Get the most out of Google Maps with these 10 features that will transform the way you travel.

Google Maps has been with us for over two decades when we travel, take a road trip, or explore different areas on foot. We can safely say it's one of the essential apps for getting around the world, and while most of us are familiar with its main features, there are other, lesser-known apps that are just as useful.

Therefore, we're going to explain ten Google Maps features you may not have known existed so you can get the most out of the app.

Knowing if a place is crowded

Maps can show you if a place is crowded at that moment, which is very useful for avoiding long lines and knowing when is the best time to go . To activate the feature, search for the place you want to go to, for example, a restaurant, go to its listing, and scroll down until you find "Popular Times."

Once there, you'll see a graph showing the actual flow of people and what it typically looks like throughout the day.

Offline maps

If you're traveling abroad or to an area with poor coverage , you can save a map beforehand and use it offline. Just go to Google Maps, tap your profile picture, go to "Offline Maps," and choose " Select your own map."

Once you're done, just select the area you want to download and save it to your phone for use when you don't have data.

Activate immersive view

This feature combines aerial images from Street View to show you a city in 3D. It's only available in select locations, but to use it, you need to search for a place like Madrid or Berlin. If enabled, you'll see the immersive view option on its tab. Clicking on it lets you explore the area as if you were flying over it, allowing you to see the weather and traffic in real time.

See what everything was like years ago

Plus, with Street View, you can not only activate the immersive view, but also see what the streets looked like years ago . To do this, tap and hold a point on the map to enter street view. A clock icon will appear in the top left corner, and tapping it will allow you to select different years, provided there are images available.

Discover new plans

If you're in a new city or location and don't know what to do, Google Maps can give you ideas. Just type phrases like " plans with friends in Zaragoza" or "things to do in Valencia" into the search bar. When you hit search, the app will directly show you options for new things to do in the area.

Save the place where you parked

If you're one of those people who tends to forget where you parked your car, Google Maps can help you avoid this problem, as it can easily remind you. When you park, open the app and tap the blue dot indicating your location . There, you'll see the option "Save parking location." Once you tap it, it will be marked on the map, and you'll be able to return without any problems.

Restaurant menus and dishes

When booking or searching for a restaurant for lunch or dinner, it's always good to be able to see photos of the restaurant's most popular dishes, as well as the menu with prices, so you can quickly decide on the best place. To see photos of a restaurant's dishes, simply search for the restaurant, go to its listing, and scroll down to the photos. You'll see the "Featured Dishes" and "Menu" tabs.

Reserve a table at a restaurant

Along with this feature, it's also very important to know that many restaurants allow you to reserve a table from Google Maps without having to call. To do so, search for the restaurant, open its listing, and if it's associated with Maps, you'll see a "Reserve" button . There you can choose the time, number of people, among other details.

Exact distance between two points

If you want to know the exact distance between two or more points, whether on foot or as the crow flies, Google Maps can also calculate it for you. To activate it, open the map and tap and hold a point until a red marker appears . Then swipe up and select "Measure distance."

Send the address to the car with Android Auto

This feature is perfect if you're using Android Auto or a compatible system, as it lets you send directions directly to your car's navigation system. Search for the location on Google Maps, tap "Share," and select your car . When you turn it on, the route will appear on the screen without having to type anything, saving you time before you head out.