July 18, 2026, 11:17 am | Read time: 2 minutes
On hot summer days, those out and about often look for a cool spot. However, in unfamiliar surroundings, it’s not immediately clear where pleasant shaded areas are—and how long they’ll remain. A free online map provides relief, showing at a glance which places are currently protected from the sun and how the shade changes throughout the day.
Online Map Makes Shade Visible
As temperatures climb toward 30 degrees Celsius or higher, shady spots become particularly desirable. Those familiar with their surroundings usually know where trees or buildings provide sun protection. It’s different when you’re in an unfamiliar place. Then, it’s often hard to gauge where it’s comfortably cool and whether the shade will soon disappear.
That’s exactly where the website “Shademap.app” offers a practical solution. The online map visualizes shade and sunlight for nearly any location. After entering an address in the search field and pressing enter, the map shows the current shade situation. It particularly considers the shadows of buildings and trees.
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How Shade Changes Throughout the Day
At the bottom of the map, there’s a timeline. It allows you to simulate how the shadows shift throughout the day. By clicking or dragging along the timeline, you can see which areas will later be in the sun and which will remain in the shade.
Satellite View and 3D Display Available
Additional features enhance the display. Using the switch on the right side, the map can be changed to a three-dimensional view, making buildings and their shadows more recognizable.
Directly below, you can also change the map view. In addition to the classic display, a satellite view is available. Alternatively, instead of the shadows, two other layers can be displayed: the daily sunshine duration and the annual sunlight.
If you want to share the current map section or save it as an image, you’ll find the corresponding options at the bottom left of the website.
With material from dpa