Wandering the streets and sidewalks of Amsterdam is always an adventure. From admiring the slightly skew and narrow houses along the canals to navigating the pedestrian vs. cycling paths and wanting to take a photo of every picturesque scene you pass.
But there’s so much more to Amsterdam to uncover. This beautiful city is rich in history, culture and fascinating stories that are often missed by the average visitor. There are secrets hidden behind almost every corner and it’s up to you to find them.
One of the best way to uncover the secrets of Amsterdam is with a self-guided, interactive exploration game. We’ll dive more into how to do this further down, but let’s first set the scene around what makes Amsterdam such a unique city to explore in the first place.
Why is Amsterdam worth exploring?
You already know about the enchanting canal system flowing through the city. And, while it’s impressive enough to be your main reason for visiting the city, there’s so much more to explore.
The city’s rich history and cultural heritage are evident in its stunning architecture, exemplified by the iconic gabled houses that line the streets. Moreover, Amsterdam’s progressive and liberal atmosphere fosters a sense of acceptance and diversity, making it a haven for artists, creatives, and free thinkers.
With its vibrant art scene, world-class museums, and bike-friendly infrastructure (here are our tips for cycling in Amsterdam), Amsterdam offers an unparalleled experience that is as fascinating as it is unforgettable.
To soak it all up, you need to get out onto the streets and interact with the city around you.
Meet the Secrets of Amsterdam City Game
Spice up your Amsterdam exploration by spending a morning, afternoon or evening running around the city solving puzzles, doing challenges and learning more about the inner secrets of Amsterdam.
The Secrets of Amsterdam City Hunt takes you on a journey through Amsterdam’s history center with a fun and interactive exploration game. As you pass through each point, you’ll be presented with a puzzle, quiz or photography challenge to score points and learn more about the city’s history, culture and secrets.
Here are a few things you’ll learn about Amsterdam while playing the game:
- How the river Amstel has influenced the naming of many famous places and products.
- The history of Maagdenhuis.
- Why Amsterdam’s houses are built on wooden poles.
- Where to find Amsterdam’s compass.
- Why many locals decide to live on houseboats.
- What the Coat of Arms of Amsterdam looks like, and much more!
What’s most fun about the game is that it gets you interacting with the city around you. From spotting and scanning a bicycle (a pretty easy task in Amsterdam) to taking team selfie’s in front of landmarks and getting inspiration from the scenes around you to solve puzzles.
Your team will score points along the way and you can even earn a few badges! The best part? If you’re traveling with a group of friends, you can split into separate teams and compete for some added fun!
How it works
Once you’ve purchased the game, you’ll get email instructions which involve downloading the Loquiz app in the IOS app store or Google playstore. Once signed in it’s all pretty straightforward and you can start playing immediately.
1-4 players can play on each device and the entire game should take between 1.5-2 hours. But, there’s no time limit, so if you get distracted by a few coffee shops, cafes and bars along the way – you can simply carry on when you’re ready.
The official starting point is Beursplein, Amsterdam, but you can start anywhere in the Old City.
The game is GPS-based and all you have to do is follow the pins on the interactive map to open up new challenges and tasks at each stop.
Once completed, the app shares a bit more information about the stop that you’re at, giving you some context and history behind it – i.e. letting you in on all of Amsterdam’s secrets!
What do you need?
- A charged smartphone
- Internet connection
- GPS enabled
- Loquiz app (download it from the IOS App Store or Google Play store).
- Open the Loquiz app and log in with username and password (you will receive these in your e-mail after purchasing a City Game).
Start as a tourist, end as a local
This is a fun way to experience Amsterdam on your own terms while also learning more about the city. It’s easy to get distracted by the beautiful canals and charming sidewalks of Amsterdam, causing you to miss out on the fascinating history that surrounds you in the Old Town.
By playing this game, the different clues and puzzles get you looking at buildings that you perhaps would have simply strolled past. But now, you’re not only stopping to admire them, but learning more about their history and relevance in the city.
This way, you’ll get all the insider knowledge of an Amsterdam local.
Are you ready to explore Amsterdam in a different way? Purchase your Secrets of Amsterdam City Hunt and start playing!
PS – Here’s how to not be an irritating tourist in Amsterdam
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