You have probably heard at least once about the worldwide Escape Game Phenomenon. Also called “Escape Rooms,” those thematic games are seducing the entire planet since their creation in Japan in 2007. For several years now, the growing phenomenon has started to conquer Slovenia, especially its capital.
Ljubljana’s Escape Game market is in constant expansion, and there are already about ten companies in town, promising you to spend the best hour of your life. Locals love it, but as tourists, you will also have the chance to discover notably the country’s history and way of life through these fantastic escape rooms.
Here is a guide of Ljubljana’s Escape Game scene that will allow you to make the best choice while visiting this beautiful city!
Why Should I Try an Escape Game?
Let’s admit that discovering an escape room might not be the usual way to discover a country or a capital. Some may even see it as a waste of your precious visiting time, especially if you are not in town for a long time. However, I guarantee you that this is an innovative and unparalleled experiment that you should especially try in Ljubljana.
Indeed, escape games are a great way to spend time with your friends and family in the city. An escape game is rather a short activity that will take about one hour thirty of your time but will leave you an unforgettable memory. Furthermore, this is an activity that everyone can enjoy, while it is sometimes complicated to find an occupation that suits everyone’s will.
Escape games are a fantastic opportunity to develop your cohesion as a group, and, most of all, it will please every member of the family regardless of their age. Children above eight years old can enjoy the escape rooms at their best, and it is also suitable for the elderly.
Everyone will feel challenged and yet included: that is the beauty of the escape games. It will also grant you a high adrenaline dose and a feeling of intense satisfaction if you succeed in solving the different enigmas and getting out of the room.
However, if these advantages can be found in many escape rooms worldwide, the ones you will find in Ljubljana have many other assets. Here is a list of these who have the most creative and exciting particularities.
A Way to Dive into History
If you are eager to discover the Slovenian history but do not know how to interest your children, or do not want to spend an entire sunny afternoon in a museum, the full range of Ljubljana’s escape game is made for you. They allow you to discover an ancient and entertaining past playfully and pedagogically.
There is an impressive diversity of these recreational spaces in town, so here is a selection of those that will keep you informed and divert.
Castle Escape Game
This escape game is the one that represents best the excellent opportunity to learn about Ljubljana’s history and traditions. First, it will give you the chance to discover a beautiful medieval castle and a fantastic view of the city. In its lovely inner courtyard, you will find access to an entertainment paradise.
This thematic room will make you learn more about the history of the Castle and consequently of the country. Indeed, the Castle has lived an eventful past, marked notably by the Roman Empire, the Habsburg dynasty, the Ottoman incursions, and more recent events such as the two World Wars.
However, it will also teach you something that you will not find in any museum in town: the importance of the symbol of the dragon for Slovenia. The five different trials of the escape game have the aim to make you free the dragon of the city. It will make you dive into the legend of Knight George and experience the feeling of being an honest, devoted, and brave knight yourself.
You only have one hour to learn and rescue the dragon, but you can do it in teams of 2 to 4 players. This escape game experience is available in Slovenian, English, and Italian, for the amount of 13 euro for adults, and 15 if you add the funicular ticket. Children under seven will not be charged but are allowed to participate.
Castle Escape Game, Grajska planota 1, 1000 Ljubljana
phone: +386 1 306 42 93
email: info-center@ljubljanskigrad.si
website: https://www.ljubljanskigrad.si/en/experiences/escape-castle/
Mindmaze
On a less lighthearted note, Ljubljana’s Mindmaze can offer you a more solemn dive into the recent Slovenian history. This company hosts two distinct rooms that will send you to two drastically different periods.
At Mindmaze, the price depends on the number of persons that will go into the room. A group of two or three people will pay 50 euros, a group of four or five will be charged 60, and every additional people will cost 12 euros. However, I recommend you to limit you to groups of 5 max, considering that you can split your group into the two rooms. You will be able to pay in cash or card after the game.
Occupied Ljubljana
The most popular room places you into 1943 Ljubljana. It is the perfect activity for those passionate about World War II and wanting to learn more about how it was like in Slovenia at the time. In 1943, the entire capital was surrounded by barbed wire: you can still see some of its remains around town, all along with the POT. It will then give you many other visit ideas in Ljubljana.
During the escape game, you will have to help Franc Laibach or to escape so that he can save the city. You will have to solve several enigmas, unlock locks, and find many hints. You will have to be quick: only 40% of the players succeed and escape in time. However, the game operators are friendly and will try to help you.
Indeed, if the schedule allows it, they will give you 5 or 10 minutes more to finish or even come to help you. But if you manage to do it in time, you will have the right to brag about it and say that you beat the pressure!
Alchemist Room
In the Alchemist Room, you will find the same medieval and dragon-y vibe in the Castle Escape Game. But here, you will enter the secret room of a 16th-century alchemist, trying to turn metal into gold.
To create this precious gold, the alchemist uses dragon eggs found in the Ljubljana marshes. Legend says, a dragon used to live in the swamps, and there is still one of its eggs for you to see in the secret chambers!
On average, the escape room takes about 60 minutes to get out. It is also accessible to deaf people. You just have to let the staff know in advance for them to modify the game.
Mindmaze, Trubarjeva cesta 24, Ground floor, 1000 Ljubljana
Phone: +386 (0) 41 991 771
Website: https://mindmaze.si/
Enigmarium and Its Outdoor Curiosity
The Enigmarium is the largest Escape Game in Slovenia, and one of Slovenians favorite escape room. It has been awarded the Excellence! badge by TripAdvisor. There are many Enigmarium escape games across Slovenia for you to try, but it is one of the best in Ljubljana.
The Enigmarium is unique because of its outdoor escape game in the city center. For only 60,00€, you can partake in an incredible adventure in the old town center. All the escape room elements will be there, such as enigmas, puzzles, challenges, etc. It is the best escape game if you are eager to discover the city in a new and original way.
A new addition to the Enigmarium is the “Salvation Room 2: Inventor Čuden’s Wondrous Machine.” In the game, you will get to know Alojzij P. Čuden, an earthquake specialist and scientist. He invented a machine to prevent earthquakes, but it is now predicting one in Ljubljana. Your job will be to get into the scientist’s house and use the device to save the city.
Both escape rooms cost 60,00€. They are one of the best activities for you and your friends. Do not hesitate and visit the Enigmarium for an hour (or more) of great entertainment.
Enigmarium, Trdinova ulica 8, 1000 Ljubljana
phone: +386 (0) 31 334 488
website: https://escape-room.si/
The Key
The two rooms offered by The Key Escape Game are amazing and unique. They take about 70 minutes to finish, which means there is plenty of time for you to play, think, and discover every secret hidden.
All rooms are available at a more accessible level for children between the ages of 8 and 12.
For 2 or 3 people, the price is 50,00€. For 4 to 5 people, it is 60,00€, and for a larger group of 8 to 10 people, it is 100,00€. You can also book the rooms for all kinds of occasions such as birthdays, team-building exercises between colleagues, an activity between friends, or an experience for families.
The first room takes you deep into Sherlock and Da Vinci’s worlds. In this room, two teams of 6 people can take the challenge at the same time.
Your objective will be to find the key to Da Vinci’s time machine. If you do, you will travel for 400 years. You will have to complete plenty of puzzles, enigmas, and challenges about Sherlock Holmes to find the ultimate key and free yourself.
The second room is called Wonderland. This theme was chosen because the room is one of the only that can be adapted for children. However, do not worry; it is not only for kids. Adults can be challenged as well, even in Wonderland.
The goal is to get out of a dungeon and find the fairytale that is Wonderland. The atmosphere and decor in the room are terrific. It is the perfect occasion for you to relax while challenging your brain.
The Key, Obrežna steza 2, 1000 Ljubljana
phone: +386 (0) 30 232 323
website: https://www.thekey.si/
Let’s Escape!
Escape games are the new trend in Ljubljana and the world. They are the best activity for families and friends, especially if it is raining or sweltering in the city. There are plenty of games for you to experience, no matter how old you and your friends or family are. Try the Enigmarium, the Key, the Mindmaze, or the Castle’s escape room. You will not be disappointed.
