Gijon Self-Guided Sherlock Holmes Murder Mystery Game

The main appeal here is simple: Gijón becomes your crime-solving board. From Plaza Mayor, you follow phone-based clues, visit selected locations, meet digital characters, and work through the murder of Balthasar at your own pace.

I like the flexible start time, since you can fit the game around lunch, a museum visit, or a free afternoon. I also like the low group price, $31.07 for up to four people, which works out to less than $8 each for a full two-hour activity. The catch is that this is a game first and a city tour second. You should not expect a guide, detailed information about Gijón, or puzzles built closely around local history.

Key points at a glance

• Start at Plaza Mayor: The game begins and ends at Gijón’s central square.
• Solve Balthasar’s murder: The story supplies the reason to keep moving through the puzzles.
• Use the Loquiz app: You need a smartphone or another compatible device to play.
• Play in a small group: One ticket covers one to four people, with larger groups buying extra tickets.
• Expect easy difficulty: Families with children can take part without facing an expert-level mystery.
• Choose your language: Written instructions are available in Spanish, English, German, French, Italian, and Dutch.

A Sherlock Holmes case that uses Gijón as the board

This is a self-guided city game rather than a walking tour with a person leading the way. After booking, you receive instructions by email, download the Loquiz app, and begin the case when you choose on your selected date.

The central story concerns the murder of Balthasar. You follow a sequence of clues and tasks that sends you to different places around Gijón. At each stage, the app moves the story forward and presents another puzzle, code, character, or challenge.

That structure works well for a group that likes to solve problems together. One person can read the story, another can watch the map, and others can test theories or look for the next clue. The game is designed for up to four people per device, so the group stays small enough for everyone to take part.

You can also play alone. The easy difficulty makes that realistic, although a solo player must handle the navigation, reading, puzzle solving, and photo tasks without help. If you enjoy detective games and like working at your own speed, the lack of a guide can feel freeing. If you want a social activity with a host explaining each step, this will feel rather hands-off.

Starting at Plaza Mayor in Gijón

Your meeting point is Plaza Mayor, at Pl. Mayor, Gijón, 33201 Gijón, Asturias. The same place serves as the endpoint, so you finish where you began.

The square is a practical starting point because it gives your group a clear place to meet before opening the game. You do not need to coordinate with a guide or arrive at a fixed departure time. Instead, you choose your start time on the selected date and begin when everyone is ready.

From there, the game sends you to specific locations. The exact route and stops are not described in advance, so you should treat the experience as a guided puzzle path rather than a standard sightseeing itinerary. The city provides the setting and the movement between clues, but the phone remains the main source of instructions.

This distinction matters. You may reach attractive or interesting parts of Gijón that you would not have visited on a normal stroll. But the game does not promise background on the buildings, monuments, or neighborhoods you pass. If you want to understand the city as you walk, pair this activity with a separate walking tour or guidebook.

Following clues, codes, and digital characters

Once the game begins, your group follows the story through the app. The experience includes digital characters, codes, puzzle tasks, and photo challenges. These elements keep the activity varied, so you are not simply walking from one GPS point to another.

The story gives each stop a purpose. You are not just checking locations off a map. You are trying to work out what happened to Balthasar, and each completed challenge supplies another piece of the case.

The digital characters add a little theatrical flavor without requiring live actors. You interact with them through the phone, reading their contributions as the mystery develops. This approach suits people who like narrative games but do not need a performer standing in front of them.

The photo tasks are useful for breaking up the code solving. They also give your group something playful to do together. Families can take turns handling the phone and posing for the required pictures, while friends or colleagues can turn the tasks into a friendly contest.

Still, you should keep your expectations sensible. The city itself does not provide the mystery. It provides places for the game to send you. A review of the experience noted that one early mystery was not solvable, which is a serious concern in any puzzle game. If a clue seems impossible, check the instructions carefully and make sure the app has registered your location or completed task before assuming your group has missed something.

How much does the two-hour game really offer?

The price is $31.07 per group of up to four people. At the maximum group size, that is about $7.77 per person for roughly two hours. On price alone, this is a reasonable way to fill part of an afternoon, especially for a family or group of friends.

The value depends on what you want from the outing. If your goal is a low-cost activity that gives everyone a shared problem to solve, the price is attractive. You are paying for the murder mystery game, the app-based structure, and the freedom to play privately.

You are not paying for a guide, transport, food, entrance tickets, or local commentary. The activity also does not include information about Gijón’s highlights. That omission is not a problem if you already know the city or simply want a game. It is a drawback if you hoped the mystery would double as a sightseeing lesson.

For two people, the per-person cost is higher, but still modest for a private activity. For four, the pricing makes the most sense. Larger groups need multiple tickets, and each group should be prepared to divide into teams rather than crowd around one phone.

What the route adds, and what it does not

The strongest city-related benefit is that the game gets you moving. One person who enjoyed it found that it led the group to parts of Gijón they might not otherwise have explored. Another description of the experience praised the chance to reach beautiful places through a playful activity.

That is a worthwhile feature. A normal sightseeing walk can become repetitive for children or for friends who are not keen on monuments. The mystery gives everyone a reason to keep going. Instead of asking where to walk next, you follow the next story prompt.

At the same time, the locations are mainly functional stages in the game. The puzzles may send you somewhere to trigger the next part, but that place may not contain a clue about Gijón itself. You might take in a square, street, or view while you are there, yet the app may offer little explanation of its meaning.

I would plan around this limitation. Use the game as a playful route through the city, then spend time before or afterward learning about the places you passed. Do not book it as your only introduction to Gijón.

The right pace for families, friends, and colleagues

The stated difficulty is easy, which makes the game accessible to families with children. Kids can help spot details, read prompts, suggest answers, and take part in photo tasks. Adults should still expect to handle the phone and keep the group organized.

For friends, the appeal lies in the shared guessing. You can divide up the work, compare theories, and laugh when a promising idea falls apart. The private format means your group can set its own rhythm without being paired with strangers.

Colleagues can also use it as a light team activity. Four people per device is a useful limit because larger teams often leave some members standing around while one person solves everything. If your group is larger, buying several tickets and forming small teams gives the game more room to work.

Solo play is possible, but it changes the feel. You lose the debate and shared humor that make mystery games lively. In return, you can stop, reread clues, and make decisions without waiting for anyone else.

A flexible two-hour plan

The approximate duration is two hours, but the game is not tied to a fixed departure. You choose any start time on your selected date, which gives you room to work around meals and other plans.

That flexibility is especially useful in Gijón, where you may not want to spend a whole day on one structured activity. You could begin in the morning, pause your sightseeing plans later, or schedule the game during a free block in the afternoon.

Because no live guide is involved, you should allow a few minutes before starting to gather your group, open the instructions email, and make sure the app is ready. Your device needs enough battery for navigation, reading, and photo tasks. A poor connection or a phone passed between several people can slow the group down, so it is wise to keep the playing setup simple.

The activity ends back at Plaza Mayor. That makes it easier to continue exploring central Gijón afterward, though the game does not include any onward recommendations.

Language, devices, and practical limits

The written guide language can be selected in Spanish, English, German, French, Italian, or Dutch. This is helpful for mixed-language groups, though each group should settle on one language before starting so the story and instructions remain clear.

You need your own smartphone or another suitable device. The provider does not supply a phone, and there is no guide to carry printed clues or explain a confusing step. Downloading the Loquiz app before you meet can save time at the square.

The activity is near public transportation, and service animals are allowed. Most people can participate, but the game involves moving through city locations and completing tasks on foot. The available information does not specify the walking distance, route surface, or detailed mobility arrangements, so contact the provider if your group has particular access needs.

This is a private activity. Only your group takes part, which is a real advantage for families and friends who want to work at their own speed. It also means your group alone must solve any puzzle that causes trouble.

Where the experience can disappoint

The biggest weakness is the connection between the puzzles and the city. The route may take you to pleasant places, but the game does not promise that those places explain anything about Gijón. You may finish knowing more about Balthasar than about Asturias.

Puzzle quality is another point to consider. One reported experience found an early mystery unsolvable. That kind of problem can break the story, especially when the whole activity depends on completing one stage before moving to the next.

The easy rating cuts both ways. Families and casual players will appreciate the approachable tasks. Experienced escape-room fans may find the challenge too mild, especially if they want complex deductions or difficult codes.

The mixed overall rating of 3.5 from four published ratings suggests you should book with realistic expectations. This is best seen as a casual, private game with some sightseeing along the way, not as a polished historical tour or demanding detective competition.

Who should book this Gijón mystery game?

I would recommend it to families looking for a screen-based activity that still gets everyone outdoors. It also suits friends who enjoy puzzles, photo tasks, and a story they can solve together.

The game is a good fit if you value:

• A private activity for one to four people
• A flexible start time
• Easy puzzles suitable for children
• A low total price for a small group
• A reason to walk through parts of Gijón you may otherwise miss
• Written instructions in several European languages

I would skip it if your priority is local history, expert commentary, or a carefully explained tour of Gijón’s main sights. I would also hesitate if your group wants a difficult mystery with guaranteed, intricate deductions.

Cancellation is free up to 24 hours before the start time. Cancellations or changes made within 24 hours are not refunded or accepted, so choose your date with care.

Should you book it?

Book this if you want an affordable, flexible group game and you are happy for Gijón to serve mainly as the setting. The private format, two-hour length, easy difficulty, and per-group price make it a sensible choice for families and friends with a spare afternoon.

Do not book it as your main city orientation. You will get a murder story, phone puzzles, digital characters, and photo tasks, but little local explanation. Pair it with a proper sightseeing walk, and the game becomes a fun extra rather than a substitute for discovering Gijón.

FAQ

Where does the Sherlock Holmes game begin?

It begins at Plaza Mayor, Pl. Mayor, Gijón, 33201 Gijón, Asturias, Spain.

Where does the activity finish?

The activity ends back at the starting point, Plaza Mayor.

How long does the game take?

The game lasts approximately two hours.

How much does the experience cost?

The price is $31.07 per group of up to four people.

Can I choose my start time?

Yes. You can start at any time on your selected date and play at your own pace.

How many people can use one ticket?

One ticket covers a group of one to four people using one device. Larger groups can buy multiple tickets.

Is a tour guide included?

No. This is a self-guided activity, and no tour guide is included.

Do I need a smartphone?

Yes. You need your own smartphone or another suitable device. After booking, you download the Loquiz app and follow the instructions sent by email.

Which languages are available?

Written instructions are available in Spanish, English, German, French, Italian, and Dutch.

Can I cancel for a refund?

Yes. You can receive a full refund by canceling at least 24 hours before the experience start time. Cancellations within 24 hours are not refunded.