The first day in a new country is always a bit chaotic. You walk out of the airport and suddenly a taxi costs who-knows-what, you are not sure how to reach your hotel, and the café menu is all in Spanish. The good news: a couple of apps on your phone solve almost all of it. Here is what actually helps in Spain, no fluff.
Getting around
In Spain you book taxis through apps, so you see the price up front and never overpay. The most popular local one is Cabify, working even in mid-sized cities. In Madrid and Barcelona, Bolt and FreeNow are also handy. A tip from regulars: install two or three and compare the price before each ride — the same trip can cost twice as much on a different app.
You cannot go without maps. Google Maps shows metro, bus and walking routes, and the data in Spanish cities is very accurate. For intercity trips there is Renfe (Spanish railways).
Ordering food
If you would rather stay in, food is easiest through Glovo — a Spanish app that delivers everything from dinner to pharmacy items. It works even in small towns. Alternatives are Just Eat and Uber Eats, but Glovo usually has more restaurants.
Want to eat out? Book a table through TheFork (El Tenedor in Spain), which often gives discounts of up to 30%.
The language barrier
Even if you do not speak Spanish, you will be fine. Google Translate translates text from a photo — point your camera at a menu and it translates right on screen. If you want to pick up basic phrases beforehand, Duolingo gives you enough for "order a coffee and say thanks" in a couple of weeks.
Money and staying connected
Cards are accepted almost everywhere, but for person-to-person transfers locals use Bizum, linked to your phone number. With a foreign card, Revolut is handy: good rates and no foreign fees. For communication keep WhatsApp — it is the main messenger in Spain, used even to text your plumber or landlord.
A short pre-flight checklist
The minimum to install at home while you still have fast internet: Google Maps and Google Translate for sure; WhatsApp for contact; taxi and delivery (Cabify, Glovo) you can add on arrival. With this set, day one goes smoothly.