If you’re thinking of going for a walk in the lively city of Berlin yourself, Google Maps is your best friend in that case. The best parts of Google maps are; Its detailed maps, accurate navigation and wealth of information.
Step 1: Research and Preparation
Before you start your walking tour of Berlin, make sure to have some on information of their top attractions, landmarks and neighborhoods you want to visit. Think about it historical sites, modern architecture, lively street art. This step will start from when you know where you wish to dive off from next.
Step 2: Create a Custom Map
Go to Google Maps on your desktop or mobile and sign in to your Google account. Sign in, and when prompt to, click on the ‘Menu’ button (three horizontal lines) in the top left and select ‘Your places’ from the dropdown menu. Use the Drop Down menu under the “Maps” heading and choose “Create map” button.
Name and describe your custom map (in this case your walking tour in Berlin) in an interesting way. Besides, the privacy settings can be set accordingly as per your preference – either limit the viewership to yourself or share with others. And now you have a new blank canvas to add locations.
Step 3: Adding Locations
In order to add locations, you can use the search bar on Google Maps to bring in the first place you want to visit. As soon as I find it, I click on the location pin to look at more details. For the information box that appears, tap on the ‘Save’ button and select the option to save the file into a custom map. For the places you want to visit in Berlin, do this process in repetition.
Layers are the way you can categorize locations on your map. In particular, you can separate the historical sites, museums, parks, restaurants, etc. in separate layers. To provide a punishable locations to a given layer create a new layer by clicking on the “Add layer” button, assign a name, and start adding locations to the specific layer.
Step 4: Customize and Organize
Custom map by Google Maps allows you to customize how your map’s looking. You can change the colour and icon of pins, add labels or descriptions to each location, draw lines or shapes to mark walking routes or areas of interest.
To customise a location, click on the pin and from there select the pencil icon. Then you can edit the title, description and icon. Click on the “Add directions” button and select appropriate option to draw lines or shapes.
5. Using and Accessing your Custom Map
When you’ve added all the locations and customised your map to your tastes, it’s time to take the map on your mobile device. Open the Google Maps app, then tap on the menu button (three horizontal lines), and select ‘Your places’. Navigate to “Maps” tab, and you will see your customized map is ready for use. Once you tap on it, you will see all of your marked locations.
Turn by turn directions, estimated walking times and real time navigation will be provided for you by Google Maps to help guide you on your Berlin walking tour. Moreover, you can also make add additional spots on the go or modify the itinerary.
Final Tips for a Great Walking Tour in Berlin
- Since you will be doing a ton of walking, wear comfortable shoes.
- Drink water and carry a water bottle.
- Cross roads and do so in the presence of traffic rules.
- Enjoy local cafes or parks and take breaks.
- In case, you have limited internet connectivity, download offline maps.
- Take advantage of the opportunity to roam around in the less touristy neighbourhoods and discover Berlin’s local culture.
Using Google Maps to aid you, you can walk with confidence on an outstanding walking tour in Berlin. If you want to enjoy the city’s incredible history, phenomenal landmarks, and pulsating personality then you can do it at own pace. Happy exploring!
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