Top 50 Things to Do in Madrid With Kids

Between All the Spanish History, Culinary Delights and A Vibrant Culture, Madrid Is the Perfect Family Holiday Destination. We Have Simplified the Research for You and Here Are the Top Things to Do In Madrid With Kids!

Madrid, Spain’s capital city and bustling metropolis is full of activities and fun things to do. In the heart of the country’s mainland what it lacks in coastline and beaches it makes up for with interesting outside spaces, green parks and museums. Soak up some Spanish culture, try local foods and keep kids of all ages entertained with this list of top things to do in Madrid with kids.

#01 – #29 – THINGS TO DO IN CENTRAL MADRID

#1 – Retiro Park
Retiro Park was originally created as a retreat for the Royal Family and was opened to the public in the late 1700s. Whilst you’re there you can also hire a row boat, See Casita del Pescador which is a tiny house and check out the Crystal Palace which is made almost entirely of glass.

#2 – Statue Performers at Puerta del Sol
See the street entertainers at Puerta del Sol, Madrid’s public square. The statue performers there are incredibly life like! Whilst you’re there, be sure to check out the famous clock whose bells mark the traditional eating of the Twelve Grapes and the beginning of a new year.

#3 – Best Churros in a Hidden Spot
Eat churros con chocolate for breakfast like the locals do. Try looking for Chocolatería San Ginés which is tucked down a tiny side street, just off the Calle Arenal. It has been serving chocolate con churros, coffee and cakes since 1894.

#4 – San Miguel Food Market
Walk around the San Miguel food market and buy snacks from the many stalls. If you have a foodie in your family, you can’t miss the caviar cart, oyster bar or the crab counter.

#5 – Find the Emblem of Madrid
Take photos with the emblem of Madrid, the bear and the strawberry tree. This is actually a sculpture and represents Madrid’s coat of arms.

#6 – El Rastro Flea Market
Explore El Rastro flea market on Sunday mornings. It is said to be the largest flea market in Europe with up to 3500 different stalls, it extends through several streets in Madrid’s historical neighbourhoods. Park yourself on a street cafe and people watch as the locals also love this market.

#7 – Pinchos!
Try pinchos in La Latina neighbourhood. They are small piece of bread topped with meat, fish or vegetables, perfectly bite sized and you pick them from the bar counter. You can never have too many of these delicious bites.

#8 – Tropical Garden at Atocha Train Station
See the turtles living in the indoor tropical park at Atocha train station. The tropical garden is surrounded by iron and glass is also filled with several thousand plants, including 260 different species from America, Asia, and Australia.

#9 – Street Art in Madrid
Look at all the colourful street art and artistic graffiti in Lavapies and Malasana neighbourhoods.

#10 – 360 Degree View of Madrid
Go up on the rooftop of Circulo de Bellas Artes for a 360º panoramic view of Madrid. Located on Alcala street 42, the entrance fee to the rooftop costs €4.00. It is open all week from 9:00am to 9pm; Friday and Saturday open until midnight.

#11 – Open Top Bus Ride
Take an open top bus ride around the city. These hop on hop off services are a fantastic way to see the city especially if you are short on time or if you have young kids who may not be able to go the distance. There are 2 routes to choose from so you can be assured all the major sightseeing spots are covered. Besides, kids just love the open top bus!

#12 – Flamenco Show
See a Flamenco show. The singing, guitar playing and dancing are an important tradition from Southern Spain dating all the way back to the 18th century.

#13 – Watch a Football Match
Watch a Real Madrid or Athletico Madrid football game. Everyone is football mad here!

#14 – Royal Palace of Madrid
Go inside the Royal Palace, where the Royal family of Spain used to live. The rooms still have the original carpets, wallpaper and furniture.

#15 – Experience Spanish Cinema
See a movie at Yelmo Cines Ideal, they show movies in English with subtitles and get the real Spanish cinematic experience.

#16 – Try a Spanish Slushie
Try granizado, it’s a fruit flavoured ice slushie drink which consists of crushed or shaved ice with semi-sweet milk, fruit syrup or chocolate syrup dripped on top. The perfect way for the kids to cool down if you’re there in the summer.

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#17 – Prado Museum
See the famous artwork in the Prado museum. Entry to the museum are free for kids. If you’re worried about the museum being too boring for the kids but is a must for you, consider hoping on a tour with Private Madrid Museum Tours. The tour guide is well known for being very engaging with kids and has a knack for bringing the artwork to life.

#18 – Shopping in Gran Via
Go shopping on Gran Via, it’s a shopper’s paradise and is the city’s most visited shopping street. Combined with some beautiful architecture, it’s a grand boulevard you don’t want to miss.

#19 – Botanical Gardens of Madrid
Walk through the Botanical Gardens, the flowers change with the seasons and there is an area dedicated to cacti.

#20 – Visit the Madrid Robot Museum
Visit the Robot Museum. Founded in 2013 the Robot Museum is an unusual place to visit in Madrid with the kids. Housing an exciting world of entertainment robots, it showcases everything from the award-winning NOA humanoid robot to replicas of the famous Star Wars androids and EMROS, the world’s smallest robot.

The Robot Museum is also famous for having the largest collection of robot dogs in Europe.

#21 – Endless Tapas
Try traditional Spanish jamon (ham) and queso (cheese). And let’s not forget Spanish tapas like croquettes, meatballs, tortilla and olives.

#22 – Segway Tours
Kids aged 12 and over can take a Segway city tour, see the sights and have the opportunity of riding such a cool mode of transportation.

#23 – Natural Science Museum
Visit the Natural Science Museum. It houses and exhibits a significant collection of specimens and will appeal to kids who love animals, plants, stones and so many other interesting collections.

#24 – Authentic Spanish Cooking Class
Take a Spanish cooking class with your kids and learn how to make paella, tapas or churros.

#25 – Try Spain’s Childhood Drink
Drink Cola Cao chocolate milkshake, a very popular drink in Madrid.

#26 – Escape Room
Join an escape the room experience and see if you can work together and make out before you run out of time.

#27 – City Tour for Kids
Take an organised kid’s tour to learn about the city sights and history.

#28 – Madrid’s Wax Museum
Check out the Madrid Wax Museum (Museo de Cera) with wax figures over two floors in forty rooms. Here you’ll find some Hollywood heavyweights that well known worldwide. Included in the ticket of the museum are also some other attractions like the Terror Train, a simulator which seats 12 and takes you on a virtual journey as well as a small cinema showcasing vision of the history of Spain.

#29 – Matadero, Space for Kid’s Events
Visit the Matadero, a cultural space that has an ever changing program of interesting events. The art exhibitions, creative performances and concerts will keep older children entertained.

#30 – #37 – THINGS TO DO 15-30 MINUTES FROM THE CENTRE OF MADRID

#30 – Tour of Real Madrid Football Stadium
Go on a tour of the Real Madrid football stadium, the Santiago Bernabeu. It’s home of the most successful football club in the World!

#31 – 17 Playgrounds at Madrid Rio
Buy ice creams and walk down by Madrid Rio, its beside the Manzanares river and has as many as 17 playgrounds or children’s areas.

#32 – Outdoor Swimming Pools
Go swimming on one the many outdoor public swimming pools.

#33 – Teleferico Cable Car
Ride the Teleferico cable car from Moncloa to Casa de Campo and see great views of the city and park. The journey takes 15 minutes and you can bring in a stroller or pram onboard.

#34 – Look for Peacocks
Look for peacocks (or Royal Turkeys as the Spanish affectionately call them) in the garden behind the Royal Palace.

#35 – Egyptian Temple de Debod
See the Egyptian Temple de Debod which is particularly pretty when the sunsets. The shrine was originally erected near the Aswan in Upper Egypt and it was dismantled and rebuilt in Madrid.

#36 – Faro de Moncloa Observation Deck
Get stunning views of Madrid at Faro de Moncloa, 110m high communications tower from its observation deck.

#37 – Railway Museum
Visit the Railway Museum to see some interesting old trains. It is one of the largest historic railroad collections in Europe.

#38 – #44 – THINGS TO DO 30 MINUTES FROM THE CENTRE OF MADRID

#38 – Casa de Campo Park
Visit Casa de Campo Park which is the largest city park. There are so many things to do here including an amusement park, the city’s zoo with over 3000 animals, the aquarium and a large lake. You can also hire bikes as you cycle on the wonderful cycle routes through the lush green trees.

#39 – Nickelodeon Land at Parque de Atracciones
Visit Nickelodeon Land at Parque de Atracciones and see all your favourite tv show characters and enjoy the theme park rides. If your kids are into Dora the Explorer, Sponge Bob, Rugrats or Ninja Turtles, it’s well worth the visit. For the adrenalin junkies in your family, check out the huge roller coasters in the theme park itself.

#40 – Aquopolis Water Park
In the summer months you can splash around in the Aquopolis water park. This aquatic amusement park features giant water slides, swimming pools, marine life shows and plenty of places to eat.

#41 – Indoor Go Karting
Go indoor go-karting at the Carlos Sainz Centre. This is an indoor-outdoor combined circuit that adds up more than 700 meters altogether. There is also a kidsplay area for kids between 4-10 years old. It features a ball pool, mini-football, climbing wall and volcano slide. You can jump in their trampoline and go down their giant slide.

#42 – Madrid Snowzone
Visit the Xanadu shopping centre and check out the Madrid Snowzone. It is 1800 square meters it is the biggest indoor winter sport area in Europe and you can rent equipment and learn to ski or snowboard. For the experienced, not to worry, there is a different run for you, so you’re not slowed down by the beginners.

#43 – Pedal Carts
As a family you can hire pedal carts and go for a ride around on the parks.

#44 – Las Ventas Bullfighting Ring
Visit the world’s most important bull ring, Las Ventas and take a tour to learn about the history and traditions. Audio guides are available and when you’re done you can visit the Bullfighting Museum. Make sure you get the kids to check out the virtual bullfighting Game!

#45 – #50 – THINGS TO DO 1 HOUR FROM THE CENTRE OF MADRID

#45 – Day Trip to Segovia
Take the train to nearby Segovia to see the fairy tale castle, which Walt Disney is said to have modelled Sleeping Beauty’s castle on. Segovia is Unesco World Heritage listed and where you will find the famous Roman aqueduct

#46 – Medieval City of Toledo
Take a day trip to Toledo to explore a real medieval city where Christian, Muslim and Jewish communities peacefully coexisted.

#47 – Parque Warner Madrid
Take the kids to Parque Warner Madrid. The theme park has 5 distinct areas to include Hollywood Boulevard, Movie World Studios and Super Heroes World. Download their app to sync your tickets, find maps and attractions and check out the rides ranked intense, moderate or soft. Great day out for kids of all ages.

#48 – Faunia Zoo and Garden
See all the wildlife in Faunia, a zoo and botanical garden that showcases all the different ecosystems. It is also home to king penguins, Steller sea lions (the largest species in their family), Komodo dragons and West Indian manatees.

#49 – Aventura Amazonia Park
Located in Sierra Oeste just over an hour outside of Madrid, you can take the kids to the Aventura Amazonia Park. Set amidst the conifer forest the park offers treetop adventures of varying difficulty. There is a 252m long zip line for the adventurous and there is also a mini kids zone for the little ones from 4 to 7 years of age.

#50 – Hike La Pedriza National Park
Hike La Pedriza, the national park located between Madrid and Segovia. Follow the trails with a picnic lunch and stop at the natural pools for a swim. If you are an avid hiking family with a love for long hikes, you can trek to the peak, The Yelmo. The estimated time is 3 hours up and 2 hours down with spectacular views along the way.

This Spanish city sure packs a punch! With so many possible things to do for kids in Madrid you can certainly tailor your itinerary to suit all members of the family.

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BONUS TIP #1 – RELATED ARTICLES

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BONUS TIP #2 – BEST TIME TO TRAVEL TO MADRID

• Nice Warm Weather – Travel between May and July for average temperatures of 20°C – 32°C or 68°F – 90°F
• Hot Summer Weather – End of July and throughout August you’ll get temperatures reaching 40°c or 100°F
• Cooler and More Pleasant – If you go between September to October, temperatures range between 20°C – 25°C or 68°F – 77°F
• Winter Climate – In December you’ll get an average temperature of 12°C or 55°F.
• Rainfall – Madrid is mainly dry throughout the year with some rain in the winter months. This also means that the summers are dry with low humidity.

BONUS TIP #3 – WHERE TO STAY IN MADRID

3 star Hotel – Room Mate Laura
Room Mate Laura is a typical 19th-century building in central Madrid and is only 300 m from the Puerta del Sol and the Royal Palace. Callao Metro Station is only 150m away. The decor is contemporary, staff were very helpful, and the rooms are clean and comfortable. You can opt for the family rooms which has 4 single beds.
Book Now Pay Later – Check Prices Here

Apartment Budget to Mid-Range – Gran Via Suites
Get a studio apartment with a double bed and sofa bed to fit a family of 4. It is located just off Gran Via, one of Madrid’s vibrant main streets famous shopping. The apartment comes with all bathroom amenities, linen, kitchen and washing machine. Gran Vía Metro Station is 400 m away and Puerta del Sol Square can be reached in 10 minutes on foot. The apartment is extremely convenient with a grocery store just downstairs and loads of cafes and restaurants nearby.
Book Now Pay Later – Check Prices Here

Luxury Boutique Hotel – The Principal Madrid
Located at the heart of Madrid, the hotel is surrounded by an array of entertainment, dining and shopping options, and is just 400m from the Thyssen-Bornemisza Museum. Madrid City Centre is a great choice for travellers interested in tapas, architecture and parks. You can opt for the Junior Suite which boasts spectacular views of the city centre, butler services and free access to the Wellness Suite. They also offer early check in and late check out which is handy of the kids need their sleep!
Book Now Pay Later – Check Prices Here

4 star Suites – AB Design Suites
The AB Design Suites are designer suites, with modern facilities. They have a great location 200m from Madrid’s Gran Via and Plaza de España, 50m from Noviciado Metro Station and buses stop outside the apartments. The hotel reception staff were very welcoming & approachable. You can get an apartment with 2 bedrooms for a typically family of 4 or event apartments with 4 bedrooms if you have a large family
Book Now Pay Later – Check Prices Here 

 

 

 

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The Top 50 Things to Do in Madrid With Kids is written Perri Johnson. Edited by Family Globetrotters.
Perri is the writer of Seeking the Spanish Sun travel blog. She moved from London to Madrid in early 2017 and is enjoying living in and exploring Spain. The blog shares everything Perri sees and learns during her travels and gives a little insight into life in Spain.

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