There’s a new app that’s been creating a little bit of buzz with it’s modern and minimalist design, based on a really interesting booklet/map of beirut.

I present to you Zawarib, which means  “narrow passageways between or behind buildings.”

You can download it for free since it works on any smart phone, but in case you need convincing before taking my recommendation, here are the features it has, and why I think this app is a great addition to your app store library:

AHLAN W SAHLAN

Basically their About page, it talks a little about the application in just a couple of words, very easy to read and pretty clear. It’s acompanied by a very cute and flat visual that – in my opinion – gives it more life. Their information is available on the bottom of the page, but unfortunately it’s not clickable… yet.

CULTURE & LEISURE

A great section combining a little resume of each part of Beirut, with a couple of really interesting illustrations about the highlights accompanying each map description. Although I can’t lie, the text is a bit too small, making it harder to read, and you can’t zoom in to read either.. Those who prefer reading with a BIG FONT are really going to have a hard time using this section, but it’s okay since this section isn’t even their most useful part. Interactivity becomes more interesting in the Mapped section.

TRANSPORTATION

This section is extremely useful in my opinion for anybody who isn’t familiar with Beirut’s busy roads. You can check in advance each bus route going thru the city, making it much simpler than taking a “service” and having to use the route the cab driver prefers. This way, you know exactly where you’re going and, in case you change your mind, you get to jump off whenever you want. The bus is a transport of preference for several Lebanese, but tourists can benefit a lot more by it’s usability, seeing as they would have less experience with the little “tricks” of Lebanese transportation (No more telling the cab driver to take you somewhere for “servicen”)

MAPS

The map section – also the landing page of the application (first page that opens once you access the app) – let’s you choose directly the area you would like to discover. It has two small features: You either open the map of the respective area with numbered pins based on the selected locations available for the app, or you could pick a location from the Hotspot section if you would rather search by type of place you want to visit.

(Note: From experience, try not to leave the house without a map in hand! 3G is a gift sent from the heavens, but you never know when Lebanon’s slow connection gets the better of you)

FAVOURITES

Exactly what you would expect from this section. Considering you’ve already favourited specific locations by simply tapping on the star next to the name of the location, this is where you can find them. This section came in handy on numerous occasions because it permitted me to easily access my favourite new “hotspots”. Thank God for that!

+

Now this is probably my only complaint, and it’s not exactly a bad thing. Clicking on the + sign will take you straight to Zawarib’s Facebook page, and – not that it’s a bad thing – they could have maybe given it a bit less importance, since it’s not one of the main reasons I installed the application. But other than clicking it by mistakes a couple of times (I’m a bit clumsy), I eventually liked their Facebook page which is full of useful information for the curious minds like myself.

It would be amazing if this application worked all across Lebanon and included more activities, but you definitely won’t hear me complaining about what they already have. Once I run out of things to do, I’ll be sure to let them know I’m hungry for more. Maybe the design in general could use a tiny bit of tweaking, but the application has a lot of potential. I think it’s a great way of promoting tourism, as well as giving us Lebanese more incentive to discover our country’s capital.

I give it two thumbs up!