Google Maps Unveils Enhanced Features for Seamless Summer Vacation

Google Maps has introduced 3 new features to make it easy for travelers to discover and customize lists of places to visit, share travel recommendations, and learn more about where they want to go. Google rolled out these updates on March 27, ahead of this year’s summer holidays.

Google also mentioned that some of the updates in Google Maps will only be accessible in select cities for now. The features will likely be extended to other cities across the globe in the coming months. Here are the new features to available in Google Maps:

Get the Best Travel Recommendations

This feature makes it easy to discover trustworthy travel recommendations. Users can effortlessly access curated lists from reputable sources and the Google Maps community. Users start by entering the name of the place they want to go to in Maps, and the app will display a curated list of top recommendations (from locals and previous visitors), including top sites within and around the city they are interested in.

These lists cover everything from trendy spots to hidden gems, ensuring there’s something for every traveler’s taste. For those seeking culinary adventures, Google Maps will also display restaurant lists tailored to current interests and trends:

• The Trending list showcases places experiencing a surge in popularity weekly and is perfect for discovering the latest hot spots.
• The Top list features beloved establishments favored by the Maps community, offering longstanding favorites.
• The Gems list unveils neighborhood treasures and underrated culinary gems waiting to be discovered.

Travelers can also contribute to the Google Maps community by sharing their own top recommendations if they find a place they really like. This feature is currently available across 40 cities in the United States and Canada.

New Customization Tools to Create Your Own Lists

Creating and sharing personalized lists in Google Maps helps travelers organize the places they want to go and keep track of the places they’ve been. Users can organize their lists of favorite travel locations and local spots chronologically or rank them based on preferences. Places on the list can be moved up or down after visiting them.

The ranking also allows users to provide the best recommendations to other people in the Google Maps community. “In your lists, you can also link to content from your social channels — like your review of the delicious meal you ate — to show why it deserves to be on your list. These updates roll out globally on Android and iOS later this month,” Google added in the announcement.

Get Insights Into the Top Features of a Place at a Glance

This is the third new feature in Google Maps, which will let people get insights about places they’re interested in at-a-glance. The feature is powered by AI.

People can quickly see what’s important about a particular location and other highlights through photos and reviews that summarize what previous visitors love about it. The incorporation of AI also assists users in identifying dishes on restaurant menus, checking out prices, dietary options, and more.

Google Maps will also get a new look, including a cleaner home screen and new pin colors for easier navigation. This will be rolled out before the summer months, according to Google. These features are accessible on all devices.