Secrets of
Essen

Self-Guided Secrets of Essen Exploration Game

Reveal Essen’s Industrial Elegance! Delve into a city where innovation hums across refurbished steelworks and history whispers along the quiet mining paths, solve puzzles and weave tales as you navigate its dynamic landscape, Essen is a treasure trove of truth and tradition around each corner!

About Secrets of Essen

The City Game Essen is a self-guided, GPS-based game that takes place in the city center of Essen. Using your smartphone, you’ll explore the area while solving puzzles, riddles and photo challenges that reveal hidden details about the city. This exploration game offers insights into Essen’s modern culture, local stories and surprising historical context. Designed for both visitors and locals, the self-guided city game is a flexible and interactive way to discover the city. It’s ideal for solo players, couples, families or groups of friends looking to engage with their surroundings in a new way.

1.5-2 hours of play time

3-4 km walking distance

Start at Essen, Burgplatz

Start, pause & continue whenever you want

Play on your smartphone, use the Loquiz app

1-4 people per smartphone

What you’ll experience during the game

The Secrets of Essen City Game offers a unique way to explore the city through a mix of sightseeing, storytelling and interactive challenges. As you follow the narrative, you’ll uncover both well-known landmarks and more hidden corners of Essen. Expect to pass by notable sites such as the architectural lines of Essen Minster, the cultural presence of the Old Synagogue and the green surroundings of Stadtgarten. Each location adds a new layer to your journey, offering a fresh perspective on the city’s character and historical depth.

Throughout the City Game, you’ll solve a variety of puzzles, answer riddles and complete creative photo challenges that reveal clues and stories connected to the city. Each task earns you points, helps you unlock hints and brings you closer to the final mystery. The game is designed to be flexible, allowing you to pause at any moment and resume later at your own pace. For those who enjoy a bit of competition, there’s also the chance to climb the leaderboard by completing challenges efficiently and creatively.

Who is it for?

This City Game is designed for anyone who wants to discover Essen 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 Essen 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 Essen
    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: English
  • Start location: Essen, Burgplatz

How to play

Book the Exploration Game, check the email we send you with the simple instructions, download the Loquiz App, access the Exploration Game and you are ready to begin your gaming experience!

Book your Secrets of Essen experience now

Per group

€ 25,95

Book your Secrets of Essen experience now

A 2-hour self-guided City Explore Game through Essen: 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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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 Essen, Burgplatz, 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.

Essen, Burgplatz

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

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

Secrets of Essen is available in English. You can select your preferred language during booking the game.

This makes the City Exploire Game an accessible and enjoyable experience for international visitors, expats and mixed-language groups!

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

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