Favorite places/activities in Madrid with kids?

[Anonymous]

I've got 1 week in Madrid over spring break solo with my kids 5 & 8. We are planning 1-2 day trips: Segovia and Toledo. I was originally planning on breaking up the trip with two bases, but I've decided that is simply TOO much so Madrid it is. We have a full week from arrival to departure.

Things I've started adding to my list of possible activities:

-El Retiro Park (it sounds like there are tons of great playgrounds, what are your favorites??? Any cafe's in there?)
-Zoo and take the cable car
-Raton Perez museum (Maybe??)
-Prado Museum (I wonder about kid-friendly tours)
-Obviously visit some top sites like Royal Palace (I think I read maybe there's a nice playground nearby?), Plaza Mayor, Puerto del Sol, etc....

We like a mix of sightseeing and playgrounds/free-play. Big kid does love history and little will tolerate it and enjoys cool architecture, castles, and anything transportation-related. I like sitting while my kids play in beautiful playgrounds and drinking a nice cup of coffee, I love gardens, art, architecture, and delicious food.

What are your favorite playgrounds (also if you've stayed in a neighborhood near playgrounds, if you could give some specific examples of neighborhoods you liked....I'd love to rent an apt close to a playground, doesn't have to be huge).

Favorite activities, museums, special shops, restaurants, maybe food markets??

I know this is controversial on here BUT has anyone used a stroller in Madrid? Is it stroller-friendly? We don't usually use strollers AT ALL, but solo with a hyper, impulsive little one who is always super tired the first day and can't handle the distances that my big kid can, it makes sense. With another adult, we don't need it, my DH can carry him if he's tired on his shoulders but I can't do that. He's tiny and looks like he's 3.

[Anonymous]

For some more details about kid-friendly activities in Madrid: https://atotalguirimove.blogspot.com/2023/08/kid-friendly-activities-in-madrid.html

Some notes:

-Yes, Madrid is super stroller friendly. Wide sidewalks (in general). Some streets are quite steep. You will be happy to have a stroller.

Public transit: busses have stroller parking zones so you don't have to collapse your stroller (although they can get very crowded). The Madrid Metro has come a long way toward accessibility, many stations now have elevators, this is indicated by the handicap sign on maps/those lists of stops on the metro line. You can also take cabs but like NYC sometimes it's a lot faster to take the metro. Watch your bags/pockets on metro.

Playgrounds: the website above has several listed, plus Madrid in general has lots of playgrounds so you don't really have to look
for them, they will find you!

In response to your questions:

-El Retiro Park (it sounds like there are tons of great playgrounds, what are your favorites??? Any cafe's in there?) : There is a cafe near the Estanque. The best bathrooms to use are the ones in the cafes. Bring your own toilet paper and soap if that's important to you (in spain in general this is good advice).

-Zoo and take the cable car: the cable car may not be working right now?

-Raton Perez museum (Maybe??): definitely skip this, it's kind of a tourist trap and it's like, exhibits behind glass. Not interactive at all.

-Prado Museum (I wonder about kid-friendly tours): Depends on your kid but I'd visit during the free hours every evening, less pressure in case your kids aren't interested. Pro budget tip: go at 6:30/5:30 pm when the line has died down (Monday to Saturday between 6 PM to 8 PM and on Sundays and public holidays from 5 PM to 7 PM.)

-Obviously visit some top sites like Royal Palace (I think I read maybe there's a nice playground nearby?), Plaza Mayor, Puerto del Sol, etc....: Royal Palace is like walking through a stuffy old palace with lots of furniture, it's not super interesting? The Royal Armory has a lot of armor and knights, that may be of more interest. Honestly you might be more interested in taking a cercania train out to El Escorial and checking out that nice palace. Yes, there is a nice playground in the Plaza del Oriente, and there is a playground with a massive (3 story?) slide in Plaza de España (easy walk from Palace). I personally won't let my kid go to the Plaza de España playground because it looks so dangerous, but that's me.

The city renovated the Puerto del Sol and it's kind of desolate now--just a lot of empty space and no seating/shade. Plaza Mayor is fun. Obviously you gotta check both out, though. Watch your bags/pockets walking from Puerto del Sol to Plaza Mayor.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:For some more details about kid-friendly activities in Madrid: https://atotalguirimove.blogspot.com/2023/08/kid-friendly-activities-in-madrid.html

Some notes:

-Yes, Madrid is super stroller friendly. Wide sidewalks (in general). Some streets are quite steep. You will be happy to have a stroller.

Public transit: busses have stroller parking zones so you don't have to collapse your stroller (although they can get very crowded). The Madrid Metro has come a long way toward accessibility, many stations now have elevators, this is indicated by the handicap sign on maps/those lists of stops on the metro line. You can also take cabs but like NYC sometimes it's a lot faster to take the metro. Watch your bags/pockets on metro.

Playgrounds: the website above has several listed, plus Madrid in general has lots of playgrounds so you don't really have to look
for them, they will find you!

In response to your questions:

-El Retiro Park (it sounds like there are tons of great playgrounds, what are your favorites??? Any cafe's in there?) : There is a cafe near the Estanque. The best bathrooms to use are the ones in the cafes. Bring your own toilet paper and soap if that's important to you (in spain in general this is good advice).

-Zoo and take the cable car: the cable car may not be working right now?

-Raton Perez museum (Maybe??): definitely skip this, it's kind of a tourist trap and it's like, exhibits behind glass. Not interactive at all.

-Prado Museum (I wonder about kid-friendly tours): Depends on your kid but I'd visit during the free hours every evening, less pressure in case your kids aren't interested. Pro budget tip: go at 6:30/5:30 pm when the line has died down (Monday to Saturday between 6 PM to 8 PM and on Sundays and public holidays from 5 PM to 7 PM.)

-Obviously visit some top sites like Royal Palace (I think I read maybe there's a nice playground nearby?), Plaza Mayor, Puerto del Sol, etc....: Royal Palace is like walking through a stuffy old palace with lots of furniture, it's not super interesting? The Royal Armory has a lot of armor and knights, that may be of more interest. Honestly you might be more interested in taking a cercania train out to El Escorial and checking out that nice palace. Yes, there is a nice playground in the Plaza del Oriente, and there is a playground with a massive (3 story?) slide in Plaza de España (easy walk from Palace). I personally won't let my kid go to the Plaza de España playground because it looks so dangerous, but that's me.

The city renovated the Puerto del Sol and it's kind of desolate now--just a lot of empty space and no seating/shade. Plaza Mayor is fun. Obviously you gotta check both out, though. Watch your bags/pockets walking from Puerto del Sol to Plaza Mayor.

OP here- wow, thank you!! This is all great. I just googled the playground at Plaza de Espana and it looks like a really cool playground, but the slides do look huge.

[Anonymous]

My kids LOVED the playground at Plaza de Espana. We spent a very long time there and the kids had a blast while I sipped wine at a nearby cafe lol.

There are also hedge mazes near there that my kids had a blast running around in.

[Anonymous]

I just got back from Madrid over winter break. If you plan to use the metro, I disagree about it being stroller friendly. Very few stations have elevators and I saw so many families schleping the stroller up flight after flight of stairs. If it’s light and your younger child can walk in those stations (or you don’t plan to use the metro) - it may be okay. In the older parts the city, the sidewalks are narrow. A stroller also wouldn’t work well in Toledo. It may be better in Segovia.

Be prepared to use a taxi at both the Toledo and Segovia train stations.

And, my 14 year old son hated the Prado….he was bored and not at all interested. Most of the art is Jesus art of either his birth or death - or portraits of rich dead people. You can try to enter during free time - but be prepared for long lines. Any chance you’re an educator? If so, all three of you would be free.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I just got back from Madrid over winter break. If you plan to use the metro, I disagree about it being stroller friendly. Very few stations have elevators and I saw so many families schleping the stroller up flight after flight of stairs. If it’s light and your younger child can walk in those stations (or you don’t plan to use the metro) - it may be okay. In the older parts the city, the sidewalks are narrow. A stroller also wouldn’t work well in Toledo. It may be better in Segovia.

Be prepared to use a taxi at both the Toledo and Segovia train stations.

And, my 14 year old son hated the Prado….he was bored and not at all interested. Most of the art is Jesus art of either his birth or death - or portraits of rich dead people. You can try to enter during free time - but be prepared for long lines. Any chance you’re an educator? If so, all three of you would be free.

That is a good point about the narrow sidewalks. They've made a lot of areas in the center pedestrian-only, but Spain does have those narrow sidewalks that are very hard to navigate even when walking. I also agree 100% on taking a taxi to the top of the hill in Toledo and working your way down. Gotta save your walking!

Elevators on metro: Madrid got a massive grant from the EU to put in elevators a few years ago. Because the elevators had to be fitted into stations that were built a long time ago, sometimes the elevators are some are super hidden--you might not even notice them when going up the stairs--but they are there. When you get off the train, follow the signs for the handicap exit and you will find the elevators. Sometimes you will have to take quite a few elevators to get to the surface level, hence, people will sometimes carry the strollers up because it's faster. Here is a list of metro stations with lifts and/or ramps: https://www.metromadrid.es/en/accessibility?TSPD_101_R0=08c5d7641cab2000f0116a07482bd330c20efab5c91d508c7926371e098c91c534536d04c3df7c0208bcd164ae143000cd94554c0d5bf0d7da6f2b57f57938b9bfb211b965a40dc4f8b0a9927da7331fe78628c032e4ff358fe25db95ed2e2f1#panel2

[Anonymous]

We were there in November and I don’t recall many strollers. But our DD is 10 so maybe they just weren’t on our radar. She was not a fan of Prada, but loved
Thyssen. We didn’t do kid friendly tours. We just fed her beforehand, we picked our must sees, and then want to see if time, and got audio guides for all 3 of us. We checked in with her after must sees to see how long she had in her.

Go to the Palace she really liked the artillery room. Definitely get audio tour.

Definitely go to El Retiro. They have these pretty green Quaker parrots she became obsessed with. It was fun day even though it rained.

[Anonymous]

I went with a teen last summer so don't have many suggestions for traveling with younger kids. Mine like the Reina Sofia, thrifting, and the Mercado San Miguel .... But if either of your kids plays soccer, a tour of Real Madrid's stadium might be of interest. (I have no idea how hard it might be to get game tickets, but of course that could be something to do too.)

[Anonymous]

Oh there is literally ice cream everywhere. My kids walked like 10-12 miles a day and had many an ice cream cone lol.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I just got back from Madrid over winter break. If you plan to use the metro, I disagree about it being stroller friendly. Very few stations have elevators and I saw so many families schleping the stroller up flight after flight of stairs. If it’s light and your younger child can walk in those stations (or you don’t plan to use the metro) - it may be okay. In the older parts the city, the sidewalks are narrow. A stroller also wouldn’t work well in Toledo. It may be better in Segovia.

Be prepared to use a taxi at both the Toledo and Segovia train stations.

And, my 14 year old son hated the Prado….he was bored and not at all interested. Most of the art is Jesus art of either his birth or death - or portraits of rich dead people. You can try to enter during free time - but be prepared for long lines. Any chance you’re an educator? If so, all three of you would be free.

Thanks!! Yes, I actually am an educator

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I just got back from Madrid over winter break. If you plan to use the metro, I disagree about it being stroller friendly. Very few stations have elevators and I saw so many families schleping the stroller up flight after flight of stairs. If it’s light and your younger child can walk in those stations (or you don’t plan to use the metro) - it may be okay. In the older parts the city, the sidewalks are narrow. A stroller also wouldn’t work well in Toledo. It may be better in Segovia.

Be prepared to use a taxi at both the Toledo and Segovia train stations.

And, my 14 year old son hated the Prado….he was bored and not at all interested. Most of the art is Jesus art of either his birth or death - or portraits of rich dead people. You can try to enter during free time - but be prepared for long lines. Any chance you’re an educator? If so, all three of you would be free.

Thanks!! Yes, I actually am an educator

A lot of museums in Spain have free admission for teachers, definitely bring your ID for the free entry and always ask!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I just got back from Madrid over winter break. If you plan to use the metro, I disagree about it being stroller friendly. Very few stations have elevators and I saw so many families schleping the stroller up flight after flight of stairs. If it’s light and your younger child can walk in those stations (or you don’t plan to use the metro) - it may be okay. In the older parts the city, the sidewalks are narrow. A stroller also wouldn’t work well in Toledo. It may be better in Segovia.

Be prepared to use a taxi at both the Toledo and Segovia train stations.

And, my 14 year old son hated the Prado….he was bored and not at all interested. Most of the art is Jesus art of either his birth or death - or portraits of rich dead people. You can try to enter during free time - but be prepared for long lines. Any chance you’re an educator? If so, all three of you would be free.

Thanks!! Yes, I actually am an educator

A lot of museums in Spain have free admission for teachers, definitely bring your ID for the free entry and always ask!

awesome! Thanks!

[Anonymous]

Oh, you're thinking of taking your little bundle of joy to Madrid? Let me paint a picture for you: Imagine navigating the Prado Museum, with its endless galleries of priceless art, while your child decides it's the perfect time to play hide and seek. Or picture strolling through the vibrant streets of Madrid, every sensory delight overshadowed by the constant chorus of "I'm bored" or "I'm tired." Madrid's nightlife, a symphony of tapas and flamenco, transforms into a quest for the nearest bathroom or a kid-friendly menu that extends beyond patatas bravas. And let's not forget the peaceful siestas, which in parent language translates to 'strategic planning sessions for tantrum avoidance'. Madrid is a city of romantic strolls, leisurely dinners that start when bedtime stories are due, and art that's best appreciated without a side of whining. So, unless your child appreciates 17th-century baroque architecture or has a palate for jamón ibérico, maybe this is one escapade where they can sit out, and you can savor the city as it's meant to be.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Oh there is literally ice cream everywhere. My kids walked like 10-12 miles a day and had many an ice cream cone lol.

Why would you take a kid to Spain just to focus ice cream?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:For some more details about kid-friendly activities in Madrid: https://atotalguirimove.blogspot.com/2023/08/kid-friendly-activities-in-madrid.html

Some notes:

-Yes, Madrid is super stroller friendly. Wide sidewalks (in general). Some streets are quite steep. You will be happy to have a stroller.

Public transit: busses have stroller parking zones so you don't have to collapse your stroller (although they can get very crowded). The Madrid Metro has come a long way toward accessibility, many stations now have elevators, this is indicated by the handicap sign on maps/those lists of stops on the metro line. You can also take cabs but like NYC sometimes it's a lot faster to take the metro. Watch your bags/pockets on metro.

Playgrounds: the website above has several listed, plus Madrid in general has lots of playgrounds so you don't really have to look
for them, they will find you!

In response to your questions:

-El Retiro Park (it sounds like there are tons of great playgrounds, what are your favorites??? Any cafe's in there?) : There is a cafe near the Estanque. The best bathrooms to use are the ones in the cafes. Bring your own toilet paper and soap if that's important to you (in spain in general this is good advice).

-Zoo and take the cable car: the cable car may not be working right now?

-Raton Perez museum (Maybe??): definitely skip this, it's kind of a tourist trap and it's like, exhibits behind glass. Not interactive at all.

-Prado Museum (I wonder about kid-friendly tours): Depends on your kid but I'd visit during the free hours every evening, less pressure in case your kids aren't interested. Pro budget tip: go at 6:30/5:30 pm when the line has died down (Monday to Saturday between 6 PM to 8 PM and on Sundays and public holidays from 5 PM to 7 PM.)

-Obviously visit some top sites like Royal Palace (I think I read maybe there's a nice playground nearby?), Plaza Mayor, Puerto del Sol, etc....: Royal Palace is like walking through a stuffy old palace with lots of furniture, it's not super interesting? The Royal Armory has a lot of armor and knights, that may be of more interest. Honestly you might be more interested in taking a cercania train out to El Escorial and checking out that nice palace. Yes, there is a nice playground in the Plaza del Oriente, and there is a playground with a massive (3 story?) slide in Plaza de España (easy walk from Palace). I personally won't let my kid go to the Plaza de España playground because it looks so dangerous, but that's me.

The city renovated the Puerto del Sol and it's kind of desolate now--just a lot of empty space and no seating/shade. Plaza Mayor is fun. Obviously you gotta check both out, though. Watch your bags/pockets walking from Puerto del Sol to Plaza Mayor.

OP here- wow, thank you!! This is all great. I just googled the playground at Plaza de Espana and it looks like a really cool playground, but the slides do look huge.

OMG. You are going to Madrid to spend time at their playgrounds? Why?