Hasselt City Game: Self-Guided Scavenger Hunt with App

Summary

Explore Hasselt’s streets & stories with a playful city game

You’ll wander through Hasselt solving clues on your phone, tasting gin at the museum, pausing under cathedral bells, and drifting through gardens at your own pace. With no guide hurrying you along, every stop feels personal — whether you’re laughing over missed clues or sharing fries in Grote Markt. It’s a playful way to meet Hasselt that lingers long after you close the app.

What’s the experience like?

Trying to balance my phone in one hand and a half-eaten stroopwafel in the other, I realized this wasn’t going to be your usual city stroll. The scavenger hunt app had just buzzed me toward the Gin Museum — honestly, I didn’t even know gin was such a big deal here. Inside, it smelled like old wood and something sharp and herbal; the woman at the counter grinned when I fumbled my Dutch. She handed me a tiny sample glass (not sure if that’s part of the game or just Belgian hospitality) and told me to “taste history.” I did, and yeah, it burned a little but in a good way.

The best bit about this Hasselt city game is you’re not stuck on anyone else’s schedule. We wandered past St. Quintinus Cathedral just as the bells went off — loud enough to make us laugh and cover our ears for a second. The app nudged us toward the Japanese Garden next, which was honestly peaceful after all the city noise; there was this faint smell of wet grass and cherry blossoms (or maybe that’s wishful thinking). A couple sat quietly by the pond, feeding koi — didn’t seem like they were playing any game but maybe they’d cracked some secret level.

I got stumped by one clue near the old beguinage ruins — had to ask an older man who was walking his dog if he knew what “Virga Jesse” meant. He shrugged, smiled, pointed at the basilica down the street, then said something about miracles. Not sure if he meant religious ones or just surviving Belgian weather without an umbrella. Either way, we kept moving — sometimes pausing for coffee or to peek into shop windows (the mannequins in Modemuseum are weirdly stylish). The whole day felt loose and unscripted; nobody telling us when to move on or what facts to memorize.

I still think about how easy it was to get lost in little side streets or end up sitting too long in Grote Markt watching people go by. The city trail doesn’t rush you — you can stop for fries or let kids run wild at Plopsa Indoor Hasselt if you want (we did both). By sunset my feet hurt but I’d seen more than I expected, and somehow learned bits of Hasselt’s story without even trying too hard.

Step-by-step itinerary

Day 1 — Explore Hasselt's Highlights

• A visit to the Gin Museum
• Visit the 18th-century basilica with Mary of Jesse statue
• See St. Quintinus Cathedral in Hasselt center
• Explore Modemuseum Hasselt in a 17th-century building
• Visit Plopsa Indoor Hasselt theme park
• View the new Hasselt Town Hall (Stadskantoor)
• Learn about the oldest beguinage near Virga Jessecollege
• Walk through the Japanese Garden, Europe's largest
• Discover 600 years of women's history at Herkenrode abbey
• Read about Dusart's military history and Congo trip
• Relax at the Grote Markt square with shops and restaurants
• Visit burial chapel and museum of Father Valentinus Paquay
• Explore The Stadsmus and Hasselt's famous inhabitants

Top questions

How does the Hasselt scavenger hunt work?

You use an online app on your smartphone to follow clues around Hasselt at your own pace.

Is there a guide during the city game?

No guide joins you; it's fully self-guided using your phone.

What attractions are included in the scavenger hunt?

You’ll visit places like the Gin Museum, St. Quintinus Cathedral, Japanese Garden, Modemuseum Hasselt, Grote Markt, and more.

Can I start the tour anytime?

Yes, you can start whenever you want after booking since it's self-guided.

Is this suitable for families with children?

Yes, it's family-friendly and even includes stops like Plopsa Indoor Hasselt.

Is it wheelchair accessible?

Yes, all areas and surfaces are wheelchair accessible.

Are public transportation options nearby?

Yes, public transportation is available close to most locations on the route.

How many people can play together?

The city trail is designed for teams of up to 6 people per booking.

What’s included

Your day includes access to an online city game app for up to six people per team—no guide needed—plus all instructions sent after booking so you can start whenever suits you best.