Madrid with the Family
Take inspiration from our itinerary
Visiting Madrid with the family certainly requires no less than 5 days, especially if you have young children. This is because the city, besides being rich in monuments and palaces of unparalleled charm, also boasts internationally renowned museums. One of them, the Prado Museum, is probably in the top 10 most important museums in the world.
But let’s go in order, what should you not miss in Madrid with the family?
Start from the Center!
The nerve center of Madrid, where everything begins and everything makes sense, is Puerta del Sol. Here you’ll find the statue of the bear, the symbol of Madrid, and from here all the roads of Spain radiate (or so says a plaque in the square).
Once you’ve soaked in the atmosphere of Madrid with the family in its main square, it’s time to move towards what I consider the most beautiful square: Plaza Mayor. You can reach it on foot by walking through one of Madrid’s central streets, lined with enormous buildings, a legacy of the city’s monarchical past/present.
A must during your stay in the capital is the visit to the Royal Palace. Magnificent both outside and inside, the visit will take several hours but is absolutely worth it.
You can’t miss visiting the Catedral de la Almudena, located directly in front of the palace, and the Temple of Debod, an Egyptian temple not far away, where you can relax and enjoy a stunning sunset with a view of the Royal Palace.
A real gem!
Not far from the Temple of Debod is Plaza de España. Once you’ve visited the square and taken the necessary photos of the statues of Don Quixote and Sancho Panza, it’s time to walk, strictly on foot, the city’s most important street: Gran Via.
As you walk among glamorous shops, way out of most people’s budgets, also look up and enjoy the immensity of the buildings.
Once you reach the end, near the Círculo de Bellas Artes, turn around. What you’ll see in front of you is one of Madrid’s most typical views, a family photo is a must here. Admire it and take photos… walking a few hundred meters further, you’ll arrive at Plaza de Cibeles.
Here, there are 2 major attractions.
The first is the Palacio de Cibeles, which I think is the most beautiful building in Madrid, and one of the most beautiful I’ve ever seen.
The second is the Cibeles Fountain, where at the end of the season, the Real Madrid team celebrates their championship victory.
During your stay in Madrid with the family, you definitely can’t skip a picnic in the Buen Retiro Park.
It is the largest park in Madrid and the place I recommend to find some coolness during the hottest hours, in search of some of the monuments and works inside.
The Atocha train station is also very nice, inside which a beautiful complex with gardens has been built, and the Plaza de Toros Arena of Las Ventas, one of the largest bullfighting arenas in the world.
Madrid has 3 main museums, all located a short distance from each other: the Prado Museum, the Reina Sofia Museum, and the Thyssen-Bornemisza Museum.
Obviously, the Prado is essential. However, if you are a fan of contemporary art, the Thyssen-Bornemisza Museum is your paradise, while if you want to admire Picasso’s Guernica, you must visit the Reina Sofia Museum.
Discover the Most Instagrammable Locations in Madrid with the Family
Madrid’s incredible attention to detail, colors, and street art strategically placed around the city make it highly Instagrammable.
MALASAÑA This neighborhood, also known as Barrio de las Maravillas, is famous for its colors, street art, and Plaza del Juan Pujol.
THE CABLE CAR It is one of the slowest cable cars in the world and reaches Casa de Campo, the city’s most beautiful park. Here, you will be overwhelmed by the incredible blue sky and green plants.
MERCADO DE SAN MIGUEL If you love street food, this is definitely the place for you. Here, among fruits, oysters, and good wine, you will be enchanted by the scents and flavors. Additionally, the numerous colors lend themselves to extremely photogenic shots.
RETIRO PARK Famous for its sculpture of a hand emerging from the ground; explore during the cooler hours and ask for directions because you cannot miss it during your trip to Madrid with the family.
PALACIO DE CRISTAL A structure made of metal and glass, located within Retiro Park. If you’re skilled, there will be games of light that make for stunning photographs.