eSIM for Madrid

Madrid: what to know before you go

From the airport

Barajas (MAD) connects to the centre by metro line 8, by a commuter train and by a fixed-fare taxi. A map and the metro app help on arrival.

The big museums

The Prado, the Reina Sofía and the Thyssen sell timed tickets online. Queues at the door are long without one.

Day trips

Toledo and Segovia are reached by train or bus in under an hour or so, and their lanes are steep and confusing for GPS.

Late days

Dinner starts late and the city is lively after midnight. A ride app is useful when the metro closes.

How much data you need

Three or four days of maps, tickets and photos takes about 2 GB.

Written 24 October 2026. Opening rules, fees, prices at attractions and event dates change, so check the official site before you rely on them.

Madrid: when people go

30 and 31 December 2026: New Year's Eve at Puerta del Sol

Thousands gather in the square to eat twelve grapes at midnight, and the official tourism site says attendance is capped at 15,000 people and advises arriving several hours early. A rehearsal called the Preuvas is held on 30 December, and a crowd that size is hard on mobile data, so agree a meeting point before you go in.

5 to 16 May 2027: San Isidro fiestas

The festival of Madrid's patron saint runs from 5 to 16 May 2027, with the main day on Saturday 15 May. Events are spread across La Latina, the Pradera de San Isidro, Las Vistillas, Plaza Mayor and the Las Ventas bullring, and the official programme is due in early May.

Late June to early July 2027 (expected): Madrid Pride

The festivities usually start on the last Friday of June and last about two weeks, and the state demonstration is listed for Saturday 3 July 2027, a date not yet confirmed. In 2026 the parade ran along the Paseo del Prado, so expect crowds in the centre and check the official programme for the route.

July and August 2027: heat and the August slowdown

Daytime temperatures in July are typically 32 to 34 degrees and often above 35, reaching 40 in heat waves. In August many residents leave and small shops and restaurants close for holidays, so check opening hours before you cross the city and keep museum tickets saved on your phone.

Spain eSIM 2026: prices, network and coverage

10 plans, from $2.49 (1 GB, 7 days) to $23.99 (50 GB, 30 days). Networks: Movistar 5G and Orange 5G.

Network

Movistar 5G, Orange 5G

Top-up

Yes, from the app, on the same eSIM

Validity starts

At the first connection at your destination

Install by

Shown on your order. An eSIM that is never installed expires

Your number

Stays active, plans are data only

Hotspot

Uses the same plan data, no separate charge

After the daily allowance

Day passes slow down to 500 Kbps

Updated November 12, 2026

Questions about Madrid

Do I need an eSIM for Madrid if I have a European SIM?

Often not. Phones with an EU SIM roam at home prices in Spain within the operator's fair use limit. The eSIM helps visitors from outside Europe.

How much does an eSIM for Madrid cost?

Madrid uses the Spain plans, because an eSIM belongs to a country and not to a city. Plans start at $2.49 for 1 GB, valid for 7 days. There are 10 plans, from 1 GB to 50 GB, plus unlimited day passes.

Do I need a local SIM card in Madrid?

No. The eSIM is a SIM card in digital form: you install it from a QR code before you leave, and there is nothing to buy at the airport or swap in your phone.

How is it different from roaming in Madrid?

If your SIM is from the EU, roaming here costs the same as at home, within the data your plan allows abroad. The eSIM helps when that allowance runs out, or when your line is from outside the EU: then your carrier usually charges by the day or by the megabyte.

Which networks does the Madrid eSIM use?

Wigoo connects to Movistar and Orange, with 5G where it is available. Each plan lists the operators it uses.

Can I add more data?

Yes. You top up the same eSIM from the app, without installing a new one.

Do I keep my phone number?

Yes. Plans are data only, so your usual line stays active for calls and texts, and WhatsApp keeps working as always.

When do the validity days start?

Not when you buy and not when you install: the days start counting when the eSIM connects to a network at your destination for the first time. A 30 day plan gives you 30 days from that first connection.

How long do I have to install the eSIM?

An eSIM that is never installed expires. The "Install by" date is shown on your order, on the site and in the app, so you can buy ahead of your trip. Install it before that date, on Wi-Fi.

Can I use the eSIM as a hotspot?

Data used through a personal hotspot comes out of the same plan, and Wigoo does not charge it separately. A laptop uses far more data than a phone, so for work a day pass or a bigger plan is safer.

What happens when the data runs out?

Plans are prepaid, so there are no extra charges: when the data is used up, the connection stops until you add more from the app. Day passes give a daily allowance at full speed, then continue at reduced speed (500 Kbps) until the next day.

When should I install the eSIM?

Before you leave, on Wi-Fi. When you land, set the Wigoo line for mobile data and turn on data roaming for it.