You don’t tour Erfurt so much as read it into place. This Mystery Backpack 2p turns the medieval city centre into story locations, with themed routes, book excerpts, and a letter that tells you where to go and what to read. I like that it’s built around your senses and movement, so it’s active sightseeing, not passive looking. I also like the format: you get a historic novel, a map, and a plan drafted by the author to help you see key areas in a tight 2 hours.

One thing to consider: everything runs in German, and the experience depends on you reading passages while you walk—so if you prefer audio or mostly looking, this may feel more like a “self-led story stroll” than a traditional guided tour.

Key highlights

• No-phone, reading-on-the-street approach that keeps you engaged with the buildings
• Author-designed routes tied to specific themes and eras in Erfurt
• Five book themes ranging from trade and brewing to Jewish life, monastery crimes, and Luther
• A letter + city map that tells you exactly where to go and what passages to read
• Included surprise worth about €15 plus seat pads for comfort on the way

A Novel Route Through Erfurt’s Medieval Core

Erfurt works so well for a mystery-style walk because the old centre is compact, walkable, and full of layers. Instead of following a standard checklist of sights, this experience uses a historic novel as your guide. You’re handed the story, then you move from location to location in sync with the text.

The payoff is that sights feel more specific. A doorway, a building frontage, or a street corner becomes part of a scene you’re actively reading. One review captured that feeling simply: walking through Erfurt made it feel like stepping back in time, and you could see the city with different attention.

This format also gives you control. You’re not racing with a group. You follow the route at your pace, guided by the letter and the passages you’re meant to read in the right spots.

How the Mystery Backpack Works (No Phone, Just a Book and a Map)

The whole idea is refreshingly practical: you pick up a light backpack built for two people, then you explore on foot with a plan designed to make the medieval centre cohere. The route is set so you can cover the main sights and history within the two-hour window, while still leaving room for small pauses and reading.

You’ll start at a bookstore in the city centre. One meeting point is Peterknecht on Am Anger 11 in Erfurt. Another is Stapp in Marktstraße in Erfurt, between Fischmarkt and Domplatz. Once you have the backpack, a letter inside tells you where to go and what passages to read so history comes alive in each location.

The most important “rule” is mindset. The experience asks you to forget your cell phone, use your senses, and read as you go. That sounds strict, but it’s really about focus: you’re giving your attention to streets, stone, signage, light, and the text in your hands. If you like wandering but also want structure, this strikes a nice balance.

Choose Your Theme: Woad, Beer, Jewish Life, Monastery Crimes, or Luther

You don’t just get a generic route with a book. You choose from five themes, each with its own time period and focus. That choice matters because it changes what you pay attention to as you walk.

Here’s what’s available:

• Blaues Gold: 17th-century woad trade
• Der Bierrufer: 17th-century brewing trade
• Amor Vincit Omnia (The Lost Treasure): 14th-century Jewish life, including UNESCO World Heritage sites
• Die Abt vom Petersberg: 15th-century monastery crimes
• Die Pfaffenhure: Martin Luther in Erfurt, 16th century

If you’re the kind of traveler who likes “why this place matters,” these themes give you a lens. For example, picking a trade-related theme nudges you to think about work, craft, and how money and goods moved through the city. A monastery-crime theme pushes you toward moral tension and institutional power. Luther-focused material is likely to make the architecture feel less like scenery and more like witness.

The Jewish-life theme also stands out because it explicitly references UNESCO World Heritage sites in the topic framing. That can help you connect what you see on the ground with a bigger cultural story, even when you’re reading in real time on the sidewalk.

Walking the Stops: What You’ll See in 2 Hours

You won’t get a long multi-day itinerary here. The point is to concentrate attention. In practice, the two-hour route is designed to cover key parts of Erfurt’s medieval city centre and major sights connected to your chosen novel.

Because the route is driven by the letter and your theme’s novel passages, you experience the city like a line in a book: you turn a page at each location. As you walk, you’ll be prompted to read excerpts at specific points, which is what helps the sights feel tied together instead of disconnected.

Some routes may include notable stop areas like the synagogue area. One participant noted that when they selected a treasure-focused storyline, they also visited the synagogue and read about a treasure connection in a cellar. That kind of detail is exactly what makes this format fun: it adds human stakes to places that can otherwise feel distant.

A practical note from real-world pacing: one group felt they needed more time than expected and took longer than the 2-hour plan. That’s not a problem if you treat the schedule as flexible and give yourself permission to slow down where the text catches your attention.

What’s Inside the Backpack (and How to Use It)

The backpack setup is simple, but it’s clearly designed for a smooth experience. Inside you’ll find:

• a historic novel
• two seat pads
• a city map
• a tour plan
• a local surprise worth about €15
• and a letter that tells you where to go and which passages to read

The letter is the engine. It links your chosen theme to your walking route and reading moments. When you follow it in order, you get that “story → location → text → back to the street” rhythm.

The seat pads are a small detail that actually matters. Erfurt’s streets and squares invite pauses, and if the route includes spots where you’ll want to read for a bit, having something comfortable to sit on can make the difference between a pleasant stop and a rushed one.

The included city map helps you keep your bearings without turning your walk into constant screen-checking. If you enjoy city maps as a way to think, this will feel satisfying.

And yes, there’s a local surprise. You don’t choose it, but you get an element of surprise that keeps the backpack from feeling like just paper and instructions.

Price and Logistics for a Small-Group Walk

The price is $67 per group up to 2 for two hours. That’s not “cheap” in the way of free walking, but it is fair if you think about what you’re getting: a curated route designed by an author, a historic novel tied to specific themes, a map and plan, seat pads, and a surprise worth about €15.

For two people, it works out to roughly $33.50 per person, which is the key value logic here. You’re essentially paying for structure and storytelling materials, not just the act of walking. If you’re traveling as a couple, or you and one friend want a shared activity that feels different from typical sightseeing, it’s a strong deal.

It’s also a good option when you want privacy. This is a private group format, not a big pack. That tends to make reading moments smoother and reduces the pressure to keep up.

Language and Pace: When This Works Best

This experience runs in German, and the passages are from the included historic novel. That means you’ll get the most out of it if you can read comfortably in German. If you’re not fluent, you might still enjoy the route and the atmosphere, but the story connections will be harder to absorb.

Pace is another factor. The tour is designed for two hours, but reading takes time. One participant noted they used more time than expected. That’s a real-world reminder: if you want to treat it like a slow, story-led walk, plan for a bit of breathing room rather than strict timing.

Also, because the tour requests you forget your cell phone, you’ll want to be okay with a more sensory approach. This isn’t a “stop for five minutes at every landmark.” It’s a route where the city becomes a set of reading locations.

Practical Tips to Make It Feel Like You Found the Story First

If you want this to land well, go in with the right expectations. Think of it as a walk + book assignment, but one you actually enjoy because the city gives you the scenery.

A few tips:

• Wear comfortable walking shoes. You’re out on foot for about two hours, and reading pauses make “quick sightseeing” feel less quick.
• Bring a little patience for stops. The best moments happen when you read at the location, not when you catch up later.
• If you’re traveling with someone, coordinate your pace. Since you’re reading passages, you’ll both enjoy it more if you don’t sprint ahead.
• Keep your eyes up as well as down. The whole point is to use your senses, so let the text pull your attention to details you might otherwise miss.

And if your theme includes stops that are harder to spot on the street level, don’t panic. One participant said a particular house wasn’t easy to make out from the ground and suggested the letter could explain the exact location more clearly. That’s a good reminder to stay flexible and ask for clarification if anything feels ambiguous at street level.

Should You Book Mystery Backpack 2p?

Book it if you want Erfurt to feel like a living story rather than a checklist. The author-designed route, the on-site reading moments, and the structure provided by the letter, map, and tour plan make it a smart choice for couples, friends, and small groups who enjoy active, self-paced exploration.

Skip it—or at least think twice—if you need a traditional, fully guided format in a language you’re comfortable with. Since the experience is German-led and reading is central, it works best when you’re happy to read passages as you walk.

If you’re the kind of traveler who loves history but gets bored by lectures, this is history with movement. You’ll be outside, paying attention, and turning pages in the places the story points to.

FAQ

How long is the Mystery Backpack 2p tour?

It lasts 2 hours.

What does it cost?

It costs $67 per group up to 2.

Where do I meet the guide or pick up the backpack?

You meet at a bookstore in Erfurt: Peterknecht on Am Anger 11, or Stapp on Marktstraße between Fischmarkt and Domplatz.

What languages is the tour offered in?

The experience is in German.

Is this a private group activity?

Yes, it’s a private group.

What’s included in the backpack?

You’ll get a historic novel, two seat pads, a city map, a tour plan, a letter with route and passages, and a local surprise worth about €15.

Do I have to read the novel during the walk?

Yes. The letter tells you where to go and which passages to read so the history connects to the locations.

What themes can I choose from?

You can choose between: Blaues Gold, Der Bierrufer, Amor Vincit Omnia (The Lost Treasure), Die Abt vom Petersberg, or Die Pfaffenhure.

Is the tour wheelchair accessible?

Yes, it is wheelchair accessible.

Who would enjoy this most?

It’s a great fit for people who like walking and want a more interactive way to explore Erfurt, especially if you enjoy reading and following a themed story route.