February 25, 2026

What Is a City Game? Discover a Whole New Way to Explore Amsterdam

Quick Summary

Before diving into the full story, here’s a clear snapshot of the key ideas...

Urban adventures turn the real streets of Amsterdam into a living game board, moving beyond traditional walks to offer an immersive, play-based exploration.
A self-guided format gives you total control, allowing you to solve puzzles and follow clues at your own pace without the need for a guide or a fixed schedule.
Interactive storytelling blends real-world landmarks with fictional mysteries, encouraging players to notice hidden details and secret alleys that most locals and tourists miss.
Simple tools for play are all that’s required, typically just a physical map, a smartphone for messaging, and a sense of curiosity to navigate the challenge.
Team-based discovery makes city games an ideal outing for friends, families, or work groups, fostering shared problem-solving and a renewed sense of wonder in the city.

City games are not just a walk through the city, they're urban adventures that turn real streets into a living game board. In Amsterdam, this concept is growing. Locals and travelers are choosing to play city games to explore hidden corners, solve puzzles, and discover stories behind familiar places.

This article explains everything you need to know about city games: what they are, how they work, and why playing one in Amsterdam might be your next favorite outing. If you're looking to explore the city differently (without a guide, without a schedule) and still get a full, fun, and interactive experience, you're in the right place.

Table of Contents

What is a City Game and How Does It Work?

At Sherlocked, we see the city as the world’s largest escape room, and every brick, bridge, and back alley could be a clue. A city game is a self-guided tour that mixes exploration, storytelling, and puzzles. You’re not just sightseeing, you’re playing. The game allows you to follow clues, solve mysteries, and unlock secrets across the city.

Unlike traditional tours, city games are interactive. You play the game at your own pace, using a map, a smartphone, or printed materials. It's a perfect way to combine urban discovery with fun and challenge. Whether you’re alone, with friends, or on a team outing, a city game is a whole new way to explore a city.

Why Are More People Choosing City Games in Amsterdam?

Amsterdam is a unique city full of hidden gems, winding canals, and secret spots. It’s a playground for exploration. That makes it the perfect place for a City Game. Whether you're visiting or already live here, playing a City Game in Amsterdam helps you discover the city in ways no normal tour could.

Many visitors follow the same checklist: museums, canals, bikes; but a City Game lets you go beyond the typical. You get to uncover hidden stories, secret alleys, and places even locals miss.

What Makes a City Game Different From a Tour?

Tours are often passive. A guide talks, and you follow. In a city game, you’re in control. You make decisions, explore locations, and solve clues. It’s a more active way to engage with the city, more like role-playing games than sightseeing.

It’s also self-guided. You don’t require a guide or a group. You don’t even have to book a specific time. This flexibility is part of what makes the experience feel like your own urban adventure.

What Do You Need to Play a City Game?

Most city games are designed to be easy to start. You typically need:

A map or printed materials
A smartphone with messaging (like WhatsApp)
Comfortable shoes

Some games use apps, others are map-based. You won’t require GPS or fancy downloads unless the game specifically says so. The tools are simple, and the challenge comes from the puzzles and decisions you’ll face as a player.

Can You Play a City Game as a Team?

Yes, and it’s even more fun that way; city games are a great team activity. You’ll need teamwork to solve clues and uncover secrets. Each player can take on a role (navigator, puzzle solver, clue tracker, etc) just like in real escape rooms.

This makes city games perfect for friends, families, couples, or even work groups. It’s a team building activity without the boring parts.

What Kinds of Stories Can You Discover?

City games come in all themes, each offering a unique way to get to know the city. Some are historical, some are fictional, some are based on real events. In Amsterdam, you might:

Follow a trail of a stolen invention
Escape a mysterious society
Solve a canal-side mystery
Discover forgotten locations from the city’s past

Each game blends puzzles with real-world landmarks to create an immersive and memorable outing.

What Is Atlantis Protocol 🔱?

a vintage map of a city use during a city game in Amsterdam

Atlantis Protocol is Sherlocked’s latest city game in Amsterdam. We designed this adventure for anyone looking to explore the city in a different way, something that mixes a day out in the city with a light mystery game.

A centuries-old protocol has been activated, and only you can stop the disaster. You’ll walk the city, follow a map, chat with Noa (a mysterious archivist), and unravel clues to save the city.

This game combines urban exploration with storytelling, puzzles, and mystery. There’s no app, no GPS, and no time limit. You just need the map, WhatsApp, and curiosity.

Where Do These Games Take Place?

City games are played in real locations: streets, alleys, squares, and parks. Some may take you to major landmarks. Others lead you to places you’ve never noticed. One clue might be carved into a wall, another painted on a hidden door.

Because the city is the setting, you get to explore a unique city like Amsterdam in a way that feels more active and personal than a typical tour.

Who Should Try a City Game in Amsterdam?

Anyone who wants to discover Amsterdam differently. Whether you're:

A traveler who wants to explore the city at your own pace
A local looking for something new
A group of friends after a fun outing
A couple on a playful date
A family wanting a shared challenge

City games are designed for all kinds of players. No prior knowledge needed. Just curiosity and the will to explore.

Tips for Getting the Most from Your City Game

Dress comfortably: You’ll walk a lot.
Keep your map safe: It’s your lifeline.
Choose a team leader: Especially if you're using a chat-based game.
Take your time: There’s no rush.
Use your eyes: Clues hide in plain sight.
Stay curious: That’s the secret ingredient.

The streets are waiting, the clues are in place, and the clock is already ticking. Are you ready to play?