An outdoor escape is a puzzle game played in the open air: your team follows a story through a real city, solving challenges at the places you pass. Nothing is locked, nothing is staged, and the only door you have to get through is the next clue.
It is the answer for groups who like escape rooms but not the small room, and for anyone who wants a day out with a bit more structure than a walk. Start with how a City Game works from booking to finish.
What is an outdoor escape?
It is a self-guided game in which the city provides the puzzles. Every stop on the route holds something to work out: a detail on a facade, a name on a monument, a pattern you only see once someone points you at it. Solve it, and the story moves to the next location.
What you gain by playing outside
- Room to think. Teams spread out instead of crowding around one prop.
- Your own clock. Start and pause when you like; no booked hour ticking away.
- A real setting. The decor is a city that has been building itself for centuries.
- Any group size. Split into teams and run the same route in parallel.
How a route works
- Choose a city and a concept, then pick the date and starting time.
- Meet at the starting point with one charged phone per team.
- Follow the trail, solving a challenge at each location.
- Use a hint when a puzzle resists, so no team gets stuck.
- Finish at the end point and compare scores.
Playing time, walking distance and languages differ per city and per concept. Check the destination page in the overview of cities where you can play a City Game.
Which outdoor escape suits your group?
Groups who want pressure and a case
The Syndicate city escape game puts your team against a criminal organisation, with the city as the board and a case to close.
Groups who want to explore while they play
The Secrets of exploration game keeps the puzzles lighter and the discovery central: the landmarks first, then the streets behind them.
Colleagues and larger groups
Outdoor escapes work as team activities because everyone contributes and nobody sits out. Larger bookings are arranged on the page for companies and groups.
What to bring
- One charged phone per team with mobile data, plus a power bank for longer routes.
- Shoes for cobblestones, stairs and slopes; accessibility differs per city, so check the city page if that matters.
- Clothing for the forecast, because the whole game is outside.
- Two to six players per team.
Tips for a better game
- Stop walking before you read the phone, and step clear of traffic first.
- Hand the phone to a different player every few puzzles.
- Plan a coffee stop halfway; the route does not run away from you.
- Start earlier in the day for quieter streets.
- Respect opening hours and house rules of the buildings you pass.
Frequently asked questions
What is an outdoor escape game?
It is an escape-room-style puzzle game played along a city route rather than inside a room, using real locations as the puzzles.
Do we need a guide or host?
No. The route, the puzzles and the hints are all in the game on your phone.
How long does it take?
Most routes take a couple of hours including breaks, and you set the pace. Exact playing times are listed per city.
Can we play it in winter or in the rain?
Yes, with the right clothing. Because you choose the date and starting time, you can also simply wait for better weather.
Is it suitable for families?
Yes. Mixed teams of adults and children usually work best, and each city page lists the walking distance in advance.
Choose your city
An outdoor escape gives you the puzzle of an escape room, the daylight of a city walk and full control of your own schedule. Pick the concept that fits your group and the city you want to play in.
The Syndicate
Solve puzzles and crack codes across the city. See the games ›
