Audio Guide Devices at Popular Sights

Often the audio guide is an app that you use on your own phone. What specific sites? That might help.

Thank you. It’s helpful to know the technology has advanced. I hadn’t thought about the possibility that mobile Apps would be more prevalent now. We will plan on taking both our cordless and corded earbuds to give us options. Thanks again!

....and, depending on what you will have available for data service, I would advise trying to download the guides ahead of time, or at least when you have Wi-Fi. Some are available through the Play Store or App store, you might try checking the Official site for the attraction, the last resort is scanning the QR code at the attraction.

It is definitely the case now, that if you travel without a phone and data plan, you may not be able to access the guides.

During my trip earlier this year, I encountered some places that had their own devices and earbuds, for instance the Cuarto Alto tour at the Seville Alcazar. One trick I learned from the guides - if your device stops working, check that the ear bud cable is not touching the front of the device. For whatever reason, that short circuits the equipment and stops the audio.

I was able to use that lesson later when visiting some of the Gaudi sites that supplied a device.

Some places also had the option of either your own phone download or their device.

@TalGal, there isn't a one-size-fits-all type of answer, it will depend on the attraction. As mentioned earlier, some will lend their own devices, others might offer an app to download and many will work with QRCodes -you scan them and it takes you to a specific webpage.

It might be a good idea to list the sites you plan to visit, and maybe we can collectively recall what sort of solution each of them provides.

There's also a great observation regarding data consumption while on the go. Check your phone plan to see whether you're restricted -or else you might end up with a hefty bill when you go back home.

Thank you. Rather than list all the sights we plan to visit, I think we’ll go prepared for various scenarios - download Apps in advance when possible, take cordless and corded earbuds, and alcohol wipes in case we have to use loaned equipment.

Thanks for everyone’s input!

One specific note:

There are two audio guides available at the Royal Alcazar. Sevilla. One is the corded headphone loaned player. I think that’s the official audio guide.

The other audio guide is the Artymax App sold just inside the entrance. Avoid the Artymax app at all cost. It is hot garbage.

Every time I had a loaned device with earbuds provided, the earbuds were the disposable type which borrowers were free to take with them after use. (Of course, I didn't see every sight in Spain or use loaned devices everywhere, so others may have had a different experience. However, I was pleased that there was consideration for the ear bud sanity where I used provided devices.)

Thank you. Last time we were abroad they offered old school over-ear head phones and I wasn’t excited about reusing them. So I wiped them off with disinfecting wipes. I’m glad to hear they’ve upgraded to earbuds that are not reused. And, we can probably use our own if the port is compatible.
Thanks again!

O dear. I love autocorrect. "ear bud sanity" should be "ear bud sanitary concerns".

The alcohol wipes are a good thing to carry in any case!!

LOL! I didn’t catch that, but I like it.