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Edinburgh City discovery games

Our most recommended Edinburgh City discovery games

Edinburgh: Private Sherlock Holmes Adventure Tour Challenge

1. Edinburgh: Private Sherlock Holmes Adventure Tour Challenge

Explore the sights of Edinburgh on foot during this private Sherlock Holmes adventure tour. Receive a backpack kit with physical clues, props, and everything you need to work through the game, including a 19th-century map of Edinburgh that is yours to keep. Start your adventure by meeting your guide. Your guide will then brief you on the game mechanics and be in touch with you throughout your game if you need help. You will need a phone only to be in touch with your guide. Once the game begins, you'll follow a series of numbered clues. Every clue is meant to be used in a particular location and when you solve it you'll find out where to go next. The game unravels the story of Arthur Conan Doyle's most famous creation. Walk through a good portion of Edinburgh and pass by some of the main landmarks: St Andrews Square, Princess Street, and some other wonderful places off the tourist trail. Most of the game's locations have a connection to Sherlock Holmes' creator, Arthur Conan Doyle. You will finish by dropping the kit off and collecting your souvenir badge. It ends at the West End of the city.  The duration of the game varies depending on the group. The average group usually takes 2.5 hours if they don't take a break. Some groups have taken quite a bit longer.

Edinburgh: Fantastic Creatures Treasure Hunt

2. Edinburgh: Fantastic Creatures Treasure Hunt

Discover Edinburgh's folk stories and myths on this interactive treasure hunt. Meet your guide at the City Chambers, where your game will begin. After a short introduction, get kitted out with all the tools you will need to complete the game. The kit comes in a bag that has all the clues and tools you need to work through and a map with a route to follow. Wander around the streets of the Old Town to solve clues and discover famous landmarks from a unique perspective. The itinerary includes City Chambers, Edinburgh University, St Giles Cathedral, and of course the iconic Edinburgh Castle for perfect photo opportunities. If you're clever enough to make it to the end of the game, Scotland's very last unicorn will be waiting for you.

Edinburgh: Harry Potter Outdoor Escape Game

3. Edinburgh: Harry Potter Outdoor Escape Game

The creative birthplace of the Wizarding World awaits on this explorative adventure game. Solve challenges to trace the footsteps back to where the magic began. Discover locations like Edinburgh Castle and go at your own pace for the full immersive experience. To start the game, first follow the instructions in the email you received after booking on how to download and play the game on your phone. Play on your own, in a large group, or in several smaller groups in your own tournament to meet at the final stop. Begin the game at City Chambers and dive into the story. As you solve challenges along the way, directions will guide you to the next location. Pause the game at any point to explore both famous and lesser-known highlights, then resume at your leisure. You will finish at the Old Medical School. 

Romantic Edinburgh: True Love Exploration Game

4. Romantic Edinburgh: True Love Exploration Game

The city game starts at Dean Bridge House. It will take you between 1 to 1.5 hours to complete and you can also explore at your own pace: pause the game and resume anytime from the location where you paused it. You will finish at the Saint Stephen's Comely Bank Church. As you solve challenges, the story unfolds and exact directions on your phone will guide you to the next location. Ready for an adventure? After your booking you will receive an email with instructions on how to download and play the game on your phone. You can play on your own, in a large group or in several smaller groups that compete against each other and meet at the final stop of the game. We recommend that each user purchases a ticket for an optimal experience, although several people can share a phone.

Edinburgh: Ghost Hunt City Exploration Game

5. Edinburgh: Ghost Hunt City Exploration Game

Be led on an exciting self-guided tour around Edinburgh while playing a mobile-based quest with your friends and family. See many of Edinburgh’s most famous attractions and go on a journey through some of the city’s most haunted places. Download the app, go to the starting point, and begin the adventure. Follow clues and visit ghostly locations including Greyfriars Kirkyard, the site of the Nor’ Loch and West Bow, and sites where public executions were held. Unlock secrets about the places you visit as you solve puzzles and guess the answers. Learn about the Scottish Witch Hunts and the Burke and Hare murders and view the hall containing a book made of William Burke’s flesh. Use the clues to lead you from one site to another. Each clue provides you with exact directions so you won't need a map, GPS, or guide. Complete the tour in about 1.5 hours, however, there’s no time limit, allowing you to go at your own pace. Play as a group or split into smaller groups/teams and compete against the others. Each person can also play on their own, separate from the group, and meet the group at the end of the tour. Take part in a special Halloween event on October 30 featuring live actors. Wear your best costume to win a contest with prizes such as a $1000 GetYourGuide gift card, a (real) coffin, and much more.

Edinburgh: Self-Guided by Edinburgh Castle Mystery Tour

6. Edinburgh: Self-Guided by Edinburgh Castle Mystery Tour

Unleash your inner mystery-solving potential on this self-guided tour through Edinburgh. Solve riddles and find the culprit in this mystery hunt inspired by true events. After picking up your mystery at Waverley Bridge TravelHub, the scavenger hunt is ready to be solved. All clues are in the envelope you picked up at the pick up point. This tour is ideal if you want to explore the areas around Edinburgh Palace and if you are interested in the history of these places. The game ends when you have solved the mystery and pointed out the right suspect.

Edinburgh: Self-Guided City Sightseeing Treasure Hunt

7. Edinburgh: Self-Guided City Sightseeing Treasure Hunt

Embark on a self-guided treasure hunt and experience a fun and unique way to explore Edinburgh. Captain Bess will send messages to your phones. She’s a snarky pirate who’s testing out new recruits to join her ship. She’ll direct you on a carefully designed route through the city. Follow the treasure maps to get to the right place, then try to decipher the clue. Search high and low for the answer. You’ll spot things you’d never normally notice. And don’t worry, if you get stuck you can ask for a hint to help you on your way. Start at Cockburn Street and sneak through tiny alleys and hidden squares, passing ancient alehouses and cobbled streets. Learn some interesting facts and stories along the way about the things you’re spotting and get a better understanding of the history of Edinburgh. Feeling adventurous? Get ready to explore Edinburgh and have loads of fun!

Edinburgh Highlights Self-Guided Scavenger Hunt & City Tour

8. Edinburgh Highlights Self-Guided Scavenger Hunt & City Tour

Get to know Edinburgh at your own pace on this interactive scavenger hunt walking tour played on your phone. Decipher riddles, interact with the most important attractions of the city, and unlock interesting facts and legends. An ideal outdoor activity for first time visitors, couples, groups, families, and children. Can be used as a great team-building activity. To get started, simply download the tour app (instructions received via email after booking) and head over to the starting point at the Scott Monument. Choose to start the activity at any time. At each stop, learn about the attraction and solve a location-based riddle that can only be solved if you reach the specific location. Use logic, imagination, observation, and team spirit to unlock the correct code and reveal the next destination of the city sightseeing game. Use the map to navigate to each location as you complete challenges and pause at any time to take a break or do some sightseeing. As you explore, learn insider information about the city and attractions. Start your tour at the imposing Scott Monument! Visit the Royal Scottish Academy with its dreamlike architecture. Photograph Edinburgh Castle in its imposing form and marvel at the dreamy The Hub. The Grassmarket will amaze you, it is one of the busiest places in Edinburgh. Then Greyfriars Kirkyard awaits, don't forget to take pictures, famous for the story of Greyfriars faithful dog Bobby! St Giles' Cathedral will leave you speechless with its magnificent architecture. Admire Canongate Kirk, which is said to be miraculous and has a huge history. Learn about the Burns Monument built for the country's greatest artist and national symbol, while the icing on the cake of this unique tour will be Calton Hill, a spot that is always busy and enchanting, with amazing views.

Edinburgh: Shadows of Old Town City Exploration Game

9. Edinburgh: Shadows of Old Town City Exploration Game

A playful experience to discover the secrets of Edinburgh, a mystery walk similar to an escape room but outdoors! Your team will receive clues on their phones that, once deciphered, will guide them around a route that showcases it's secret sights and great pubs/bars/cafes. The routes are all walking distance and clues get you working together and interacting with the city surroundings to find the answers, no prior knowledge required. Discover fascinating and amusing facts about Edinburgh's past and present as you weave your way through the city. Make the day your own as you solve clues and challenges as a team; with friends, family or colleagues. Get competitive - race to the finish and set a leader board time, or simply go at your own pace and soak it all in. With recommended refreshment stops at top-rated pubs/cafes/bars that you can choose to indulge and refresh along the way. There are four stops on this route, all optional; - One third; No-frills cosy local pub emphasising cask beers and single malts, with pie snacks. Or French cafe with classic dishes, espresso & an array of artisanal desserts. - Half way; Cosy pub, dating from 1690, with a low, wood-beamed ceiling and an all-day Scottish/European menu. Or cafe with house-made scones, organic tea & other local specialities served in quaint, historic quarters. - Two thirds; Explore an interesting graveyard or take a break in the namesake pub, a historic local serving cask ales and pub fare. Cafes nearby. - Finish location; Traditional pub, a spacious local serving up cask ales and an extensive menu featuring speciality burgers. Monthly challenges are available for teams to submit pictures/videos of their experience to win cash prizes each month. Links sent in the welcome message and information available on our website. For larger group bookings we recommend splitting up into teams of up to 5-8 people - this helps keep everyone in the team immersed and interacting with the game. Corporate bookings and packages are available, please email us at hello@thesecret.city for more information. Tickets can be used on any day and we have a 'love it or your money back' guarantee, we aim to provide a fantastic day for you! The Secret City awaits.

Edinburgh: Gothic Old Town Exploration Game

10. Edinburgh: Gothic Old Town Exploration Game

Discover Edinburgh’s haunted side and gothic secrets by following clues and solving puzzles on this self-guided exploration game via an app on your phone. With your phone as your guide, explore Edinburgh's old town with your group and uncover its mysteries. After downloading the tour app (instructions found on your confirmation voucher), the game starts at The Mound. From there, simply follow the game route and instructions on the app. Along the route, spot St. Giles' Cathedral, Edinburgh Castle, and other city sights. Get to know the city's cobbled streets and twisting alleyways and all the people who have made them famous. As you solve challenges, the story unfolds and directions on your phone will guide you to the next stop. Enjoy the flexibility to explore at your own pace: pause the game and resume anytime from any location where you paused it. You can play on your own, in a large group, or in several smaller groups that compete against each other and race to the final stop of the game. After approximately 1 to 1.5 hours, the tour will finish at West Bow.

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Frequently asked questions about Edinburgh

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What people are saying about Edinburgh

This was our absolute favorite experience we have ever done! Like an outdoor escape room! HIGHLY RECOMMEND! My husband and I didn’t have cell service so we weren’t able to ask for clues, which made it all the more challenging! We got done in about 3.5 hours without any help. Such a well thought out game, really tested our intellect! Also a great way to see the city. We our raving about it to all of our friends!

Very varied, interesting puzzles that had just the right level of difficulty for us. Sometimes you really had to think longer, but if you then come up with the solution without help, the joy is of course all the greater. The tour takes you to beautiful places and at the same time you learn something about the city. In my opinion the information about the city could be even more. :)

Great fun, took us to parts of Edinburgh we had not seen before but still close to the centre, challenges were the right level for us and the game provided good information along the way!! Would highly recommend!

Good fun and interesting self guided tours with some challenges to get you thinking.

It was fantastic from start to finish. A great way to see this wonderful city.