Bologna2h 30m
TOP Bologna : Private guided tour with your mobile
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/ person
1 / 6Bologna Self-Guided Sherlock Holmes Murder Mystery Game
Bologna, Italy
Adventure ToursCity ToursCultural ToursEscape GameWalking Tours
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About this activity
Solve a Sherlock Holmes-themed murder mystery while exploring Bologna's streets in this self-guided detective game. Using the Loquiz app on your phone, you'll hunt for clues, decode puzzles, and unravel a crime story at your own pace—turning the city itself into an interactive playground.
Bologna sets you off at the Palazzo d'Accursio on Piazza Maggiore, with porticoes running away from the square in every direction. The route works east under the arcades towards the Torre degli Asinelli and the Torre Prendiparte, then south to Piazza Santo Stefano. Played as a self-guided murder mystery game, it uses the old centre as the ground to search.
Almost all of the walking is under cover, which makes Bologna a sound choice in rain or heat for families with children, groups of friends, couples and colleagues, and for anyone playing alone. Teams are up to four people reading from one phone, so a larger party arrives as two or three teams. There is no guide keeping you together and no set departure, and the arcades give you somewhere to stand while you argue about an answer.
How to play
The practical side is short and runs entirely through an app.
- Book the City Game
- Check the instructions email
- Download the Loquiz app
- Start playing whenever you like
The case is the murder of Balthasar. Codes have to be broken, photographs taken at named spots and the accounts of digital characters set side by side. Near the Palazzo Malvezzi de' Medici and the Monumento a Marco Minghetti the story stops adding up, and each solved puzzle cuts the list of suspects.
Put two teams on the same route and it becomes a race, which is why it stands up as a teambuilding activity as well as an afternoon out. Pause for a meal, return to the trail, and settle the case under the arcades of Bologna.
Highlights
- ✓Story-driven mystery with plot twists and hidden clues woven into Bologna's landmarks
- ✓Self-paced gameplay: start anytime on your chosen date, no fixed schedule
- ✓One ticket covers 1–4 people on a single device; ideal for groups or solo players
- ✓Easy difficulty level suitable for families with children
- ✓Combines sightseeing with puzzle-solving for a unique city exploration experience
Insider tips
- ★Play in a small group of 2–3 for the best discussion and problem-solving dynamic; too many voices can slow progress
- ★Start in the morning or early afternoon to give yourselves 2 uninterrupted hours and avoid getting caught in evening crowds
- ★Keep your phone charged and bring a portable battery; the game relies on constant app navigation
- ★Read the instructions email carefully before downloading Loquiz to avoid confusion on game day
Good to know
- •Booking covers one ticket per group (up to 4 people per device); larger groups need multiple tickets
- •Requires smartphone with Loquiz app installed (download before starting for offline access where possible)
- •Gameplay involves walking through city streets; wear comfortable shoes and check weather before you go
- •No fixed meeting point or guide—you control when and where you start within your selected date
Who it's for
Friends and groups looking for a novel team-building or social activityFamilies with children (easy difficulty appeals to kids and adults)Solo travelers seeking interactive city exploration without a guideMystery and puzzle enthusiasts who want a gamified sightseeing experience
Best time to visit
Play during daylight hours (morning or early afternoon) to easily spot clues around the city. Avoid peak tourist times or rainy weather, which can make reading clues on your phone screen harder.
Frequently asked questions
Available
From€20
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