Secrets of
Cologne

Self-Guided Secrets of Cologne Exploration Game

Discover Cologne’s Legendary Spirit! Explore lively streets and grand landmarks as you help Johann von Werth reclaim his feathered hat, uncovering the city’s rich history and vibrant culture.

About Secrets of Cologne

The City Game Cologne is a self-guided city game that takes place in the historic center of Cologne. This GPS-based game leads players through the city using their smartphone, solving puzzles, riddles and photo challenges along the way. As part of the exploration game, participants discover Cologne’s rich history, cultural landmarks and hidden details that often go unnoticed. Designed for both visitors and locals, the experience offers a unique way to engage with the city. Whether played solo, as a couple, or with family and friends, this GPS-based game provides a flexible and interactive way to explore Cologne.

1.5-2 hours of play time

3-4 km walking distance

Start at Cologne, Breslauer Platz

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 Cologne City Game, you’ll explore the city through an engaging mix of storytelling and discovery. The game leads you through both iconic sights and surprising hidden corners, immersing you in the atmosphere of Cologne as you go. Along the way, you’ll encounter landmarks like the soaring twin towers of Cologne Cathedral, the vibrant Hohenzollern Bridge covered in love locks, and the striking Museum Ludwig with its modernist architecture. You might also pass traditional spots like Peters Brauhaus or take in centuries of history at the Romanesque Groß St. Martin church.

As you play, you’ll solve creative puzzles, answer riddles, take part in photo challenges, and uncover clues that guide you toward solving a final city mystery. Each challenge earns you points and brings you closer to the next step, with hints available when needed so everyone can enjoy the experience at their own pace. The game can be paused and resumed as needed, letting you explore Cologne on your own schedule. For those who enjoy competition, there’s also the chance to climb the leaderboard and compare your success with other teams.

Who is it for?

This City Game is designed for anyone who wants to discover Cologne 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 Cologne 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 Cologne
    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: Cologne, Breslauer Platz

How to play

After booking, you will receive an email with your personal play link. Head to the start location at the Obelisk and begin your City Game adventure right away. The game can be paused whenever you like and resumed later, making it flexible for your own pace of exploration.

Book your Secrets of Cologne experience now

Per group

€ 25,95

Book your Secrets of Cologne experience now

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

  • 1.5 – 2 hours
  • 3 – 4 km
  • Cologne, Breslauer Platz
  • Languages: Dutch, English, French, German, Italian, Spanish and 30+ more!

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 Cologne

A general without his hat is like a knight without a sword. Johann von Werth, Cologne’s proud war hero and legendary flirt, has lost his most iconic possession, his feathered hat. Bold, dramatic, and absolutely irreplaceable, it vanished without a trace, leaving him humbled and horribly underdressed.

Now he calls upon you to help him reclaim it. From quiet arches to grand cathedrals, follow the trail through Cologne’s historic heart. Piece together clues, outsmart distractions, and restore a hero’s pride one step at a time. This is no ordinary fashion emergency. This is a matter of honor.

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

Book now

Jan von Werth

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 Cologne, Breslauer Platz, 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.

Cologne, Breslauer Platz

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

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

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

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 Cologne 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.

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Ready for an unforgettable adventure?

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