Google launches City Guide and Comic Postcards to connect travellers with local culture

Tested in 11 major cities, these features personalise cultural discoveries and transform memories into comic strips.

The tech giant has introduced two new experimental features to its Arts & Culture app to inspire travel: City Guide and Comic Postcards. Tested in 11 major cities, these features personalise cultural discoveries and transform memories into comic strips.

Google invites you to become the main character in your own city exploration. These two new features are being added to the Google Arts & Culture app on an experimental basis. City Guide suggests attractions tailored to users' tastes for a selection of destinations, while Comic Postcards uses generative AI to create personalised souvenir photos.

Google Arts & Culture includes two new sections. City Guide is currently available for Rome, Paris, Barcelona, Istanbul, Osaka, Berlin, Madrid, San Francisco, London, Tokyo and New York. Users can choose their areas of interest from a dozen categories (visual arts, sports, history, nature, etc.) for each of these cities, and the app will then suggest attractions related to their profile. Users can open the itinerary in Maps and access the ticketing page from within the app.

This approach aims to go beyond the generic recommendations often found in travel guides. Leveraging AI, Google prioritises a personalised, time-based approach to help users decide what to see within a given place and time in a vibrant cultural landscape. The goal for both visitors and residents is to capture 'live moments' (festivals, shows and exhibitions) that are difficult to find using static tools. The experience also serves as a gateway to lesser-known local institutions.

Another option is Comic Postcards, which draws from recognisable styles such as 'manga' and 'modern graphic novel noir' to transform selfies into comic strips themed around the city being visited. Both experiences are accessible via the Google Arts & Culture app on Android and iOS.