Secrets of
Bologna

Self-Guided Secrets of Bologna Exploration Game

Unlock Bologna’s Hidden Harmony! Wander through grand piazzas, echoing porticoes and secret canals as history hums beneath your feet. Help Emperor Nero reclaim his lost lyre, piecing together clues in a city where art, passion and mystery collide.

About Secrets of Bologna

The Secrets of Bologna City Game is a self-guided, GPS-based game that takes place in the historic center of Bologna. Using your smartphone, you’ll explore the city while solving a variety of puzzles, riddles and photo challenges. This interactive exploration game offers a fun and engaging way to discover Bologna’s history, culture and lesser-known details at your own pace. Designed to suit visitors and locals alike, the City Game Bologna is ideal for solo players, couples, families or groups of friends. Whether you’re new to the city or know it well, this self-guided city game offers a fresh perspective through immersive gameplay.

1.5-2 hours of play time

3-4 km walking distance

Start at Bologna, Statue of Pope Gregory XIII

Start, pause & continue whenever you want

Play on your smartphone, no downloads needed

1-4 people per smartphone

What you’ll experience during the game

During the Secrets of Bologna City Game, you’ll explore the city through a blend of immersive storytelling, interactive discovery and local history. The game guides you through both celebrated locations and quieter corners, from the grand Palazzo della Mercanzia to the striking Neptune’s Fountain. Along the way, you might peer through the hidden Finestrella, encounter the elegant façade of Bologna’s Cathedral or pause near the centuries-old Wishing Well. Each place reveals a facet of Bologna’s layered past and rich atmosphere, offering a deep sense of place as you journey through its streets.

As you make your way through Bologna, you’ll encounter puzzles, riddles, and photo challenges that bring the story to life. Solving each task earns you points, reveals helpful hints and moves you closer to uncovering the final mystery. The City Game format allows you to pause and resume whenever you choose, offering flexibility whether you’re exploring at your own pace or competing for a top spot on the leaderboard. Whether in a team or solo, the experience invites playful curiosity and thoughtful observation throughout Bologna.

Who is it for?

This City Game is designed for anyone who wants to discover Bologna in a playful and meaningful way. It’s ideal for:

  • Solo explorers looking for a flexible adventure
  • Couples who want to experience the city in a fun and surprising way
  • Families with curious kids who enjoy puzzles and challenges
  • Friends wanting a lighthearted activity full of laughter
  • Groups and teams searching for a unique, self-guided teambuilding experience

Whether you’re a local seeing Bologna with fresh eyes or a visitor exploring the city for the first time, this GPS-based game offers a memorable way to connect, play and explore together.

What’s included?

Included

  • Self-guided Exploration Game
    Play independently on your own smartphone.
  • Game link & instructions
    Simple steps to start the activity.
  • GPS-based route with puzzles & challenges
    Riddles, questions and photo tasks.
  • Fun facts & stories about Bologna
    Learn about iconic and hidden spots.

Excluded

  • Smartphone or other devices (bring your own to play)
    You only need one phone per team.
  • In-person guide (digital guide in-game only)
    Everything is fully self-guided inside the game.

Good to know

  • Flexible start, pause & continue
  • 1-year access from purchase date
  • 1–4 people per smartphone
  • Difficulty: Easy-moderate
  • Recommended age: 8+
  • Internet & GPS required
  • Available languages: Dutch, English, French, German, Italian, Spanish and 30+ more!
  • Start location: Bologna, Statue of Pope Gregory XIII

How to play

After booking, you’ll receive an email with a direct play link. Simply head to the Statue of Pope Gregory XIII at Piazza Maggiore to start your adventure. Open the link on your smartphone and begin exploring right away. You can pause and continue the game whenever you like, making it the perfect flexible activity for your visit to Bologna.

Book your Secrets of Bologna experience now

Per group

€ 25,95

Book your Secrets of Bologna experience now

A 2-hour self-guided City Explore Game through Bologna: explore highlights, solve puzzles and play at your own pace.

Per group

€ 25,95

  • Cancel anytime for full refund
  • Instant confirmation
  • Accessible for 1 year from the purchase date
  • Payments are secure & encrypted
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The story of Secrets of Bologna

Step into Bologna and you step onto a stage, where marble echoes with music and even the shadows seem rehearsed. At the center of it all: Nero Claudius Caesar, emperor, performer, and legend. His divine lyre, source of ancient glory and drama, has disappeared. Without it, Bologna is far too quiet… and Nero cannot abide silence.

As you chase notes through secret canals, silent towers, and theatrical piazzas, Nero will follow with flair and fire. This is no ordinary treasure hunt, it’s a revival. And only you can restore the lost melody that once moved an empire.

Not just a game. A city. A secret. A story only you can finish.

Book now

Nero Claudius Caesar

Your start location

After booking, you’ll receive an email with your play link and simple start instructions. On the day you want to play, just head to the start location at Bologna, Statue of Pope Gregory XIII, open the link on your smartphone and begin the game. From there, you simply follow the GPS route, complete the challenges and explore at your own pace.

Bologna, Statue of Pope Gregory XIII

Get directions

How the Secrets of Exploration City Game works

Discover how the self-guided exploration game leads you through the city, step by step.

Start whenever you want

Begin the game the moment you arrive at the starting location, with no fixed departure time.

Follow the GPS route

Navigate through the city using the built in map that guides you from checkpoint to checkpoint.

Solve puzzles and riddles

Crack codes, answer clever questions and use your surroundings to complete challenges.

Complete creative photo challenges

Capture fun moments, recreate poses or search for hidden details as part of interactive missions.

Discover local stories and fun facts

Each location reveals surprising insights about the area’s history, culture and hidden secrets.

Earn points at every location

Score points by completing assignments at each point. Compete with other teams and climb the leaderboard.

Unlock badges and achievements

Earn digital badges as you reach milestones during the game. Every achievement adds to your team’s progress.

Play at your own pace

Take breaks whenever you like and continue the adventure when you are ready.

Book now

How the Secrets of Exploration City Game works

Discover how the self-guided exploration game leads you through the city, step by step.

  • Start whenever you want

    Begin the game the moment you arrive at the starting location, with no fixed departure time.

  • Follow the GPS route

    Navigate through the city using the built in map that guides you from checkpoint to checkpoint.

  • Solve puzzles and examine evidence

    Crack codes, answer clever questions and use your surroundings to complete challenges.

  • Complete creative photo challenges

    Capture fun moments, recreate poses or search for hidden details as part of interactive missions.

  • Discover local stories and fun facts

    Each location reveals surprising insights about the area’s history, culture and hidden secrets.

  • Earn points at every location

    Score points by completing assignments at each point. Compete with other teams and climb the leaderboard.

  • Unlock badges and achievements

    Earn digital badges as you reach milestones during the game. Every achievement adds to your team’s progress.

  • Play at your own pace

    Take breaks whenever you like and continue the adventure when you are ready.

Book now

What others think of our City Games

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Do you have questions? We have answers!

Check out our frequently asked questions and find out everything you want to know. Is your question not among them? Feel free to contact us.

View all fequently asked questions Get support

Secrets of Bologna takes around 1.5 to 2 hours to complete. There is no strict time limit, so you can explore Bologna at your own pace and pause the game whenever you like.

Most teams complete the game within this time frame, but you’re free to take longer if you want to stop for a drink, explore a location more deeply, or enjoy the city along the way!

The game starts at Bologna, Statue of Pope Gregory XIII. After booking, the start location is clearly communicated in the instruction email and becomes visible in the game.

The entire game takes place outdoors. You don’t need to enter any buildings or visit locations with opening hours. Simply arrive at the start location, open the game on your smartphone, and you can begin exploring right away!

There is no limit to the total number of players for Secrets of Haarlem!

The game is played in teams of 1 to 4 people per smartphone.
If you’re playing with more than 4 people, simply book multiple teams, so everyone can play at the same time using their own devices and use the same play link.

For larger groups or corporate events, a fully hosted version of this City Game is also available, including on-site guidance, tablets and live support.

Planning a larger group or corporate event?
Explore the hosted City Game experience for groups

No, you don’t need to reserve a time slot for Secrets of Bologna! After purchase, you can start the game anytime you want, on any day, within the 1-year access period.

This flexibility makes Secrets of Bologna ideal if you’re visiting the city without a fixed schedule, want to check the weather first, or prefer to start spontaneously once you arrive in the city!

Yes, Secrets of Bologna is suitable for families with children aged 8 and up!

The game is designed as a shared experience, where puzzles, riddles and challenges can be solved together, making it accessible for both kids and adults.

Younger players can actively join by spotting details, answering questions and completing photo challenges, while adults guide the team through the more challenging parts. This makes Secrets of Bologna a fun and engaging activity for mixed-age groups exploring the city together.

Secrets of Bologna is available in 30+ languages, allowing players from all over the world to enjoy the game in their own language while exploring the city.

The game supports many widely spoken languages such as English, Spanish, French, German, Italian and Dutch, among others.

This makes Secrets of Bologna an accessible and enjoyable experience for international visitors, expats and mixed-language groups.

All available languages:

  • Arabic
  • Bulgarian
  • Chinese
  • Chinese (Hong Kong)
  • Croatian
  • Czech
  • Danish
  • Dutch
  • English
  • Finnish
  • French
  • German
  • Greek
  • Hebrew
  • Hungarian
  • Icelandic
  • Indonesian
  • Italian
  • Japanese
  • Korean
  • Lithuanian
  • Norwegian
  • Polish
  • Portuguese
  • Portuguese (Brazil)
  • Russian
  • Serbian
  • Slovak
  • Slovenian
  • Spanish
  • Spanish (Latin America)
  • Swedish
  • Thai
  • Turkish
  • Vietnamese

(Language availability may vary slightly per update)

To play Secrets of Bologna, you only need a charged smartphone with internet access and GPS enabled. The game is fully digital, self-guided and played outdoors while exploring Bologna.

We recommend wearing comfortable walking shoes, as you’ll stroll through streets and squares, and bringing a fully charged phone or power bank so you can enjoy the entire experience without interruptions.

Other than that, just bring your curiosity and sense of adventure and discover Bologna at your own pace!

Your favourite City Games, professionally hosted by our team

Enjoy the same City Games as our self-guided version, but with full on-site support from our professional hosts. We take care of the briefing, tablets, coordination and technical support, so your group can focus entirely on the fun and competition.

What’s included:

  • Same City Game, fully hosted
    You play the exact same experience as our self-guided version, now with our hosts guiding your group.
  • Live ranking & prize ceremony
    For larger groups, our hosts reveal the final scores and announce the winning team with a fun award moment.
  • Hosted start & finish
    We welcome your group, explain the game clearly and end with an exciting wrap-up.
  • Real-time support during the game
    Our team assists with devices, app issues and coordination throughout the experience.
  • Tablets included (optional)
    Available for groups who prefer using our devices instead of their own.

Trusted by teams worldwide, from small groups to large corporate events.

Plan your group event

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Ready for an unforgettable adventure?

Explore Bologna in a unique and interactive way with our Secrets of Bologna City Game. Play today and create lasting memories!