GPSmyCity review: The walking app that helped me explore Dublin
Ashleigh Howarth
Nothing screams “I'm a tourist!” like stopping every ten minutes to unfold a map or spinning around in circles trying to work out which direction you're supposed to be heading.
While it's completely normal to lose your bearings in a new city, I find the trick is to navigate with confidence - even if you're quietly following directions on your phone.
I was recently contacted by the team from GPSmyCity who asked if I would be interested in putting the app to the test on my recent Euro trip, focusing on the incredible city of Dublin.
I had never been to the Republic of Ireland before or used a self-guided walking app, so I was excited for the collaboration and intrigued to see if it changed the way I travel.
Here’s what I discovered:
The app was extremely easy to use.
It’s like a mini guidebook in your phone
With access to thousands of self-guided walking tours, travel articles and offline city maps covering more than 1,500 cities around the world, GPSmyCity conveniently had everything in the one place.
During my week in Dublin, I didn’t have to juggle countless browser tabs that drained my battery, constantly refer back to Google Maps or screenshots in my camera roll - all I had to do was open the app and work out what route I wanted to explore.
As part of my collaboration, I was granted access to a premium account which included the City Walks and Inside Tips – both of which I found extremely handy!
With the City Walks feature, I could follow in the footsteps of those who’ve explored the city before me, using structured, step-by-step self-guided tours to some of the city’s major landmarks, historic sites, neighbourhoods, restaurants and more. The City Introduction Walk was a great place to start, especially for getting my bearings and understanding how the city is laid out.
I also really liked how the maps were downloadable, which makes a huge difference if you’re travelling without an international eSIM, having to rely on free wi-fi or unreliable data.
As a travel writer myself, I also genuinely enjoyed reading through other writers’ tips, tricks, and hidden gems in the Inside Tips section of the app. They added a really nice local layer to the experience and helped me discover things I might not have come across otherwise, including curated lists like Dublin’s best museums and the best shops for authentic Irish gifts, which I certainly stocked up on.
Exploring the heart of Dublin with GPSmyCity.
Losing myself without actually getting lost
Using the app couldn’t be easier, especially when I was enjoying a lovely stroll through the heart of the city.
One feature I really liked was having a clear sense of what was coming up next, as it made it easy to plan the practical parts of the day without breaking the flow of exploring. Need a bathroom break? There’s a museum coming up where I could use the facilities for free. Stomach starting to grumble? There’s a suggested café just around the corner. Needing to be back at a certain time? It was easy to gauge exactly how long I had left on the walk.
I also liked how simple it was to detour and explore nearby parks, statues or local businesses before jumping back on the route whenever I was ready.
In a way, I completely lost myself in the experience without getting lost, and that’s exactly the kind of travel I love. It meant I could stay present in the moment while also immersing myself in the vibe of the city.
The famous Ha’penny Bridge over the River Liffey.
My verdict
After using the GPSmyCity app for the first time, I can definitely see myself using it again on my next big city break.
Unlike organised walking tours that rush you from stop to stop on a fixed schedule, the app let me slow down and explore entirely at my own pace and in my own peace of mind.
As someone who loves wandering but also doesn’t want to miss the highlights or hidden gems, it genuinely opened my eyes to places I didn’t even find during my own pre-trip research.
It helped me tick off so much on my bucket list and left me with a collection of really memorable moments from Dublin that I will cherish for the rest of my life.
Overall, I think it’s one of the most useful travel tools I’ve used. It made a noticeable difference to how I experienced the city, and I’d absolutely recommend downloading it before your next trip.
Where to find it
GPSmyCity is available for download via the App Store or Google Play.
To find out more about the city of Dublin, check out my solo traveller guide here.
Disclosure: I was compensated to review GPSmyCity and to explore a number of local tourist attractions in Dublin. I was not required to submit this article for approval before publishing, and all opinions expressed are my own and based on my experience using the app.