Secrets of · Scavenger hunt
Secrets of Gardens of West Self-Guided Scavenger Hunt & Walking Tour
2 hours · 1–4 players per team · free Loquiz app€19.95 per team
Sherlock Holmes · Murder mystery
Gardens of West Self-Guided Detective Murder Mystery Game
- 2 hours
- 1–4 players per team
- In the free Loquiz app on your phone
- Start any time within 12 months
- Free cancellation until you start
A self-guided detective murder mystery through Amsterdam Nieuw-West, from the Iwan Kantemanplein to the old village of Osdorp.
There is a body in Amsterdam New West. Balthasar is the name, and nobody is coming to work out who did it except you.
A self-guided detective game, played on foot in Amsterdam New West rather than around a table. The app keeps the case file, the streets keep the proof, and the murder mystery only moves when you do. There is no guide, no start time and no group - which is exactly the appeal.
The file sends you to Iwan Kantemanplein, Ecuplein and Valutaboulevard.
Where the Case Takes You in Amsterdam New West
Osdorperweg and Dorpsplein are on the route as well. Anyone keeping decent notes will find they only have to confirm there what they already suspect.
Playing the Detective Game in Amsterdam New West
Nothing happens until you walk. The evidence is at the locations, the witnesses are on the phone, and every puzzle, code and photo task you get through hands you another piece of Balthasar's last day. 1.5 to 2 hours, 3 to 4 km, no time limit of any kind. The habit is the one the Sherlock Holmes stories are built on: notice the thing nobody else bothered to look at, then say out loud what it means.
For Families, Friends and Teams in Amsterdam New West
With friends. Four of you on one phone and everybody gets a say. Somebody always commits to a theory early, loudly, and wrongly - that is half of what you will talk about afterwards.
With your team. Two teams on one case turns it competitive, which is the whole point. No booking a room, no briefing, no waiting for stragglers: a team outing in Amsterdam that starts when the last person shows up.
With kids. Eight years old is about the floor. The distance is not the problem it sounds like, the photo tasks are where children beat adults outright, and the codes end up being solved by the whole family at once.
Questions People Ask First
How does the murder mystery game work?
You play it through the Loquiz app on your own phone. It opens in Amsterdam, the story moves with you, and every stop holds a puzzle, a code or a photo task standing between you and the next piece.
How long does it take?
Between one and a half and two hours for most groups, across 3 to 4 km. Slower is free: nothing is timed and nothing expires while you are having lunch.
How many people can play on one ticket?
One €19.95 ticket covers four players on a single phone. Past four, take a second ticket: two teams chasing the same killer beats six people squinting at one screen.
Do we need to book a date?
A date is all we need. The starting time is yours, because there is no host, no departure and nobody else's schedule involved.
Is it suitable for children?
From roughly age eight it works well. The puzzles are built to be solved, not to defeat anyone, and younger children happily walk along and help.
What happens if it rains?
You decide when to play and you can pause whenever you want. Step inside, wait the shower out and pick the case up again - no clock is running and nothing closes.
Is this a detective game or a walking tour of Amsterdam?
It is a detective game first. But you see Amsterdam properly while you play it, and people tend to remember a street they searched better than one they were shown.
What else is there to do in Amsterdam?
There are other city games in Amsterdam built on the same idea and a different story, and the Netherlands has plenty more where this came from.
Also in the city: Secrets of Amsterdam North · The Amsterdam Syndicate · city games across the Netherlands
- Iwan Kantemanplein
- Ecuplein
- Valutaboulevard
- Osdorperweg
- Dorpsplein
- Langsom
How it works
- BookTicket and invoice arrive by email.
- Go to the startThe start point is in your email. Any day within 12 months.
- PlayOpen the link on one phone per team and press start.
What players in other cities say
- ★★★★★
Had great fun playing secrets of Haarlem!
Martin M.March 2026 · via google - ★★★★★
Game in Amsterdam was fun!
Enzo L.March 2026 · via google - ★★★★★
Had So much fun playing while exploring the city
Philip C.March 2026 · via google - ★★★★★
I had a fantastic experience with CityGame! The concept is creative, engaging, and a great way to explore a city in a completely new way. The games are well-designed, combining puzzles, storytelling, and adventure so you’re constantly discovering something interesting around every corner. What I especially love is how CityGame turns a normal walk through the city into an interactive experience. It’s perfect for friends, families, or team outings, and it makes sightseeing much more exciting than the usual tours. Everything was easy to use, the challenges were fun and clever, and it really encouraged us to look closer at the city and its hidden details. Highly recommended if you’re looking for a unique and memorable way to explore!
Jessica S.March 2026 · via google - ★★★★★
This is an interesting way to conduct a self-guided Amsterdam city tour. It used the GPS on your phone to guide you to stops on a route. There are mini quizzes once you arrive at the stops on the path. The quizzes draw your attention to features in front of you or to a brief history of the place. In many cases, we visited a spot that would not have been obvious as a regular passer by. The tour as a whole was interesting to us as newcomers, but I would have liked more information on many locations we visited - a few links outside of the app for each place would have been helpful. Beyond that, the interface was a bit clunky and sometimes awkward to navigate. We definitely don't regret trying this out and feel like we got our money's worth on the experience.
JaibhijaiJune 2024 · via google - ★★★★★
This was a fun game! It had a few challenges which was good and surprises. It got me to go around and explore Queenstown, New Zealand. I got to places in Queenstown, New Zealand I hadn’t been to before while on holiday here. Thank you for that and it gave a feel what it would be like to be the actual Sherlock Holmes!
Dylan J.February 2024 · via google
How we check reviews
Reviews marked verified come from players who booked and played this game; they are invited by e-mail after the game. We publish every verified review, positive or negative; we only remove spam, abuse or personal data. Reviews with a source (Google, Viator …) were copied from that site.
Leaderboard
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