Faro Self-Guided Sherlock Holmes Murder Mystery Game

The trail begins at the Câmara Municipal de Faro, on the square inside the old walled town, and from there it runs through the lanes and out towards the water. On foot you pass Faro Cathedral, go under the Arco da Vila and come out along the quays at Faro Marina. This is a self-guided murder mystery game: no room, no actors, only the streets and the phone in your hand.

The old quarter is small and level, so the walking is easy for families with children, groups of friends and colleagues on a day out, and it works just as well on your own. A team is up to four people sharing one phone; larger groups buy extra tickets and split up, which usually means two teams comparing notes near the harbour afterwards. Nobody guides you and nothing starts at a set hour.

How to play

Everything runs through your phone, in four steps.

1. Book the City Game
2. Check the instructions email
3. Download the Loquiz app
4. Start playing whenever you like

The case is the murder of Balthasar. Statements from digital characters pile up as you walk, and coded messages and photo tasks let you test them: a cipher near the Arco do Repouso, a picture to line up in front of the Municipal Museum of Faro, an alibi that stops making sense once two accounts are set side by side. Each puzzle you solve takes another name off the list of suspects.

With several teams out at the same time it becomes a competition, which is what makes this a workable teambuilding activity as well as an afternoon out. You can stop for a drink and pick the case up again afterwards, and the last answer may as easily be found by the Igreja do Carmo as anywhere else in Faro.