How to Complete All Shrines in Zelda: A Link Between Worlds

23 June 2025

Alright, fellow adventurers! So, you’ve decided to take on all the shrines in Zelda: A Link Between Worlds, huh? Brave choice! Whether you’re chasing 100% completion or just trying to beef up your abilities, tackling every shrine is a must. Now, this ain’t just a walk in the park—even for seasoned Zelda fans—so I've whipped up an in-depth, easy-to-follow guide that’ll help you navigate every shrine and squeeze every last drop of fun out of it.

We’ll dive into where to find each shrine, how to handle their puzzles, best gear to have handy, and even a few secrets most players miss. Buckle up, grab that Master Sword (or Ravio’s rental gear), and let’s do this shrine-by-shrine!

🎯 What Are Shrines in A Link Between Worlds?

Before we start shrine-hunting, let’s clear something up. The game doesn't officially call them “shrines” like in Breath of the Wild. Instead, they’re often referred to as Maimai Dungeons, mini dungeons, or special trials, and they usually reward you with upgrades, Heart Pieces, or essential progression items. But for the sake of consistency, we’ll keep calling them shrines here.

They’re scattered across both Hyrule and Lorule, and some are hidden behind clever puzzles or require special items. And yep—you’re gonna need to do a bit of backtracking. It's a Zelda game, after all!

🗺️ Key Tools You’ll Need Before You Start Shrine Hunting

Let’s not sugarcoat it: you can't just wander off and expect to access all shrines from the get-go. Some areas are blocked off unless you’ve progressed far enough. Here’s your basic toolkit before taking this challenge head-on:

- Ravio’s Items: Especially the Hookshot, Sand Rod, Fire Rod, and Bombs.
- Pegasus Boots: For speed and dodging traps.
- Master Sword (Upgraded): For tougher enemies inside shrines.
- Weather Vane Activation: Always activate them for fast travel.
- A Good Memory: Or…just bookmark this article 😉

🧠 How Many Shrines Are There?

Technically speaking, while the game doesn’t give you a shiny shrine counter, there are about 18 mini-dungeons or shrine equivalents and over 50 Heart Pieces, many found inside these trials. Each one tests a different skill—combat, puzzle solving, item mastery—you name it.

⚔️ Hyrule Shrine Locations and How to Beat Them

Let’s start with the shrines located in good ol’ Hyrule. Most of them are accessible early in the game.

1. Sanctuary Secret Passage

- Location: Northeast of Sanctuary.
- What You Need: Bombs.
- Why It’s Cool: It’s your intro to secret shrine-style dungeons.
- Tip: Use bombs to blast away cracked walls for bonus goodies.

2. Eastern Palace Region

- Location: Behind a bombable wall near the Eastern Palace.
- What You’ll Get: Heart Piece.
- Enemies: Red ChuChus.
- Pro Tip: Light all torches before progressing—it opens secret doors.

3. Death Mountain Cave

- Location: Near the Tower of Hera.
- Gear Needed: Hammer and Hookshot.
- Puzzle Alert: You’ll need good timing to dodge falling boulders and hit switches fast.

🧩 Lorule Shrine Locations and Their Challenges

Once you unlock the ability to slide between Hyrule and Lorule (oh yeah, loved that wall-merging ability), things start to get juicy. The Lorule shrines crank up the difficulty.

4. Lorule Sanctuary Area

- Location: Mirror of Hyrule’s Sanctuary.
- Items Required: Bombs and Sand Rod.
- Enemies Galore: Stalfos, Wizzrobes, and spinning traps.
- Pro Tip: Don’t rush—watch enemy patterns before striking.

5. Skull Woods Mini-Dungeon

- Gear Check: Fire Rod is essential here.
- Challenge: Time-based switches and vanishing platforms.
- Reward: Usually gear upgrades or access to the main dungeon.

6. Desert Shrine Area

- Location: Lorule’s version of the Desert.
- Item Needed: Sand Rod (duh).
- Heads-Up: The entire place is a timing nightmare. Sand platforms drop quickly—don’t hesitate!

🐚 The Mother Maiamai Shrines

Okay, here's a little sidetrack, but an important one. If you're grinding for shrine challenges, you'll naturally run into Maiamai Shrines. You know, those adorable little shell critters?

- How It Works: Return 10 Maiamais to Mother Maiamai, and she’ll upgrade one of Ravio’s items.
- Tip: Upgraded items make many shrine trials way easier—especially enemies and puzzles.

Take time to sweep through both worlds with the Sand Rod and Tornado Rod to reach Maiamais hidden in trees, under rocks, or behind waterfalls.

🧩 Puzzle Solving Tips for Tricky Shrine Rooms

Let’s be honest—some of these shrines feel like straight-up brain yoga. So, here are a few foolproof tricks to get you through:

- Always Light Every Torch: If there’s a flame nearby and torches to light, that’s your cue.
- Watch Floor Patterns: Many puzzles are solved by matching floor tiles or dodging danger zones.
- Use the Merge Ability Creatively: Walls are your friends. Think 2D when you're stuck in 3D.
- Timing Is Everything: For puzzle rooms where you hit switches, wait a second. Rushing usually resets the puzzle.

🦾 Best Items to Upgrade First for Shrine Dominance

If you’re returning Maiamais and don’t know where to start, here’s a quick upgrade priority list:

1. Hookshot – Way more powerful when upgraded, especially against annoying flying enemies.
2. Fire Rod – Turns into a flamethrower that instantly clears puzzle rooms.
3. Tornado Rod – Pretty essential for both combat and vertical puzzles.
4. Sand Rod – Upgrade if you’re tired of sand platforms crumbling under your feet.

🌟 Hidden Secrets in the Shrines Most Players Miss

Let’s chat about the hidden stuff. You didn’t come this far just for the basic walk-through, right?

- Fake Walls: Some shrines have walls that look solid but can be merged through. Test every edge when in doubt.
- Hidden Chests: Look behind pillars and in the next room over. Bomb-able walls often hold rupees and gear.
- Optional Rooms: Not every room is required to finish a shrine. But it’s almost always worth it to do the extra work.

🧠 Why Doing All Shrines Matters

Besides the sheer pride (and bragging rights) of conquering every shrine, here’s what you get:

- More health via Heart Pieces.
- Stronger upgraded items.
- Better preparation for the final boss gauntlets.
- Access to exclusive in-game easter eggs and hidden lore.

Shrines aren’t just side fluff—they’re a core part of leveling up your character. Think of them like workouts for Link!

🤔 Common Problems and How to Solve Them

Let’s troubleshoot a few things real quick:

- “I can’t reach the shrine!” → Try checking the mirror world. Many shrines are only reachable via Lorule/Hyrule swapping.
- “I’m stuck in a room with no exit!” → Merge into walls or use a Bomb to reveal hidden switches.
- “I don't know which item I need!” → Trial and error is part of the process. Bring what you can and teleport back if needed.

✅ Final Tips Before Taking on All Shrines

- Always carry a couple of potions.
- Save often at nearby weather vanes.
- Use the in-game Hint Glasses if you're truly stuck.
- Don't skip the optional rooms. They're gold mines.

Oh, and don’t forget—this game is as much about the journey as the destination. If a shrine stumps you, walk away and come back. Sometimes, the solution pops into your head like a Deku Nut outta nowhere.

🏁 Wrapping Up: Are You Shrine-Ready?

There you go! That’s your all-in-one, no-nonsense guide to completing every shrine in Zelda: A Link Between Worlds. Just remember: the real key isn’t just having the right items—it’s paying attention to your environment, experimenting a little, and having the patience of a sage.

Now grab your gear, wake up that inner hero, and go light up those shrines one by one. Trust me, clearing them all is one of the most rewarding parts of the game.

Happy adventuring!