Itâs undeniably one of travelâs greatest pleasures; wandering the streets of a whole new city, soaking up its character and exploring its hidden wonders on foot. When the pavement-pounding wanderlust cannot be satisfied in reality however, weâve come up with the next best thing. Below are five of our Smarttravelly city walking routes, specially formatted so that you can enjoy them online. Simply load up Google Maps, switch to Street View, and start your virtual adventureâŠ
Navigation
Map view:This is the default view of Google Maps.
Street view: To activate Street View, grab and drag the orange figure icon in the bottom right hand corner of the screen, and release when it is hovering over your desired map point. From here you will be able to move along streets by moving the cursor and clicking in the direction you wish to travel.
Photo sphere: These are indicated by small blue dots that appear when you have clicked the orange figure icon. Drag and release onto the dots to get a 360° on-the-ground view of your surroundings.
Havana, Cuba: Old Havana Walking Tour
This walking tour highlights Havanaâs unique historical district, built up around four main squares. Start by dropping onto La Catedral de la Virgen MarĂa de la ConcepciĂłn Inmaculada de La Habana, which anchors the Plaza de la Catedral, a complex square with bags of atmosphere and always awash with interesting characters (or, in this case, static images of them). Drop onto a photo sphere on the cathedral to look inside, return to map view and drop again onto the Plaza de la Catedral to explore.
Return to map view, and then drop onto one of the photo spheres on Plaza de Armas, once used for military exercises. The plaza is still guarded by the Castillo de la Real Fuerza, a beautiful 16th century star-shaped fort. Drop onto the castilloâs photo spheres to take a look around its perimeter. If you turn east, youâll also be treated to a great view across Havana Port.
Just south of the castillo is Palacio de los Capitanes Generales, the former official residence of the cityâs governors. Return to map view and drop onto one of the palacioâs photo spheres to take in the building, which is also home to the Museum of the City of Havana. Next, return to map view and drop onto a photo sphere along Calle Obispo, one of the cityâs most bustling and lively streets. This is a great street to wander up and down. After returning to map view, drop onto the cluster of photo spheres on Plaza de San Francisco de Asis, a breezy open space watched over by the Iglesia y Monasterio de San Francisco de Asis. Finish your tour by dropping down at the photo sphere just north of the Terminal Sierra Maestra, and gazing out across the port.
Split, Croatia: Splitâs Old Town Walking Tour
Start this virtual tour through Splitâs fascinating Old Town by dropping onto the photo sphere at the foot of the Bell Tower and Chapel of the Holy Arnir, once part of St Euphemiaâs Church, containing an altar slab and sarcophagus carved by the early renaissance master Juraj Dalmatinac. Using street view, head southeast along Ul. Kralja Tomislava, until you reach the imposing statue of Grgur Ninski, whose toe is said to bring good luck when rubbed (clicked). Return to map view and drop onto the statueâs photo sphere to check it out. Using street view, head south from the statue to the Golden Gate, the grandest portal of Diocletianâs Palace, an ancient palace built for Roman Emperor Diocletian.
Return to map view, and continue south along the palaceâs main, bustling street, Dioklecijanova, using street view. At the end, return to map view and drop onto the photo sphere at peristil, the ceremonial court at the approach to the imperial apartments. Spend a second taking in your surroundings. Return to map view, and drop again onto one of the photo spheres next to the imposing St Domnius Cathedral. Return to map view and drop down onto the Ul. Andrije AljeĆĄija. Spend a bit of time exploring this area of medieval buildings and narrow alleyways using street view.
Return to map view and drop down somewhere along Narodni Trg, which has been Splitâs main civic square since medieval times. Take some time using street view and its many photo spheres to explore. Although the square was once lined with Venetian Gothic buildings, only one remains, the 15th century Stara Gradska VijeÄnica (Old Town Hall). Conclude your virtual tour by dropping onto the hallâs photo sphere and checking it out.
Melbourne, Australia: Arcades and Laneways Walking Tour
Central Melbourne is a warren of 19th-century arcades and gritty-turned-hip cobbled blue- stone laneways featuring street art, basement restaurants, boutiques and bars. Start your tour by dropping onto street view at Degraves Place, an archetypal Melbourne lane lined with interesting shops, cafes and street art. Head north from Degraves Place to Flinders Lane, return to map view and explore the nearby Centre Place, a bustling hub of cafes and bars, using its photo spheres. Return to map and drop back onto Flinders Lane, head west, and then make a right hand turn onto Elizabeth Street. Continue north until you reach the Block Arcade. Built in 1892 and featuring ornate plasterwork and mosaic floors, itâs based on Milanâs Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II arcade. Return to map view and drop onto one of the arcades photo spheres to take a look.
Return to Elizabeth Street using street view, and navigate north, turning right at Little Collins Street. Navigating east along the street youâll find the wonderfully ornate Royal Arcade on your left. Return to map view, and drop down onto the arcades photo sphere to look around. Return to Little Collins Street on street view, and continue east until you find a turning on your left to Union Lane Graffiti. Spend some time on its photo spheres to soak in the urban art. Return to Little Collins Street again on street view, continue east, and turn right onto Swanston Street. Move south, until you reach Melbourne Town Hall on your left. Drop onto a photo sphere in front of the hall and admire its impressive facade.
Return to map view, and drop onto Collins Street next to the town hall. Continue east along the street, and then turn right onto Russell Street. Continue south, and then turn left onto Flinders Lane. Continue east along the lane, and youâll reach Duckboard Place on your right. Wander around using street view, taking in the plentiful urban art. Return to map view, and drop down to end the tour on Hosier Laneâs photo sphere, one of the cityâs most epically decorated alleyways.
Rio de Janeiro, Brazil: Rio Walking Tour
A mĂ©lange of historic buildings and skyscrapers, the center of Rio is an intriguing place to discover the essence of the city away from its beaches and mountains. Begin by dropping down onto a street view of the Praça Floriano, a scenic plaza set with several outdoor cafes. Navigate around at street level and take in the views. Proceed north along the Praça Floriano, until you reach the Municipal Theater of Rio de Janeiro, one of the cityâs finest buildings, particularly after its $20 million renovation in 2009. Return to map view and drop onto a photo sphere facing the theatre to take in its grandeur.
Return to map view, and drop down onto street view of Largo de Carioca, a bustling area with a small market. Wander around using street view. Facing north, you will be able to see the Igreja SĂŁo Francisco da PenitĂȘncia, a 17thâcentury church with a jawâdropping gilded interior perched up on a hill. Return to map view, and drop onto Rua de Carioca. Navigate west along the road, until you reach a right hand turn onto Praça Tiradentes. Continue north on Av Passos, turning right onto R. Luis de Camores. Along this road on the left youâll find the Real Gabinete PortuguĂȘs de Leitura (Royal Portuguese Reading Room), a historic reading room reminiscent of 19th century Portugal. Return to map view, and drop onto one of its photo spheres to explore the book-lined interior.
Return to map view, and drop down onto street view by Paço Imperial, once the seat of the Portuguese rulers in Brazil, the building today houses intriguing art exhibitions as well as several cafes. Spend some time exploring using street view. Navigate onto R. Primeiro de Marco, and work your way northwest, until you reach a righthand turn to Largo do Paço. Navigate east until you reach the Arco do Teles. Go through it, and youâll finish your tour on Travessa do Comercio, one of the centroâs oldest and most charming lanes.
Bangkok, Thailand: Old Bangkok Walking Tour
The bulk of Bangkokâs âmust-seeâ destinations are in and around the former royal district, Ko Ratanakosin. Start your virtual tour by dropping onto one of the many photo spheres at the Temple of the Emerald Buddha: Wat Phra Si Rattana Satsadaram / Wat Phra Kaew, a vast, fairytale compound that is one of Bangkokâs biggest tourist attractions and a pilgrimage destination for Bhuddists. Have a look around you using the multiple photo spheres on the site. Once youâre done, jump to the Grand Palace, the former resident of the Thai monarch (which is right next door), and do the same.
Return to map view and then drop again at Maha Rat Road. Navigate north until you reach Soi Tha Wang, enjoying the surroundings as you go. Return to map view, and drop down onto the photo sphere spot on Soi Tha Wang, a narrow alleyway holding a hidden classic Bangkok neighbourhood. Return to map view and drop back onto Maha Rat Road. Head north, and find the amulet market on your left, a frenetic handicraft market selling Bhuddist amulets and good luck charms. Return to map view.
Drop again onto Phra Chan Alley, and head east until you reach the gates of Sanam Luang, the âRoyal Fieldâ, which is an open public square on the edge of Wat Phra Kaew. Return to map view and drop onto the photo sphere on Sanam Luang for a different perspective of the temple. Return to map view and drop again onto Ratchadamnoen Nai Road.
Continue north until you reach the Royal Hotel. Follow the roadâs curve east onto Ratchadamnoen Klang Road, considered the Champs Elysees of Bangkok. Continue along it until you reach the 14 October 73 Memorial, commemorating the civilian demonstrators who were killed on 14 October 1973 by the military during a pro-democracy rally. Drop onto a photo sphere to look around. Continue in the same direction and youâll reach the Democracy Monument on a roundabout, erected in 1932.
Return to map view and drop onto Dinso Road. Continue south and follow the road curve west onto Bamrung Mueang Road. Follow the road until you reach a left hand turn onto Atsadang Road. Continue until you reach a right hand turn to Charoen Krung Road, and head west, stopping to check out Saranrom Palace Park on your right as you go. Return to map view and drop onto any of the parkâs photo spheres to look around. Return to map view and drop onto the photo spheres on the tourâs final stop Wat Phra Chetuphon, home of the giant reclining Buddha.
