Map your adventures
Explore what's happening nearby
Add your places
Local nomad guide

Inspiration

I wanted to find where other people were working from (cafés, coworking spaces, quiet spots) and connect with others nearby. Also, I wanted an easy way to see all the locations I've worked from on my projects which was the main reason for building the app. Something like the Github's activity calendar, but location based.

What it does

Nomad Map is built for digital nomads, travelers, and explorers who want more than just a map. Whether they’re looking for the best café to work from, a cozy spot to meet fellow nomads, or simply want to track their journey across the globe, Nomad Map makes it easy, fun, and social.

With Nomad Map, you can drop pins, customize them with unique icons, and even organize your spots into projects. This is a great opportunity to promote your projects and connect with fellow nomads near you.

How we built it

Nomad Map was built with a focus on simplicity and speed. I used Flutter to make the app cross-platform, with a Spring + PostgreSQL backend handling pins, projects, and chat. The map is built on Apple Maps for smooth, interactive visuals (there is currently only iOS version of the app).

I designed the app so nomads can easily drop pins, customize them, and organize them into projects. The scratch-map view pulls from stored journeys to create a visual timeline of travels.

My goal throughout: keep the experience fast, intuitive, and fun — without overwhelming users with clutter.

Challenges we ran into

Balancing features vs. simplicity - It was tempting to add everything (reviews, ratings, offline maps, friends), but I focused on the core problem: helping nomads connect. Privacy considerations - I had to think hard about how much location data should be shared publicly vs. privately. Nomads need connection but also control. Time constraints - Building a social + mapping app in hackathon time meant making tough choices and prioritizing. Choosing the right map layer - Most of the time went into this, since it's the core part of the app. I ended up testing 3-4 different map packages and layers.

Accomplishments that we're proud of

Shipped a working prototype in just 4 weeks Built a map that actually feels social instead of static Created an instant chat feature so nomads nearby can connect right away Designed a scratch-map view that turns travels into a personal story, not just coordinates

What we learned

Community is everything. Tools are nice, but people want connection — and that shaped how we prioritized features. Maps need context. A café is just a café until you know nomads are working there — that insight kept us focused. Build small, ship fast. Trying to do everything kills momentum. A clear MVP with polish beats a bloated half-finished app. Privacy-first design earns trust and makes people more willing to share.

What's next for Nomad Map - Discover & Track Places

Upcoming plans: Better discovery - filters for WiFi speed, vibe (quiet/lively), or type of spot. Leaderboard with nomad of the week award and "promotion" in the app. Community features - following other nomads, group projects, event pins. Integrations - with tools like Instagram, Linkedin, Slack/Discord, or even calendars. Growth - inviting more nomads and builders-in-public to share their journeys.