Zurich Einstein Quest: Self-Guided Family Walk
Walk through Old Town Zurich solving puzzles alongside a young Albert Einstein
This self-guided family walking quest in Zurich places you and your children inside a playful story set in 1884, following a curious boy named Marcel who meets a kind violin-playing stranger — Albert Einstein, years before his fame. The quest unfolds across 11 real Zurich landmarks over a compact 1.6 km route through the historic Old Town.
The experience runs through the Questo app on your smartphone, guiding your group through St. Peter's Church, Paradeplatz, the Fraumünster, the ETH university, and more. At each stop, a riddle or code-cracking challenge reveals a fragment of Zurich history and a simplified Einstein thought experiment about time, light, or relativity.
The pace is entirely your own. You can start at any hour, pause for a coffee or a rest, and resume exactly where you left off. The route covers roughly 1.6 km on flat Old Town streets, making it accessible for younger children and relaxed walkers alike.
Designed for families with children aged 6 and above, the quest also suits curious adults who want an unconventional way to read Zurich's medieval and scientific heritage simultaneously. No guide is required, and no prior knowledge of Einstein or Swiss history is needed.
Tour Highlights
Solve 11 location-based riddles and code puzzles spread across Zurich's most storied landmarks.
Discover iconic sites including St. Peter's Church, the Fraumünster, Paradeplatz, and the ETH university building.
Encounter Einstein's ideas about time and light presented through a child-friendly narrative accessible from age 6.
Use the Questo app to navigate at your own pace — pause, resume, and replay any chapter without losing progress.
Cover a leisurely 1.6 km loop through Zurich's Old Town on flat, pedestrian-friendly streets.
Each chapter blends a piece of Zurich's medieval history with Einstein's scientific legacy in a single puzzle.
No guide or group schedule required — ideal for independent families, couples, or solo travelers.
Route Overview
The quest begins here, where the great clock has mysteriously stopped. Your first puzzle introduces Marcel's dilemma and the stranger with a violin.
Decode a hidden message at one of Zurich's most recognized squares, unlocking a chapter on how Einstein imagined riding alongside a beam of light.
The famous stained-glass windows offer a visual riddle. Solve it to learn about Zurich's medieval foundations and the science of color in light.
Two historic stops in quick succession reveal layers of Old Town Zurich, each paired with a short logic puzzle tied to Einstein's thought experiments.
The route concludes at the institution where Einstein would later study. The final puzzle brings Marcel's story to a satisfying close.
What Is Included
Included
- Access to the Questo app quest (one purchase covers the whole group)
- 11 location-based puzzles and narrative chapters
- Self-guided route map within the app
- Pause-and-resume functionality with no time limit
Not Included
- Smartphone and data connection (required)
- Food, drinks, or refreshments
- Entry fees to any churches or buildings
- Transportation to the starting point
Important Information
Book Your Zurich Einstein Quest
Start your self-guided adventure through Zurich Old Town whenever you are ready. One purchase covers your entire group, and the quest begins the moment you open the app.
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