Alicante Secret Society Exploration Game and Tour

A secret society, 16 riddles, and Alicante’s old center make this more than a standard sightseeing walk. You follow clues from the marina to historic streets, using your phone to reveal the next chapter and reach real places such as City Hall and the Co-Cathedral of San Nicolás.

I like the low price and the freedom to set your own pace. I also like the way the game points out details you might otherwise miss, including modern sculptures along the waterfront and architectural features in the old quarter. The main drawback is the app system: you must solve one chapter before the next map appears, and some players found that process confusing. Steep steps near the end also make this a poor fit for anyone with limited mobility.

Key points before you start

• Sixteen riddles lead you through real Alicante locations, rather than keeping you inside a museum or attraction.
• The route begins at Porta del Mar, then moves from the marina toward City Hall, the Co-Cathedral, and the old town.
• The advertised time is about 90 minutes, but allow up to three hours if you pause for churches, photos, or lunch.
• The $6.04 price is unusually modest, especially for a private activity that your own group completes without a guide.
• Hints, audio, and mood music support the game, though the chapter-by-chapter map system takes a little getting used to.
• Steep steps appear near the end, so check your walking comfort before booking.

A self-guided way to meet Alicante

This experience turns an ordinary city walk into a small mystery. You are not following a guide holding a flag, and there is no fixed group pace. Instead, you use your phone to work through a trail linked to Alicante’s public art, churches, streets, and civic buildings.

That format works well in Alicante because the route brings together several different sides of the city. You begin near the water, where modern sculpture and marina views set a relaxed tone. Later, the clues take you into the old center, where Baroque façades, religious buildings, and narrow streets provide a stronger sense of the city’s past.

The game includes 16 riddles, with the next part of the route becoming available as you complete the current chapter. This creates a useful sense of progress, but it also means you should not expect to open the entire map at once. If you prefer clear directions from the start, the system may feel less obvious than a normal walking tour.

The activity is offered in English. Audio and mood music add atmosphere, while hints help when a puzzle refuses to yield. You can play as a couple, family, or small group, and only your group takes part. That private setup makes it easy to stop when you want, discuss an answer, or visit a church without holding up anyone else.

Starting beside the marina at Porta del Mar

The meeting point is Pl. Puerta del Mar, near the waterfront and public transport. This is a practical starting place if you are already near the marina, Postiguet Beach, or the Porta del Mar station.

Your first section follows Avenida Conde de Vallellano. The broad avenue gives you space to get familiar with the game before the route becomes more involved. You are looking for clues in the surroundings, then matching what you see with the riddle on your phone.

The first featured stop is The Return of Icarus with His Surf Wing. It takes the old Greek story of Icarus and gives it a distinctly modern, seaside treatment. The reference to a surf wing fits Alicante’s marina setting, and the sculpture gives the opening puzzle a memorable target.

This is a good example of what the activity does best. It asks you to look at a public artwork with more care than you might during a normal stroll. Rather than simply passing the statue, you study its form, connect it to the story behind it, and solve a riddle based on its meaning.

Admission to the sculpture is free, naturally, since it is in a public space. You are paying for the game design and the route, not entry to a series of attractions.

Finding the Ship in the Trees

The next waterfront clue leads to an installation often called the Ship in the Trees. Its combination of nautical imagery and greenery gives the route a playful change of mood after the Icarus sculpture.

The attraction here is not a long stop with an interior visit. It is the act of finding the work, studying its details, and using its symbolism to answer the next question. If you normally walk through Alicante while looking only at major monuments, this kind of prompt can sharpen your attention.

The waterfront section should be the easiest part of the route physically. It is also the most open, with room to pause and orient yourself. I would use this early stage to check that your phone is working, the game has loaded properly, and everyone in your group understands how the chapters and hints operate.

You do not need to rush. The advertised duration is around 90 minutes, but that figure suits a fairly direct run through the puzzles. A slower pace, a stop for photographs, or time spent examining the public art will add minutes.

Alicante City Hall and the Cota Cero

From the waterfront, the quest moves toward Alicante City Hall. This 18th-century Baroque building gives the game a more formal historical setting. Its façade includes Solomonic columns and twin towers, so there is plenty for a riddle to draw on.

City Hall is worth more than a quick glance at the outside. Inside, the Cota Cero marks Spain’s sea-level reference point. That small detail gives the building a national role beyond its attractive architecture. The Ciudad Descubierta also reveals archaeological remains beneath the structure, adding another layer to the visit.

The game does not turn this into a full guided explanation of civic history. Instead, it gives you a reason to notice the building’s design and the details connected to it. I find that approach useful when you have already seen the main sights but want a stronger reason to slow down.

You should be prepared for the possibility that the clues require careful reading. Some missions are simple, while others take more thought. The hint system is important here. It keeps a difficult puzzle from bringing the whole walk to a stop, although using hints may reduce the satisfaction for players who want to solve everything unaided.

San Nicolás and Alicante’s older center

The Co-Cathedral of San Nicolás de Bari is one of the most important stops on the route. It was built between 1613 and 1662 on the site of a former mosque. Its plain exterior does not fully prepare you for the interior, where a blue dome rises 45 meters above the church.

The Communion Chapel is another key feature. Its decoration represents Spanish Baroque at its most elaborate, making it a strong setting for a puzzle about architecture and religious art.

This stop rewards you for taking time beyond the riddle. One useful way to play is to solve the mission, then spend a few quiet minutes looking around before moving on. The game gives structure to the walk, but you do not have to treat every stop as a quick checkpoint.

The old center also changes the physical character of the activity. Streets become tighter, the route may require more attention to directions, and the final section includes steep steps. If you walk easily and enjoy an active city outing, that adds variety. If stairs are difficult for you, this is the point to think carefully before booking.

One practical limitation is that this is not a live religious or architectural tour. There is no guide beside you to explain a painting, answer questions, or adjust the route for your interests. The phone supplies the story and the prompts. That makes the experience flexible, but less personal than a small guided walk.

How the app and chapter system work

The biggest factor in your enjoyment may be how comfortable you are with app-based games. The next map is released only after you complete the current chapter. This prevents you from skipping ahead, but it can feel confusing if you expect a complete route map from the beginning.

Read each instruction carefully before moving. If a location seems wrong, use the built-in help rather than wandering around at random. The helpful hints are especially useful for the harder riddles, and support is available if the system causes trouble.

Audio and mood music accompany the experience. You can treat those features as part of the atmosphere or keep your attention on the clues and the city around you. The missions range from simple to more demanding, but they are designed for families and groups rather than puzzle experts only.

I would bring a fully charged phone and make sure everyone agrees on which device will control the game. That is simple planning, but it matters when the route depends on a phone, maps, and chapter access.

What $6.04 really buys you

At $6.04 per person, this is one of the cheaper ways to add structure to a walk through Alicante. You are not paying for a guide, attraction admissions, food, or transport. You are paying for a self-guided story with puzzles placed along an existing city route.

The value is strongest for a small group that enjoys solving things together. One recorded experience found that one or two tickets worked for three people, which suggests you should check how the booking system handles group play before paying for every individual. The stated price is per person, but the game itself can be shared by a group using the same device.

A 90-minute activity at this price is already inexpensive. If you take three hours because you stop at the churches and explore side details, the value improves further. The tradeoff is that you must provide your own energy, navigation, and interest. If you want a polished explanation from a local guide, this is not the right product.

The activity is private, so you do not share the route with strangers. That is a useful advantage for families, couples, and friends who want to solve at their own speed. Group discounts are available, though the exact saving is not specified.

Who should book this Alicante quest?

I would recommend it to families with older children, friends who enjoy light puzzle solving, and independent visitors who want more purpose than a normal stroll. It also works for repeat visitors who have already seen Alicante’s broad highlights and want to notice public art and architectural details.

It is less suitable if you dislike phone-based activities, want a fully explained history walk, or have trouble with steep steps. The absence of a live guide means you will need to read instructions, solve clues, and manage the route yourself.

The activity is offered every day from 8:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m. That gives you room to avoid the hottest part of the day or fit the quest around other plans. Since much of the experience takes place outdoors, I would choose a comfortable time and leave space for stops.

You can cancel for a full refund up to 24 hours before the start time. Cancellations or changes made within 24 hours are not refunded or accepted. Confirmation is provided at booking, service animals are allowed, and most people can take part, subject to the stairs and walking involved.

Should you book the Secret Society game?

Book it if you want a cheap, flexible, puzzle-led walk that connects Alicante’s waterfront art with its old center. The best parts are the unusual sculpture stops, the chance to notice details you might otherwise pass, and the freedom to pause at City Hall or San Nicolás.

Skip it if your ideal tour includes a person explaining every site in depth. Also think twice if steep steps are a serious concern or if app instructions frustrate you.

For $6.04, the risk is small. Go in expecting a self-guided game, not a traditional tour, allow more than 90 minutes if you like to explore, and use the hints when needed. With those expectations, it offers a lively way to see a familiar part of Alicante with fresh eyes.

FAQ

How long does the Alicante Secret Society Exploration Game take?

The stated duration is approximately 1 hour and 30 minutes. If you stop at the churches, take photos, or move slowly through the puzzles, the experience can take closer to three hours.

Where does the activity start?

It starts at Pl. Puerta del Mar, 579, 03002 Alicante, near the marina and Porta del Mar station.

Where does the activity end?

It ends at C. de la Villavieja, 19, 03002 Alicante. The endpoint is about a five-minute walk from Postiguet Beach and Porta del Mar station.

Is a live guide included?

No. This is a self-guided activity played through your phone. Your group completes the route privately without a live tour guide.

How many riddles are included?

The quest includes 16 riddles placed at real locations around Alicante.

Is the activity offered in English?

Yes. The experience is offered in English.

Can I cancel for a refund?

Yes. You can receive a full refund if you cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled start time. Cancellations or changes made less than 24 hours before the start time are not refunded or accepted.