You don’t have to be a big enthusiast to know that Madrid is a city of soccer, shopping, and fashion, but is there something to do in the Spanish capital on a trip with kids? Although an urban vacation is not always ideal for a family trip – due to long walks, the danger of losing one of the kids in the crowds, and the multitude of things to “get done” that might tire the kids – Madrid offers endless leisure options. Many of them are suitable for children.
Museums, water parks, zoos, and what has made Barcelona such a beloved destination for families: a visit to the city’s football temples. All these together will turn spending time with the kids into a shared and enriching experience for the whole family.
Madrid is not called the “city of museums” for nothing, with no fewer than 46 of them within its territory. Some of them are not suitable for children at all, but most of them definitely are. You can find not only special exhibitions tailored for children of different ages, but also creative corners for the whole family and work areas designed for children. From art, through technology, history, trains, and nature to the magnificent football museums of Real and Atlético Madrid.
These are one of the best museums to visit with kids:
- The Museum of Science and Nature: A variety of nature displays, including impressive collections of rare insects and plants. But the highlight for children is the dinosaur exhibition, allowing them to touch giant models of former rulers of the earth. €7 for adults, €3.5 for children up to age 16, free for children up to age four.
Address: José Gutiérrez Abascal, 2. Arrival: Gregorio Marañón metro station. - The Archaeological Museum: Immpressive displays of Mediterranean cultures, from the prehistoric period to the 19th century. The museum offers special tours for families, including special activities, creative workshops, and “story-show” tours tailored for children of different ages. €3 per ticket.
Address: Serrano, 13. Arrival: Serrano/Retiro metro station. - The Railway Museum: Is there anything cooler for kids than trains? And what about hundreds of locomotives, train carriages, miniature models, and guided tours through the history of 150 years of Spanish railways? And that’s before the special workshops, shows, concerts, and of course, a flea market of miniature trains, for playing or collecting. 6 euros on Monday to Thursday, 3 euros on Saturday and Sunday, free entry for children up to age four.
Address: Paseo de las Delicias, 61. Arrival: Delicias metro station. - The Santiago Bernabéu – The Real Madrid Museum: Located in the sanctum sanctorum of the team, its magnificent and monumental stadium. A visit to the trophy room, packed to bursting, the players’ dressing rooms, the press conference hall, the players’ tunnel, including walking on the pitch and the option to sit on the benches. In addition, you can enjoy a variety of videos and presentations from the team’s rich and most decorated history. 25 euros for adults, 18 euros for children up to age 14.
Address: Concha Espina, 1. Arrival: Santiago Bernabéu metro station. - Wanda Metropolitano: A visit to Atletico Madrid’s new stadium, including the trophy room, the stands, the benches, the dressing rooms, and a high view of the stadium. Option for a guided tour among the videos, shirts from different periods, and various exhibits on display. 16 euros for adults, 8 euros for children up to age 13.
Address: Av. de Luis Aragones, 4. Arrival: Estadio Metropolitano metro station.
A World of Attractions
Like in any city, Madrid also has many children who demand someone or something to entertain them. As a result, the world of attractions in the Spanish capital is filled with everything good – an amusement park, a zoo, a planetarium, a giant aquarium, and an ice palace are just the tip of the iceberg of a children’s world full of everything good.
Here’s a partial list of the prominent attractions:
- Madrid Amusement Park: A variety of attractions for all ages, from different types of roller coasters, through family-friendly activities like jungle rafting, carousels, and D4 cinema, to special activities for little ones with a variety of slightly less frightening facilities. Prices vary according to visit days, with an average cost of €50 for a parent and child (children under a meter tall enter for free).
Address: Casa de Campo. Arrival: Batán metro station. - Madrid Cable Car: An option to get a panoramic view of the entire city, by cable car inaugurated somewhere in 1969. The tour passes at a height of 40 meters, and throughout the journey, a voice guide details the sites being observed. The route goes between Paseo de Rosales and Casa de Campo (or vice versa). 4.50 euros per ticket, free for children up to age four.
Address: Paseo de Rosales to Paseo del Pintor Rosales & Casa de Campo. Arrival: Argüelles & Batán/Lago metro stations. - Another way to look at Madrid from above is at the Faro de Moncloa viewpoint, a sort of tower with a panoramic elevator that takes you to a height of 92 meters above ground level (the tower itself is 110 meters tall). From here, you can see a variety of Madrid’s monuments (and contend with your fear of heights along the way). Entrance fee is 3 euros.
Address: Av. de la Memoria, 2. - Carlos Sainz Center Karting: 700 meters of racing track that will make children (and you, let’s admit) feel like Formula 1 drivers for a day. Besides the option to speed up, collide, or simply enjoy the ride, there is also a play area equipped with everything a well-equipped game room has to offer. 17 euros for adults, 16 euros for children (family packages available).
Address: Sepúlveda, 3. Arrival: Puerta del Ángel metro station. - Micropolix: A “role reversal” in park form. A whole city, including all the professions you can think of, run by children aged 4-14. Children have the opportunity to feel “like adults” and along the way learn a bit about responsibility, how a city operates, and thus appreciate their parents who manage their lives day by day. €9.40 for adults, €14.90 for children up to age 14, free for children up to age three.
Address: Parque Comercial Alegra. Ctra. A-1, Salida 20/Exit 20. San Sebastián de los Reyes. - Ice Palace: An Olympic-sized surface that allows skating for the whole family. Option for beginners’ lessons, group instruction, and events, and from evening hours, you can enjoy disco skating. 12.50 euros on weekends, 7 euros on weekdays.
Address: Silvano, 77, Arrival: Canillas metro station. - Faunia: Madrid’s beautiful park is actually an impressive combination of a zoo, botanical garden, and amusement park. On one hand, it simulates the Amazon jungle with a tropical storm every half hour, and on the other hand, an impressive reconstruction of Antarctica. In total, there are over 700 animal species and more than a thousand types of plants, spread over 15 different ecological systems. Note: the place is impressive, but it has some downsides – it’s not cheap here, and you can’t bring in food from outside, and sometimes there may be long lines. Prices start from 15 euros for children (but it’s worth checking out the combined attraction ticket, allowing entry to multiple parks and attractions).
Address: Comunidades avenue 28. - Parque Warner: The local version of Disneyland, just without Mickey Mouse and starring Bugs Bunny. Yes, it’s a park dedicated entirely to Hollywood cinema and its characters – from Looney Tunes to Batman and Superman, spanning over 150 hectares divided into five areas: Hollywood Boulevard, Cartoon Village, Old West Territory, Superheroes, and more. So if you don’t have a few days – you’ll happily spend a whole day here. Each area boasts impressive roller coasters, water rides, and a play area for younger children.
In addition to the attractions, each area also has restaurants, coffee stores, and everything you need for an outdoor day. Note: the park is located about 30 kilometers from the center of Madrid and can be reached by car, bus, and train. Tickets for children up to a meter tall start at 25 euros per day and vary accordingly. More details on the park’s website.
