A scavenger hunt is a game in which you follow clues from one place to the next until you reach the end. In a city, the places are real streets, squares and monuments, and the clues make you look closely at things most visitors walk straight past. This guide explains how a city scavenger hunt works, who it suits and how to get the most out of your first one.
What is a scavenger hunt?
A scavenger hunt is a game where players solve a series of clues, and each answer leads them to the next location. The classic version is played at parties or in a garden, with a list of objects to find or notes hidden around the house. Some people call it a treasure hunt; in German it is a Schnitzeljagd, in French a chasse au trésor.
A city scavenger hunt takes the same idea outdoors. Instead of hunting for hidden notes, you walk from landmark to landmark, and at each one you answer a riddle that can only be solved by looking around you: a date carved above a door, the number of statues on a fountain, the animal on a coat of arms. It is part game, part sightseeing walk.
How a city scavenger hunt works
- Book online: you buy one ticket per player and receive a booking reference by email straight away.
- Download the app: install the World City Trail app from the App Store or Google Play and enter your reference. Everyone in the group can follow the game on their own phone.
- Start when you like: there is no guide and no fixed start time. You choose where to begin, and you can change the order of the stops in the app. Navigation between stops runs through Google Maps.
- Solve a riddle at each stop: the riddles are about observation and logic, so you do not need any prior knowledge of the city.
- Hear the stories: once you solve a riddle, the app tells you the history, local legends and fun facts behind the place, with audio narration if you prefer to listen. Along the way you also get tips for local food and shops.
What the riddles are like
The riddles are designed to be solved on the spot. You might need to count, compare two inscriptions, read a plaque or spot a detail on a facade. Nothing requires a search engine or a history degree; it requires paying attention.
Because the game is self-guided, you set the pace. You can stop for coffee or lunch, take photos, pause the game and continue later or even on another day. The ticket has no time limit, so nobody is rushing you.
Scavenger hunt, walking tour or escape game?
- Scavenger hunt: a riddle at each of about ten stops, followed by stories and legends. A good balance of game and sightseeing that works well for families and mixed groups.
- Outdoor escape game: a puzzle at every attraction, with up to three levels of hints if you get stuck. The puzzles are independent of each other rather than part of one storyline. It suits friends and teams who want more of a challenge, and it is best started in daylight.
- Self-guided audio walking tour: stories at each stop and no puzzles at all. Choose it if you simply want the history of a city at your own pace.
Who a city scavenger hunt suits
- Families with children: the riddles give children a reason to look around, and an adult can help with the trickier ones.
- Couples and friends: it is a relaxed way to see a new city together, with a shared goal for the afternoon.
- Teams and colleagues: a scavenger hunt works well as an informal team outing, since the group has to talk, split tasks and decide together.
- Solo travellers: you can play alone, at your own speed, and still come away knowing more than a guidebook would tell you.
Why play a scavenger hunt in a city
A scavenger hunt gives a walk a purpose. Instead of ticking off sights, you look for the small things that make a place interesting, and the stories make more sense because you have just found the clue yourself.
It is also simply good to be outside and on your feet. The game is played entirely outdoors, the stops are seen from public spaces, so no entry tickets are needed, and the walks between them are short. It works in the rain too, though it is more pleasant in dry weather.
Tips for your first scavenger hunt
- Charge your phone and bring a power bank, since the app, maps and audio all run on it.
- Wear comfortable shoes: old towns often mean cobblestones and the odd flight of steps.
- Plan a break: pick a café or lunch spot near the middle of the route, or use the food tips in the app.
- Share the roles: one person navigates, one reads the riddle aloud, one looks for the answer. It keeps everyone involved.
- Keep your progress: after each city you finish, your personal Trail Map collects the city, the kilometres you walked and a new flag.
Frequently asked questions
Do I need to know the city to play?
No. The riddles are solved by looking at what is in front of you, and the app shows you the way between stops with Google Maps.
Can we pause and continue later?
Yes. You can stop at any point and pick up where you left off later that day or on another day. The ticket has no time limit.
Is a scavenger hunt suitable for children?
Yes. Children enjoy spotting details and finding the answers, and younger ones can play together with an adult who helps with the harder riddles.
Do we need tickets for museums or monuments?
No. All stops are seen from the outside or from public spaces, so the game itself needs no entry tickets.
Try a scavenger hunt in your next city
World City Trail has scavenger hunts, outdoor escape games and audio walking tours in cities across Europe and beyond. Pick a city, book online and start whenever it suits you.
Choose your city and start exploring →
Facts checked in October 2026.