Parenting in Barcelona comes with its unique joys and challenges. From navigating the Catalan school system to making the most of the city’s incredible resources, technology can be your best ally. Here’s a curated list of essential Barcelona parent apps that will make your life as a Barcelona parent smoother, more organized, and decidedly more enjoyable.
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School & Education
Tokapp – Your School Communication Hub
Never miss another school notification again. Tokapp connects you directly with your child’s school, delivering important announcements, event updates, and administrative messages straight to your phone. Essential for staying on top of the busy Barcelona school calendar.
Most schools handle communications through Tokapp; they will confirm the details with you so you can connect to the school.
Find here for Android.
BibliotequesXBM – Barcelona’s Library Network
Unlock the full potential of Barcelona’s extensive library system. This app helps you locate nearby libraries, check book availability, reserve materials, and discover events and activities for children across the city’s network of public libraries.
Find here for Android and here for Apple.
Libby – Digital Library Access
Transform your phone into a portable library. Libby provides access to thousands of digital books and audiobooks from your US library, perfect for bedtime stories or keeping older children entertained during commutes around the city.
Find here for Android and here for Apple.
Communication & Social
WhatsApp – The Universal Connector
In Barcelona’s parent community, WhatsApp isn’t just an app—it’s a lifeline. From coordinating playdates to organizing school carpools, managing sports teams, and staying connected with extended family, this remains the go-to communication platform for Barcelona families. While you may have WhatsApp now, you will see it in a new lense from Barcelona.
Find here on Android and here on Apple.
Peanut – Parent Community Building
Meet other parents in your Barcelona neighborhood. Peanut connects like-minded parents based on location, interests, and children’s ages, helping you build a support network in the city. A lot of the better features require a subscription.
Find here on Android and here on Apple.
Child Development & Entertainment
MyTonies – Audio Adventures
Bring the magic of Toniebox to your smartphone. MyTonies lets you manage your child’s audio content, create custom playlists, and discover new stories and songs that make learning fun and engaging.
Find here for Android and here for Apple.
Baby Daybook – Comprehensive Child Tracking
Keep detailed records of your baby or toddler’s daily routines with this highly configurable tracking app. Monitor feeding times, sleep patterns, diaper changes, and developmental milestones—invaluable for pediatric visits and understanding your child’s patterns.
When my daughter was born, I tried several tracking apps and this was the clear winner!
Find here on Android and here on Apple.
Vooks – Animated Storytelling
Recommended to me by an educator, Vooks is a clear alternative to YouTube videos. Captivate older children with beautifully animated storybooks that come to life on screen. Vooks combines the charm of traditional storytelling with modern animation, making reading time magical and educational.
Find here on Android and here on Apple.
Health & Safety
LaMevaSalut – Catalan Public Health Management
Navigate Catalunya’s public health system with confidence. This official app provides access to medical appointments, vaccination records, and health services information—essential for managing your family’s healthcare in the region.
Check it out here on Android or here on Apple.
Yuka – Smart Product Scanning
Make informed choices about the Spanish products you bring into your home. Yuka scans barcodes to provide instant health and environmental impact ratings for food, cosmetics, and household items, helping you create a safer environment for your family.
Find here on Android and here on Apple.
City Living & Practical Life
T-Mobilitat
This is Barcelona’s official public transportation app that makes getting around the city easier for your family. You can use it to pay for buses, metro, and trains directly from your phone instead of needing physical tickets. The app also lets you check your T-mobility card balance (that’s Barcelona’s main transport card) and add money to it when needed.
Think of it as having your metro card and wallet combined in your phone – perfect for busy parents juggling kids and bags while navigating a new city. You won’t have to worry about carrying exact change or losing physical tickets anymore.
Find here for Android and here for Apple.
Next Bus Barcelona
This app tells you exactly when the next bus will arrive at any bus stop in Barcelona – no more standing around wondering if you just missed it or if there’s a long wait ahead. You’ll find a code number posted at every bus stop, and when you enter that code into the app, it shows you how many minutes until each bus arrives.
It works for all types of buses – regular city buses, night buses (called “Nit Bus” that run after midnight), trams, and buses from different companies. The app also shows you the bus routes, so you can see where each bus is headed.
This is especially helpful when you’re out with kids and want to minimize waiting time at stops, or when you’re still learning the city’s bus system and need to double-check you’re catching the right bus
Find here for Android.
TMB App
This is the main transportation app that helps you navigate Barcelona and the surrounding metropolitan area with confidence. It’s designed to give you everything you need to travel around the city in one place.
The app helps you plan your journeys, find the best routes, and move around Barcelona without getting lost – which is especially valuable when you’re still learning your way around a new city with kids in tow. It covers all the public transport options in Barcelona and the greater metro area, so whether you’re heading to the city center, the beach, or neighboring towns, you’ll have the guidance you need.
Think of it as your digital travel companion that takes the stress out of figuring out how to get from point A to point B in your new city.
Find here for Android and here for Apple.
BCN a la Butxaca – Your Barcelona Guide
Master everyday life in Barcelona with the city’s official app. From recycling guidelines to municipal services, event information to neighborhood updates, this app keeps you connected to everything happening in your city.
Find here for Android.
Cl@ve – Digital Identity
Simplify interactions with Spanish public services through this secure digital identity platform. Essential for handling bureaucratic tasks, school enrollments, and official procedures that are part of life in Spain. You can register after you obtain a NIE.
Find here for Android.
Wallapop – Local Marketplace
Join Barcelona’s thriving second-hand economy. Buy and sell children’s items, from outgrown clothes to toys and equipment, while connecting with other families in your neighborhood. While in the US and other locations, Facebook Marketplace and similar apps may be the go-to, everyone turns to Wallapop here. After personally using it for both selling and purchasing items, it is very intuitive, the product descriptions are accurate, the support is fantastic, and the sellers are really communicative.
Find here for Android.
Travel & Organization
Wise – International Money Management
Perfect for expat families or those with international connections. Wise offers transparent currency exchange and international transfers, making it easier to manage finances across borders.
PackPoint – Smart Packing Assistant
Whether planning a weekend getaway to the Costa Brava or a family trip back home, PackPoint creates customized packing lists based on your destination, weather, and planned activities. Sometimes you just need to take the guess-work out of the small things that you need but slip out of your mind.
Find here for Android and here on Apple.
Mi DGT – Spanish Driver’s License App
Keep your Spanish driver’s license, your points, and renewal reminders close at hand with the official DGT (Dirección General de Tráfico, equivalent to the Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV)).
FInd here for Android.
Making It Work for Your Family
The key to successfully integrating these apps into your daily routine is to start gradually. Begin with the essentials that address your most pressing needs—perhaps Tokapp for school communications and WhatsApp for staying connected. Then gradually add other apps as you identify specific challenges or opportunities to improve your family’s Barcelona experience.
Remember that technology should enhance, not complicate, your family life. Choose the apps that genuinely solve problems or add value to your daily routine, and don’t feel pressured to use them all at once.
Barcelona offers an incredible environment for raising children, rich with culture, excellent public services, and a strong sense of community. With these digital tools at your fingertips, you’ll be well-equipped to navigate the adventure of parenting in this vibrant Mediterranean city.
