Grand boulevards, world-class galleries, indoor and outdoor markets, flamenco, tapas—Madrid is rightly celebrated by culture lovers and gastronomes alike.
Yet Madrid for families is also a compelling choice. The compact centre can be explored on foot, green spaces are plentiful, large areas have been pedestrianised, and interactive museums and cultural attractions offer plenty for both children and adults.
There is also something about Spain that makes it especially welcoming for children, and Madrid is no exception. Kids are embraced almost everywhere, from cafés to late-night dinners, and foreign children frequently draw warm smiles, along with the occasional pat on the head from a passing elder—reasons why Spain is frequently regarded as one of the best countries in the world in which to raise a family.
To guide parents through the city, Madrid-based hospitality expert Francisco Javier Andrés Correas, BUSE E-Commerce Manager at Minor Hotels Europe & Americas, shares some of his favourite places and activities. A family man himself and native Madrileño with fifteen years in the hospitality industry, Francisco knows how families visiting Madrid can make the most of the city while avoiding any tired legs or hungry meltdowns. “In Madrid, there’s always something different happening,” he assures us.
Things to Do in Madrid with Families
Day 1: Madrid Río and the Manzanares River
Francisco recommends starting your trip at the Matadero Madrid Cultural Centre. The venue itself is located in a former slaughterhouse—"livestock market,” if the kids should ask—that has been converted over the past two decades into one of the city's most exciting cultural spaces. At 149,000 square metres, the place is huge, and offers a constantly shifting programme of exhibitions and performances, including storytelling sessions and art activities aimed at younger ages.
From Matadero, it's a short walk to the Manzanares River corridor. This 10-kilometre stretch is the result of a major urban regeneration project, and features continuous cycling and pedestrian routes. It's popular with birdlife too and here you'll spot herons, ducks and other waterfowl.
Madrid Río Park is the focal point for family activity, with its landscaped gardens, mazes and playgrounds, while in summer, Madrid Río Beach is reliably popular. No waves or sand, but a series of splash zones, mist jets and water fountains that will keep the young ones busy and cool.
The corridor also connects to the countryside and, if the kids are up to it, there is the option of longer walks or cycles, as well as more wildlife-spotting opportunities.
For lunch, Francisco suggests the terrace at NH Madrid Ribera del Manzanares, with its shaded views across the river. The hotel itself is a convenient and peaceful option for families—quiet and green, yet well within reach of the city's major sights.
In the afternoon, Francisco suggests taking the family to Plaza de España, one of Madrid's most famous squares. Parts of the centre have been pedestrianised in recent years and from here families can stroll to other green spaces such as Parque del Oeste—where viewpoints look out towards the Temple of Debod and Madrid's western skyline—while remaining safely removed from the city's traffic.
Day 2: Madrid's Family-Oriented Museums and Parks
Home to three of the country's finest galleries and with a crop of outstanding museums, Madrid more than earns its reputation as one of Europe's cultural capitals. Children, however, often prefer a more tactile experience than your average gallery visit allows, something the city has taken into account.
But first, every child should visit the Museo Nacional Centro de Arte Reina Sofía—Spain's national museum of 20th-century art—if only to witness Picasso's Guernica. Painted in response to the horrors of the Spanish Civil War, the giant canvas—one of the 20th century's most important works of art—is impossible to turn away from, no matter how old you are.
Directly across the street, the Museo de las Ilusiones offers a lighter take on reality, full of optical tricks and mind-bending installations. If you've ever looked up at the ceiling and wondered what it might feel like to walk across it, here's your chance.
Having found your way out again, it's time for lunch. Francisco recommends NH Madrid Nacional, a short walk from the Reina Sofía. The kitchen offers up Spanish dishes made with quality local ingredients. Tapas-style plates work particularly well with families, allowing everyone to pick and share. After lunch, Francisco recommends heading to El Retiro where there are plenty more things to do for families. At 125 hectares and with 15,000 trees, this is where Madrileños come to breathe.
“Retiro is a must—but make sure you also visit La Rosaleda [rose garden], the old zoo area, and Cats' Hill,” he says.
On top of that, you can take a paddle boat out on the lake, visit the glass-and-iron Palacio de Cristal—now used for contemporary art exhibitions—or simply let the kids run off steam while mum and dad sneak in a glass of wine at a nearby terrace.
Day 3: Exploring Madrid's Historic Centre with the Family
Architecture isn't just for adults, and Madrid's ensemble of Renaissance and Baroque landmarks—such as Plaza Mayor or the Puerta del Sol—can be appreciated at any age, especially while sharing a plate of churros con chocolate at a nearby café.
There are also less obvious attractions tucked away in the city centre, ones aimed more squarely at children, says Francisco.
The Museo del Ratón Pérez can be reached by following the winding, flagstoned streets east from Puerta del Sol.
—the Spanish equivalent of the Tooth Fairy—is a beloved children's character from a 19th-century story by Luis Coloma, and this small museum is filled with whimsical recreations of the "Little Mouse" and his world. Children should also keep an eye out for tiny doorways and hidden rodent-sized living rooms in the nearby streets, making a stroll through the centre a literal mouse hunt.
Francisco suggests lunch at NH Collection Palacio de Tepa, also within the historic centre. Set within a 19th-century palace, the restaurant serves honest, straightforward Spanish cooking—a good opportunity to introduce the children to a seafood paella or a hearty cocido.
Finish up at the Gran Vía, one of Madrid's most famous avenues, filled with department stores and grand facades. Of more interest to families visiting Madrid are the number of musicals, magic shows and variety acts on offer. Book in advance, especially on weekends.
Festivals and Activities Outside Madrid for Families
One thing Francisco is emphatic about is getting out of the centre when the opportunity arises. "I love going with my family to local festivities in nearby neighbourhoods and towns. There are open-air dances, markets, and plenty of children's activities," he says.
Throughout the year there are plenty other things to do in Madrid for families, including the surrounding towns. The San Isidro Festival—Madrid’s largest folk festival—takes place in May, while in January you can witness the spectacular Cabalgata de Reyes procession, with its floats and elaborate costumes. Even more colourful costumes and street parades can be enjoyed during Madrid’s Carnival in February.
For families with an extra day or two, it’s worth looking beyond the city. With its Roman aqueduct, storybook castle, and compact, delightful old town, Segovia is well worth the short train ride.
Atmospheric Toledo, famous for its hilltop setting, is equally worth a visit, with narrow, winding streets that are suited for family exploration. And for an altogether different kind of day out, Parque Warner Madrid is just thirty minutes from the city and offers rides, shows, and characters from Looney Tunes and DC Comics. After a few days of cultural immersion, sometimes Batman and Daffy Duck is exactly what everyone needs.
