Create a Shareable City Guide with Notion
Build a shareable city guide Notion database in minutes. Turn your local favorites into an interactive map friends can use instantly.
A shareable city guide Notion database lets you turn your local knowledge into an interactive map anyone can use. Instead of typing out recommendations one by one, you create a single link that shows all your favorite spots on a map, complete with your insider tips.
Your friend just texted: "Coming to your city next weekend! Where should I go?" You want to help, but the thought of typing out a dozen recommendations with addresses and explanations feels exhausting. You start a message, get three places in, realize you're forgetting the best ones, and promise yourself you'll finish it later. You won't.
There's a faster way. You can create a shareable city guide that lives on a map, works on any phone, and makes you look like the most helpful friend in the world.
Start With What You Know
Open Notion and create a new database. You're not building a comprehensive city guide; you're sharing your personal favorites. That's what your friend actually wants anyway. They could find "top 10 tourist attractions" anywhere. What they can't find is the coffee shop where you spend Sunday mornings or the taco truck that's only good on Thursdays.
Your database needs just a few properties. The title is the place name. Add a Place property for the location, this is essential for mapping. Include a select property for category so your friend can filter by what they're in the mood for. And add a notes field for the insider tips that make your recommendations valuable.
That's the whole structure. Don't overthink it.
Add Your Spots
Now comes the fun part. Think through a typical week in your city. Where do you get coffee? Where do you grab lunch when you're in a hurry? Where do you take out-of-town visitors for dinner? What's your favorite bar? Where do you go for a walk when you need to clear your head?
For each spot, create a new entry. Type the name, use the Place property to search and select the location, pick a category, and add a quick note. The note is where you add the value that Google can't provide. "Order the breakfast burrito, skip the tacos." "Sit upstairs for the view." "Closed Mondays, cash only." "Tell them Maria sent you."
Ten to fifteen places is plenty for a weekend visit. You can always add more later, but a focused list is more useful than an overwhelming one.
Generate Your Shareable City Guide Map
Here's where the magic happens. Head to Notion to Maps and connect your database. Within seconds, every place you've added appears as a pin on an interactive map. Your friend can see the whole city at a glance, understanding which spots are near each other and how to plan their days.
Copy the shareable link. That's your city guide. Anyone with the link can view the map, tap on pins to see your notes, and get directions to any spot. It works on phones, tablets, and computers. No app download required.
Share It Everywhere
Text the link to your friend. Done. But don't stop there.
If you're the kind of person who regularly gets asked for recommendations, pin this guide somewhere accessible. Add it to your Instagram bio. Include it in your email signature. Post it in your neighborhood Facebook group. Every time someone asks "where should I eat in your city," you have an instant answer.
The guide also embeds beautifully in other contexts. Writing a blog post about your neighborhood? Embed the map. Creating a welcome packet for Airbnb guests? Include the link. Putting together a wedding website with local recommendations for out-of-town guests? You see where this is going.
For visitors who want offline access, they can export your guide to GPX and load it into their phone's GPS app before arriving.
Keep It Alive
The best city guides evolve. When you discover a new favorite spot, add it to your database. When a place closes or declines in quality, remove it or update your notes. Your guide stays current because it's connected to a database you're already maintaining for yourself.
Consider creating multiple guides for different purposes. A "date night" guide with romantic spots. A "visiting with kids" guide with family-friendly options. A "budget eats" guide for friends watching their wallets. Each one is just a filtered view of your main database, exported to its own map.
Quick to Create
Let's be realistic about timing. If you're starting from scratch, your first guide might take fifteen or twenty minutes as you think through your recommendations. But once you have a database of places you love, creating a new guide for a specific friend or purpose is quick work.
Filter your existing database, connect to Notion to Maps, copy the link, send it. Your friend gets a personalized, interactive guide. You get to skip the tedious back-and-forth of texting recommendations one at a time. Everyone wins.
Next time someone asks for your city recommendations, don't start typing a list. Send them a map.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I share my Notion city guide without giving edit access?
When you connect your Notion database to Notion to Maps, you get a shareable map URL that's view-only. Recipients can see all your places and notes, tap for directions, but cannot edit your Notion database. They don't need a Notion account to view the map.
Can visitors use my city guide offline on their phones?
Yes. Share the map link and let them export to GPX, then import into an offline maps app like OsmAnd, Maps.me, or Organic Maps. They should download the city's offline map tiles before arriving. All your recommended spots will be available without internet.
What's the best way to organize a city guide by neighborhood?
Add a "Neighborhood" select property to your Notion database. When creating guides, you can filter by neighborhood to create focused maps. For example, create separate guides for "Downtown," "East Side," and "Waterfront" that you can share based on where someone is staying.
How many places should I include in a shareable city guide?
For a weekend visit, 10-15 places is ideal. Too many spots overwhelm visitors and make the map cluttered. Focus on your genuine favorites rather than trying to be comprehensive. You can always create multiple themed guides (coffee shops, dinner spots, bars) if you want to share more.
Can I embed my Notion city guide on my website or blog?
Yes. Every map has an embed code you can copy and paste into any website HTML. The embedded map is interactive and responsive, working on all screen sizes. This is perfect for travel blogs, Airbnb welcome pages, or wedding websites with local recommendations for guests.