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Best LanguageTranslation App, Dictionary App and the Best Language Course Apps
to Learn Spanish, French and other languages

NOTE
In addition to "Spanish" (also known as the Castilian language), you'll hear other languages in Spain.
For example, on the Camino Francés route you'll hear the Basque, Leonese, and Galician languages...in addition to Spanish.
But most people in Spain can speak Spanish with you, even if their everyday spoken-language is not Spanish.

The Best Language Translation App

Google Translate

 

Apple App Store

Google Play Store
Note: reviews are based on the iPhone app

Bravo! An excellent app.
Features:

Photo
Take a picture of something, and Google will search for the image—and then,
with your finger, highlight the text in the image you want to translate. 

 Useful for signs, billboards, menus. 

Voice
Speak into your iPhone, and Google will translate that into text—and audio too. 

You're in a pharmacy. You need help for your blisters.

Say "I need help for my blisters."
In Google Translate the Spanish text appears, and simultaneously a voice says
"Necesito ayuda para mis ampollas"  
(I need help for my blisters).

Text
Type an English word or phrase that you want translated.

You'll get the Spanish text, and if you want
(press on the audio icon)
you can listen to the Spanish audio of the word or phrase.

The app also asks you if you'd like to download files to use the app offline.
(About 30MB at the time of this writing) 

This app provides translations for many languages.
For the Camino, you'll be interested to know that the Basque and Galician languages are also available within the app. 

So is French, of course, should you be starting your journey in France. 

The Best English - Spanish Dictionary App

Collins Spanish-English

 

Apple App Store

Google Play Store here. (“Ultralingua Dictionaries” on Google Play)
Note: reviews are based on the iPhone app

I've used this app for years, and trust its translations—and I love its conjugations of verbs feature (and it offers an audio option too). 
Nicely designed, easy to use app. No internet connection needed. 

You can also get the well-made Collins English-French Dictionary here if you start your Camino journey in France.
—Jean Christie

3 of the Best Apps to Learn Spanish

Even the basics, such as "thank you", "good evening", "please", and numbers one through ten
will help you to feel more comfortable with the local people as you walk through Spain. 

Luckily, apps now make learning a foreign language a lot easier...and even fun!

TIP
Everyone has a different learning style.
 I'd recommend this:
 Download these top apps to find the teaching style you like best. 
(they're all free, with paid upgrades if you want to continue)
Then, delete all but the one that works best for you.
—Jean Christie

Duolingo

 

Apple App Store

Google Play Store
Note: reviews are based on the iPhone app


Millions of people use Duolingo to learn languages.
Short "bite-size" lessons make it easy, and fun! 
Game-like approach keeps you engaged.

Rosetta Stone

 

Apple App Store

Google Play Store
Note: reviews are based on the iPhone app.

Also used by millions of people around the world.
Rosetta Stone is famous for using the same approach to learning a language as children learn...using pictures, text, sound, real-world situations. 
It's deep learning, natural learning, less about memorization and drills, and more like a puzzle to learn what is the meaning of a word, a sentence.  

Rosetta Stone is for people serious about learning Spanish. It's a pricey investment…
But the ratings are fantastic (thousands have given it 5 stars out of 5...) and no doubt this app is well-worth the subscription price.
Try the first lesson free to see what you think.

Babbel

 

Apple App Store

Google Play Store
Note: reviews are based on the iPhone app

Another app used by millions.
Super-fast, nicely designed app.

Focus: learning Spanish that you'll use in everyday situations.
Uses repetition, in different formats, to help you retain what you've learned. 
Quick 10-15 minutes lessons. 

Access to full features requires a subscription, but you could just do the minimum one month plan (I thought it was reasonably priced) to prepare for the Camino.

You can try the first lesson free to see if you like Babbel's method.