylko0✨
What Is an eSIM?
Think of an eSIM as a SIM card without the tiny piece of plastic you have to physically put into your phone. Instead of arriving in Spain and looking for a store where you can purchase a local SIM, you buy your eSIM ahead of time and install it on your phone while you’re still at home.
Once you arrive in Barcelona, you can switch your mobile data over to the travel eSIM and connect to a local network. Viola!
That’s the part I really like. The setup happens before the trip, when I’m sitting comfortably at home with Wi-Fi and a functioning brain. Not after a long flight when I’m dragging a suitcase through an unfamiliar airport.
You can also leave your regular SIM in your phone, which means you don’t have to worry about removing that tiny little card and then inevitably wondering where you put it.
Why Use an eSIM Instead of Your Regular SIM or Carrier Plan?
You have a few other options for getting data abroad.
Use your regular cell phone carrier: Your carrier may offer an international roaming plan, but pricing and data allowances vary by provider and plan. You also need to make sure international service is activated before you leave.
Buy a physical SIM in Spain: This can work, but you have to find a place selling SIM cards, choose a plan, install it and keep track of your original SIM.
I’ve been traveling internationally long enough to know that the thing that sounds easy at home can suddenly feel very complicated when you’re exhausted, jet-lagged, and standing in an airport you’ve never seen before.
Or you can use an eSIM: You can purchase and install it before you leave home, keep your physical SIM in your phone and switch to the eSIM for mobile data when you arrive.
For me, that last option wins on convenience. And if you’re already a little nervous about navigating a new country, having your phone ready to go before you leave home is one less thing to worry about.
There isn’t just one way to get mobile data when you’re traveling. Your regular carrier may offer an international plan, or you can purchase a physical SIM after you arrive. Both can work, but…
Your regular carrier: Your phone company may have an international roaming option, but the cost, data allowance and terms depend on your specific carrier and plan. You’ll also need to make sure international service is activated before your trip.
A physical SIM: You can purchase a local SIM once you’re in Spain, but that means finding a retailer, choosing a plan, installing the SIM and keeping track of your original SIM while you’re traveling.
None of this is impossible. I’ve traveled enough to know, though, that I don’t always want to add another errand to the first day of a trip.
An eSIM: You purchase it before you leave, install it ahead of time and then use it for mobile data when you arrive. For me, the convenience is the biggest selling point. Even though I spent a lot of time exploring on foot, I was constantly checking directions and figuring out how to get from one part of the city to another. I used my phone for public transportation, restaurant research, attraction tickets, translations and messaging.
Having data meant I could figure those things out as I went instead of trying to plan every single detail before leaving my hotel.
Ready to get connected before your trip? Use code BUCKETLISTJOURNEY through my personalized link https://hfly.co/ylko0
to get 5% off eSIMs and 10% off Holafly Plans for the first 12 months.
Why Holafly Makes Sense for Barcelona
Holafly’s Spain eSIM offers unlimited data, with 5G, 4G and LTE connectivity where available. The Spain eSIM connects through local networks, including Orange, Movistar, Vodafone Spain and Yoigo.
But let’s talk about the thing that matters most to me: Unlimited data. When I’m traveling, I don’t want to ration my phone usage. In Barcelona, that means I can use my phone for all the little things that come up throughout the day:
- Google Maps when I’m walking between attractions
- Public transportation information when walking isn’t the best option
- Restaurant research when I’m hungry and haven’t planned ahead
- Reservations and attraction tickets when I need to pull them up at the door
- Translation when I need help understanding something
- WhatsApp and messaging to stay in touch
- Travel research when I discover something I want to see or do
- Photo sharing because, well, it’s Barcelona
Another perk is Holafly Always On, which gives you 1GB of free backup data every month for 12 months, starting from the moment you install your eSIM. So even after your regular plan ends, you have a little backup data available when you need it.
*One important thing to understand is that Holafly’s travel eSIMs are primarily data plans. You can use data-based services such as WhatsApp, FaceTime and Messenger for calls and messages, but you shouldn’t assume the eSIM comes with a traditional Spanish phone number for standard calls and SMS.
How Easy is Holafly? Here’s How it Works
The setup is one of the reasons I like the eSIM approach in the first place. You can take care of most of it before you ever get on the plane.
1. Make sure your phone is compatible.
First, check that your phone supports eSIMs and is unlocked so it can be used with another carrier.
2. Choose your Spain plan.
Purchase the Holafly Spain eSIM and select the number of days that matches your trip.
3. Install the eSIM at home.
Once you purchase it, Holafly provides instructions for installing the eSIM. I’d do this before leaving home, while you’re connected to reliable Wi-Fi and have plenty of time to troubleshoot anything if necessary.
You don’t need to wait until you’re standing at Barcelona-El Prat Airport.
4. Activate it when you arrive.
Once you’re in Barcelona, switch your mobile data to the Holafly eSIM and follow the activation instructions.
The goal is pretty simple: land, turn on your travel data and get on with your trip.
You can then use your phone for directions, transportation, messaging, reservations and all those other little things that make navigating a foreign city much easier.
Will You Actually Need Cell Data in Barcelona?
Yes. Could you technically survive without it? Of course. Barcelona existed long before Google Maps, Uber, and smartphones. But I’m not interested in making travel harder simply because I technically can.
When you’re visiting Barcelona for the first time, there is already enough to figure out. You’re navigating a new country, unfamiliar streets, a different language, transportation, restaurant reservations, attraction tickets, and the general sensory overload that comes with arriving somewhere as extraordinary as Barcelona.
You don’t need to add “Where can I find a SIM card?” to the list.
Especially if you’re an introvert like me, there is something very comforting about being able to solve a problem on your own phone rather than walking into a shop and trying to explain exactly what you need while you’re jet-lagged.
Technically? No. People traveled to Barcelona long before smartphones existed. You could download maps, print reservations and write down every address before leaving home. But I’m going to assume you don’t want to travel like it’s 1998.
Barcelona is a city where having your phone available can make the day significantly easier. There are a lot of attractions spread throughout different neighborhoods, and even when you’re walking, you’ll probably want directions at some point.
During my time in Barcelona, my phone helped me navigate between places like the Gothic Quarter, Sagrada Família, Park Güell and the other stops on my itinerary. I also used it for restaurant information, transportation, tickets, translations and messaging.
And sometimes the most useful thing your phone does is something completely unplanned. You spot a restaurant that looks good. You wonder what a building is. You need to figure out whether to walk or take the Metro. You suddenly remember that you wanted to see one more attraction.
That’s the beauty of having data. You don’t have to know everything before you leave your hotel. You can figure things out as you go.
Save on Holafly
Ready to stay connected in Barcelona without worrying about data? Just enter BUCKETLISTJOURNEY using my Holafly link (https://hfly.co/ylko0) to get 5% off eSIMs and 10% off Holafly Plans (for your first 12 months). Grab yours before your trip and get your phone set up before you even leave home.
Traveling Soon? Use my Favorite Resources for Booking Your Trip!
Book Your Flight
Expedia is my favorite flight search engine, because it checks dozens of airlines so you can easily find the best fare deals. You can also select ‘Watch Prices’ to get an email alert when the prices change.
Book Your Accommodations
I use both Booking.com and Expedia for hotels, because each offers a couple different hotel choices and I like to compare the reviews on each one. If you have a group or are looking for more of a home atmosphere, head over to VRBO or AirBNB that has houses, apartments and even just a room for rent in every price range.
Book Your Rental Car
If love the freedom to explore like I do, driving from place to place is the best option! I always book with RentalCars.com (it’s part of booking.com) for the best prices and top brand options.
Book Some Fun Tours!
Viator and Get Your Guide are my go-to search engines for cool bucket list experiences! Each one can have different tours, so check both—why limit yourself, right?
Don’t Forget Travel Insurance
Travel can be unpredictable. Whether it’s a last-minute cancellation, an injury, or (ugh) theft, things happen. That’s why I recommend never leaving the country without travel insurance. Here are my faves: Safety Wing and World Nomads.
Get Packing & Travel Essentials Ready
Check out the Bucket List Journey Amazon Store to find all my favorite travel essentials. Everything from Packing cubes, to travel adapters and toiletry containers to walking shoes.
Flying International?
Get Cell Data Before You Arrive: I recommend using airalo for international travel. Also, book an airport transfer in advance (I use Kiwi Taxi). Lastly, check travel.state.gov for visa requirements and safety information.
Save this Post to Pinterest
