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🇪🇸 Madrid for Families: Things to Do with Kids + Practical Travel Guide


Madrid, the capital of Spain, is located in the center of the country and has more than 3.5 million inhabitants in the city itself, and over 7 million if you include the entire Community of Madrid. It is a major cultural, economic, and political hub.


Many people, if given the choice, might prefer Barcelona for its beaches and Gaudí’s works, but for us, Madrid will always be our favorite destination in Spain ☺️.


We lived in Madrid more than 10 years ago as students: young adults without kids yet… and we fell in love with the city, how walkable it is, and simply because we made such special friends there.


Not long ago we had the chance to return, but this time as visitors, together with our two little ones, two of their grandparents, and uncle! We hope this information will help anyone planning a trip to Madrid 🧡.



When is the best time to visit Madrid?


🌸 Spring and Autumn: Pleasant weather, fewer tourists, and moderate prices. If you go in Spring, do not miss out the blossoming almond trees in Quinta de los Molinos park.


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☀️ Summer: Lively atmosphere, but very hot! We traveled in summer, but we come from a country that’s just as hot (if not hotter 😅).


❄️ Winter: Festive atmosphere and lower prices, but don’t underestimate how cold it can get!



Essential Information Before Traveling to Madrid


💶 Money & Payments

  • Currency: Euro (€).

  • Cash vs Card: Credit/debit cards are widely accepted (restaurants, shops, transport), but always carry some cash for markets, street stalls, or small local shops.

  • ATMs are everywhere, but check if your bank charges international withdrawal fees.


🚇 Public Transport

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  • Metro, buses, and Cercanías trains are integrated with the Multi Card or Abono Transporte.

  • Multi Card: Rechargeable, valid for Metro, EMT buses, and Cercanías trains.

  • Single Ticket: Good if you’ll only use transport occasionally.

  • 10-Trip Ticket (Metrobús): Handy for adults; kids under 6 travel free




🚶‍♂️ Transport for Families

  • Metro: Easy and efficient. Some stations have elevators and stroller access, though corridors and platforms can sometimes be narrow.

  • Bus: Good for sightseeing along the route, though honestly, we rarely used them. We actually just loved walking everywhere!


🍽 Food & Tipping

  • Tipping is not expected, but you can leave 5–10% if service is good.

  • Tapas and "Menu del día" (daily set menus) in bars and restaurants are inexpensive and family-friendly.

📱 Connectivity & Useful Apps

  • eSIMs (Airalo, Nomad, etc.) or physical SIMs (available at airports).

  • Google Maps – best for planning routes and real-time transport info.

  • Official websites/apps for intercity transport: Renfe, Ouigo, Avanza, Alsa.


🧳 Other Tips

  • Wear comfortable clothing and shoes, you’ll be walking a lot.

  • Bring a reusable water bottle: there are plenty of drinking fountains.

  • Keep documents, money, and cards in a secure place, especially on public transport and in tourist areas.



Exploring Madrid as a Family



Centro


The Centro district (stretching from the Austrias area to Sol Metro station) is Madrid’s historic heart. It’s home to iconic squares such as Plaza Mayor, Puerta del Sol, and Plaza de Oriente, as well as landmarks like the Royal Palace and Almudena Cathedral. Narrow cobblestone streets are filled with cafés, traditional shops, markets, and restaurants, combining history, culture, and local life. It’s perfect for exploring on foot and uncovering hidden corners.


Fun fact: The Madrid neighborhood known as the “Austrias” gets its name because this historic part of the city, flourished under the reigns of the House of Austria (or Habsburgs), the ruling dynasty in Spain between 1516 and 1700, from Charles I to Charles II. During that time, Madrid was consolidated as the capital of a vast empire and underwent a major architectural and urban transformation, shaping the historic center we know today. Exploring Austrias means discovering the city’s very origins.




Tickets to the Royal Palace (click to expand)

Free tickets apply to European Union citizens, residents/work permit holders in the EU, and Ibero-American citizens (with documentation), as well as children under 5 and other groups specified on the official website.


Free entry hours (vary by season, check the updated info on the website):

  • October–March: Monday to Thursday, 16:00–18:00

  • April–September: Monday to Thursday, 17:00–19:00


(This offer is for self-guided visits only; guided tours are not allowed during these hours.)


Go to the ticket office (Plaza de la Armería / Main Gate) and join the line for visitors without tickets; when it’s your turn, ask for the “free ticket.”


Present your document proving nationality or residency (ID/passport/driver’s license or residence/work permit) if applicable; you will receive a ticket for a self-guided visit. Keep the document with you during the visit in case it is requested again.


If you are not eligible or prefer to reserve (paid ticket):

Go to the official ticketing website: https://tickets.patrimonionacional.es 


Select Palacio Real de Madrid, choose the date and time, select the type of ticket (standard/reduced), and pay by card.


You will receive the e-ticket by email; print it or keep it on your mobile and enter through the “with ticket” line to avoid long queues. Buying online is the safest option if you are traveling in advance or during high season.


Standard ticket: €14 per person Reduced ticket: €7 per person for:

  • Citizens between 5 and 16 years old. Accreditation via ID or passport for ages 14–16.

  • Seniors over 65 years old.

  • Students up to 25 years old with a valid national or international student card.


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☕️ To our surprise, our kids did not like churros with chocolate! If yours feel the same, try La Mallorquina for fresh orange juice and a Napolitana pastry.


Other favorites in Centro:


FNAC in Callao
FNAC in Callao


La Latina


La Latina is where plazas, tapas, flamenco, and winding streets whisper centuries-old stories.



✨ Highlight of our family trip: Flamenco at La Cueva de Lola.




Lavapiés


Lavapiés is Madrid’s melting pot, where murals, markets, and colorful streets tell stories of cultures from all over the world.




Lavapies Street Art
Lavapies Street Art

Malasaña


Easily one of our favorite neighborhoods in Madrid (maybe because we lived there!). Very hipster, full of independent shops, lively squares, terraces, and cultural centers.



✨ Other highlights:


  • Conde Duque (exhibitions & family activities)  | Museo ABC


  • Mercado Mostenses A more authentic, non-touristy market where you can get great fruit, fresh juices, empanadas, etc.!


  • Nearby: Calle Fuencarral, partly pedestrianized, perfect for shopping.


Playground behind Centro Cultural Conde Duque
Playground behind Centro Cultural Conde Duque

ABC Museum
ABC Museum


Barrio de las Letras (Cortes / Huertas)


Paseo por la calle Huertas - Stroll along Calle Huertas: pedestrian street with quotes from Golden Age writers (Cervantes, Lope de Vega) embedded in the pavement.


Plaza de Santa Ana - small square with open terraces and plenty of space for kids to run around and play.


Mercado de San Antón - local sweets and tapas.


Plaza de Santa Ana
Plaza de Santa Ana

Justicia / Chueca


The Justicia district, better known as Chueca, is urban and cosmopolitan, with restored late 19th–early 20th century buildings and lively streets.



Espacio Fundación Telefónica - Great exhibitions, when we visited, there was one on “Fake News!” which was super engaging for kids and adults alike.


Espacio Fundación Telefónica
Espacio Fundación Telefónica



Retiro


The Retiro neighborhood surrounds the city’s most famous green lung: Parque del Retiro. It’s a calm residential area, with tree-lined streets, nearby museums, cafés, and cultural spaces.


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📍 Museo del Prado  2–3 hours is recommended for a family visit with kids; book online, free last two hours.


🎟 Tickets:  Official web to avoid long queues; free entry during the two last hours of the operating hours. Monday to Saturday 18:00 h to 20:00 h, Sundays and holidays 17:00 h to 19:00 h


📍 Museo Naval free, suggested donation €3, impressive collection of ships, maps, and artifacts


Timetable

  • Tuesday to Sunday: 10:00 – 19:00 h

  • August: 10:00 – 15:00 h



Naval Museum Madrid
Naval Museum Madrid


Salamanca


The Salamanca district is Madrid’s elegant, upscale area, known for its stately architecture, luxury boutiques, and cultural offerings.


📍 Puerta de Alcalá and the Golden Mile (Serrano, Velázquez, Ortega y Gasset streets)


📍 Mercado de la Paz gourmet market


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📍 Museo Lázaro Galdiano - (ask for kids’ activities booklets!)


📍 ZOOO - retro vibe arcades, great for kids 6+





Chamberí


A residential, traditional, and elegant neighborhood, quieter than the city center but well connected. Characterized by leafy plazas, and a very local vibe.


📍 Andén 0 – Estación fantasma de Chamberí old Chamberí metro station turned museum


📍 Plaza de Olavide bustling terraces, super popular, we were staying in an Airbnb near this area and we could hear the people in the terraces chatting, laughing and just having a great time from blocks away!


📍 Canal de Isabel II sports/play areas


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This neighborhood is also where our beloved church is located: Amistad Cristiana 🧡 If you are Christian or would like to explore the christian faith and what a local church is like, we recommend you to visit!


Amistad Cristiana: their Sunday meetings take place in a cinema! How cool is that?
Amistad Cristiana: their Sunday meetings take place in a cinema! How cool is that?



Moncloa / Argüelles


Moncloa - Argüelles Youthful vibe thanks to the nearby universities, but also very residential with many families.


📍 Mirador del Faro de Moncloa - 110m tower with panoramic views


📍 Museo de América - pre-Columbian, colonial & ethnographic treasures


📍 Parque del Oeste and Rosaleda (Rose Gardens)


📍 Sunset at Templo de Debod


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Casa de Campo


Though officially a neighborhood, Casa de Campo is essentially a vast park (once a royal hunting ground, opened to the public in 1931).



Things to do at 📍 Casa de Campo



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During our visit, there was a special event called "Ballons" (Similar to TeamLabs from Japan) set up in Escenario Puerta de Ángel at Casa de Campo. You can check the official websites to see if there are events planned for your visiting dates!


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Chamartín


Best for music lovers Auditorio Nacional de Música and football fans Estadio Santiago Bernabéu


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📍 Parque Berlín (playgrounds, green space)



Arganzuela / Madrid Río


  • Parque Madrid Río A favorite for families: Madrid Río Park, with playgrounds, slides, and water features (especially great in summer).





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Family Day trips from Madrid


Segovia


Plaza Mayor and Segovia Cathedral
Plaza Mayor and Segovia Cathedral

We went to Segovia for a day trip, departing from Moncloa:

🚍Go to the Moncloa Interchange (bus station in Moncloa). From there, direct buses to Segovia depart; buy your ticket at the counter or online (Avanza/Alsa). You can also reserve your return ticket. Approximate price: €6–€10, depending on day/time.


Board the bus heading to Segovia (Bus Station / City Center). Direct services run frequently (approx. every 30 minutes) and the journey usually takes 1–1.5 hours depending on traffic. It arrives conveniently at Segovia’s bus terminal, ideal for families as it leaves you close to the historic center.


Upon arrival at Segovia Bus Station (Paseo Ezequiel González), the Aqueduct and Plaza Mayor/Cathedral are just a few minutes’ walk away (5–10 min on foot).




Segovia Aqueduct
Segovia Aqueduct

One-day walking route in Segovia


  1. Roman Aqueduct


The starting point and symbol of the city. Take some time to admire it from Plaza del Azoguejo and climb a little on the stairs for panoramic views.


  1. Calle Real


Calle Real Stroll along this pedestrian street full of shops and bars, which connects the Aqueduct directly to Plaza Mayor.


  1. Plaza Mayor and Segovia Cathedral


📍Cathedral You can visit inside (its height and stained glass are impressive). Plaza Mayor is a great spot to take a break, have lunch, or grab snacks on the way to the Alcázar.


  1. Alcázar de Segovia 🏰


From the Cathedral, it’s about a 15-minute walk to this fairytale castle. Don’t forget to climb the Juan II Tower for spectacular views. 📍Álcazar de Segovia.


  1. Real Casa de Moneda de Segovia (opcional si aún les queda energía)


Walking down from the Alcázar towards the Eresma River (about 10–15 min). It has an exhibition on how coins were made.



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What to try in Segovia

  • Roast Suckling Pig (Cochinillo Asado): Signature dish, crispy and juicy, traditionally cooked in a wood-fired oven.

  • Judiones de La Granja: Large local beans typical of the area.

  • Segovian Ponche: Local dessert.



Toledo


🚆 How to get from Madrid


By train

  • Departure: Madrid Puerta de Atocha Station

  • Duration: ~33 minutes to 1 hour depending on the train (AVE or Medium Distance)

  • Arrival: Toledo Station, 10–15 min from the historic center by bus or taxi

  • Tip: Buy tickets in advance on Renfe

By bus

  • Departure: Estación Sur de Autobuses (Méndez Álvaro)

  • Company: ALSA

  • Duration: 1h 15–1h 30, direct to Toledo center

  • Tip: Ideal if you prefer a fixed schedule and single ticket; buy at ALSA


🏰 Five must-sees in Toledo for families


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  1. Catedral Primada de Toledo - Impressive Gothic church; stained glass and the Treasure Staircase.


  2. Alcázar de Toledo - Museum and fortress with panoramic views; perfect for photos and exploring military history.


  3. Puente de Alcántara and Puente de San Martín - Historic bridges over the Tagus River; great for outdoor walks and city views.


  4. Casco histórico y callejuelas - Wander the cobbled streets, plazas, and artisan shops (swords, damascening, ceramics).


  5. Try some Marzipan: Traditional sweet.



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Parque Warner


How to get to Parque Warner from central Madrid? Several options. Here are the most common step-by-step:


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By public transport (train + shuttle bus)

  • Most common option: Cercanías train + shuttle bus

  • From Atocha or Recoletos, take Cercanías C-3 or C-4 towards Aranjuez / Parla

  • Get off at Pinto station

  • From Pinto, take the special Parque Warner bus (available only on park opening days)

  • Approximate duration: 1h 15–1h 30


Direct bus from Madrid

  • Company: ALSA operates direct services from Estación Sur de Autobuses (Méndez Álvaro)

  • Duration: 40–50 minutes

  • Ticket: Buy online at www.alsa.es or at the counter

Reserve your tickets online.





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One of the must-sees at Parque Warner: The Crazy Police Academy Show. It’s a stunt show that combines action, humor, and special effects on an open-air stage. Lasting approximately 30 minutes, it features chases, vehicle stunts, and comedic scenes based on the movie. Highly recommended!


Note: The show includes very loud sound effects, which may scare children under 3 or those very sensitive to loud noises.





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🧡 We hope this guide helps as you plan your own trip to Madrid!


Share it with friends & family, and follow us on Instagram for more family travel tips.


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