City games in Amsterdam

Amsterdam's centre is compact enough to cross on foot, and most of what visitors come for sits inside or near the 17th-century canal ring. The three classic games start at Beursplein and cover the old centre: Dam Square, the Royal Palace, the Nieuwe Kerk, the Beurs van Berlage, the Begijnhof and the Oude Kerk. Other games take you to neighbourhoods most visitors never see.

• Secrets of Amsterdam – a scavenger hunt and walking tour with riddles, puzzles and photo tasks, for up to 4 players on one phone. Languages: English, Dutch, German, French, Italian and Spanish.

• Amsterdam Murder Mystery – a Sherlock Holmes-style detective game: gather clues, question digital characters and name the killer, for up to 4 players. Same six languages.

• The Amsterdam Syndicate – an outdoor escape game in which every player takes a role, for 2 to 5 players on one phone. English and Dutch.

• Museum Quarter (start: Museumplein): Secrets of Amsterdam Museum Quarter, past the Rijksmuseum, the Concertgebouw and the Vondelpark, and the Museum Quarter Murder Mystery (English).

• Amsterdam North (start: IJpromenade, a free ferry ride from Central Station): Secrets of Amsterdam North, through the old dike village of Nieuwendam, and the Amsterdam North Murder Mystery (both English).

• Nieuw-West: Secrets of Gardens of West and the Gardens of West Murder Mystery (both English).

• Canals of Amsterdam Photography Tour and Red Light District Photography Tour – self-guided photo walks of about 2.5 hours starting on Dam Square, with photo assignments along the way.

• Ghostbusters: Saving Rembrandt (start: Waterlooplein), Scrooge and A Christmas Carol – story games for families and fans, playable in 31 languages.

• Price: €19.95 per ticket; one ticket covers one phone and the team playing on it.

• What you need: a charged smartphone with mobile internet. The games run in the free Loquiz app and you can start on any day, at any time.

• Good for: families with children, friends, couples, stag and hen parties, and team outings or company events. Bigger groups split into teams and play the same route against each other.

Planning a trip? See all City Games in the Netherlands or read how City Game works.

You book your game online and receive a confirmation email with everything you need. Open the game on your phone when you are ready and start whenever it suits you — no guide is waiting and there is no fixed departure time. Stop for a coffee or a museum along the way and pick up where you left off.

A City Game works for friends, family, couples and colleagues, and just as well on your own. You play in teams on one phone, and several teams can walk the same route at the same time, which is why it is often used for birthdays, team outings and family days. Children join in easily as long as an adult reads along.