Team vs team
Use your own phones and join a team. Any teammate’s answer advances everyone. Beat the other teams on the leaderboard.
City exploration game
Canals of Amsterdam: Wonders of The City
4.28Player rating
A DIFFERENT WAY TO SEE THE CITY
Play at your pace · usually 105 min 2.4 km Amsterdam App-guided
Play in
English
The experience
About this quest
Play a city game while you follow clues and solve creative riddles to discover the hidden stories behind the architecture of the houses in Amsterdam, the Western Church, the old bridges, the beguinage, and finally, the very heart and soul of Amsterdam: Dam Square.
Are you ready to explore Amsterdam’ winding canals?
Is this for you?
Who it's for
This 2.4 km loop starts and ends on Dam Square, passing the Begijnhof, the 9 Streets, Westerkerk and Torensluis bridge, with riddles set in the canal house facades. First-time visitors, couples and families who want the canals on foot by day get 1.5 to 2 hours of stories and puzzles. If you would rather see the canals from a boat or after dark, a cruise suits you better.
What makes this quest special
Highlights
Visit the oldest bridge in Amsterdam
Visit the historical residences of the most famous philosophers of all time
Find out why Amsterdam’s houses lean forward and search for one of the smallest houses in the city
Discover one of the oldest and the smallest bar/cafés tucked away in the centre of Amsterdam
From people who played this quest
Good times. In their words.
4.28 / 5
118 player ratings
Selected player reviews. Original words and ratings.
Most relevant starts with detailed five-star reviews. All ratings remain available.
From your phone to the streets
A walk that turns into an adventure.
- 1
Open the app. You’re on your way.
Choose your pass, then open your quest in the Questo app. It guides you from the starting point.
- 2
Get outside. Follow your curiosity.
Discover real places and their stories on foot. Stop for a coffee or a photo, then pick up where you left off.
- 3
Crack a clue. Share a little victory.
Look around for answers, solve puzzles and enjoy the “we got it!” moments.
CHOOSE YOUR PASS
How many are playing?
Get this questNo booking slot · play any dayFull refund until you start playing
BRING YOUR WHOLE GROUP
One city. Rival teams. Great stories together.
A school trip, a team day or friends out together. Turn your next outing into a little friendly competition.
Everyone for themselves
One player per phone. Solve clues on your own and race for the top spot on the final leaderboard.
Can a team share one phone?
Yes. Play together on one phone per team, or use your own phones and join the same team in the app. We recommend your own phones so everyone can take part.
Your walk, at a glance
Amsterdam
A · Start
Dam, 1012 Amsterdam, Netherlands
B · Finish
Kalverstraat 92, 1012 PH Amsterdam, Netherlands
Start and finish only. Discover the stops as you play.
The people behind the adventure
Created by Marc Schot.
A route that brings places and playful storytelling together.
Made by Marc Schot
WHAT MAKES A QUEST DIFFERENT
Your adventure, with a playful twist.
1 / 4
Experience
- This quest
- Discover places through stories and clues in the app
- Guided walking tour
- Hear stories and ask a guide questions
2 / 4
Pace
- This quest
- Pause for a photo, a café or a longer look
- Guided walking tour
- Usually follows the guide’s schedule
3 / 4
Company
- This quest
- Explore with your own people or on your own
- Guided walking tour
- Private and shared group tours are available
4 / 4
Guidance
- This quest
- Directions and challenges in the Questo app
- Guided walking tour
- Live interpretation from a guide
Features and terms vary by experience. Check the details before booking.
Good to know before you play
- Best during the day
- Best for couples
- Recommended activity for families
A little clarity before you go
Frequently asked questions
Where does the canal walk start and finish?
It starts at Dam Square and loops back there at the end, so you finish where you began. On the way you pass the Amsterdam Museum, Felix Meritis, the Forward Leaning House, the Begijnhof, the 9 Streets, Westerkerk, Descartes House, the Homomonument and the Torensluis bridge.
How long does it take and how far is it?
The route covers about 2.4 km, and most people take around 1.5 to 2 hours, including time to read the stories and solve the riddles. You can pause whenever you like, for a coffee in the 9 Streets for example, and carry on later.
Is it a good activity for kids?
It is tagged as a recommended activity for families. Children old enough to read clues and enjoy riddles will get the most from it, since each puzzle is hidden in the houses, bridges and churches in front of you. The distance is modest, though very young children may tire.
Do we need to book a time, and can we play as a group?
There is no time slot to book. You start whenever suits you, with no guide and no other groups, and one ticket covers your whole group. It is best played during the day, when the facades and details the riddles rely on are easy to see.
What is Dam Square in Amsterdam?
The quest calls Dam Square the heart and soul of Amsterdam. It is where the walk begins and also its final stop, reached after the route has taken you past canal house architecture, the old bridges, the Westerkerk and the Begijnhof, so the story closes in the square.
Is Canals of Amsterdam: Wonders of The City self-guided?
Yes. The Questo app guides you between locations without a tour guide or fixed departure. You can start when it suits you and pause if needed.
Where does Canals of Amsterdam: Wonders of The City start and finish?
It starts at Dam Square, Dam, 1012 Amsterdam, Netherlands and finishes at Amsterdam Museum, Kalverstraat 92, 1012 PH Amsterdam, Netherlands. The route is approximately 2.4 km and includes 11 location-based puzzles.
How many accesses does our group need?
This classic quest sells access per device and player. Each person who wants to solve clues on their own phone needs their own access.
Keep exploring
Every quest. One year.
Explore the annual passGive them a story
A day out, gifted.
Explore Questo giftsKeep exploring Amsterdam
More adventures in Amsterdam
Amsterdam canal context
A planned water system that reshaped the city
Amsterdam’s main canal ring was developed during the 17th century as the city expanded, combining transport, drainage, defense and prestigious new building plots. The concentric waterways and narrow canal houses now form a UNESCO World Heritage area. This quest follows that real urban design through a fictional puzzle story rather than treating the canals as scenery alone. Playable languages: English.
