It’s not unusual for travelers to arrive in a foreign country and only then realize that some of their favorite services are inaccessible. Some, like Netflix, change their content from region to region, which could leave you stuck choosing between shows in a language you don’t understand. On the plus side, it’s easy to bypass these regional restrictions as long as you have the right Virtual Private Network (VPN). The best VPN providers will allow you to access all of your home streaming services and websites from abroad.
Most geo-restricted services check your IP address to find out which country you’re in. However, if you’re using a VPN, they’ll only see the location of the server you’re using. In other words, by connecting to a server in America, you can unblock services normally only available in the US. Further, VPNs encrypt your internet traffic, which prevents it from being read by snoopers like your ISP, the hotel you’re staying at, or any hackers monitoring the network.
If you’re in a rush, you’ll find a quick guide to our chosen VPNs below. We’ll also explore each of these in more detail a little later.
Best VPNs for Barcelona:
- NordVPN: Our first choice VPN for Barcelona. Has consistently high speeds and works with all manner of geo-restricted services. Also boasts an impressive security offering. Best of all, this no-logs provider comes with a risk-free 30-day money-back guarantee.
- Surfshark: The best budget pick for Barcelona. Secure every device you own simultaneously. Quick and reliable Spanish servers, plus solid security and unblocking ability.
- ExpressVPN: Blazing fast speeds make this a perfect choice for streaming in Spain. Easily unblocks Netflix and similar services. Has a great set of security and privacy features too.
- CyberGhost: A speedy VPN that just works. Has around 120 servers in Spain plus a suite of pre-configured security tools. Works great with Netflix and Disney+, among other services.
- IPVanish: A zero-logs service that doesn’t limit the number of devices you can connect. Provides solid speeds, a fantastic security toolkit, and decent unblocking abilities.
- PrivateVPN: Reliable and privacy-conscious, with above-average speeds. Perfect for streaming your favorite shows while traveling in Spain. Follows a strict no-logging policy.
- Hotspot Shield: This provider is a solid all-rounder, blending strong security with steady speeds and the ability to unblock plenty of geo-restricted services abroad.
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If you’re having trouble deciding which VPN to use, don’t worry: you’re far from the only one! Sometimes, it seems like every service claims to be the best, despite them all having different features, security tools, and network sizes. Instead of worrying about finding one service that can do it all, we recommend you choose a well-rounded VPN instead. This approach ensures that you’ll be able to handle most day-to-day situations without any issues. With this in mind, we decided to only recommend services that fit the criteria below:
- Has fast and reliable servers in or around Barcelona
- Unblocks a wide range of region-locked services with ease
- Offers plenty of powerful security and privacy features
- Does not log any personally identifiable information
- Provides apps for all of the major operating systems and devices
These are just some of the most important VPN features that we research and analyze in our full VPN testing methodology.
Best VPN for Barcelona
Let’s get started: here’s our list of the best VPNs for Barcelona:
1. NordVPN
Apps Available:
- PC
- Mac
- IOS
- Android
- Linux
Website: www.NordVPN.com
Money-back guarantee: 30 DAYS
NordVPN is our top pick for users in Barcelona. It has more than 5,400 servers in 59 countries worldwide, with around 60 in Spain. It’s an extremely speedy VPN, which makes it a fantastic choice for data-intensive tasks like streaming and torrenting privately. What’s more, NordVPN can reliably unblock a laundry list of region-locked services, from Netflix to Antena 3. A maximum of six devices can be connected at once.
One of the best things about this service is its security toolkit. This includes an app-specific kill switch, 256-bit AES encryption, and protection against IPv6, WebRTC, and DNS leaks. Further, users can block ads and malware automatically, or use the obfuscated servers to browse the web freely in countries like China. NordVPN follows a strict no-logs policy and as such, can’t divulge details of your activities to anyone. Live chat is available around the clock in case you run into any issues.
NordVPN offers iOS, Android, Windows, MacOS, and Linux systems. Alternatively, you can manually configure it for wireless routers, thereby protecting every device on your network.
Pros:
- Fast enough for uninterrupted streaming, torrenting, or browsing
- Unblocks most popular geo-locked streaming services
- Top-notch security features
- Keeps no logs whatsoever
- Offers 24/7 live chat
Cons:
- Desktop apps can take slightly longer to connect
Our score:
BEST VPN FOR BARCELONA:NordVPN is our top pick for anyone traveling in Barcelona. It’s a highly-versatile, speedy provider with one of the strongest security packages around. Better yet, it comes with a 30-day money-back guarantee so you can try it risk-free before you commit.
Find out more in our comprehensive NordVPN review.
2. Surfshark
Apps Available:
- PC
- Mac
- IOS
- Android
- Linux
Website: www.Surfshark.com
Money-back guarantee: 30 DAYS
Surfshark is a fantastic budget option. It has a network of 3,200 servers in 65 countries, with clusters in Barcelona, Madrid, and Valencia. This provider combines impressive speeds and above-average unblocking ability to become an affordable yet versatile choice, capable of handling almost any task. Additionally, in contrast to most other VPNs, Surfshark doesn’t limit the number of devices you can connect. As such, it’s a particularly strong choice for families.
There’s a lot to like as far as security is concerned too. To begin with, this VPN uses 256-bit encryption, DNS and IPv6 leak protection, and a kill switch to hide your activities from snoopers. It also includes a CleanWeb feature that blocks ads, trackers, and malware automatically, plus a NoBorders mode capable of bypassing country-wide internet restrictions. Surfshark doesn’t keep any logs at all and offers 24/7 assistance over live chat.
Surfshark apps are available for Windows, MacOS, Android, iOS, and Linux. Users can also follow manual setup instructions to secure a router and protect every device on their home network.
Pros:
- Fast enough for most purposes
- Excellent unblocking ability
- Very strong security offering
- Zero-logs provider
- No limit on number of devices connected
Cons:
- Customer support could be improved
Our score:
BEST BUDGET VPN:Surfshark is a low-cost service, but it offers a solid security offering, exceptional unblocking ability, and steady speeds. Best of all, you can connect any number of devices simultaneously. This VPN even includes a 30-day money-back guarantee.
Find out more in our full Surfshark review.
3. ExpressVPN
Apps Available:
- PC
- Mac
- IOS
- Android
- Linux
Website: www.ExpressVPN.com
Money-back guarantee: 30 DAYS
ExpressVPN operates more than 3,000 servers in 94 countries (including Spain), which is more locations than any other provider in this list. It’s also the fastest provider we’ve tested, so it’s perfect for anyone looking to stream during their visit. As well as unblocking several Netflix libraries, this provider works well with Cuatra, Antena 3, and similar services. Five devices can be connected at once, per account.
This VPN uses effectively uncrackable 256-bit encryption to hide your activities from snoopers. Also included are a kill switch, protection against DNS and IPv6 leaks, and the ability to block local connections entirely. You can even use the split tunneling feature to let specific apps bypass the VPN if you’d like. ExpressVPN refuses to log any personally identifiable data and allows you to pay in Bitcoin for added anonymity. Should you encounter any issues, just get in touch with support using the 24/7 live chat help desk.
ExpressVPN comes with top-notch Android, MacOS, iOS, Windows, and Linux apps. Additionally, it has its own router firmware, making it easy to secure a whole household at once.
Pros:
- Provides higher speeds than any other VPN in this list
- Works well with major streaming services
- Among the best for security and privacy
- Pay anonymously with Bitcoin
Cons:
- Slightly higher cost than others
Our score:
PERFECT FOR STREAMING:ExpressVPN is extremely quick, with fantastic unblocking abilities and a great set of security features. Naturally, this means it’s ideal for anyone hoping to stream while visiting Spain. What’s more, ExpressVPN offers a 30-day money-back guarantee.
Read the full ExpressVPN review.
4. CyberGhost
Apps Available:
- PC
- Mac
- IOS
- Android
- Linux
Website: www.Cyberghost.com
Money-back guarantee: 45 DAYS
CyberGhost users can choose from more than 7,000 servers in 90+ countries. Of these, around 120 are in Spain, with clusters in Barcelona and Madrid. Speeds are more than fast enough for live streaming, so whether you’re looking to unblock La Sexta during a trip abroad or simply access your local Netflix library while in Spain, you’re in good hands. Thanks to this service’s seven-device limit, you’ll even be able to protect all of your favorite devices at once.
This provider has done everything it can to make getting protected as easy as possible. All of the security features are pre-configured, so you’ll be browsing safely from the moment you connect. These include 256-bit encryption, a kill switch, an ad-blocker, DNS and IPv6 leak protection, plus a random port feature that can help you bypass VPN-blocking measures. CyberGhost doesn’t store any data that could identify you. 24/7 support is on-hand over email and live chat.
CyberGhost has Android, iOS, Windows, Linux, and MacOS apps. If you’d like to secure all of your devices at once, it can be manually installed on supported home routers.
Pros:
- Huge range of servers to choose from
- Quick enough for HD live streaming
- Happily unblocks a host of geo-restricted content
- All security features enabled by default
Cons:
- Lack of configuration options will frustrate power users
Our score:
GREAT EVERYDAY VPN:CyberGhost is highly versatile, with high speeds, strong security offering, and fantastic unblocking abilities. As such, it’s more than a match for day-to-day tasks like streaming and torrenting. Better still, this provider offers a 45-day money-back guarantee.
Check out our comprehensive review of CyberGhost.
5. IPVanish
Apps Available:
- PC
- Mac
- IOS
- Android
- Linux
Website: www.IPVanish.com
Money-back guarantee: 30 DAYS
IPVanish has more than 1,600 self-owned servers in 60+ countries, 30 of which are in Madrid. It’s a lightweight, high-speed provider that allows any number of simultaneous connections, so if you’re looking to share your account with family members, it’s a great choice. Although unblocking ability isn’t this VPN’s strongest area, it’s still more than capable of accessing Netflix US and Telecinco from abroad.
Here’s a service that pulls out all the stops to keep you safe online. First, it uses 256-bit AES encryption, a kill switch, and protection against IPv6 and DNS leaks. However, there’s also a traffic scrambler that attempts to let you use services that normally block VPNs by default. IPVanish is a zero-logs provider, meaning it can’t be used to trace your activities back to you. For help with any issues, just get in touch with support using the 24/7 live chat service.
IPVanish includes Windows, Android, MacOS, and iOS apps. Additionally, this service can be manually configured to work with Linux systems and a wide range of internet routers.
Pros:
- Consistently high speeds
- Lets you protect all of your devices at once
- Punches above its weight on security
- No-logs policy
Cons:
- Struggles to unblock larger streaming platforms
Our score:
PRIVACY FIRST:IPVanish offers plenty of advanced security tools, plus a zero-logs policy, all but ensuring your privacy. It’s fast too, and has no problem with you connecting dozens of devices simultaneously. Finally, IPVanish offers a 30-day money-back guarantee.
Take a look at the complete IPVanish review.
6. PrivateVPN
Apps Available:
- PC
- Mac
- IOS
- Android
- Linux
Website: www.PrivateVPN.com
Money-back guarantee: 30 DAYS
PrivateVPN has a smaller network than its rivals, with around 200 servers in 63 countries, and just one in Spain. Nevertheless, it remains an excellent choice for travellers thanks to its exceptionally high speeds and fantastic unblocking capabilities. In fact, even services that cause issues for other providers (Amazon Prime Video and Netflix, for instance) can be easily accessed from abroad using PrivateVPN. A single account allows up to six connections at once.
This service keeps you safe online with DNS and IPv6 leak protection, a customizable kill switch, and automatic malware-scanning. There’s also 256-bit encryption, with the option to use 128-bit instead for a slight speed boost. Finally, there’s a Stealth mode capable of getting around especially strict online blocking; this even works in China, so it should be able to do whatever else you need it to. PrivateVPN keeps no logs and provides live chat-based support most hours of the day.
PrivateVPN users have the choice of iOS, Android, MacOS, Windows, and Linux apps. Alternatively, they can follow manual setup guides to install the service on select routers.
Pros:
- Very fast speeds
- Unblocks popular streaming sites including US Netflix
- Privacy and security are top notch
- Zero-logs provider
Cons:
- Fewer servers to choose from than other providers higher on this list
- Doesn’t have 24/7 live chat
Our score:
NO LOGS PROVIDER:PrivateVPN makes sure you can browse anonymously using a fantastic set of security tools and a strict no-logging policy. Better still, it offers faster-than-average speeds and a 30-day money-back guarantee.
Still have questions? Find answers in the full PrivateVPN review.
7. Hotspot Shield
Apps Available:
- PC
- Mac
- IOS
- Android
- Linux
Website: www.Hotspotshield.com
Money-back guarantee: 45 DAYS
Hotspot Shield offers access to 1,800 servers in 80+ countries, and even has some in Barcelona itself. With speedy connections and the ability to unblock a wide range of in-demand services (such as Netflix, HBO Max, and Hulu, it’s the ideal companion for anyone hoping to stream their favorite shows while visiting Spain. Up to five devices can be connected at any one time.
This service prioritizes your security, as evidenced by its use of 256-bit encryption, DNS and IPv6 leak protection, and kill switch. It also includes a wifi protection feature that connects to the VPN whenever you use an unsecured network. Hotspot Shield doesn’t store any identifiable data after your session ends. Having problems? 24/7 support is available over email and live chat.
Hotspot Shield offers apps for Linux, Windows, MacOS, Android, and iOS. What’s more, this service can be manually configured for use with supported internet routers.
Pros:
- Good selection of high-speed servers
- Unblocks all kinds of services abroad including HBO Max
- Strong focus on security
Cons:
- Doesn’t accept cryptocurrency payments
- Had past privacy issues
Our score:
NO-FUSS SECURITY:Hotspot Shield lets you connect in a single click, and its speeds are more than enough for any day-to-day task. With a great set of security features built in, a 45-day money-back guarantee, and solid unblocking capabilities, this VPN is well worth your time.
Read our full Hotspot Shield review.
How to hide your traffic in Barcelona with a VPN
New to VPNs and not sure where to begin? No problem: we’ve created a step-by-step guide to setting up a VPN so you can get a Spanish IP address or an IP address from any country abroad. Just follow these steps and you’ll be browsing the web privately in no time.
Here’s how to use a VPN for Barcelona:
- Begin by choosing one of the VPNs from the list above (we recommend NordVPN).
- Download and install your VPN’s app. Most providers allow around six connections at once, so you can protect all of your most commonly used devices at the same time.
- When you’re ready, log in and connect to a server in the country you’d like an IP address from, for example, you’d choose a Spanish VPN server to watch Spanish TV abroad.
- That’s all there is to it; your activities should now be hidden from anyone monitoring the network. If you’re having problems, we’d advise switching servers. Failing that, getting in touch with your VPN service’s customer support team is your best bet.
Barcelona VPN FAQ
Are free VPNs good enough?
Free VPNs might seem like they offer all of the benefits with none of the downsides, but nothing could be further from the truth. In actuality, they’re usually too slow for anything other than basic web browsing, with monthly data limits that prevent you from using them regularly. Further, free providers often only have a handful of servers, making it trivially simple for streaming services to identify and blacklist them.
These services could pose a real threat to your system security too. In fact, one study put the number of free VPN apps carrying malware as high as 37 percent. Equally troubling, it found that of the 200+ apps surveyed, 18 percent never encrypted user traffic at all. This means that their users were browsing, assuming their actions were anonymous, when this simply wasn’t true. Depending on your situation, this could have huge repercussions, which is why we recommend thoroughly vetting any service you’re thinking about using. A reputable service with a proven no-logs policy will be much more useful than a free service with no concern for your privacy.
Are VPNs legal in Spain?
VPNs are completely legal in Spain, and in fact, most of the world. There are really only a few countries that place limits on the services you can use, and even fewer that ban VPN usage outright. This means that, wherever you go, there’s a good chance you can use a VPN without worrying about getting into any trouble.
It’s worth mentioning that VPNs aren’t intended to prevent you from being charged with a crime. In other words, if you use these services for illegal purposes and get caught, you’ll still have to face the music. In some cases, you could even see a harsher sentence because of your attempts to evade detection using a VPN. However, as long as you don’t use a VPN to commit crimes online, there’s no reason you’d get into any trouble.
How can a VPN help keep me safe while traveling?
When you’re traveling, you’ll almost certainly use a public wifi network at some point. The problem is that these usually aren’t as secure as they should be, and as such, they’re a prime target for hackers. However, if you’re using a VPN, your data is encrypted, which means that even if someone is monitoring the network, they won’t be able to see what you do online.
These services can help in other ways as well. For instance, many banks use automated fraud-prevention systems that can detect foreign login attempts and temporarily lock your account. Unfortunately, though, these systems usually can’t tell the difference between a user on vacation and an attacker from overseas. If you connect to one of your VPN’s servers in your home country first, though, you’re less likely to be detected and should be able to use your online banking service as normal from abroad.
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