Gouda: Self-Guided Scavenger Hunt City Game on Your Phone

Summary

Playful city game in Gouda with clues, stories and surprises

You’ll explore Gouda at your own pace with a playful scavenger hunt city game on your phone. Expect quirky clues, local trivia, and plenty of time to pause for snacks or photos. Every stop is yours to linger over — so you’ll notice details most visitors miss.

What’s the experience like?

“If you get lost, just follow the smell of cheese,” the woman at the bakery joked as she handed us stroopwafels. I didn’t expect to start our day trip in Gouda like that, but it set the tone — friendly, kind of quirky, nobody in a rush. We’d downloaded the scavenger hunt app right outside the old Stadhuis (which looks even more like a fairytale castle in person). No guide waving an umbrella or hurrying us along — just my partner, me, and our phones buzzing with new challenges every few minutes.

The city game had us zig-zagging through little alleyways and across Markt square, sometimes pausing so long by a statue that a local cyclist gave us a funny look. One clue led us past a cheese shop where we could actually smell the wheels aging inside — nutty, sharp. The app would ping and ask things like “Find the window with blue shutters” or give us random trivia about Gouda’s history (I had no idea about their candle tradition). Sometimes we’d argue over which street was which on the GPS map — not always gracefully — but somehow that made it better. You can stop for coffee or fries whenever you want; nobody cares if you take an hour detour for lunch.

I liked how relaxed it felt. There was no pressure to finish fast or get every answer right (we definitely missed a couple). It’s not really about “winning” — more about noticing small things: church bells echoing down narrow lanes, kids chasing pigeons on the square, someone laughing in Dutch behind us. We finished when we felt like it and sat outside with one last stroopwafel as the sun started dropping behind those pointy rooftops. I still think about that view sometimes.

Step-by-step itinerary

Day 1 — Self-guided city game in Gouda

• Log in to city game app
• Start the self-guided tour
• Use GPS to find squares and streets
• Answer questions about locations
• Complete search assignments
• Discover facts about Gouda
• Pause or stop tour anytime

Top questions

How does the Gouda scavenger hunt work?

You download an app after booking and use your phone to follow clues around Gouda at your own pace.

Is this city game suitable for families?

Yes, it’s family-friendly and works well for groups up to 6 people.

Do I need to book a specific time?

No fixed start time — you can play whenever you want after booking.

Is there a guide during the tour?

No live guide; everything is done through the self-guided app on your smartphone.

Can I take breaks during the scavenger hunt?

Yes, you decide when to start, pause or stop during your city game experience.

Is Gouda’s scavenger hunt accessible for wheelchairs?

Yes, all areas and surfaces are wheelchair accessible according to tour info.

Are instructions provided after booking?

Yes, clear instructions for starting are sent once you book.

What do I need to bring?

A smartphone with internet access is needed to play the city game app.

What’s included

Your booking includes full access to the self-guided city trail via an easy-to-use online app for up to 6 people. All instructions arrive after booking so you can start any time that suits you best — just bring your phone along and enjoy exploring Gouda together at your own rhythm.