Q: Thanks to your site I have chosen to stay in Barcelona at Gotico Hotel. Since I need High Speed Internet Access I called the reception to ask them about this. The answer was there is wireless internet access for free on the reception, but it is necessary to obtain an 'internet card' (from Movistar) available for Spain. Can you be so kind to advise me what kind of card do I need in order to access the internet?

A: Telefonica is the largest telecommunications provider in Spain. Their mobile service is called "Movistar" As part of the Movistar service Telefonica operate a number of Wi-Fiinternet access cards which you can purchase from Telefonica that give you access to Telefonica operated Wi-Fi services. If your hotel is subscribed to the Telefonica Wi-Fi service then you can access this service once you purchase a Telefonica Wi-Fi card. You only need a Wi-Fi enabled PC or PDA along with your prepaid Wi-Fi card. Once in the Wi-Fi area you need to enter a special code that will give you access to the Wi-Fi internet connection. I have provided links to all the Telefonica Wi-Fi cards below. They vary from 24 hour prepaid Wi-Fi cards to Monthly subscription card.

I recommend you ask the hotel you intend to stay in if they can sell you a Telefonica Wi-Fi access card or whether you would have to purchase your card from a Telefonica shop. You can also purchase your Telefonica Wi-Fi card online on their website (see links below). Many of the Telefonica Wi-Fi Access points around the city also sell the prepaid card. One such Telefonica shop is in Placa Catalunya at the top of Portal del Angel.

The Telefonica website also gives information on its Wi-Fi zones around Barcelona city centre on its website. Just select Barcelona from the drop down menu on the link given below.

You are also lucky because they do have a link to pages in English. I have explained how to find the English information pages below. It is not easy to find these information pages in English so I recommend you read carefully the notes below that will help you find them.

Important notice the Telefonicaonline English information pages to the prepaid cards and Wi-Fi service below may not work because Telefonica keep changing the pages. Under these circumstances go directly to the Telefonica main website (link given below) and then look for the Internet link (at the top of the page) and click on it. Then find the Wi-Fi link and click on that link. When your are at the Wi-Fi page look for the link to the English version of the page.

You would think that Telefonica would know better and provide static pages so we can link to these specific information pages easily but this is not the case at the moment!

Telefonica Main Website

Telefonica Wi-Fi cards (English Version) if this page has been taken down please follow the instructions above to find these pages in English.

Frequently asked questions about the Wi-Fi service offered by Telefonica (English version)

Look Up Telefonica Wi-Fi Zones in Barcelona (only available in Spanish)