How to Navigate a New City Using Your Apple Watch

Your Apple Watch can be your ultimate travel companion, with a wealth of navigation tools, language assistance apps, and location-aware features at your fingertips—or rather, your wrist—discovering a new city has never been easier or more enjoyable.

In this guide, we’ll explore how to make the most of your Apple Watch when navigating a new city abroad, helping you travel smarter, safer, and in style.

1. Seamless Navigation with Apple Maps

At the core of your Apple Watch’s travel capabilities is Apple Maps. When paired with your iPhone, your Watch can provide turn-by-turn directions, haptic feedback for upcoming turns, and real-time travel updates—perfect when you're walking through a busy square or cycling along unfamiliar routes.

Simply start a route on your iPhone and it will automatically sync with your Apple Watch. You'll receive gentle taps on your wrist to signal left or right turns, so there’s no need to stare at your phone or stand out as a confused tourist. This makes for a safer and more discreet way to explore a city.

Top tip: Use the ‘Guides’ feature in Apple Maps to discover curated lists of must-visit locations in major cities, from local eateries to hidden landmarks.

Use Compass and GPS for Off-the-Grid Adventures

For those exploring more remote parts of a city—perhaps the winding alleys of an old town, a sprawling park on the outskirts, or even venturing out for a countryside day trip—the built-in Compass app and advanced GPS features on your Apple Watch become invaluable tools.

From the Apple Watch Series 5 onwards, your Watch includes a built-in compass, elevation readings, and precise real-time location tracking. This allows you to orient yourself easily, monitor your direction of travel, and stay aware of altitude changes—particularly useful if you're in hilly or mountainous terrain. Whether you're following a hiking trail in the hills above Barcelona or exploring the vast grounds of a French château, the Compass can help keep you on track.

One standout feature for travellers and adventurers is Backtrack—introduced on Apple Watch Series 6 and newer, running watchOS 9 or later. This clever tool uses GPS data to record your route as you move, enabling your Watch to retrace your steps if you lose your way. There’s no need for an internet connection or mobile signal, making it ideal for places with limited connectivity.

To use Backtrack, simply open the Compass app before you start exploring and activate the feature. If you need to find your way back later, your Watch will guide you step-by-step along the exact path you took—perfect for avoiding wrong turns or dead ends in unfamiliar areas.

Pro tip: Combine the Compass app with the Workout app’s Outdoor Walk or Hike modes to monitor your distance, pace and location all in one view, helping you track your activity while staying on course.

Language Assistance with Translation Apps

Don’t let a language barrier hold you back from experiencing a city to its fullest. Whether you're asking for directions, ordering at a café, or reading signs in a museum, your Apple Watch can be a powerful communication aid abroad.

The built-in Translate app on Apple Watch allows you to quickly translate short phrases into 11 supported languages, including French, Spanish, Italian, Mandarin, German, and Japanese. You can dictate a phrase or type it in using Scribble, and your Watch will provide the translated text—and in many cases, spoken audio—so you can hear the correct pronunciation. This is especially useful in loud environments or when trying to be understood by someone unfamiliar with English.

For a broader range of languages and more advanced features, the Google app (available on your paired iPhone) offers seamless integration with Google Translate, which supports over 100 languages and features such as:

• Two-way conversation mode, where the app automatically detects and translates both sides of a conversation.

• Instant camera translation, which can be used on signs, menus, or instructions—simply point your phone’s camera and see the translated text overlaid in real-time.

• Offline translation packs, so you’re never stuck without a connection in remote areas.

While Google Translate isn’t available natively on Apple Watch, you can use Siri Shortcuts or voice commands via your Watch to initiate translations on your iPhone, keeping the process quick and efficient. Simply raise your wrist and say, “Translate ‘Where is the nearest metro station?’ into Spanish,” and Siri will handle the rest through your connected iPhone.

Additional Apple Watch Features That Can Help:

• Siri Dictation: Ask Siri questions like, “How do I say ‘I’m allergic to nuts’ in Italian?” or request translations on the go.

• Favourites in Translate: Save commonly used phrases—such as greetings, directions, or food preferences—directly to your Watch for quick access when you’re in a rush.

• International Keyboards on iPhone: While not on the Watch itself, pairing your Apple Watch with an iPhone that has multiple language keyboards can make it easier to communicate through typed messages or searches.

Top tip:

Before travelling, open the Translate app on your iPhone and download offline languages you may need. These will sync to your Watch and be available even without an internet connection—essential for navigating remote areas or places with limited signal.

Discover Local Gems with Recommendation Apps

If you're not sure where to go next, let your Apple Watch help. Apps such as Yelp, TripAdvisor, and Foursquare City Guide can show nearby restaurants, attractions, and entertainment options based on your location.

These apps often include user reviews, photos, and estimated walk times—making it easier to decide on your next stop without constantly pulling out your phone.

Stay Safe and Connected

If you ever feel lost, unsafe, or experience an emergency situation, the Emergency SOS feature is an essential lifeline. With a long press of the side button, your Apple Watch can automatically call local emergency services, even if your iPhone isn’t nearby (on cellular-enabled models). It will also notify your emergency contacts with your location, letting them know you’ve called for help and where you are.

This is especially useful when travelling alone or in a city where you may not speak the local language. Emergency SOS bypasses the need for complicated navigation or phone use—it’s fast, discreet, and effective.

Additional Safety Features for Travellers:

• Fall Detection: Available on Apple Watch Series 4 and newer, this feature can detect if you’ve taken a hard fall. If you remain unresponsive for a short period, your Watch will automatically call emergency services and send your location to your chosen emergency contacts. It’s an invaluable safeguard whether you’re hiking, cycling, or simply navigating uneven terrain in a historic city centre.

• Location Sharing with Find My: With Find My, you can choose to share your location with trusted family or friends, allowing them to check in on you at any time. They’ll be able to see where you are in real time, whether you’re navigating a busy market in Marrakech or heading out on a solo sightseeing walk in Prague.

• Noise Monitoring: Travelling through a bustling city or attending a loud event? The Apple Watch includes a Noise app that alerts you if sound levels reach potentially harmful levels—helpful for protecting your hearing in noisy environments like public transport, concerts or crowded squares.

• Medical ID Access: Your Apple Watch can store vital health and medical information (such as allergies, blood type, or medications) which first responders can access from the lock screen in the event of an emergency, even without a passcode.

• International Emergency Calling: On Apple Watch models with cellular connectivity, you can make international emergency calls in over 120 countries—even if you’re not connected to your UK mobile plan, as long as any cellular network is available.

Travel Smart, Travel Safe

Before you set off, it’s worth checking that your emergency contacts are up to date in the Health app on your iPhone, and that Fall Detection is turned on (it’s automatically enabled for users aged 55 and over, but can be manually activated at any age).

These safety features help ensure that even in unfamiliar places, your Apple Watch is more than just a stylish accessory—it’s a reliable guardian on your wrist.

Pair Your Watch with a Comfortable, Stylish Strap

Of course, navigating a city means plenty of walking, sightseeing and even unpredictable weather. Make sure your Apple Watch is secured with a strap that’s both stylish and travel-ready.

At Buckle & Band, we offer premium leather Apple Watch straps that combine timeless style with modern functionality. Designed for all-day comfort, our straps are breathable and lightweight—ideal for exploring hot climates or spending long days on your feet. Whether you're museum-hopping in Rome, navigating the souks of Marrakech, or sipping cocktails on a rooftop bar in Barcelona, our beautifully crafted straps ensure your Apple Watch looks as good as it performs, no matter where your travels take you.

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Final Thoughts

Travelling is about discovery, and your Apple Watch is the ideal travel tool to help you explore, understand, and enjoy new places like a local. With the right apps and settings, you’ll not only avoid getting lost—you’ll uncover hidden gems, break down language barriers, and travel with more confidence and ease.

Before your next city break, make sure your Apple Watch is charged, your apps are downloaded, and your strap is ready for the journey.

Explore the world. Navigate with ease. Travel in style—with Buckle & Band.