Review · ALICANTE
Alicante Self Guided Sherlock Holmes Murder Mystery Game
Alicante becomes your detective office. This self-guided Sherlock Holmes game turns the city center into a two-hour case involving the murder of Balthasar, with clues, codes, digital characters, and photo challenges delivered through your phone. You set the pace, choose your start time, and work alone or with a small group.
I like the freedom to play on your own schedule, and I like the way the game gives you a reason to walk through different parts of Alicante rather than simply following a sightseeing route. The price is also fair at $31.07 per group of up to four. The main concern is technical: an app problem has prevented at least one player from completing the game.
- Start at Panteó de Quijano: The game begins at Plaza Sta. Teresa, 6, near public transportation.
- Solve Balthasar’s murder: The story provides the reason to keep moving and testing your detective skills.
- Use the Loquiz app: Instructions arrive by email after booking, and your smartphone runs the game.
- Play with up to four people: One ticket covers a group of one to four using one device.
- Choose your own start time: You can begin at any time on your selected date.
- Finish where you began: The activity returns you to the starting point after about two hours.
Starting the Case at Panteó de Quijano

Your investigation begins at Panteó de Quijano on Plaza Sta. Teresa, 6, in Alicante. This gives you a clear fixed point rather than a vague meeting area, and the location is near public transportation, which helps if you are arriving from another part of the city.
There is no physical guide waiting with a clipboard. You receive instructions by email, download the Loquiz app, and follow the prompts on your phone. That arrangement keeps the experience private and flexible, but it also means you need to be comfortable getting started without in-person help.
I would download the app and read the instructions before reaching the square. A little preparation matters here. You do not want to spend the first part of your two-hour game sorting out your phone while your group is eager to begin.
The starting point also gives your group a natural place to gather. If you are playing with children, agree on who will hold the phone and who will read the clues. With adults, sharing the device can make the game more social than having everyone stare at separate screens.
Following the Alicante Route Through Clues

The route is designed to make you walk through Alicante while the story unfolds. You are not simply standing in one place solving a digital quiz. The city provides the setting for the case, and each new location or prompt moves the investigation forward.
The exact stops are not specified in the activity details, so you should not expect a conventional sightseeing itinerary with named monuments and historical explanations. Instead, the route is built around the game. You follow instructions, look for clues, answer puzzles, and continue through the city as the case develops.
That distinction is important. I would choose this experience if you want a playful reason to explore on foot. I would not choose it as your main Alicante sightseeing tour if you want detailed background about the city, its buildings, or local history. Information about major highlights is not included, and there is no guide to explain what you are seeing.
The route ends back at the starting point. That makes planning simple, especially if you have a later reservation or need to meet the rest of your group elsewhere. It also gives the activity a tidy shape: gather at Panteó de Quijano, follow the case through Alicante, then return to the same place.
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Solving Balthasar’s Murder With Your Group

The story centers on the murder of Balthasar. You and your group work through a series of puzzles to figure out what happened, using clues delivered through the app. Along the way, digital characters add information and help push the plot forward.
The game is rated easy, so it is built for a broad audience. Families with children can take part, and the puzzles should not require specialist detective knowledge. That does not mean every answer will be immediate. The fun comes from discussing possibilities, spotting patterns, and deciding which clue deserves your attention next.
I like the group format here. One ticket covers up to four people on one device, so you can solve the case together without paying separately for each person. A group of four also gives the game a nice division of labor: one person can read, another can watch for clues, another can handle the puzzle, and another can keep the story moving.
Solo play is possible, but it changes the feel. You will have complete control over the pace, yet you will also be responsible for every clue and decision. If you enjoy detective games and prefer working independently, that may be a plus. If you like lively debate, bring friends or family.
Larger groups can buy multiple tickets. The practical point is to organize people into teams rather than crowding around a single phone. Each team can work through the same type of adventure, though the activity information does not promise separate routes or different cases.
Codes, Characters, and Photo Challenges

The game mixes several types of tasks, which keeps the experience from becoming a long string of identical questions. You can expect codes to crack, digital characters to meet, and photo tasks to complete.
The photo challenges are a useful touch because they pull your attention away from the screen. You may need to complete a task with your group or use your surroundings in a particular way. The information does not specify the exact photos, so I would treat them as playful assignments rather than a formal photography tour.
Digital characters give the case a bit of theater. Instead of reading a plain list of directions, you receive pieces of the story as you progress. This story-led structure helps maintain momentum during the walk. When a puzzle feels difficult, the next plot turn gives you a reason to keep trying.
The game is not described as a high-level mystery designed for expert puzzle solvers. Its easy difficulty makes it accessible, but serious escape-room fans may find the challenge fairly light. That is not necessarily a weakness. It makes the activity a safer pick for mixed groups where some people love puzzles and others only enjoy them when they are not too demanding.
What the Two-Hour Length Means

The stated duration is about two hours. That is long enough to create an outing, but short enough to fit around a morning visit, an evening meal, or another Alicante plan.
The time is self-managed. You can start at any point on your selected date and play at your own pace. This is one of the strongest practical features because you are not tied to a guide’s departure time or a fixed group schedule.
Still, flexible does not mean unlimited. You should allow the full two hours and avoid booking something immediately afterward. A group that stops to discuss clues or complete photo tasks may use the available time differently from a pair that moves quickly.
The walk also matters more than the clock suggests. You are combining sightseeing, movement, reading, and problem-solving. Wear comfortable shoes and keep your phone charged. Those are simple preparations, but they make a phone-based walking game much easier to enjoy.
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The Price for One Group of Four

At $31.07 per group, the value is strongest when four people share one ticket. That works out to about $7.77 per person for a two-hour activity, assuming the full group of four plays together.
For two people, the per-person cost is higher, but the private format still gives you a planned activity without paying for a personal guide. A solo player pays the full group price, so I would recommend it mainly to someone who genuinely enjoys independent puzzle games.
The price covers the murder mystery game only. It does not include a smartphone, other devices, a physical guide, or information about Alicante’s highlights. You are paying for the story, puzzles, app-based tasks, and route, not for a guided cultural tour.
That makes the value easy to judge. If you want a light, active way to spend two hours with friends, the cost is reasonable. If you mainly want a guide to explain Alicante, you would get more from a traditional walking tour.
The Loquiz App and the Main Risk

The app is central to the whole experience. You need it to receive instructions, follow the story, solve the puzzles, interact with digital characters, and complete the tasks. Without a working smartphone and a suitable connection, the activity cannot function as intended.
There has been a report of bugs that made it impossible to finish the game. The provider apologized and invited the player to make contact so the technical problem could be investigated. That response is useful, but it does not remove the risk for you.
I would take a few precautions:
- Install Loquiz before you reach the start point.
- Charge your phone fully.
- Bring a portable battery if you have one.
- Keep the booking email and instructions easy to find.
- If you are in a group, choose one main device and one backup device if possible.
The experience does not list a physical guide or a paper alternative. That means technical trouble could interrupt the story rather than simply cause a minor inconvenience. The app issue is the clearest reason to keep expectations practical.
Languages and Group Arrangements
Written game instructions are available in Spanish, English, German, French, Italian, and Dutch. You select the written guide language, which makes the experience suitable for groups that do not share Spanish as their first language.
The activity is private, so only your own group takes part. That is a good fit for families, friends, colleagues, or couples who prefer not to solve puzzles in front of strangers. It also lets you pause for a quick discussion without worrying about holding up another party.
A group of four is the maximum for one ticket and one device. If you have more people, purchase additional tickets and split into teams. For a family, I would keep children involved by letting them search for visual clues, read simple prompts, and handle the photo tasks while adults help with the more difficult decisions.
Service animals are allowed, and most people can participate. The activity takes place outdoors in the city, so anyone joining should be ready for a walking-based experience rather than a seated attraction.
Who Will Enjoy This Alicante Mystery Game
I would recommend it most to:
- Families looking for an easy puzzle activity.
- Friends who enjoy playful competition.
- Couples wanting a private way to explore on foot.
- Colleagues seeking a light team activity.
- Solo players who like solving cases at their own pace.
- Repeat visitors who want something different from a standard city tour.
The game is less suitable if your top priority is historical explanation, museum access, or direct contact with a local guide. It also may disappoint expert puzzle fans who want a very difficult case.
The flexibility helps families and mixed-age groups. You can choose the start time, pause briefly if needed, and keep the pace comfortable. The easy difficulty means nobody needs to be a seasoned puzzle player before joining.
Cancellation and Planning Details
You can cancel for a full refund up to 24 hours before the scheduled start time. Cancellations made less than 24 hours before the experience are not refunded, and changes inside that window are not accepted.
When planning, remember that the activity starts and ends at Panteó de Quijano, Plaza Sta. Teresa, 6, 03004 Alicante. It is near public transportation, and the start time is flexible on your selected date. You receive confirmation when you book, followed by the instructions needed to begin.
I would keep the booking email until the game is finished. Since the experience is self-guided, those instructions take the place of a meeting with a guide.
Should You Book the Alicante Sherlock Holmes Game?
Book it if you want a private, low-pressure puzzle walk that gives your group a reason to explore Alicante together. The $31.07 group price is especially good for four people, and the easy difficulty makes it a sensible choice for families and mixed groups.
Skip it if you want a detailed explanation of Alicante or prefer an activity with a person leading the way. The app is the engine of the experience, and the reported bug means you should prepare your phone carefully.
For the right group, the appeal is simple: you get two hours, a complete murder story, a flexible start, and a city-sized puzzle board. Just arrive with a charged phone, a little patience, and friends willing to argue over the clues.
FAQ
How long does the Sherlock Holmes game take?
The game takes approximately two hours. You can play at your own pace on your selected date.
Where does the activity start?
It starts at Panteó de Quijano, Plaza Sta. Teresa, 6, 03004 Alicante, Spain.
Where does the activity end?
The game ends back at the starting point.
How many people can use one ticket?
One ticket covers a private group of one to four people using one device. Larger groups can buy multiple tickets.
Which languages are available?
The written guide is available in Spanish, English, German, French, Italian, and Dutch.
Do I need a smartphone?
Yes. The game uses the Loquiz app, and a smartphone or another suitable device is not included in the price.
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