Secrets of
Zaandam

Self-Guided Secrets of Zaandam Exploration Game

Crack Zaandam’s Hidden Secrets! Stroll past colorful houses and buzzing markets, feel the energy of shipyards and waterways, and help Tsar Peter the Great recover his stolen blueprints as you uncover the city’s past and vibrant present.

About Secrets of Zaandam

The Secrets of Zaandam City Game is a self-guided, GPS-based game that takes place in the city center of Zaandam. Using your smartphone, you’ll explore the area while solving puzzles, riddles and photo challenges that reveal hidden details about the city’s culture and history. This exploration game offers an engaging way to discover both well-known landmarks and lesser-known stories. The experience is suitable for visitors looking to learn more about Zaandam, as well as locals who want a fresh perspective on their city. Designed for flexible play, the City Game Zaandam works well for solo adventurers, couples, families and groups of friends alike.

1.5-2 hours of play time

3-4 km walking distance

Start at Zaandam, Monument Februaristaking 1941

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

As you make your way through Zaandam with the City Game, you’ll take part in a story that blends real locations with immersive exploration. The experience leads you through both recognizable and hidden places in the city, encouraging you to look closer at your surroundings. You’ll pass landmarks like the unusual façade of the Inntel Hotel Zaandam, the atmospheric Gedempte Gracht, and the historic Grote Sluis, each offering a glimpse into the city’s layered past and evolving identity. Along the way, sites like the Tsar Peter the Great Statue and the Rozengracht Market deepen your sense of place and history, revealing Zaandam’s unique character.

During the game, you’ll solve a mix of puzzles, riddles and creative challenges that invite you to interact with the city in thoughtful ways. Each completed task earns you points, hints or progress toward a final mystery woven into the route. You can pause the game at any time and pick it up again whenever it suits your schedule, making it a flexible way to explore Zaandam. For those keen on competition, teams and individuals can aim for a top score on the leaderboard while uncovering the city’s hidden stories.

Who is it for?

This City Game is designed for anyone who wants to discover Zaandam 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 Zaandam 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 Zaandam
    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: Zaandam, Monument Februaristaking 1941

How to play

After booking, you will receive an email with a direct play link. Simply head to the start location at the Monument Februaristaking 1941 and begin the game whenever you are ready. The GPS-based City Game can be paused at any moment, so you are free to continue later at your own pace.

Book your Secrets of Zaandam experience now

Per group

€ 25,95

Book your Secrets of Zaandam experience now

A 2-hour self-guided City Explore Game through Zaandam: 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 Zaandam

Zaandam hums with industry and wind, a city shaped by water and willpower. But today, something vital has vanished. Tsar Peter the Great, emperor, shipbuilder, and restless visionary, is in crisis. The blueprints for his newest ship have been stolen, just hours before they are to be revealed. Without them, his grand plans might sink before they ever sail.

From the quiet docks to the thrum of hidden alleyways, you must chase whispers, dodge saboteurs, and follow clues only fresh eyes can see. This isn’t just about wood and sails. It’s about legacy, pride, and a ship called Shtandart that must not be lost to time.

You came to explore. You stayed to save the story.

Book now

Peter the Great

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 Zaandam, Monument Februaristaking 1941, 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.

Zaandam, Monument Februaristaking 1941

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 Zaandam takes around 1.5 to 2 hours to complete. There is no strict time limit, so you can explore Zaandam 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 Zaandam, Monument Februaristaking 1941. 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 Zaandam! After purchase, you can start the game anytime you want, on any day, within the 1-year access period.

This flexibility makes Secrets of Zaandam 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 Zaandam 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 Zaandam a fun and engaging activity for mixed-age groups exploring the city together.

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

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