How to Create a Travel Itinerary with Google My Maps & ChatGPT | Plus Free Algarve Itinerary!

Planning a trip can feel like juggling a dozen balls at once. You’ve got notes in your phone, screenshots saved everywhere, and a growing list of “must-sees” you don’t want to forget. Sound familiar?

We’ve been there too. That’s why we started using Google My Maps together with ChatGPT — and honestly, it changed the way we plan our trips.

In this blog, we’ll show you how to create a clean, shareable travel itinerary step by step. To make things concrete, Serge built a full Algarve itinerary during our latest tutorial vlog — and as a gift, we’re sharing that map with you for free, plus a Free Travel Planner!

👉 Click Here to Watch the full tutorial

👇🏻 Download your FREE Algarve Travel Planner & Google My Map:

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Why Use Google My Maps for Travel Planning?

Think of Google My Maps as your custom digital scrapbook for trip planning. Instead of juggling notes and screenshots, everything is pinned on one map — colour-coded, categorized with fun icons, and ready to access from your phone.

Quick Benefits of Using Google My Maps:

• All in one place → beaches, restaurants, museums, activities — everything neatly pinned.
• Customizable layers → group by categories (food, attractions, hidden gems) or split by days of your trip.
• Add your own notes & links → keep hotel confirmations, booking links, and addresses right where you need them.
• Collaborative planning → traveling with friends or family? Everyone can add their own “wish list.”
• Easy access on the go → once saved, your map is always available inside the Google Maps app under Saved → Maps.

We like to say: Google Maps helps you get from A to B, but Google My Maps helps you imagine everything in between — in a cleaner, more fun way.

How ChatGPT Helps Build Your Itinerary

Before we even open Google My Maps, we ask ChatGPT for inspiration. Think of it as your travel brainstorming partner.

Here’s an example of a great prompt:

“I’m planning a 5–7 day trip to the Algarve in Portugal. Please suggest must-see destinations, including beaches, historic towns, scenic viewpoints, and food experiences. Organize the list by type of attraction (nature, culture, food) and give practical tips like the best time of day to visit, how crowded it usually gets, and whether it’s family-friendly.”

ChatGPT comes back with a structured list. You then scan what feels right for your trip and add the pins straight into Google My Maps.

This way, you don’t start from zero. Instead, you have a foundation that you can customize with your own taste and rhythm.

Step by Step: Creating Your Travel Map

Here’s a simplified version of the process we covered in the vlog:

1. Sign in
   You’ll need a Google account. Go to Google My Maps (google.com/maps/d) and sign in.
2. Create a new map
   Click “Create a new map.” You’ll see one default layer ready to use.
3. Add places
   Search for beaches, towns, restaurants, or activities. Click “+ Add to map.”
4. Organize with layers
   Choose your structure: By category (Food, Beaches, Culture, Viewpoints), or By day (Day 1, Day 2, Day 3…).
5. Customize icons & colors
   Make it visual and easy to scan. For example: Blue = Beaches, Red = Towns/Culture, Green = Food.
6. Add notes & links
   Open each pin’s description to paste notes, booking links, menus, hours, addresses—everything in one place.
7. Share & collaborate (optional)
   Planning with friends or family? Click Share so everyone can add their own “wish list.”
8. Access on the go
   On your phone, open the Google Maps app → Saved → scroll to Maps. Your My Map will be there, ready to use.

💡 Pro tip: Google My Maps works best online. If you’re traveling abroad, consider using an eSIM to stay connected. We personally use Holafly for unlimited data, which makes it super easy to update or add places on the fly.

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A Real Example: Algarve, Portugal

During our tutorial, Serge built a full Day by Day Itinerary for the Algarve. We included:

• 🏖️ Beaches like Praia da Marinha and Praia Dona Ana.
• 🏘️ Historic towns such as Lagos and Tavira.
• 🌅 Scenic viewpoints across the cliffs.
• 🍤 Food stops with fresh seafood and local favorites.

We colour-coded categories and then reorganized them into a day-by-day plan to make driving routes easier.

Instead of giving you a generic list, we’re sharing the exact map we used in the video — complete with a custom Travel Planner you can instantly download to start planning your amazing vacation in the Algarve, Portugal.

👇🏻 Download your FREE Algarve Travel Planner & Google My Map:

Use it as your own itinerary or as a practice template before creating maps for your next destination.

Pro Tips to Maximize Your Google My Maps

Here are a few tips based on Google’s own recommendations and our travel experience:

• Use layers wisely → For shorter trips, “day-by-day” layers help keep things realistic. For longer trips, “categories” might be easier.
• Stay connected → My Maps needs internet to refresh, so we recommend an eSIM (we use Holafly for unlimited data).
• Plan together → Share your map link with family or friends so everyone feels included in the planning.
• Add clickable notes → Each pin lets you write descriptions or paste links. Great for restaurant menus or GetYourGuide activities.
• Don’t over-schedule → Leave room for spontaneity. Think of your map as a guide, not a prison schedule.

Final Thoughts

Travel planning doesn’t have to be overwhelming. With Google My Maps and ChatGPT, you can organize your ideas into a clean, visual plan that makes your trip smoother — and leaves more space for fun.

If the Algarve isn’t your next destination, no problem! The same method works for Rome, Athens, Lisbon, or wherever your travels take you.

👉 Watch the full tutorial on YouTube:

👇🏻 Download your FREE Algarve Travel Planner & Google My Map:

Happy travels — and let us know in the comments which destination you’d love us to map next!