Bridges, basilicas and a gate called Hell: Maastricht in riddles
The Maastricht scavenger hunt is a self-guided city game you play on your phone: you walk from landmark to landmark, solve a riddle at each one by looking closely at what is in front of you, and unlock the stories and legends behind it. From the bridge to the park beneath the medieval walls it is 2.6 km, which adds up to some 36 minutes on your feet across 10 stops, and with each riddle and story the game stretches to about 2 hours, starting at a moment of your own choosing.
Highlights include the medieval Sint Servaasbrug over the Maas, the City Hall on the Markt, a Gothic Dominican church that now holds a bookshop, the Vrijthof with the Basilica of Saint Servatius, the Basilica of Our Lady and the Helpoort, the oldest surviving city gate in the Netherlands. The old town is compact and flat, so the walks between stops are short and lead through quiet lanes and squares.
- Durationabout 2 hours
- Walkingabout 36 min · 2.6 km
- Stops10
- LanguagesEnglish, German, French, Italian, Spanish, Dutch
Playing your way from the Maas to the old ramparts
A double staircase and a fortress-like church
Each stop sets a riddle drawn from what stands in front of you: the two flights of steps on the City Hall, the vaults over the bookshop in the Dominican church, the almost windowless westwork of the Basilica of Our Lady. Sharp observation gets you to the answer, and the clues never assume you already know the city.
Saint Servatius, Spanish rulers and gas lamps
Behind every answer is a story: the bishop said to have died here in 384 and buried under his basilica, the Spanish Government building recalling centuries of Habsburg rule, and Jan Pieter Minckelers, whose experiments with lighting gas earned him a statue on the Markt. Anyone who would rather listen than read can leave all of this to the audio narration.
Over the Maas, then south
Walking makes up about 36 minutes of the game, on the flat streets of the old town: over the Maas, through the squares, south past the basilicas to the Helpoort and into the Stadspark. Google Maps shows the way between stops, often through quiet lanes.
Vlaai, terraces and time out
Nothing runs on a clock, so take a seat on a Vrijthof terrace, try a slice of Limburg vlaai or browse the books under the Dominican vaults, then continue later or another day. Your progress stays saved at the stop where you left off.
See the route and attractions →
How it works
- Book online Choose the number of players. Your booking reference arrives by email straight away.
- Get the app Download the World City Trail app from the App Store or Google Play and enter your booking reference.
- Play when you like Start whenever you are ready, walk at your own pace and pause any time. No guide, no fixed schedule.
Weekenders, students, families and teams in Limburg's capital
A Saturday in the south
Maastricht is a favourite for short breaks from the Netherlands, Belgium and Germany alike, and this game covers its bridge, two basilicas, the Vrijthof and the oldest city gate in the country in about 2 hours. It works well as an introduction before shopping or dinner.
Young gatekeepers
Kids like walking through the narrow passage between the Helpoort's two round towers, studying the sculpted group of children on the way and spotting the double staircase on the Markt. Every team plays with an adult, and the level ground makes the 2.6 km easy going.
Student societies and team days
Freshers' groups, departments and colleagues form teams of up to 5, each member following the game on their own phone, and leave the Sint Servaasbrug at intervals. The Stadspark at the finish has room for everyone to gather, and the whole route uses public space.
Good to know
- Bring a charged smartphone with mobile data; a power bank helps.
- No entry tickets needed: everything happens outside the buildings. Going inside is optional and paid separately.
- Family friendly; children must be accompanied by an adult.
- Not suitable for wheelchair users and difficult with strollers.
- Teams of up to 5 work best; bigger groups split into several teams, one ticket per player.
- Every purchase helps support stray cats and dogs in Greece.
Stefan (verified owner) –
Trevor Warry (verified owner) –
Very engaging, great puzzles and a great guide to the city in a fun way.