How to Use the New Routes in Yandex Maps: Walks with Descriptions and Audio Guide

What’s new in Yandex Maps

A few weeks ago the app got a new section called City Routes. It isn’t just a bunch of dots on a map – each route is presented like a short excursion: every stop comes with a brief description, a few pictures and a spoken commentary generated by a neural network. Today the service hosts more than four hundred ready‑made walks, covering thirty‑six Russian cities.

How the routes are built

First, the algorithm gathers data on landmarks, museums, parks and other points of interest in the chosen city. Then it works out the distances between them, grouping sites by theme and walking convenience. After that the AI writes a concise text for each stop, pulling from Yandex Maps – opening hours, reviews, photos and the like. The final step is to let the same AI read the text aloud. The result is a ready‑to‑use guide you can listen to through headphones while you stroll.

Available themes

• Architecture – from historic facades to cutting‑edge constructions.
• Landmarks – famous monuments and off‑the‑beaten‑path pearls.
• Nature – parks, squares, riverfronts.
• Museums – exhibitions worth a look.
• Workshops – places where you can try a hands‑on activity.
• Active leisure – routes that include quests or sport zones.
• Kids – safe, engaging walks for little explorers.

The variety lets you match a route to your mood: one day you might want to admire old domes, the next you could be wandering a park while a voice tells you about rare plants – all already set up inside the app.

Seasonal tweaks and up‑to‑date info

Yandex Maps take the time of year into account: if a site is closed or otherwise inaccessible in a given season, it disappears from the suggested path automatically. The service also double‑checks opening hours so you don’t end up standing in front of a locked door. This is especially handy in regions where museums shift their schedules between summer and winter.

Cities where routes are already live

The first participants are the towns that consistently draw tourists. So far they include:

• Svetlogorsk – hotel and short‑stay bookings rose about thirty‑four percent compared with last year.
• Krasnodar – a twenty‑nine percent increase.
• Nizhny Novgorod – up twenty‑six percent.
• Kislovodsk and Yekaterinburg – growth around fifteen percent.

Those numbers show that ready‑made routes really do stir interest and help boost tourist demand.

How to start a walk

1. Open the Yandex Maps app.
2. In the search bar pick the What to visit section or go to your profile and tap City Routes.
3. Set the desired length (from one hour to several hours) and choose a theme.
4. Pick one of the offered options – the map will draw the path and a play button for the audio guide will appear next to it.
5. Turn on the sound, slip the phone into a pocket or hold it in your hand, and head out.

While you walk, the app shows your current position and the voice tells you what’s nearby and why it’s worth a look.

Practical tips

• Check the weather. Seasonal filters are built‑in, but rain or heat can still affect comfort.
• Bring a power bank. The audio guide streams online, so the battery drains fast.
• Download the route beforehand. If you lose signal, you can still play the saved audio and map offline.
• Don’t rush. The routes are designed to be enjoyed at a leisurely pace, with the narration as a companion.
• Read the reviews. When an entry notes that a place closes at a certain hour, plan your visit accordingly.

What’s next?

The developers promise regular additions of new routes and new cities. As the database grows, the AI will get better at picking interesting spots and phrasing the stories. For travelers this means that soon routes will appear not only in big metropolises but also in small historic settlements.

Bottom line

Ready‑made walking routes in Yandex Maps give you a convenient way to get to know a city without planning every step yourself. Theme, duration and season are chosen automatically, and the voice guide turns a simple stroll into something that feels like a personal tour. If you want to see more but have no clue where to begin, open the City Routes section and let the neural network lead you to the most interesting places.

Based on materials from: trn-news.ru.