I want to share a short personal story with you.
In 2018, I began my career as a team coach delivering workshops. A few years later, I decided to use my knowledge of history and started working as a tour guide in Madrid.
A few months into this new role, an international company contacted me with a very specific request: to organize a Treasure Hunt in Madrid.
I was excited to realize that my two passions—team coaching and history—could come together in a team building activity.
Today, after five years, treasure hunts are still our most popular team building activity in Madrid. In this post, I’ll share the key elements that make this such an effective integration activity for corporate groups.
Before I begin, I want to establish some basic concepts so we stay aligned and avoid any misinterpretations.
What Is a Treasure Hunt
According to the Cambridge Dictionary, a treasure hunt is a game in which players are given a series of clues (= pieces of information) that lead them to a hidden prize.
We are not going to get philosophical about the meaning of a treasure hunt. For this article, we will use this definition as the basis for the sections we explore.
How Does a Treasure Hunt for Team Building Work?
The most traditional way is the following:
- The group is divided into small teams.
- Each team is given a map and a list of questions, challenges, riddles, and tasks to find and complete. These are spread across a specific area indicated on the map.
- Once they complete a challenge, it either reveals the next clue or gives points that help them get closer to the treasure.
- The final objective is to find the treasure.
- Usually, there is a time limit, so the first team to find the treasure wins.
This doesn’t mean that everyone does it the same way. What makes a provider deliver an exceptional activity comes down to two things: knowledge and creativity. But I’ll talk about that later.
Types of Treasure Hunts for Team Building
A treasure hunt is essentially a game, which means it can be adapted in many ways, with different themes and difficulty levels depending on the group.
Treasure Hunt Formats for Team Building
Traditional Treasure Hunt
The most traditional way of playing a treasure hunt is with a map and a sheet of questions and challenges that participants need to complete in order to find the final prize.
I personally like this format because it makes players more present in the physical world and helps them feel more connected with the other members of the team. It is also easier to move around the city with a piece of paper than with an electronic device that you have to constantly worry about—whether breaking it or losing it.
For this format to work well, the activity needs to be very well designed, with elements that keep every member of the team engaged throughout the entire experience. Otherwise, they might quit after the first challenge and go straight to the bar… I am not kidding about this haha.
After organizing many treasure hunts, we have identified the key elements that make the game so engaging that people choose to skip a fresh beer just to finish the activity and get the prize. Sometimes, they are even surprised to discover that a drink can be part of a challenge, which makes the experience even more exciting.
There are many well-organized treasure hunts out there, but to be honest, ours is an experience that you won’t easily find elsewhere.
Digital Treasure Hunt
The fact that I personally prefer the traditional format doesn’t mean the digital one is not good. On the contrary, it offers advantages that can add a lot of value to the experience. As I always say, it all depends on what you want and what fits best for your team.
The digital format allows for a more interactive experience between teams. In some cases, participants can see the progress of others and even use perks against them, turning the game into something similar to a Mario Kart–style race. Of course, this depends on the platform being used.
We partner with Flinkit to create and deliver our digital treasure hunts, and the feedback from our clients has always been excellent.
Another advantage is the element of surprise. Players only receive the next challenge once they physically reach the indicated location. This prevents teams from simply Googling the answers and completing the game from a bar.
But don’t worry—we have learned from experience and developed ways to keep teams engaged throughout the entire activity. Do you want to know how? Get in touch with us to receive a tailored proposal.
Treasure Hunt Themes for Team Building
Before anything else, I want to clarify that this is how we organize the themes of our treasure hunts at The Team Building Madrid. It is not an official industry categorization.
History & Culture
This is the most popular theme. It’s a great way to discover the local history and culture while participating in a team building activity that helps people connect.
Cuisine
This theme is similar to history & culture but adds another layer by engaging more senses. Teams may stop at different bars or restaurants to try specific dishes as part of the challenges.
If you like this idea, you can also check out our Tapas Tour.
Sports
Many visitors come to Madrid for its football culture, and there are several interesting locations around the city connected to it.
This theme works best when participants are interested in sports, but even if they are not, a well-designed activity will still deliver a great experience.
You can check out our Champions of Madrid activity.
Corporate Knowledge
This theme is ideal for onboarding or reinforcing internal knowledge. The challenges are based on company-specific concepts and terminology.
You can think of it as an exam, but in a much more dynamic and engaging format.
3 Reasons Why Groups Choose Treasure Hunts for Team Building in Madrid
Treasure Hunts Are Fun and Challenging
Not all games are fun, but treasure hunts tend to be both exciting and engaging, mainly for these reasons:
Curiosity: The game is based on finding clues and solving challenges, which keeps people motivated from start to finish.
Every treasure hunt we create has a story, regardless of the type or theme.
For example, we have a game called La Casa de Papel, based on the Netflix TV show. It is essentially a treasure hunt, but players wear the uniforms, and the entire activity is led by “El Profesor,” with storytelling that makes participants feel like they are part of the real show.
Collaboration: Different challenges require the participation of all team members.
In all our treasure hunts, we include a variety of challenges such as dancing, simple math problems, cultural questions, and riddles. This encourages everyone in the team to participate, because each person usually brings different skills.
Fun Facts: Players learn interesting information while interacting with the team.
Did you know that in Madrid there are small doors around the city dedicated to a famous mouse called “Ratoncito Pérez”?
This is just one of many fun facts that participants can discover during our treasure hunts.
Learn While You Enjoy
As mentioned earlier, the most popular treasure hunts allow players to learn about the history and culture of the place. This benefit applies to any theme you choose.
Madrid is a vibrant city full of history, and there is always something new to discover. From its Arab roots, to one of the largest Royal Palaces in the world, to spectacular food markets—Madrid offers endless opportunities to explore.
Help Create Connection Within the Team
One of the main purposes of team building is to create connection between participants.
A treasure hunt encourages players to share ideas and work together. This combination of effort and reward naturally strengthens relationships within the group.
In almost all our treasure hunts, there is at least one moment of discovery.
For example, in Madrid there is a monument dedicated to Miguel de Cervantes and his masterpiece Don Quijote, one of the most translated books in the world.
In one activity, the challenge was to demonstrate a personal skill to the rest of the team and identify the most creative one.
One group was surprised to discover that one of their teammates could do a handstand and dance for a long time. From that moment on, everyone remembered him for that skill.
Conclusion
There are many aspects to consider when organizing a treasure hunt, but the goal of this post was to share the key elements that make it such an effective team building activity in Madrid.
The fact that it is a popular activity for corporate groups does not necessarily mean it is the right one for you.
If you want to learn how to choose the best activity for your team, check out this article: Best Team Building Activities in Madrid 2026 – Key Elements for a Perfect Event