# OpenStreetMap API: Search places

> Finds named places or kinds of places in a city or area, in search order, using OpenStreetMap Nominatim. Results may be fewer than requested. Data © OpenStreetMap contributors (ODbL).

Unofficial. Not affiliated with or endorsed by OpenStreetMap.

- Page: https://fous.com/methods/openstreetmap.org/search-places
- Method: `openstreetmap.org/search_places`, version 1
- Website: openstreetmap.org
- Returns: name, type, full address, coordinates, OpenStreetMap link
- Effect: read (it gets data and changes nothing)
- Sign-in: none needed
- Cost: 1 credit per completed run (1¢ with pay as you go); failed runs are free
- Verified: Nov 2, 2026

## Inputs

| Field | Type | Required | In the run below | Description |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| `what` | string | yes | `"museum"` | Kind of place or name to find, for example museum or Starbucks. |
| `where` | string | yes | `"Vienna, Austria"` | City or area to search, for example Vienna, Austria. |
| `language` | string | no | `"en"` | Language for names and addresses, for example en or de. Default "en". |
| `max_results` | integer | no | `20` | Maximum places to return, for example 20. Default 20. |

## Output

From a run on Oct 23, 2026, shortened. Its input:

```json
{
  "what": "museum",
  "where": "Vienna, Austria",
  "language": "en",
  "max_results": 20
}
```

Its output:

```json
{
  "places": [
    {
      "name": "Virgilkapelle",
      "type": "museum",
      "osm_id": 388758689,
      "latitude": 48.2083315,
      "osm_type": "way",
      "longitude": 16.3722708,
      "full_address": "Virgilkapelle, Stephansplatz, Stubenviertel, Katastralgemeinde Innere Stadt, Innere Stadt, Vienna, 1010, Austria",
      "openstreetmap_link": "https://www.openstreetmap.org/way/388758689"
    },
    {
      "name": "Treasure of St. Stephen's Cathedral",
      "type": "museum",
      "osm_id": 485310799,
      "latitude": 48.2086963,
      "osm_type": "way",
      "longitude": 16.3726951,
      "full_address": "Treasure of St. Stephen's Cathedral, Stephansplatz, Stubenviertel, Katastralgemeinde Innere Stadt, Innere Stadt, Vienna, 1010, Austria",
      "openstreetmap_link": "https://www.openstreetmap.org/way/485310799"
    },
    {
      "name": "Imperial Treasury",
      "type": "museum",
      "osm_id": 441696312,
      "latitude": 48.20674,
      "osm_type": "node",
      "longitude": 16.3658462,
      "full_address": "Imperial Treasury, Swiss Courtyard, Widmerviertel, Katastralgemeinde Innere Stadt, Innere Stadt, Vienna, 1010, Austria",
      "openstreetmap_link": "https://www.openstreetmap.org/node/441696312"
    }
  ]
}
```

## Run it

From code, with a Fous API key in `FOUS_API_KEY`; the answer's `data` holds the output:

```bash
curl https://api.fous.com/v1/runs \
  -H "Authorization: Bearer $FOUS_API_KEY" \
  -H "Content-Type: application/json" \
  -d '{"method":"openstreetmap.org/search_places","input":{"what":"museum","where":"Vienna, Austria","language":"en","max_results":20}}'
```

From an AI agent connected to the Fous MCP server: its `run` with the same method and input. To connect one, give it `set up https://fous.com/SKILL.md`.

## Ask your agent

- find vegan restaurants in Portland, Oregon
- I need a list of pharmacies near Lyon, France with addresses and coordinates
- show me the top 10 bakeries in Kyoto in German
- any hiking trailheads around Boulder, Colorado? give me 15 results
- look up Starbucks locations in Toronto, Ontario on openstreetmap.org

## Input schema

```json
{
  "type": "object",
  "required": [
    "what",
    "where"
  ],
  "properties": {
    "what": {
      "type": "string",
      "minLength": 1,
      "description": "Kind of place or name to find, for example museum or Starbucks."
    },
    "where": {
      "type": "string",
      "minLength": 1,
      "description": "City or area to search, for example Vienna, Austria."
    },
    "language": {
      "type": "string",
      "default": "en",
      "description": "Language for names and addresses, for example en or de."
    },
    "max_results": {
      "type": "integer",
      "default": 20,
      "maximum": 50,
      "minimum": 1,
      "description": "Maximum places to return, for example 20."
    }
  }
}
```

## Output schema

```json
{
  "type": "object",
  "required": [
    "places"
  ],
  "properties": {
    "places": {
      "type": "array",
      "items": {
        "type": "object",
        "required": [
          "latitude",
          "longitude"
        ],
        "properties": {
          "name": {
            "type": [
              "string",
              "null"
            ]
          },
          "type": {
            "type": [
              "string",
              "null"
            ]
          },
          "osm_id": {
            "type": [
              "integer",
              "null"
            ]
          },
          "latitude": {
            "type": "number"
          },
          "osm_type": {
            "type": [
              "string",
              "null"
            ]
          },
          "longitude": {
            "type": "number"
          },
          "full_address": {
            "type": [
              "string",
              "null"
            ]
          },
          "openstreetmap_link": {
            "type": [
              "string",
              "null"
            ]
          }
        }
      },
      "description": "Matching places in search order."
    }
  }
}
```

## See more

- [OpenStreetMap API: Get coordinates for an address](https://fous.com/methods/openstreetmap.org/get-coordinates.md): Finds map coordinates and address details for an address or place on OpenStreetMap, optionally restricted to a country.
- [OpenStreetMap API: Get address for coordinates](https://fous.com/methods/openstreetmap.org/get-address.md): Turns map coordinates into a readable address with OpenStreetMap Nominatim, at address, street or city detail, with the address parts and an OpenStreetMap link. Results reflect the nearest mapped feature.
- [Google API: Search places](https://fous.com/methods/google.com/search-places.md): Finds businesses and places near a location on Google Maps, in Google Maps order, with rating, hours, contact details and links when shown.
- [Google API: Get place](https://fous.com/methods/google.com/get-place.md): Looks up a public Google Maps place by name and location and returns its profile: address, rating, hours, phone, website and photos.
- [Starbucks API: Find nearby cafés](https://fous.com/methods/starbucks.com/search-stores.md): Finds Starbucks cafés near a city, address or ZIP code, nearest first, with whether each is open now, today's local hours and amenities; optionally only cafés open now.
- [Yellow Pages API: Search businesses](https://fous.com/methods/yellowpages.com/search-businesses.md): Finds local US businesses on Yellow Pages by name or category and a city, state or ZIP. Returns listings with phone numbers in Yellow Pages order, excluding labeled ads; contact details, ratings and hours appear when listed.
- [Google API: Get place reviews](https://fous.com/methods/google.com/get-place-reviews.md): Finds a place on Google Maps by name and location and returns its public reviews in the chosen order.
- [Open Charge Map API: Search EV chargers near a place](https://fous.com/methods/openchargemap.org/search-chargers.md): Finds Open Charge Map charging locations near an address, city, or postcode, nearest first.
- [All OpenStreetMap methods](https://fous.com/methods/openstreetmap.org.md)