Everybody today, when they have to look for an address, they look for it on Google Maps, an exceptional service that provides not only the drawn maps, but also the satellite view, traffic, 3D buildings and panoramic photos of StreetView. In another article we also have some of the best hidden features and tricks in Google Maps.
Google Maps, however, is not the only site that provides free maps online on the internet, there are also other alternatives, which may even be preferable depending on your needs, because they are faster to load, because with different graphics or because with different information than those collected by Google.
These sites with maps and maps are really useful for quickly finding a way, getting directions, seeing the world from satellite and receiving traffic information in real time . Some of these services also provide 360 degree views (that of Google Street View) for most cities. Most of these free Google Maps alternative map sites also have related apps for smartphones, Android, iPhones or Windows Phones .
1) Here WeGO Maps
The Maps service Here WeGO (Ex Nokia), of which I have already spoken, is currently the best of the alternatives to Google Maps. It allows you to find any position in the world with ease, maintains your search history, allows you to find special places such as museums, transport, bars, restaurants, shops and allows you to save your favorite ones in your account. Here Maps has its own high quality street view function, with panoramic photos of many cities.The nice thing about the Here Maps site is that it seems to use a mobile application even if open on the PC. Nokia Here Maps is also an app with offline GPS navigator for Android and iPhone, as well as for Nokia / Microsoft phones.
Here Maps also became a supplier for Yahoo Maps.
2) WAZE
Waze Livemap is the little-known online version of the well-known Waze navigator app.In addition to showing the roads, the online version of Waze is really useful for monitoring traffic in real time better than other sites can, with the surveys made directly by the numerous motorists who use the Waze application. The Dynamic Map allows you to quickly search for destinations and plan routes, add destinations and use the Map Editor to customize the map of any area.
3) Bing Maps
Bing's maps represent perhaps the closest competitor to Google Maps, available online to see the map of every city in the normal world, both the 3D view called Bird's Eye. StreetView view is limited to some European locations and is not available in Italy. There are the directions of the itineraries and the real-time estimation of the traffic. The modern and clean user interface shows the controls for directions, traffic, sharing and other basic operations at the top. The features of Bing Maps are the same as Google Maps, including maps for the route on foot and by public transport.4) MapQuest
MapQuest is also a valid alternative to Google Maps because it is based on another type of maps, the open source ones of OpenStreetMap, to which all users contribute. In MapQuest you can find places of all kinds in every place, the so-called Points of Interest or POIs, such as travel agencies, local services, hotels, petrol stations, restaurants and bars and so on. There is a navigator function and there is a satellite view, but real-time traffic does not seem to work in Italy. MapQuest can also be downloaded free as a GPS navigator app for iPhone and Android. The MapQuest mobile app has more functionality than the website, with more search and indication options for hospitals, parking lots, post offices, schools and more. It also displays the current temperature in the detected position.5) Wikimapia
Wikimapia is based on Google Maps (but you can also but it provides more detailed information and many photos (added by users) of a particular place searched.All users can add new photos and additional information about a place. Wikimapia, which is also in Italian, is also very useful for creating customized maps and for finding shops, restaurants and other commercial activities.
6) ViaMichelin
ViaMichelin is one of the oldest Italian sites that provides old-fashioned maps, such as an online Tuttocittà. It is possible to find shops, restaurants, hotels and other places of interest throughout Italy. Both on the site and in the Android and iPhone apps, ViaMichelin there are tourist itineraries. The site is very light and quick to load, ideal for slower connections that take too long to load Google Maps.7) Mapillary
Mapillary is a particular map site, based on OpenstreetMap, which allows you to see street-level photos of some areas of the world and Italy. It's not a 360-degree Street View though, so it's only good in areas not covered by Google Maps.8) Yandex Maps
The Yandex Maps site is particular and special for those interested in Russia and Eastern Europe. You won't get very detailed information for Italian cities, but it's better than Google Maps to find roads in Eastern Europe, even at Street View level. Just think that with Yandex Map it is possible to virtually visit the abandoned Chernobyl power plant and the adjacent city virtually at 360 degrees.9) Qwant Maps
Qwant Maps is a completely open source alternative site to Google Maps with data hosted on GitHub and with the possibility for developers to create their own version by following the instructions on the project website. Qwant Maps displays a search field at the top to quickly find points of interest, addresses and places with descriptions taken from Wikipedia and perhaps also from other sources.READ ALSO
- Maps and navigator for iPhone alternatives to Apple Maps
- Best Android apps with free maps and offline navigators
