What I Learned About Visitor Maps During My Travels Across Europe
- Folding Maps
- Map design
What I Learned About Visitor Maps During My Travels Across Europe
Sometimes you have to step out into the world to really understand the tools that help people explore it.
During a recent transatlantic trip, I spent weeks traveling across Europe — visiting new cities, stopping into visitor centers, and yes, quietly people-watching to see how travelers actually use maps on the ground.
As someone who lives and breathes map design and printing every day, it was a powerful reminder:
👉 A map isn’t just a piece of paper — it’s an experience.
Here’s what I learned.
1. Simplicity Wins
In almost every visitor center, the most popular maps weren’t the ones packed with information.
They were the ones that made exploring easy.
Maps that focused on clear landmarks, main routes, and a handful of suggested experiences were used the most — and travelers kept them handy throughout the day.
Clarity beat complexity.
Overloading a map with too much detail only overwhelmed visitors.
2. Size and Folding Matter More Than You Think
In cities like Lisbon, Seville, and Barcelona, I noticed something interesting:
Visitors instinctively favored maps that folded down to pocket or rack-card size.
Big, poster-style maps often ended up ripped, scrunched in bags, or left behind.
Meanwhile, smaller folded maps were pulled out again and again — durable, manageable, and visitor-friendly.
👉 This is exactly why we put so much care into our PocketMap formats — because maps that are easy to carry get used more.
3. Visitors Want Personalization, Not Just Navigation
I watched travelers light up when a visitor center staffer circled a few recommended cafes or scenic routes on a map.
A small personal touch transformed the map into a mini itinerary — something uniquely theirs.
The best maps made it easy for visitors to mark them up — to personalize their own journey.
This confirmed for me that maps shouldn’t just be guides — they should invite exploration.
4. Durability Matters (Especially for Outdoor Destinations)
In coastal towns and national parks, it was clear:
Maps that couldn’t survive a little rain, sweat, or rough handling didn’t make it past lunch.
Durable paper stocks, light waterproofing, and thoughtful folding kept maps usable and helpful throughout the day.
Another validation that offering weather-resistant materials isn’t just a nice extra — it’s critical for real-world use.
Reflections: Why Thoughtful Maps Still Matter
After weeks of traveling and observing, I kept coming back to one simple truth:
A well-designed map changes how visitors experience a place.
The best maps:
✅ Make exploring easy
✅ Inspire longer stays and deeper exploration
✅ Reflect the heart and soul of a destination
At PocketMaps, this is the spirit we try to infuse into every project — whether it’s a custom city map, a university campus guide, or a trail map for a national park.
👉 Learn more about our custom map design services here.
Maps are not just printed materials.
They’re invitations to adventure.
Manage Your Project with Full Transparency
When you work with PocketMaps, you don’t just get great design and printing — you also get full visibility into your order every step of the way.
Our easy-to-use online dashboard lets you:
Track your project from design to proofing to production to shipping
See estimated ship dates and delivery times
Upload updated files or split shipments if needed
Chat directly with our customer service team anytime
We built this platform because, before PocketMaps, we were customers too — and we couldn’t find a solution that worked.
After 10 years of building and refining our system, we’re proud to offer you a faster, easier, stress-free experience.