Living Abroad Tips

Essential Apps for Expats in Barcelona

Wise

29.06.16 (updated more than 1 year ago)

Read time 2 minutes

###Spain’s second city is no shrinking violet.

Famed for its football and beautiful streets, Barcelona occupies a special place in the heart of its citizens and expat community. It’s a hub of activity with plenty on offer, but where to begin?

Not a problem. We’ve had a browse at some of the best apps for exploring and living in the city.

Long live Barca, indeed.

####MyTaxi

MyTaxi is a popular on-demand transport app in Barcelona.

By locating your nearest taxi, the app makes it quick to find and book a cab. With its 5-star rating system, it’s easy to order the best rated taxis in town. You can save favourite drivers if you’ve had a particularly pleasant experience with a driver. If you’ve got a few journeys planned, you can even book up to 4 days in advance.

Get MyTaxi on iOS or Android

####Atrápalo

As with any global destination, Barcelona has some unique culinary offerings, so if you’ve got the appetite for delicious food, Atrapalo is the app for you.

Book some of Barcelona’s finest restaurants with discounted rates. If you find a few hotspots you’d like to visit again, make sure to create a personalised list of your favourites, so it’s easier to book your table next time.

Available on iOS or Android

####TMBAPP

Barcelona’s official transport system app has the details you need for travelling around the city.

In an instant, get access to the latest news and travel information for bus and metro services running throughout the city. You can also setup custom alerts and notifications so you get details relevant to your journey.

Download on iOS or Android

####BCN Paistage

Discover the unique elements of Barcelona’s cityscape with this app.

From vertical gardens to party walls, BCN Paistage gives you an inside look at Barcelona’s special urban art. Through the app you’re presented with a choice of well known and obscure find – an alternative way of getting to know the beauty of Barcelona.

Available on iOS or Android

####BIcing

The bike-sharing app for Barcelona is a must-have for getting around and keeping fit.

In addition to finding bike anchors, you can also keep track of personal cycling statistics. Measure how many calories burned and distance travelled with the app. It’s also the perfect app if you want a bit of cycling fun, as there’s the option to play a game in which you can win some real prizes. If you’re looking for a novel combination of fitness and fun, Bicing is the answer.

Get Bicing on iOS or Android

####Chiringuía

Explore the best of Barcelona’s Mediterranean beaches (like this one in Badalona!) with this helpful guide to the sandy shores.

Chiringuía offers a look at the best beach hangouts and events. You get a breakdown of menus, performances and prices, with GPS positioning to help you find a good spot on the beach. Any Facebook events are also posted in the app, so you have a good chance of getting up-to-date info about the hottest spots to visit. It’s the ideal companion to a bit of sun, sea and sand.

Download on iOS or Android

####Mercats BCN

Peruse the local markets of Barcelona with the Mercats BCN app.

Designed for searching through the undiscovered troves of the city, Mercats BCN provides details of market locations and opening hours so you’re never too far from a good deal. Through the app you can also search for recipes with the ingredients available at the local markets.

Get it on iOS or Android

####BCN Visual

The past meets the present with this interesting take on a city guide app.

BCN Visual provides historical images and information about Barcelona. It also has a feature which uses augmented reality to show you what parts of Barcelona looked like historically. If you take an image with your smartphone, an old image overlay will appear showing you how much things have changed or not. BCN Visual is your go-to app to fully appreciate the past and present of Barcelona.

Get it on iOS or Android

####And finally… Wise

Sending or receiving money from abroad? Wise is the fast, fair new way to save money on transfers.

Download it for Android or iOS and start saving!

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