Italy>Padua>Hidden Magic: The Secret World of Padua
City exploration game

Hidden Magic: The Secret World of Padua

4.18Player rating
Play at your pace · usually 142 min 3 km Padua App-guided
Play in
EnglishGermanSpanishItalian

The experience

About this quest

Padua isn’t just a city—it’s a well-kept secret in the supernatural world. Legend says it's the first place where magic was woven into everyday life: taught in classrooms, used in jobs, hidden in plain sight. But if that’s true, how has no one ever proven it?

Now, as your flight descends over golden rooftops and ancient piazzas, you know one thing: you won’t leave without answers. Step into Padua’s enchanting streets, where nothing is ever quite what it seems. Solve real-world puzzles, follow mysterious clues, and explore historic corners where the line between normal and magical begins to blur.

Perfect to share with friends or family, this walking adventure is a journey of curiosity, discovery, and connection. The magic is out there—will you be the one to find it?

Is this for you?

Who it's for

Families with school-age children and couples who like puzzles can follow a story about a secret school of magic through Padua, from Prato della Valle past the Basilica of Saint Anthony to Bo Palace. Fans of wizard fantasy get clues to crack at each stop over about two hours. Anyone wanting a live guide to quiz, or unable to manage 3 km on foot, should choose something else.

What makes this quest special

Highlights

  • Admire one of the biggest squares in Europe in all its glory

  • Learn about the legend surrounding the origins of the city

  • Inhale the history coming from the walls of one of the most ancient universities in the world

  • Find out the history behind historical names and symbols scattered around the city

  • Observe the most ancient mechanical astronomical clock ever of this kind, still working

From people who played this quest

Good times. In their words.

4.18 / 5

249 player ratings

Selected player reviews. Original words and ratings.

From your phone to the streets

A walk that turns into an adventure.

  1. 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. 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. 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 quest
No booking slot · play any dayFull refund until you start playing
Players exploring the city together

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.

Team vs team

Use your own phones and join a team. Any teammate’s answer advances everyone. Beat the other teams on the leaderboard.

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

Padua

A · Start

Prato della Valle, 35141 Padova PD, Italy

B · Finish

Via VIII Febbraio, 2, 35122 Padova PD, Italy

Get directions to the start

Start and finish only. Discover the stops as you play.

The people behind the adventure

Created by Veronica Miotto.

A route that brings places and playful storytelling together.

Made by Veronica Miotto

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

What will we see in Padua on this walk?
The route takes in Prato della Valle, the Basilica of Saint Anthony, the Tomb of Antenor, the Jewish Ghetto, the Astronomic Clock Tower in Piazza dei Signori, Canton delle Busie, Palazzo della Ragione, the Colonna del Peronio, Pedrocchi Café and Bo Palace, a good one-day look at the historic centre.
Where does the quest start and finish?
It starts at Prato della Valle and finishes at Bo Palace. It is not a loop, so you end in a different spot from where you began, right in the centre near Pedrocchi Café and the market squares.
How long does it take and how far do we walk?
Most players take about two hours, including walking and solving the puzzles. The route covers around 3 km through the centre of Padua. You can pause along the way and continue later, so there is no need to rush.
Is it good for kids?
Yes, it is recommended for families and suits school-age children who enjoy puzzles and a story about secret magic. The clues are set in the real places in front of you, so children stay involved as you move from stop to stop.
Can we play as a group, and do we need to book a time?
One ticket covers the whole group playing together. There is no set time and no group to join, so you can start whenever you like. It is best played during the day, when the streets and landmarks are easy to see.

FANTASY ADVENTURE IN PADUA

A story adventure played through Padua

Hidden Magic: The Secret World of Padua is for players who want a fantasy, folklore or adventure story tied to a real-world route in Padua. It works best when the story and puzzles matter as much as the walk.

The route starts at Prato della Valle and finishes at Bo Palace over 3 km, with 10 challenge locations. Typical duration: 142 min; 3 km walking route; 10 challenge locations

Choose this for a self-guided story mission outdoors. Choose a venue attraction when a contained indoor experience matters more. Playable languages: English, German, Italian, Spanish.

Your next story starts outside.

Your next adventure is an app away.

Get the Questo app. Pick a quest, follow the clues and make the city your playground.

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