Carta Volta Categories – Turning any Trip into an Adventure

• Valuable recommendations
• Unforgettable recommendations

When you're creating a Carta Volta map for travellers, it's tempting to only focus on the prominent landmarks, but the best maps don't just guide people from one "must-see" to the next. Great maps give visitors a more profound sense of the city, from hidden parks and quirky stories to timeless local traditions.

At Carta Volta, we've defined a set of categories to help map creators showcase their cities from different aspects. Some are practical, while others capture the hidden magic that only locals know. Together, they make sure your map is both valuable and unforgettable.

Valuable recommendations

...that make a map feel complete and easy to navigate:

• Essentials: Iconic landmarks that every visitor wants to tick off their list. Although Carta Volta isn't about the obvious highlights, no trip feels complete without seeing them. Think grand squares, historic buildings, or that one tower everyone photographs.
• Culture: A mix of the well-known museums and the smaller, offbeat places or intimate collections that tell stories about local history, science, design, art, music or any other interesting subject. Don't forget libraries, theatres, or street art that bring the city to life.
• Nature: The green lungs of the city, from large parks and botanical gardens to tucked-away courtyards, waterfalls or scenic walking trails. These are the peaceful escapes where travellers can catch their breath, enjoy a picnic, and stumble across unexpected beauty.
• Viewpoints: Panoramic hills, city walls, bridges, and other visually striking spots that open up breathtaking views of the city. It's where travellers pause, take in the city's wow-factor, and capture the picture-perfect backdrop for their next social media post.
• Food: Great dishes and places to eat, from timeless local favourites and family-run kitchens, to must-try street food, trendy brunch cafés, sweet pastry shops or late-night bites. The idea is to capture the city's food culture in all its flavours, not just fine dining.
• Drinks: Places that gather people in a relaxed atmosphere with something worth sipping. These are the rooftops with amazing cocktails, authentic pubs, refreshing juice bars, hidden speakeasies, stylish wine bars or the city's best coffee spot.
• Nightlife: The city after dark, where you can join the locals for live comedy or music in a buzzing bar or dance the night away. From intimate conversations to epic parties that last until sunrise, these are the places where people let go and connect.
• Fun: The playful side of the city that puts a smile on all ages, whether that's jumping into an escape room, hopping on a boat tour, visiting a theme park or spending an afternoon in an arcade. These are the experiences that break the routine and spark laughter.
• Shops: Anything but the average supermarket. Cool flagship stores, unique boutiques, vintage shops, and souvenir spots worth visiting. It's where travellers can buy a small treasure, a piece of the city, that carries the memory of their trip back home.

Unforgettable recommendations

...that you only discover through locals and make Carta Volta unique:

• Gems: The crown jewels that are unique to the city or region. Local delicacies, artisanal traditions, or heritage crafts you won't find anywhere else. These are the things that define the city's identity and that the locals take the most incredible pride in.
• Events: The pulse that shows the city is alive: seasonal festivals, weekend pop-ups, local markets, or annual traditions where people come together. Visitors often don't know where to look for them, but they are happening around the corner.
• Quirks: The little stories and fun facts that people remember. A tiny statue hidden on a façade, a street corner with a funny legend, or an odd architectural detail. These aren't destinations in themselves, but they add layers of charm and a lot of personality.