🗺️ Interactive Map for GoMadeira

Compare map libraries for your photo location feature

📸 Your Photo Map Feature

Goal: Display an interactive map of Madeira showing all the locations where you've taken photos. Visitors can click on map markers to view photos from that location.

Technical approach: Extract GPS coordinates from iOS photo EXIF data, plot on map with markers, link to photo galleries.

Choose Your Map Library

Madeira: 32.7607° N, 16.9595° W
1. Leaflet.js + OpenStreetMap

🏆 Most Popular Open Source Option

Pros

  • 100% Free forever
  • No API keys needed
  • Privacy-friendly
  • Lightweight (~40KB)
  • Mobile optimized
  • Huge plugin ecosystem

Cons

  • Basic styling options
  • Tiles load from OSM servers
  • Not as "polished" as commercial
Setup Complexity:
⭐ Very Easy (just include CDN link)
Customization:
⭐⭐⭐ Good (custom markers, popups, layers)
Performance:
⭐⭐⭐⭐ Excellent
Best For:
Quick setup, privacy-conscious, no budget constraints
See Full Demo →
Madeira: 32.7607° N, 16.9595° W
2. Google Maps

🌍 Most Familiar Interface

Pros

  • Users already know interface
  • Best POI data
  • Street View integration
  • Satellite imagery
  • Excellent docs

Cons

  • Requires API key
  • $200/month credit (then pay)
  • Privacy concerns
  • Must show Google branding
  • Terms of Service restrictions
Setup Complexity:
⭐⭐ Moderate (need Google Cloud account, API key)
Customization:
⭐⭐⭐⭐ Extensive (custom styles, markers, info windows)
Performance:
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Excellent (Google infrastructure)
Best For:
Business sites needing familiar UX, budget available
See Full Demo →
Madeira: 32.7607° N, 16.9595° W
3. Mapbox GL JS

🎨 Most Beautiful & Customizable

Pros

  • Stunning visual design
  • Smooth 3D animations
  • Vector tiles (crisp on retina)
  • Free tier (50k loads/month)
  • Custom map styles
  • WebGL powered

Cons

  • Requires API key
  • Costs after free tier
  • Larger file size (~200KB)
  • Steeper learning curve
Setup Complexity:
⭐⭐⭐ Moderate (need Mapbox account, API key, custom styles)
Customization:
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Limitless (full control over every visual element)
Performance:
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Excellent (hardware accelerated)
Best For:
Portfolio sites, creative projects, emphasis on design
See Full Demo →

💡 Recommendation for GoMadeira

Start with Leaflet.js + OpenStreetMap

For a personal photo site, Leaflet is perfect: zero cost, no API keys, respects privacy, and works great for plotting photo locations. You can always upgrade to Mapbox later if you want more visual polish.