I'm looking to use an old smart phone when I am over in Spain (long weekend, once a month or so) and I am looking for a deal (preferably not contract) for a SIM only card so I can use the phone mainly to listen to BBC radio when in Madrid. Virgin in the UK charge me £5 for 250 mb and people tell me that won't get me very far. Anybody any ideas? Point us to any useful websites? Thanks in advance.

I used to use Masmovil it was pretty good easy to manage online just top up now and again. No contract and the odd time I needed help spoke with a very good English speaking assistant. I stopped using it when I got internet in the house which was only because we wanted internet for TV.

Have a look at 3 pay as you go addons 500 mbs for £5. Also other addons available.

Phone tariffs - Support - Three

I suspect this is for domestic UK mobile data and not 'roaming' data?

No in certain countries you can use it as if in the uk

Mobile roaming in Roaming and international. - Support - Three

I use three data purchased in UK for use in Spain also the text and minutes have been transferable. Do check this with Three though. So far Three have provided me with good service in western Europe.

I am with three in the uk. MY monthly contract is quite an old one now.
And I have unlimited data in the uk with unlimited texts and 200 minutes of calls.
I can confirm that you can roam abroad with it.
You do not get 4G for the Internet. But i haven't been charged at all. So far this year have been too spain twice, Finland and greece. Am in Spain again now and am using it.
May be worth changing your operator at home and taking advantage.

I use a data sim from Three and get 4g. It must depend on where you are in Spain.

Maybe you do get it with a data sim. Mine is for a mobile.
In benidorm/alicante area, would have thought this would be a hotpot...

Just a thought, does your 'phone support 4g?

Yeah i get 4g at hoe without any problems. Not that fussed whilst i am here as virtually every bar and hotel has wifi

Just a point re three and roaming the ability to roam calls , texts and data does not apply if you are on what Three call one of their essential bundles. Essential bundles are low cost bundles simply including UK calls , texts and data. Only realised as been researching for a package for my sister. So Three customers check you have it free before running up bills .

Look up Jazztel ( now Orange ) in Spain. They do a Pre-payment SIM and you can buy data service.
Como funciona la tarjeta SIM prepago Jazztel - Jazzcard Móvil

I have a 3 Sim only contract which gives me 4Gb a month for £14pm - I switched mainly to use in Spain and it's been a Godsend. U can get cheaper deals for less data but U will need an advanced and not an essential plan - 1Gb starts at £10 so not bad. They also do 1 month contracts where 1Gb would be £13.

There is a company called 1pMobile who charge 4p a MB when using data in Spain. There is a minimum £5 charge every 30 days to use their service. For that you get 500MB (i.e. 125 minutes of data usage for your £5 credit). However, they are currently offering a half price joining credit deal. So that means you would only pay £2.50 every 30 days but still receive 500MB. They use the EE network.