You’ve just arrived in Madrid – suitcase in hand, Google Translate open and head full of excitement. Whether you’re here for an Erasmus semester, an internship or to stay longer, the first few weeks can be a bit… chaotic. But don’t worry: your mobile is going to become your #1 ally thanks to the best apps to help you get settled in Madrid.
Transportation and travel 🚇
1. Madrid Metro
– The official metro app: maps, schedules, routes.
– Simple and essential to avoid ending up on the other side of the city.
2. BiciMAD
– Public electric bicycle service in the city.
– Ideal to take advantage of the sunny days and discover Madrid in a different way.
3. EMT Madrid
– The official app of Madrid buses. Very useful, especially at night.
4. Cabify / Uber / Bolt
– All three operate in Madrid. Compare prices according to the time of day.
Eating and shopping 🍕
5. Glovo / Uber Eats / Just Eat
– Order food easily or even products from the supermarket.
– Glovo also offers pharmacy deliveries or everyday items.
6. Too Good To Go
– Collect surplus from restaurants or bakeries at the end of the day. Economic and ecological Lola Market
– For online shopping at Lidl, Carrefour, DIA… without leaving home.
Plans and social life 🎉
7. Facebook
- Discover the best plans: parties, exhibitions, rooftops, immersive experiences…
- The best groups: Madrid Language Exchange; Hiking and Fun in Madrid; Erasmus Madrid; Meet new people in Madrid; Trips and Adventures from Madrid
8. Meetup
– Join groups according to your interests (hiking, yoga, games, languages…).
– Perfect for meeting people outside your university or apartment.
9. Uvibes
– Parties, trips, plans, language exchanges… a gold mine.
Daily life 📆
10. Bizum / Verse
– The most used apps in Spain to send money to your friends.
– Super useful for sharing a dinner, a rental or an outing.
11. Google Translate
– Your savior for the first few days. It may be the best of the best apps to help you get settled in Madrid. Tip: download the Spanish one to use it offline.
12. Renfe Cercanías
– To take commuter trains to nearby cities (Toledo, Aranjuez, El Escorial…).
Learn Spanish 🌞
13. Duolingo / Babbel
– Popular apps for language improvement. Duolingo is fun, Babbel is more structured.
Ready to make yourself at home?
Settling into a new city is quite a journey. But with the right apps, everything becomes easier – and a lot more fun. They’ll help you get around better, eat well, go out more and enjoy Madrid like a true local.
Remember that we have a Whatsapp group where you can sign up for our excursions with discounts and raffles.
Now that you have all the perfect apps to settle in Madrid, why not go one step further? Here, you’ll find plenty of cool activities and excursions to discover the city from another angle and make the most of your arrival.