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
Einstein's Zurich: The Boy Who Walked With Time
4.58Player rating
A DIFFERENT WAY TO SEE THE CITY
Play at your pace · usually 54 min 1.6 km Zürich App-guided
Play in
EnglishFrenchGermanItalian
The experience
About this quest
Zurich, 1884. You are Marcel, a curious 6-year-old spending your summer near St. Peter’s Church. But today, the clock has stopped, thunder rumbles in the distance, and a strange man with kind eyes and a violin asks for your help.
You guide him through the city’s cobblestone streets, unaware that he’s Albert Einstein—long before he’ll change the world. As you walk, he teaches you to question time itself, solve mind-bending puzzles, and see the universe in a new light.
This walking adventure is a story of wonder, science, and connection—perfect for families and curious minds. But beware: by the end, you might discover that the greatest mystery… is you.
Is this for you?
Who it's for
Families with primary-school children and science-minded visitors can follow a story set in 1884, guiding a kind stranger with a violin, who turns out to be Albert Einstein, from St Peter to ETH. Allow about 1.5 hours for 1.6 km of cobbled streets and puzzles about time that children can follow. Anyone hoping to quiz a live guide on physics, or planning to walk after dark, should choose another walk.
What makes this quest special
Highlights
Get to explore Einstein’s favorite spots in the city
Check out important edifices, such as the home of King of Franks or a major Swiss bank
Learn from Einstein’s teachings, explained and demonstrated along the way
Find out more about Einstein’s life
From people who played this quest
Good times. In their words.
4.58 / 5
626 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
Zürich
A · Start
St. Peterhofstatt 1, 8001 Zürich, Switzerland
B · Finish
Leonhardstrasse 36, 8001 Zürich, Switzerland
Start and finish only. Discover the stops as you play.
Along the way
Landmarks & Hidden Gems Included
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
- Kid friendly
A little clarity before you go
Frequently asked questions
Where does the Einstein walk in Zurich start and finish?
It starts at St Peter and finishes at ETH, so it does not return to the start. In between you pass Veltlinerkeller, Paradeplatz, Fraumünster Church, Das Haus zum Loch, Napfbrunnen, Leninwohnung and the Sunclock, in that order.
Does the route show where Einstein studied in Zurich?
Yes. The walk is built around the places where Einstein studied and lived in Zurich, and it ends at ETH. Along the way the story has him teaching young Marcel to question time itself.
How long does it take and how far is it?
Most players take around 1.5 hours, including walking and solving the puzzles. The route covers about 1.6 km through the city centre, and it is best played during the day.
Is it suitable for children?
Yes, it is tagged kid friendly and suits primary-school children best. You play as Marcel, a curious 6-year-old, and the story and puzzles are told so children can follow along while adults enjoy the science and history.
Can we play as a group, and do we need to book a time?
One ticket covers the whole group playing together on a phone. There is no set time to book and no group to join: start whenever you like, and pause and continue later if you need a break.
What’s the story here?
You play as Marcel, a curious 6-year-old in 1884. One stormy day you meet a mysterious violinist—young Albert Einstein—who needs help to “walk with time.” Together you’ll wander through Zurich, crack fun puzzles, and see the city through a kid’s eyes.
Who will love it?
Great for families with curious kids, couples looking for something relaxed and different, or anyone who likes science, history, and a bit of magic mixed in.
Is this fun for a date?
Yep. It’s sweet and a little nerdy—in a good way. You can solve puzzles side by side, enjoy quiet old streets, and maybe grab coffee or ice cream after.
Keep exploring
Every quest. One year.
Explore the annual passGive them a story
A day out, gifted.
Explore Questo giftsKeep exploring Zürich
More adventures in Zürich
Einstein context
A city central to Einstein’s education and early career
Albert Einstein studied at the Zürich Polytechnic, later ETH Zürich, and maintained important personal and professional connections with the city. His years in Switzerland included the education and relationships that preceded his best-known scientific work. The time-walking boy belongs to the quest fiction; Einstein’s Zürich connections are documented history. Playable languages: German, English, French, Italian.
