Amersfoort City Center: Self-Guided Puzzle Walking Tour

Summary

Explore Amersfoort city center with a playful puzzle walk

You’ll wander through Amersfoort’s medieval streets solving quirky riddles on your own schedule—no guide needed, just your phone and some curiosity. Expect laughs over tricky clues, glimpses into hidden corners (like Muurhuizen and Mondriaan’s birthplace), and that small thrill when you finally crack each puzzle together. It’s a playful way to see the city that sticks with you long after you finish.

What’s the experience like?

We stepped under the Kamperbinnenpoort just as the bells from Sint-Joriskerk chimed—kind of dramatic timing for the start of our Outside Escape game in Amersfoort. I’d never done a city tour like this before, where you’re basically following clues on your phone and arguing (in a good way) about which side street to try next. The air smelled faintly of fresh bread from somewhere nearby, and I kept getting distracted by the canal reflections while my friend tried to decode the first riddle. She’s better at puzzles—I’m more of a “let’s just peek around that corner” type.

The main keyword here is “self-guided walking tour,” but honestly it felt more like we were in some kind of low-key detective movie, except with less danger and more laughter. At one point, we ended up outside Mondriaan’s old school—there’s a museum there now—and I tried to pronounce his name properly. Li laughed when I tried to say it in Dutch; probably butchered it. We wandered past those houses built into the old city walls (Muurhuizen), which looked like something out of a storybook, all uneven bricks and little windows peeking out over cobblestones.

I didn’t expect to get so caught up in the story behind the puzzles—a Mondriaan maniac threatening to flood the city? It sounds silly but after an hour or so, you start noticing blue everywhere: painted shutters, someone’s scarf, even the sky breaking through gray clouds. The route isn’t long (about 2.5 km), but we stopped often—sometimes for coffee, sometimes just because someone spotted an odd statue or wanted to check out art near city hall. Nobody rushed us; that was part of what made it fun.

By the time we reached Onze Lieve Vrouwetoren (“Lange Jan”), my phone buzzed with congratulations—we’d solved it all before lunch. There was this moment where we just stood there looking up at that tower, feeling oddly proud and also kind of hungry. I still think about how different Amersfoort felt after seeing it this way—like we’d been let in on some local secret, even if half the time we were just guessing our way forward.

Step-by-step itinerary

Day 1 — Explore Amersfoort Highlights

• Main shopping street and canal arches
• Mondriaan birthplace and museum
• Houses built into old city walls
• Kamperbinnenpoort old city gate
• Sint-Joriskerk church visit
• Historic square with bars and well
• Modern art and cultural history museum
• Koppelpoort land and water gate
• Amersfoort city hall and art
• Onze Lieve Vrouwetoren church tower

Top questions

How long does the Amersfoort self-guided puzzle tour take?

The tour takes around 2 hours to complete.

Is this Outside Escape game suitable for children?

It’s best for ages 15+, but younger kids can join with supervision.

Do I need to book a specific time for this walking tour?

No set time—you can start your adventure whenever you choose.

How many people can play together on this tour?

The game works well for teams of up to 5–6 players.

Is the route wheelchair accessible?

Yes, all areas and surfaces are wheelchair accessible.

What do I need to bring for the self-guided tour?

You’ll need a smartphone with mobile data access.

Are service animals allowed on this walking tour?

Yes, service animals are allowed during the tour.

Does this Amersfoort tour include any entry fees?

No extra fees are charged during the tour; everything is included online.

What’s included

Your day includes detailed online instructions packed with riddles and hints—no extra fees or tickets needed along the way. You’ll use your own smartphone as your guide and can start whenever suits you best; there’s no fixed schedule or group size limit within reason. All routes are accessible for wheelchairs and strollers too, so everyone can join in comfortably.