Self-Guided Scavenger Hunt

Self-Guided Scavenger Hunt, 2 hours, rated 5 across 22 traveller reviews.

Overview

This is a game, not a guided walk. After booking, a six digit code arrives by text message, the Explorial app is downloaded for free, and the hunt starts whenever the group reaches Praça da República and types the code in. From there, riddles, trivia and photo tasks on the phone point the way from one landmark to the next, with a map showing the current position at all times. Nobody meets the group and nothing runs on a schedule.

The route threads through the centre. The Jardim de Santa Bárbara with its flowerbeds is one stop, the baroque Arco da Porta Nova another, and the Sé de Braga, is another of the landmarks to decode. All the puzzles relate to the public areas of the sights, so no entrance fees are needed along the way. The whole thing takes around two hours, though the pace is entirely the group's own, with breaks whenever wanted.

It suits travellers who like a bit of competition. Players score points, can race each other within the group, and can try to beat the city's high score. The game runs in 24 languages, chosen in the app at the start, and works for any group size up to 15 people per booking. One reviewer said the format took the group to many places that would otherwise have gone unnoticed.

What's Included

Itinerary

1. Start At Praça Da RepúblicaHead to the meeting point, open the app and enter the six digit game code received after booking. There is no fixed start time.
2. Jardim De Santa BárbaraThe hunt leads through the flowerbeds of this garden, with riddles and photo tasks along the way.
3. Arco Da Porta NovaThe route passes beneath Braga's baroque gateway, one of the landmarks on the hunt.
4. Sé De BragaAll tasks stay in public areas, so no entry fee is required.
5. Finish Back At The StartThe activity ends back at Praça da República, roughly two hours after beginning, though the pace is the group's own.

What To Expect From The Tour

A few practical points shape how this tour goes, drawn from the listing and from what travellers report afterwards.

• Bring A Charged Phone. A smartphone with an active mobile data connection is required, and the listing asks for it to be fully charged. It also advises disabling any VPN and avoiding city Wi-Fi, since both can make the app malfunction or disconnect mid-game.
• Set Up Beforehand. One reviewer found downloading an app while travelling a pain, with too many installation steps. Getting the Explorial app downloaded before the day of the hunt avoids repeating that experience.
• Walk At Your Own Pace. There is no guide and no fixed start time, so the group sets its own rhythm and takes breaks freely. Several reviewers praised exactly this, saying they got to know the city without pressure and at their own speed.
• Good For Families. One traveller called it a hit with the whole family, engaging for kids and adults alike. Another described it as fun, interactive and educational, which makes it a reasonable pick for mixed-age groups.
• Wear Comfortable Shoes. The listing recommends weather-appropriate clothing and comfortable walking shoes for around two hours of light walking. Nothing about the route is strenuous, but it is on foot throughout.
• Watch The Weather. All the puzzles relate to the public areas of the sights, so weather matters. The operator offers a weather and health guarantee: if bad weather or illness stops the start, the booking can be rescheduled, rebooked to a different city, or refunded.

Common issues. The tour is not wheelchair accessible, according to the listing, and it is entirely self-guided, so anyone expecting a live guide or an audio guide will be disappointed. One reviewer felt there was not much information about the landmarks being located and abandoned the hunt after only the first few questions, so the commentary may feel thin for visitors who want deep historical detail. The same reviewer found downloading an app while travelling inconvenient, with too many installation steps. Bookings are capped at 15 people, and larger groups need to split across multiple bookings. A full refund only applies if cancellation happens at least 24 hours before the start time.

Common Questions